The first thing that came to my mind when I listened to ICON IN ME is pure rage. This is absolutely a dose of energetic Thrash Metal that I missed so much. Finally something professional came knocking. First of all I must praise the incredible work on the artwork, which is fabulous and much invested that describes a beast or the devil in the middle of total chaos that drips from its head.

The band doesn't combine the typically modern Thrash Metal that you used to know or hear before. Here we got a mixture of some Metalcore / Groove Metal with the melodic touch of progressive inputs. If you were looking for the uniqueness in them, I believe that here you will find the answers you seek.

Some of the songs move from one genre to other. One of the best examples is "Un-Slaved" that succeeds on taking from the "Show No Mercy" kind of Thrash with some brutal groove guitar riffs that developed into a Thrash bomb. Without warning there is a show of a beautiful melodic chorus section that fits so tightly to the toughness of the song. It continues with some breaking parts that related to a rather more complex direction. Then again the beautiful melodic diverts into another musical dimension. In general, as the latter suggests, the music is constantly on the move without any second of break. Just try the song "Lost For Nothing", a pure dose of growls with a melodic singing that will leave you speechless to Tony JJ's voice. This guy got some energy and can deliver harsh feelings.

The drums sounded as if a machine was playing thanks to the changes in the rhythmic parts in the songs, while the guitars supply the bombastic attack that reminds me the good old days of OVERKILL and VICIOUS RUMORS with a modern twist. I don't know how to treat to "Nuclear Drama", I have to admit that it wasn't my favorite song here but it sure left an enormous impression on me with its combination of warmongering speed and groove.

"Tired And Broken" is a different image of the band, more on the emotional side with slight blinks towards Grunge. Nonetheless, it still keeps the melodic Metal spirit, with a chorus that tears apart.Tony JJ's singing of "there is nothing in this life", is one of the strongest lines that was made as a reminder. After a relaxing part, it is back on the horse with a dose of brutal Metal, sort of a mix of Thrash with Death Metal, in the vein of IN FLAMES. There is no doubt that the chorus is far-reaching and in concerts it probably works fine, especially with the groove on the ending part.

"The Quest" is one if the best tracks here. It has the right energy, the rage that I was talking about in the beginning of the review. Furthermore, there is a development between the tough growl singing and the attractive melodic chorus that will take you to a high point of the song that extends from a quiet point to a one wrath like melodic party that consists of a good chorus and great guitar work.

I was astonished when I heard that they are from Russia because usually all my knowledge of Russian Metal ends in ARIA, GORKY PARK, MASTER and KIPELOV. Now I am happy to expand it with ICON IN ME.