The world is suffering, and I mean that for the people who live here and the planet itself. Wars are spreading, the misinformation spigot has been flowing for so long, it is practically drowning out the truth, and everything seems on the verge of total collapse. There are times when it feels hopeless, like we need rescued from a force we can’t yet comprehend in order for this place to have a fruitful future.
Pittsburgh traditional metal power Icarus Witch have that very idea in mind on their excellent new record “No Devil Lived On,” a concept piece that imagines a world in total collapse that must be saved by an alliance of wizards, witches, shamans, and other dimensional forces to overthrow the greedy leaders of this world. It’s a reimagining of The Arcadia Witchcraft Mythos created by folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland in 1899, and it sweeps into these nine tracks and dramatic record that’s bursting with power. The band—vocalist Andrew D’Cagna (also of Ironflame and Nechochwen), guitar Quinn Lukas, bassist Jason Myers (who also happens to be a practicing priest of witchcraft), drummer Noah Skiba—again mines the rich history of heavy metal from the ’70s and ’80s with their own personality and power, making this sixth album one of their most interesting and blazing to date. And most urgent because space witches would be pretty welcome right now. It did take me a few listens to fully grasp this beast, but the records you have to earn often are the one that last emotionally the longest. It’s well worth the effort.
“Heaven’s Ghetto” is a classic IW opener after war sounds erupt, leaning into Queensrÿche terrain, driving and pulsating. “How long til the walls come down? How long til we hear the echo?” D’Cagna wails over a great chorus that’ll stick in your head. Guitars light up and scorch, the chorus rounds back, and everything ends in ash. “Stranger Than Angels” starts with bass muscling, synth sweeping, and the chorus punishing, D’Cagna’s singing a beacon in the night as always. The leads blister as the chorus rouses, the playing slips into that early ’80s sweet spot, and everything dissolves into time. “Last Night on Earth” begins with a news report as ancient beings descend onto Earth, and the guitars catch fire instantly. “If you knew that this night was your last,” D’Cagna calls, “Would you count your blessings? Or would you count your cash?” The chorus fires up and adds more rousing energy, then the guitars blaze with energetic soloing, throwing punches and zaps, burning off into the night. “10,000 Light Years From Home” brings charging guitars, bass that pops, and the vision of leaving Earth for elsewhere. The song dashes with melodic excitement, fluid soloing rushing through your mind, frenetic power surging and chewing away before finally resting in ash. The title track swaggers and plods, showing a different side to the band as it works toward ’70s AOR, which I mean as a positive. The chorus is subtle but a real ear worm, letting the lusher environment mature, eventually picking up some gallop as dust clouds choke the air. Swampy, bluesy guitar increases the humidity, and a chunky push ends in a thick haze.
“A Heartbeat Away” trudges and brings classic metallic heat, the vocals pull back on the bombast but not the intensity, and a synth coat helps accentuate an emotional chorus. “We’re only a heartbeat away from no tomorrow,” D’Cagna calls as the bass leads, and a barn-burning solo opens and melts faces. From there, we’re back into cold and dreary storming, chilling you to the bone. “Rise of the Witches” is pivotal to our overall story, obviously, with smoky leads heading toward hopeful melodies and D’Cagna wailing, “We shall rise from the ashes of their lives,” as our heroes arrive. Things get heated in a hurry, and it’s a thrill as the soloing explodes and lathers, lightning jolts the night sky, and everything comes to a rousing finish. “Shadow Chaser” starts with guitars rampaging, digging back into classic terrain that’s always informed their music, and a balmy fierceness that’s infectious. The guitar work boasts attitude, the chorus is another crusher, and the storming continues until dissolving into the earth. The closer is a three-movement track “Starseed Trilogy: I. The Emerald Tablet II. Ruler Of Arcana III. And I Am You” that drips clean, the bass pushing, mystical auras achieved. Things then pick up as we’re in racing mode, the pace shifting, the playing getting sludgier at about the halfway point, letting darkness envelop all. As we work toward the final shift, the guitars get even more active, a glorious rush comes for you and sweeps you into the stars, and the fog thickens, driving everything to a shiny, mechanized finish.
The five long years since the last Icarus Witch album are made worth it with “No Devil Lived On,” another exciting slab of traditional heavy metal. Considering the path humanity and our planet is on, we could use some dimensional intervention before things spiral out of control completely. It might be too late as is, but this record gives us hope that something somewhere is paying attention and has a plan to save us from ourselves in order to preserve us and our future generations.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/icaruswitch/
To buy the album, go here: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=Icarus+Witch+No+Devil+Lived+On&post_type=product
For more on the label, go here: https://cleorecs.com/store/
Meat Mead Metal 