Well, what we’re dealing here is epic doom awakened, battle-ready, and crushing!
ICE HOWL is one of those rare beasts in the metal world that demands your attention, not politely, but with the force of a frostbitten axe to the skull. This Indiana-based outfit first roared into existence in 2016 as a trio, featuring Travis (Jason) Roach on guitars and vocals, Tucker Thomasson (THRONE OF IRON, THORR-AXE) on bass, and Niko Albanese pounding the skins. But fate had other plans, and soon Travis was left to carry the icy torch alone as a one-man band. Did he falter? Hell no. His vision of an epic doom powerhouse never wavered.
Fast forward to 2023, ICE HOWL re-emerged from the tundra with a vengeance, participating in an underground split alongside MOURN THE LIGHT, HIGH PRIEST, and ARCHDRUID. This marked their first steps toward rebuilding a full lineup, following their 2016 debut “Crack the Earth”. Enter Zebah Latifi (ZEPHANIAH), whose commanding vocals turned heads on tracks “Silent Resistance” and “Final Stand of the Third Age” Add Kyle Wilcher on drums, Mark Jackson (from Louisville thrashers OVERLOAD) on bass, and Seth Crichfield on guitars, and ICE HOWL wasn’t just back – they were reborn.
Cue “Reborn and Reforged”, the band’s glorious return as a fully loaded power/doom force of nature. Originally unleashed digitally on November 29, 2024, this EP is now making its physical debut via Stormspell Records, packing the 2023 split songs as bonus tracks remastered by Wayne Dwyer.
Although there’s no new songwriting in “Reborn and Reforged” tracklist, “Snowfire” originally belonging to 2022’s “Darkness from Beyond”, the other three songs coming from ICE HOWL’s debut and two bonus tracks from 2023’s split as forementioned, there’s really a VERY GOOD REASON for this release – this is ICE HOWL as a BAND, playing power/epic doom metal at its finest, a majestic blend of Sword & Sorcery vibes, thunderous riffs, and vocals that pierce through like an enchanted blade. ICE HOWL‘s new sound is a love letter to bands like STYGIAN CROWN, SMOULDER, GRAND MAGUS, SORCERER, WOLFTOOTH, ARGUS, CIRITH UNGOL, and TROUBLE, but with a frosty twist all their own.
Clocking in at just under half an hour, “Reborn and Reforged” is pure metal joy, full of frostbitten riffs and molten passion, forged in battle and drenched in the blood of its enemies. The riffs are colossal, the melodies epic, and the energy relentless. From the first note to the last, this EP is a rallying cry for every heavy metal warrior.
My favorite track is “Kyteler”, a BLASTING battle hymn steeped in grandeur with Zebah’s vocals cutting through like a war cry but it’s really hard NOT to like any of the songs; “Snowfire” is a riff-driven juggernaut, “Crack the Earth” screams of a storming return while “Sorcerer’s Call” is a masterful Sabbathian ode! Finally, “Silent Resistance” and Tolkien-inspired “Final Stand of the Third Age” are truly striking metal works and a clever adding to the CD edition.
If you crave heavy guitars, towering vocals, and the spirit of epic doom, ICE HOWL’s new EP deserves a spot in your collection. Don’t sleep on this one – grab it, crank it, and let the power of the howl consume you.
“Reborn and Reforged” will be released on January 11th on CD by Stormspell Records.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can order the CD here.
