Notes & Personnel Info |  | Personnel: Matthew Bizilia (vocals); Steve Pollick (guitar, keyboards); Frank Aresti, George Lynch (guitar). | | Additional personnel: George Lynch. | | Audio Mixer: Eric Klinger. | | At a time when it's become increasingly difficult to discern the small but important differences between power and classic heavy metal, Icarus Witch make it easy by forgoing the "power" element outright. This, as it turns out, is both their greatest strength and weakness, as it immediately conjures up welcome memories of old-school American metal legends like Manilla Road and Virgin Steele, while robbing some songs of the "authority" that a little more volume and distortion might have brought them. The disparity between either reaction may really come down to a straight-up generation gap or a small mental adjustment (a little time travel, if you will) on the listener's part, since the band itself is clearly intentionally committed to their vintage approach, and the songs that follow quickly support this decision with their surprising consistency. Mostly dealing in fantasy-adventure themes (of course), standouts tracks such as "Darklands," "Awakening the Mountain Giants," and "Capture the Magic" (recalling very early Queensr?che) strike a rare balance between modesty and majesty (a feat most power metal bands have no concept of). And Icarus Witch's two crucial melody sources, singer Matthew Bizilia and guitarist Steve Pollick, rarely lack for conviction or command in their performances -- understated though they may sometimes seem. Yes, a few numbers ("Soothsayer"; "Nemeton Forest") still sound a little flat by any definition, but the gloriously named "The Ghost of Xavior Holmes" and an excellent cover of the Osbourne/Rhoads classic "S.A.T.O.," fire off some extra fireworks thanks to guest guitar luminaries like Fates Warning's Frank Aresti and George Lynch, respectively. All in all, Capture the Magic is a very promising start for Icarus Witch -- even if most younger fans will probably have to suspend their prejudices against less-than-overpowering heavy metal in order to understand where they are coming from. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia |
Musical Guests | | George Lynch |
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