I.C.O.N – Dead Until Dusk – The Art of Escaping

at The Brickmakers, Norwich 03.09.15

Review By, Vicky Milne

About to embark on their UK tour to promote their new album ‘The Blacklist’, I.C.O.N. chose The Brickmakers in Norwich as their launchpad for their following eleven dates.

Opening up the night with their smooth melodic but hard rock, was The Art of Escaping. Rocking into ‘What You Gave Me’, ‘Ignite The Fire’, the first track to be played from their debut EP ‘Three Ways’ and ‘If I Can’t See’, the melodies were soaring across the room delighting onlookers, their sound being somewhat refreshing. We were then treated to a little musical interlude, a little ditty called ‘Tuning up to E’, before TAOE slammed into ‘The Ghost of What Remains’, which is in E by the way. This track being a lot heavier than others with only a touch of melody to lighten it during the chorus, an interesting but exciting insight as to what these guys could possibly produce in the future. Rounding off their set with ‘Help my Lungs to Breathe’ and ‘Catch Me If You Can’, TAOE never disappoint with their live performances and captivate the audience whatever show they play making it impossible to stay still during their set.

Up next were another local favourite, and Metal to the Masses Finalists, Dead Until Dusk. Bringing their heavy sound to the stage smashing straight into ‘Gravedigger’, ‘Dragon Slayer’, a personal favourite of mine, and ‘Purple Rolex’, DUD kept the audience participation going throughout, and with the deep throaty vocals and gruff duel, these guys nailed their sound. Rolling into ‘Supercharger’ saw a much heavier influence with plenty of chugging bass line and mighty riffage, which lead nicely into ‘You’ll Get Nothing and Like it’. A very bouncy song that always brings a highly energetic call and respond from stage to crowd. Rounding off their set with ‘Lets Get the Beers In’ which is a fan favourite with the crowd singing along. DUD have definitely got their own unique blend of the metal and blues sound down. They get better with every show and are definitely not a band to miss in the future.

It was now time for the headliners to take to the stage. Showcasing their new album’ The Blacklist’, I.C.O.N. began their UK tour by unleashing their heavy rock and old school, original metal sound on the Brickmakers crowd. Opening with ‘A Room In Hell’, ‘Feeding The Negative’ and swiftly banging out ‘Devils Blacklist’ and ‘I’m The Venom’, it was quite clear that these chaps meant business and it’s understandable why their debut album ‘New Born Lie’ was such a success. Acknowledging the audience whenever he could, Mark Sagar on vocals led us through a classic metal journey. Supported by Scott Knowles (guitar) providing the screaming riffs and Reece Bevan (bass) and Larry Paterson (drums) providing the rumbling and pounding backdrop for the show. Following a nostalgic jaunt through some tracks from ‘New Born Lie’, the guys brought their set right round to end off with the heavier feeling track ‘Drowning In Their Screams’, ‘New Born Lie’ and finished off with a massive ‘Seven Second Warning’. A brilliant and highly energetic set from a band that clearly want to keep the original, no frills metal sound alive, and are definitely achieving it.

Check out the bands!

Check em out – https://www.facebook.com/theartofescaping?fref=ts

Have a listen – https://www.reverbnation.com/theartofescaping

Give em a watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnX6hZzAcEo

Check em out – https://www.facebook.com/DeadUntilDusk

Have a listen – https://www.facebook.com/DeadUntilDusk/app_2405167945

Give em a watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX6EosaYZTY

Check em out – http://www.iconukonline.com/home /https://www.facebook.com/icon.uk/timeline

Have a listen – http://www.iconukonline.com/music–2

Give em a watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IobartQMKog