Icarus is the 9th release from German thrash veterans Dew-Scented, and they've had some line-up changes since we've last seen them, as original member Leif Jensen is now joined by guitarist Marvin Vriesde (Severe Torture), drummer Koen Herfst (Epica), and bassist Joost van der Graaf (Sinister). Always a solid band, Dew-Scented haven't lost a beat here, still successfully delivering their thrash/death metal hybrid that as always sounds dangerously close to fellow Germans Kreator. Also along for some fun are guests Rob Urbinati of Sacrifice, Dan Swano, and guitarist Dennis Schneider of Retaliation.
Though Dew-Scented have a slew of solid releases in their back catalog, for some reason the band just has never unleashed their magnum opus that would have raised them to the upper echelon of the thrash heap. Sadly, Icarus isn't that massive statement either. Not that there isn't plenty of kick ass, blistering thrash here, as you can experience some intense moments with "Storm Within", "Thrown to the Lions", and the raging "By My Own Hand", and Swano's lethal death growls add plenty of menace to "Reawakening". Urbinati does some fine vocal dueling with Jensen on the breakneck old school thrasher "Gleaming Like Silver", but while all these songs are fine examples of modern day thrash, there's just that 'wow' factor that seems to be missing, that memorable punch that you get with a Kreator or Exodus album for example.
Though Dew-Scented haven't hit a complete home run here, this is still a fun and exciting thrash album from the German veterans who have honestly never put out a bad record. I just keep wishing they would really knock my socks off...they come close, but they haven't done it yet.
Track Listing
1. Hubris
2. Sworn To Obey
3. Thrown To The Lions
4. Storm Within
5. Gleaming Like Silver
6. By My Own Hand
7. The Fall of Man
8. Reawakening
9. Destined to Collapse
10. A Final Procession
11. Perpetuated
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