Frozen Soul – Crypt of Ice
Release Date: 8th January 2021
Label: Century Media Records
Stream/Buy
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Bolt Thrower, Old School Death Metal.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Few metal bands release a demo and then, less than 2 years later, release their first full length album on a major label. Even fewer Death Metal bands can lay claim to this, but Texas’ own Frozen Soul have just released Crypt of Ice on Century Media records. The pressure, as they say, is on!
The rise of Frozen Soul could be viewed as being somewhat meteoric, having only being fully formed in 2018, and the band was spawned from a chance meeting between frontman Chad Green and guitarist Michael Munday. The culmination of this meeting is Crypt of Ice, a brutal slab of Bolt Thrower inspired death metal.
In fact, Frozen Soul wear their Bolt Thrower influences firmly on their sleeve, in full display, with no fucks given. Crypt of Ice is littered with songs that, lyrical content aside, could be confused with the British Legends. This album, however, is no mere clone! Wraith of Death is an aggressive, unrelenting track, blending both Obituary and the aforementioned legends, creating one of the album stand-outs. Faceless Enemy is another that results in frantic air drumming (you all air drum to double bass, don’t you?).
Vocally, Green absolutely crushes it with one of the better Death Metal performances in recent times. When you compare his guttural delivery with, let us say, the ruined-voice front man of Six Feet Under, you have no doubt that Green has the ability to be one of the leading vocalists in the genre. Not that this is a one-person show. The whole band fit together like a glove, with bassist Samantha Mobley and drummer Matt Dennard controlling the bands aggression and direction. The band are a genuine five piece, with Chris Bonner providing a 2nd guitar.
Big things are obviously expected from this band. With no real recorded back catalogue, aside from their 2019 demo, Century Media have taken a chance on these Texans. Crypt of Ice is an album that utterly delivers and repays, in full, the faith their record label has in them. It also benefits for, many, repeat listens.
Listen to it on a streaming platform of your choice, but make sure you buy a physical copy, as it will grace your collection.
(4 / 5)
