For years now, black metal that has reined supreme from Europe, but with emergence of I.C.E from the other side of the Atlantic (US to be precise), the genre is set to explore another apex. I.C.E or Imperial crystalline entombment launch an unprecedented chill of a dark winter driven black metal that hits you, grips you and sickens you. The music heard on ‘Apocalyptic end in white ‘(the subsequent effort after their strong self-titled MCD) resembles the great ‘Immortal’. And the resemblance ends with that phrase.

Music is vastly wilder than their counterparts, in terms of savagery and acceleration. (Marduk! You are the still the fastest). Vocals manufactured at the core of middle earth groan, horrify and devastate. Mammoth, Blisserred, IceSickKill and Bleak, the mighty foursome display an astonishing vehemence filling hugely into the misery index. The tracks aren’t detailed (when it comes to length) nevertheless the rage, concept, filth and musical width is intact. Drumming has a primary American death metal approach to it, when compared to other black metal biggies. Fierce, rapid, and mechanical are the other best words to describe it.

I kinda liked another aspect about the album, a carnivore appeal, which rips you down each time you have a listen. (Just can’t get them out of my CD player).’Cryogenic communion’, ‘Hypothermic possession’, ‘Apocalyptic blizzard regime’ and ‘Ravaskeith’s revenge’are outstanding songs, among the lot. Believe me; it was really tough as a reviewer, omitting the other seven tracks from the outstanding category. (Space constraints probably!). Mind you, an unparallel ferocity and flamboyance is intact from start to finish on the disc that kicks for 35mins. An act of balance is struck, by sectional progression on most interludes, irrespective of pain and mayhem on AEIW. Totaling, all that alongside a cracking production, an awesome artwork (symbolizing the band in all white wardrobe surrounded on planet ICE in a frozen sea background) works wonders. Imperial crystalline entombment have hoisted their flag on the tip of iceberg once conquered by world’s most preeminent black metal bands like Immortal, Dark Throne and Emperor. Indeed, dark lords of evil have arrived. This is THE EEEEEND!