Facebook [Release date 03.03.23]
Icarus Falls hail from West Sussex in the UK, consisting of Doug Hay (vocals), Harvey Wigg (guitar, vocals), Lawrence Trousdale-Smith (guitar), Vinnie Denton (bass) and Josh Harris (drums). As well as having the pandemic hit their plans, Harvey is also a cancer survivor.
Although this is Icarus Falls’ debut album they did release a well received EP entitled ‘Venom’ last year.
Opener ‘Where Do I Begin’ fair wallops the listener’s ears, a heady mix of Those Damn Crows and Volbeat. If that didn’t shake your dandruff, then the next song ‘We Are Not The Same’ will! Featuring growling vocals from Harvey (strangely as I get older I find I can listen to ‘cookie monster’ vocals more easily), Icarus Falls go a modern metal with a few symphonic embellishments.
The title track sees the band coming up with an emotively charged ballad. Loving the guitars and rhythm bombast on the chorus of this one. In Doug Hay they have a vocal powerhouse that’s for sure.
Production and sound wise this album has one you’d expect of a big label, the difference being Icarus Falls aren’t signed to a big label (yet!). Listening to ‘Bleed Me Dry’ is a case in point with crisp guitar parts and a neat vocal midsection. Or the bass of Vinnie Denton weaving its magic through ‘Nine Four’.
They have an airplay/playlist banger on their hands with ‘Blame’, which features a guest vocal from Bella MJR.
Icarus Falls are another fine band to add to your ‘must listen’ list, as they have produced an enticing and enjoyable modern metal/hard rock album. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
The band’s Harvey Wigg took time out to answer a few Qs about the band and their debut album…
How did Icarus Falls form and to a new fan to your music, how would you describe it?
Icarus falls formed without myself and Doug maybe ten years ago, and eventually josh our drummer started trying to find a replacement singer and guitarist. In walks myself and Doug!
Our music was previously compared to Black Stone Cherry meets Alice in chains. However with our new album I believe we expanded on our old sound, so I’d be interested in how our fans describe it!
The debut album ‘Hollow’ is out now. Have you been pleased with the reaction to it so far from reviews and fans?
Yes! It’s been great, we’ve been itching to get the album out for years! The feedback we keep getting back is along the lines of “how are you not signed to a major label” which obviously we take as a massive compliment but alas we are independent!
The album has really good sound & production values. How was this achieved?
With lots of annoying Russ! (I kid he loved it) who mixed the whole album, but I think I re recorded the guitars across the whole album about 4 times just to get the right tone. We went in with an almost autistically anal out look on every little detail as we all agreed when we listen to the album in 10 years we want to be able to say “yeah that still slaps” rather than “oh I wish I done this and that” … so don’t rush it! Hence why it took so long to make!
What have been the band’s live highlights to date and why?
Playing Ramblin’ Man fair was a good day for all of us! … we even played a gig once where Lawrence’s guitar amp blew up on the last song … so we thought screw it and both played the last song on the same guitar at the same time and somehow managed to pull it off and I think peoples reaction to that was great! But there’s been so many good shows it’s hard to pick.
Is streaming helping the band get known more and do you think streaming in general helps or hinders newer artists like yourselves getting known more?
Streaming is a difficult one, it’s great to have all access music at your finger tips however, realistically you still have to market your Spotify and get people through the door as it were. Nowadays everybody can basically record at home and release music so there’s so much artists out there you can get lost in a sea of new artists. So streaming is a 50/50 love hate relationship for me.
What are the plans for the band for the rest of the year?
Currently everyone is kind of doing their own thing, I’m currently working on a solo EP with Russ, so you can expect some Bangers on that with the same high detailed production. Vinnie will also be playing bass on that record, as he’s just incredible. I believe Lawrence is doing a more tech metal project etc.
But if the Hollow album does well I’m sure we’ll get back and go and tear up a few stages etc.
We’ll see what happens!
Message for your fans…
Thank you so much basically! Especially to the fans that stuck with us as this album took almost 4 years to come out! Keep streaming it, tell your friends and we love you!
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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