ISTAPP formed in 2005, in Sweden. The band's name translates to "Icicle" in English. It seems the early years were plagued with line-up changes, as they were not able to release their debut LP until 2010. Re-formed again, the Melodic Black Metal quartet now release their latest album titled "The Insidious Star" in 2019, which contains nine tracks.

"Eternal Winter" leads off the assault, with a scream and a fast-moving track. The vocals are vile and angry. The dual harmonic clean vocals in the chorus were unexpected but help to break up some of the chaos of the music. "Dit Solen Aldrig Nar" is a bit slower and with a more linear riff. The clean vocals give the song a noble quality, along with the music. It's a declaration of sorts. "Natten Da Gud Blundade" opens with clean vocals and a Folky feeling. The wall of guitars is still there, and the harsh vocals are still as angry as ever. The extended instrumental passage is a nice touch as well.

"Snowball Earth" moves with a rhythm that is easy to tap your foot along with. But, pretty quickly, the harsh screams come back, rage filled and harrowing. "Muspelheim" opens with a scream and some blast beat drumming. The cadence of the song is easy to follow, but it's dark and dreary. The clean guitars bring another element of melody, but I wished they would have lasted just a bit longer. "The Alliance of Cold" opens with some light drumming and then those twin guitars come in along with the harsh vocals. That Folky feeling is still very present, and it cuts against the intensity of the Black Metal vocals.

"The Insidious Star" is more nefarious in nature. After an opening scream that would wake the dead, a slow moving and hypnotic riff follows. They skies turn black and open up with thunder and lightning. Just when you think it could not get any darker, clean vocals turn the song around a bit. "Vita Doeden" opens with a bit of a jovial sound but the vocals stay raging. Underneath the chaos some clean guitar notes ring out, bringing an element of diversity to the table. "Orrekulle" closes the album, opening with a thick and chugging chord that is soon joined by a guitar melody that comes and goes. Though the vocals often dominate the sound, they also let the guitars provide some of the melody as well.

Overall, there was a diversity in sound here which impressed me. Each track brought something a little different to the table, though the core sound remained. The melodies intertwined in a subdued way to the dominating vocal screams and Black Metal signing, and some Folky elements were present as well. It was a nice listening experience for something a bit off the beaten path.