Review Summary: Little known début album with great pedigree needs YOUR time and attention.
Icon In Me are a relatively little known band from Moscow, and despite this being their début album they contain a mighty pedigree within their ranks. Featuring ex Mnemic vocalist Tony Jelencovich, Danish drummer Martin Lowe of Soilwork history amongst others and guitarist Dmitry Frans of Hostile Breed, this is a newer band with some great experience and skill under its belt.
Human Museum unfortunately received very little attention upon its release in 2009 outside of their home country of Russia (where they supported none other than Machine Head on their Russian tour leg). This is a great shame because use they have delivered a mighty album to start off with and deserve your attention.
Icon In me on
Human Museum play a combination of groove metal perfected by such bands as American stalwarts as Lamb Of God and Devildriver, mixed with a European melodic death metal element which is to be expected with its members ties to the likes of Mnemic and Soilwork; forming a groove metal bludgeon with a European twist, which works extremely well.
Album opener 'Dislocated' is a prime example of this, with its introduction sounding like the beginning of a Soilwork track before it truly kicks in and the bands groove element rears it's head. Lead single 'That Day, That Sorrow' (of which you can easily find the video on youtube, which is most likely the only place you will find it in the UK unfortunately) is the most memorable song and shows Tony's vocal talents at full force, with mighty roaring skills for the verses and impressive clean singing in the chorus. Tony is a very underrated vocalist and on
Human Museum his powers throughout are on fine form.
Human Museum is a very consistent affair as well. Whilst no tracks really stand high above any others and all are fairly similar they are also very memorable and of high quality. Even 'Empty Hands' which stands at over 6 minutes long still holds your attention throughout, even when the pace lulls. This is a very good album which arguably stands on equal terms with many of their peers. Certainly it can hold a candle to much of Devildriver's work. Icon In Me delivered a little known treat which really deserved more attention than it got. With a new album out now as well lets hope that it is just as good and that it gets Icon In Me the attention they so deserve.
Recommended: That Day,That Sorrow, Empty File, The Worthless King.
