ICEWIND is a six-piece power metal band hailing from the great white north (that’s Canada for the geographically challenged) and “Inner Storm” is their debut release. Unfortunately the best thing about this album may just be the band logo on the front cover… well, that and the fact that there are only three songs on it!!!

All kidding aside, I can see where the band is trying to go with their sound they just haven’t quite got there yet. ICEWIND is obviously influenced by European power metal along with a generous helping of good old classic metal thrown in. The CD opens with “Spiritual Nemesis.” The song is made somewhat laughable by the inclusion of some grossly out-of-key backing vocals and in general the speedy double bass-drum attack lacks overall power and punch. The guitar work, as supplied by Vinni Poliquin and Jay Menard, as well as the keyboard work of Steve Gemme is passable, but those backing vocals have to go! The next track, “Winter Heaven” has a feel similar to the first song, just not quite as speedy, but it still features those horribly out-of-place backing vocals. The final song is “Inner Storm” and this is the most interesting track of the CD. Sure, it still has “those vocals” but it also has the best song structure on the album. The middle section features a mellow break with a nice acoustic guitar solo by Menard.

ICEWIND could use a little fine-tuning in their music and a complete overhaul in the backing vocal department. If that were to happen, they might just have a decent album on their hands next time.

Band Lineup: