Post by dangerzone on Jun 21, 2006 16:57:28 GMT -5
Icon 'Icon'
1984, Capitol
During the 1980's there was a sub culture that emphasised the image of macho, whether it was on film or vinyl. Everywhere you turned there was a movie portraying a displaced Vietnam vet, trying to recover from his tortured past, only to be somehow coaxed back into action by marauding locals. More than often he enlisted the help of his old war buddies to aid him in his quest to rid the town of the scum. Morals were few. Women were raped and killed at will. People were shot and butchered in the middle of the streets. Gun battles took place in broad daylight. It was a unique period and metal was equally as affected. Icon represent the macho, he man style of US metal circa 1984 like its celluloid counterparts. The Phoenix natives debut captured the essence of the decade, over the top and totally out of control. Only the coolest people know what I mean.
This album is best summed up by the track 'World War' in which Stephen Clifford sings of World War 3. In 1994. He promises a bloody battle to the end, the poor and rich up in smoke as someone pushes the button to end it all. This typically apocalyptic song could be viewed as ludicrous, but to anyone who recalls 1984, the threat of nuclear warfare seemed on the horizon. 'Grab your guns!' Alright! The album as a whole is a rampage. Uncontrollable riffing, powerhouse lyrics and titles like 'Under My Gun, 'Killer Machine', 'Rock And Roll Maniac' and 'Iconoclast' tell the story. This type of metal makes thrash look like a joke. It's more dangerous and cutting edge, the overall heaviness of 'Under My Gun' the sound of a machine, one that pegs Priest 1984 as positively redundant.
When I listen to 'Rock And Roll Maniac' I imagine myself in a cut off jean jacket, with a headband, tight blue jeans and white sneakers, hanging out in some abandoned warehouse headbanging with assorted local metalheads in a show of unity. I feel as if I'm living the lifestyle when exposed to this album, it takes me back in time and my mind is situated in the 80's, rather than the piss stained decade we currently live in. It's the soundtrack to the two million action films of the 80's, the AOR cut that appears during the ending credits as a sign of victory. Icon themselves made a further three albums, none of which ranked with this stellar masterpiece, although 1985's 'Night Of The Crime' was an AOR classic in its own right.
Many would consider themselves too good for this. They'd probably say it isn't heavy. Those are people who do not understand what heaviness really means or consists of. To them if it isn't grindcore it's nothing. That person has no musical grasp. Put up 'On Your Feet' against Celtic Frost and judge for yourself who has the more convincing attitude and set of nuts. Face it, Icon do. This is tough, no nonsense metal as only the Americans could conjure. The 80's in a heartbeat.
Rating: A
1984, Capitol
During the 1980's there was a sub culture that emphasised the image of macho, whether it was on film or vinyl. Everywhere you turned there was a movie portraying a displaced Vietnam vet, trying to recover from his tortured past, only to be somehow coaxed back into action by marauding locals. More than often he enlisted the help of his old war buddies to aid him in his quest to rid the town of the scum. Morals were few. Women were raped and killed at will. People were shot and butchered in the middle of the streets. Gun battles took place in broad daylight. It was a unique period and metal was equally as affected. Icon represent the macho, he man style of US metal circa 1984 like its celluloid counterparts. The Phoenix natives debut captured the essence of the decade, over the top and totally out of control. Only the coolest people know what I mean.
This album is best summed up by the track 'World War' in which Stephen Clifford sings of World War 3. In 1994. He promises a bloody battle to the end, the poor and rich up in smoke as someone pushes the button to end it all. This typically apocalyptic song could be viewed as ludicrous, but to anyone who recalls 1984, the threat of nuclear warfare seemed on the horizon. 'Grab your guns!' Alright! The album as a whole is a rampage. Uncontrollable riffing, powerhouse lyrics and titles like 'Under My Gun, 'Killer Machine', 'Rock And Roll Maniac' and 'Iconoclast' tell the story. This type of metal makes thrash look like a joke. It's more dangerous and cutting edge, the overall heaviness of 'Under My Gun' the sound of a machine, one that pegs Priest 1984 as positively redundant.
When I listen to 'Rock And Roll Maniac' I imagine myself in a cut off jean jacket, with a headband, tight blue jeans and white sneakers, hanging out in some abandoned warehouse headbanging with assorted local metalheads in a show of unity. I feel as if I'm living the lifestyle when exposed to this album, it takes me back in time and my mind is situated in the 80's, rather than the piss stained decade we currently live in. It's the soundtrack to the two million action films of the 80's, the AOR cut that appears during the ending credits as a sign of victory. Icon themselves made a further three albums, none of which ranked with this stellar masterpiece, although 1985's 'Night Of The Crime' was an AOR classic in its own right.
Many would consider themselves too good for this. They'd probably say it isn't heavy. Those are people who do not understand what heaviness really means or consists of. To them if it isn't grindcore it's nothing. That person has no musical grasp. Put up 'On Your Feet' against Celtic Frost and judge for yourself who has the more convincing attitude and set of nuts. Face it, Icon do. This is tough, no nonsense metal as only the Americans could conjure. The 80's in a heartbeat.
Rating: A