Iceage

Iceage: New BrigadeNew Brigade (2011)
What's Your Rupture?

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: eatdogseatdogs
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 9th 2011Iceage are four scrappy teenagers from Copenhagen, Denmark who have slowly leaked over to these shores with their gripping, angst-ridden debut, New Brigade. Terms such as "saviors of punk" have been thrown around, but the more ethical description would be from the Danish Daily saying, "Teenage bulli.

Iceage are four scrappy teenagers from Copenhagen, Denmark who have slowly leaked over to these shores with their gripping, angst-ridden debut, New Brigade. Terms such as "saviors of punk" have been thrown around, but the more ethical description would be from the Danish Daily saying, "Teenage bullies full of anger and anxiety." The music is ferocious, scattering everywhere and full of that pissed off attitude that has been missing from punk these days. That, "not fake" attitude mind you.

Iceage ride along the lines of post-punk, garage, goth and '80s hardcore. The vocals are snotty, yet more refined like Ian Curtis during his Warsaw days. The musicianship is loose and raw, sort of resembling Wire or the scathing side of Public Image Ltd. Already known for their intense and dangerous live shows, these four lads, ages 17-19, are leaving their own trail and what's great about this release is how fresh it all feels. The post-punk revival of the '00s can't touch this stuff. This is post-punk straight from the gutters and streets of the late '70s, early '80s.

There is energy in this release and cuts such as "Count Me In," "Rotting Heights" and the title track showcase this youthful spite. The guitars shred and the drums pound out with the speed of old school acts like Minor Threat and Hüsker Dü. The garage feel comes from the fuzzed out vocals and it made me think of Radio Birdmen or the Sonics. There is such a wealth of references here and the band takes all the best parts of those groups, dissecting them and spitting out their own interpretation.

"Collapse" starts off with a strummed out guitar squeal and the intensity is carried throughout the entire track while the band keeps a rollercoaster-like pace. It's arguably one of their best. All vocals are sung in English, but the interpretation of lead singer Elias Rønnenfelt is a bit hard to understand. Regardless, you know he means what he's singing. It's very personal and in your face. Other highlights, like "White Rune," show the band messing around with a more artsy, Pop Group demeanor while "Total Drench"'s opening bass riff sounds just like Joy Division's "Transmission." The 12 tracks contained here rush by at around 25 minutes and one is left wanting more.

Another thing to mention is the production on these songs. It was all done in a studio, but the recordings sound like a band's dream come true. They actually managed to make an album sound exactly like it should. There are no studio tricks or hidden delicacies. This is like an album lost in the moldy basement of some old English punk who stuck to his local legends. Old but new, strained yet refined, New Brigade is punk reborn.

Iceage are a young band on the verge of making it big, at least in punk circles. Having played the states with the likes of Fucked Up, Raw Nerve, Cult of Youth and the Men, Iceage have proven their worth and it's time everyone gave them a shot. Keep your eyes and ears open for these guys down the line. There is something very special going on here.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

RatBatSpider (March 15, 2012)

Iceage performed a fast, loud and furious set of songs from their debut album "New Brigade" at Amoeba Hollywood.
Check out the video!
http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/iceage.html

RevolutionJoe (December 16, 2011)

Eatdogs, the show was in the UK. I didn't say they're the worst band ever, but the worst band I've ever heard. I take this back as I've now heard Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! I'm not hating on you or your review, I just seriously dislike this band.

eatdogs (December 13, 2011)

this review is soooooooo passé...

Michael_Jackson_jordan (December 12, 2011)

eatdogs, your review speaks for itself and you don't need to defend it any more. Those with their own opinion of it, that's fine, too. Let's be aware that we all have opinions, but please respect them.

eatdogs (December 12, 2011)

"Oh, so you either like this band or you "don't get it." Pretty convenient. I have no clue what "hipster" even means or why it has anything to do with whether you like this band or not. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of these guys,. What I said has nothing to do with the band themselves and more to do with your meaningless opinion. Your comparisons weren't with other demo quality hardcore bands, they were with the classics, which makes me think you just really want this to be important. You want something to call your own. Too bad it's C grade bullshit."

using classics in punk music is just a means to let people know what this might sound like. it's just a tool to help people maybe get an understanding somewhat without hearing it first before reading a review. it's like using images. the classics are always a good way to help readers get a good understanding, and when i first heard this music, certain bands came to mind. it's nothing more than that. i didn't delve into politics, or what it all means, it's just for reference.

"you don't get it..."
never did i say, nor write down anything of the sort. i'm not going to stand on top of some mountain and spit out elitist remarks like that. i've never done that in any of my writings. where do you think i'm putting you or anyone down for not liking the music? what, was it my anger towards someone using the hipster term that got you upset? choosing to be that ignorant is just immature, but of course this is the internet. this is all based off of my own opinion and i happened to just be exited about this band and wrote this little review in hopes that maybe someone on this site might give it a listen and like it in some sort of way.

please, by all means write a review yourself and i'll probably check the artist out. if don't like it, well that's that. and saying you don't know what hipster means on this site is like saying you don't wipe front to back.

slowstupidhungry (December 12, 2011)

Oh, so you either like this band or you "don't get it." Pretty convenient. I have no clue what "hipster" even means or why it has anything to do with whether you like this band or not. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of these guys,. What I said has nothing to do with the band themselves and more to do with your meaningless opinion. Your comparisons weren't with other demo quality hardcore bands, they were with the classics, which makes me think you just really want this to be important. You want something to call your own. Too bad it's C grade bullshit.

oldpunkerforever (December 12, 2011)

yeah, that good-oldpunker-

oldpunkerforever (December 12, 2011)

This CD is brilliant on so many levels, saw them in Bmore and I loved it-oldpunker-

eatdogs (December 12, 2011)

"What I meant by saying they sound "cool" is that while they superficially evoke some qualities of the bands you mentioned (mostly in production value), they are a lot less creative and talented. Their songs just aren't as good. And it seems like they skate by on these vague allusions to past music, possessing none of the soul."

hmm...you know what? patrick stump released an album called "soul punk." you might find that right up your alley.

:^l

Michael_Jackson_Jordan (December 12, 2011)

eatdogs, really nice review here. I think a lot of .org readers are having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that many younger punk and hardcore bands are crossing over into indie rock circles (which is bull to be so judgmental about since indie would have never existed without punk or hardcore.) I predict this sort of polarizing is only going to grow, especially with the likes of Ceremony planning a release on Matador.

slowstupidhungry (December 11, 2011)

What I meant by saying they sound "cool" is that while they superficially evoke some qualities of the bands you mentioned (mostly in production value), they are a lot less creative and talented. Their songs just aren't as good. And it seems like they skate by on these vague allusions to past music, possessing none of the soul.

eatdogs (December 11, 2011)

To slowstupidhungry
My comparisons to wire and pil come from hearing sounds, patterns, intensity. Pink flag and public image issue one were my bases of reference. Also my comparisons to Minor Threat and Husker Du come from the same thing. SOUNDS. The drumming, clashing of cymbals, start-stop timing. Listen to "stepping stone" and "screaming at a wall" by Minor Threat to get and idea. I always thought those bands sounded "cool" as well.

To revolutionjoe
As for worst band ever, I can think of plenty more that are worse than these kids. I stand by my score and those that are praising them are doing it based off of talent and the fact that its done well for what it is. I'd like to see kids this young play this style over the typical mall punk that's popular these days. I'm sure the band doesn't give a flip what you think anyway. They were probably grateful to be playing over here, on their first American shows, with a well established band like F*cked Up. If you had/have a band, I sure hope you sound decent, seeing as how the option to say "worst band ever" is very easy to use these days...

As for xre
you didn't need to correct your spelling of hipster since your one-sided comment is the same as what others have said anyway.

People need to use better descriptions other than, "hipster" to relate their opinions when it comes to music. Sure this might seem like overhype, but I reviewed it based off my own opinion and to just say hipster band would be a disservice to the guys playing. Saying hipster is a hipster thing to do. That or just pure jealously...

xre (December 11, 2011)

hipster*

xre (December 11, 2011)

hispter band. Record is decent, but you are definitely overrating it a lot.

RevolutionJoe (December 10, 2011)

I saw them supporting Fucked Up earlier in the year. Probably the worst band I've ever heard. I don't understand the hype at all.

slowstupidhungry (December 9, 2011)

I really don't hear any Wire or PiL in this band. Definitely no Husker Du or Minor Threat. Sometimes the vocals sound a little like Joy Division... But all in all, this stuff comes off like style over substance in every way. They definitely sound "cool."

upthepunx (December 9, 2011)

saw these guys open for Fucked Up and I thought they sucked. I will never listen to this album. fuck em

LtTennisBall (December 9, 2011)

God this album is wonderful, everyone should listen to it.

eatdogs (December 9, 2011)

SERIOUSLY, but yeah, everyone and their dog should check these guys out. i'm super cereal. get in on it now...

conblake (December 9, 2011)

Fantastic punk band.

half_Idiot (December 9, 2011)

Definitely going to be in my top ten for the year.