Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

ICE : The Saga

Release

Style

Remember Maryson? This Dutch six-piece wrote nice but nowhere shocking music based on the fantasy books about Master Magician by W.J. Maryson alias Wim Stolk. When Stolk left the band, the other members decided to continue as ICE. On their debut “The Saga” a heavier sound is heard, with some Saga influences in the first part. On the opening track ‘Strangelight’ – kicking off with a great dramatic piano – you hear the interaction between guitar and keys that is so typical of these Canadians. The ballads and mid-tempo tracks however leave ample space for Hein van den Broek’s vocal input, even though the band is especially convincing in the tightly played instrumental sections. ‘Why Me’ and the poppy ‘Not Only Love’ for instance suffer from too much sweetness, which Hein’s vocals are responsible for. Happily there is Ardie Westdijk’s work on the keyboards, setting a perfect colourful mood, like in ‘The River’. The concept album “The Saga” is a classic story about friendship and betrayal, in which a group of people is confronted with an ice age on their planet. For this, ICE will not get the originality prize, but this is typical, decent Dutch sympho for the fans.
 

Musicians

Hein van den Broek / vocals
Chris van Hoogdalem / guitars
Henny van Mourik / bass
Ardie Westdijk / keyboards, piano
Rob Boshuijzen / drums, percussion

1. Strangelight (7:18)
2. Farewell (2:55)
3. The Trail (6:08)
4. Why Me (4:51)
5. Shining (7:01)
6. Setback (7:10)
7. Not Only Love (5:17)
8. The River (7:13)
9. No Choice (4:10)
10. This Battle (8:56)

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Last updated: 10 april 2006 .
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