A longtime veteran of the metal and punk undergrounds, ICE WAR is the work of the ultra-prolific Jo Capitalicide. The band had its roots in 2011, under the moniker Iron Dogs, who released two cult albums on DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS, before changing the moniker to ICE WAR for its debut 7" EP in 2015, Battle Zone. Now flying solo, Capitalicide quickly set to work and released three more EPs over the next year and a half, and further refined his vision of a genuinely ancient heavy metal attack. Alas, it all came to its fullest fruition on ICE WAR's self-titled debut LP, released during the autumn of 2017 to international acclaim. Comprising re-recorded (and superior) versions of songs previously found on ICE WAR's EPs, Ice War was the perfect full-length introduction to the band, and it's been bettered with the all-new Manifest Destiny. Pounding metal, completely stripped of any modernity - or anything from the last 30 years, or more! - ICE WAR once again deliberately shelters itself from the gloss 'n' dross of nowadays "metal," instead returning to the archaic (and anarchic) splendor of late '70s and early '80s HEAVY METAL. No thrash, not even speed metal, ICE WAR's fist-pumping, invigorating variety of heavy metal recalls the early days of the NWOBHM as well as the early American metal scene; the songwriting flows smoothly, naturally, pumped full of energy but not all-out aggression. Nothing is forced - simply, Jo Capitalicide is being Jo Capitalicide, no more and no less. Likewise, the production is fuller here in its rawness, retaining that garagey grit that endeared the band early on whilst exhibiting a clarity that allows these eight songs to become the anthems they so rightfully are. Once again, ICE WAR offers you a stark choice: be true, or be a false. Will you entry? Will you Manifest Destiny?
