Before singer Aki Särkioja opens his mouth for his first notes you might be deceived by the first track, Everwinter. This song starts like a power metal band. It's energetic and sounds quite happy. But when you hear the nasty biting grunt (close to black metal), you'll know this is a different kind of metal band. The music sounds so happy that it forms a remarkable contrast with the vocals. But they fit together. Together they give this song a light-hearted, sunny, feel. The music is quite catchy, also because there is this constant variation of mid tempo and fast parts full of energy. Not all songs are this way, though. A song like Sacrifice is more in the Sentenced vein. The lead guitar playing enhances the songs in all cases as Immortal Souls knows when to stop. In many ways Ice Upon The Night is like its predecessor Under The Northern Sky though the new one sounds more mature and balanced. While the previous had a greenish look, this one has reddish artwork that I don't associate with ice or night. Anyway, this is easy to digest metal to get in a happy mood. Real nice ear candy.
Similar sounding releases
2003Kekal1000 Thoughts Of Violence
1998DeuteronomiumStreet Corner Queen
2002MegiddonIncidents Before the Time
2005Between the Buried and MeAlaska
1995DeathSymbolic
2003Throne of ChaosLoss Angeles
