Tuesday, November 11, 2014

One of the best ever... Ice Nine.

In case you are unaware, one of the greatest hardcore bands was spawned from Indianapolis' early to mid 90's hardcore punk scene. That band was Ice Nine. Blistering, pummeling, intricate. Ice Nine ripped their way through the scene with a ragged world view and intensity that has hardly been matched. They pulled no punches other than those intended for all those in their path. Less political, Ice Nine used ingenious musicianship to breath fire into hardcore as their vehicle of self expression and distaste for the environment around them. Hardly apathetic, Ice Nine pounded, hammered, and in general abused their instruments into submission as they raged with barely contained anger and chaos. Their live show was a mass release of flowing energy, both positive and negative, as the music filled all those in range with dissonance and discord. Fuck you, Ice Nine were determined to do what they wanted both musically and personally. You were either with them or against them, often the former. Noisy and chaotic, the men of Ice Nine delivered an intensity that was addictive and inscrutable. Ice Nine were less about being understood, but more so a band formed around a working knowledge of an ever-contorting and often hopeless world birthed on a local midwestern level. The band was a release from every day life and personal problems. Ice Nine were a shredding embodiment of catharsis. When they were active, Ice Nine were one of the most vital bands. They didn't have fans. They had followers. Youth slammed into a cathartic need for release and relatability, and Ice Nine delivered on all fronts. Nostalgia has it place, but when dealing with Ice Nine nostalgia has no place. Respect is all that matters. And Ice Nine, after all these years, still garners all the respect a band of their power and presence should. No band did it better during their active years than Ice Nine. And with all great bands, their music is just as relative and powerful as it was originally. Through their now rare 7 inch releases and a cd discography on Happy Couples Never Last Records, Ice Nine still continue to invade eardrums with their brand of furious hardcore. Recently, their three year discography appeared on the band's bandcamp page. It would be wise of you to spend some time listening to Ice Nine's bestial brew of hardcore punk and know nothing has really changed. Complete respect.


icenine2.bandcamp.com

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