WHITE DEATH is a black metal band, currently based in Finland & Uruguay, that formed in 2013. “Iconoclast” is their second full album; they have also released two demos, an EP and one split album. The album is one that lives in two worlds. Much of the music is fast, furious, and full of the violent tendencies that make black metal what it is. However, it is also melodic and symphonic, although these elements are melded into their old school approach that it is surprisingly smooth. This sets the album up to be wild, crazy and dynamic, but it never gets there. There isn't a bad song here but nothing really is above solid. None of the songs are overly long but by the end of them I was already getting bored. That isn't to say there aren't any highlights, which I will talk about below.

The album opens with “Born From The Unholy Fire (Part III)” and it is a banger. The blackened screams are just what the fast paced music needs. Very subtle keyboards lace the distortion and give it just enough of an epic feel. The bass isn’t overly special but if you have a decent pair of headphones it is audible. It follows alongside the guitar usually but does provide a nice full sound of undercurrent to boost up the songs. A chilling scream rips through the air for the title track. The bass grooves along nicely and seems to be more prominent this time around. A steady rhythm complimented by killer drumming carries the song until the 2:05 mark until a massive bass drops arrive. Afterwards more groove and hits pretty damn hard but it isn't terribly exciting.

“To Die A Thousand Times,” is a ripper of a track. It's raw, fast, powerful and is A battering ram. Unfortunately that's about all it is. Again, like with the other songs, it isn't very exciting and just kind of plays itself out. Some of the more moody songs, such as “Phosphoros,” fair a little better but still end up doing nothing more than checking off boxes. The beginning is creepy, moody, and the keys work very well. Soon after it goes a mile a minute…the ends a few minutes later. It has killer grooves and deep bass but it just sounds the same as what came before.

Definitely not a bad album. It definitely showcases the extremity of black metal while also making it clear that keys and symphonics don't have to water down an album. However there just isn't a whole lot here that makes me want to go back for multiple listens.