IKON: album reviews and ratings

Line -up:
Chris McCarter: vocals, guitar, keyboards
Dino Molinaro: bass
Anthony Griffiths: guitars, vocals
David Burns: Drums
Michael Carrodus: vocals (1991 - 1997)

"Melbourne based IKON formed in 1991 from the ashes of Death In The Dark, make a striking blend of Gothic/Darkwave music, following in the footsteps of Joy Division and early New Order with a touch of Death In June. The four piece band have become known as Australia's biggest Gothic export. To date, IKON have played extensively in Australia as well as Germany, Belgium, Holland and Denmark alongside bands such as The Sisters of Mercy, Him, London After Midnight, Soft Cell, Death In June and The Cruxshadows.

bio, ikondomain.com

IKON Discography - Album / CD Reviews

1994: In The Shadow of the Angel
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¾ 1995: A Moment In Time
"Charging out of the gate like it was 1979 again, Ikon makes goth music that strongly brings to mind the originators of the genre. From Bauhaus to Joy Division to the Legendary Pink Dots, Ikon sounds a whole lot like all of those bands. The only problem is where those bands were taking great pop songs and twisting them into depressing ditties, Ikon simply skips the song part and jumps strait into the glum rock. The resulting effort is a great sounding record filled with all sorts of atmospheric guitar work and droning music, but lacking the essential structure to be as catchy as their forefathers."

-- Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide

½ 1996: Flowers for the Gathering

"1997's 'Flowers for the Gathering' stands among the best new works in the genre of Gothic Rock. Ikon's dark approach to music is much along the same lines as Rosetta Stone, prime Mission UK, and Eldritch's Sisters, but also includes the classic mournful qualities of Joy Division. "

-- Metropolis Records

1998: This Quiet Earth
"After a hiatus of two years, the Australian band Ikon has returned with a strong new CD that both retains the sound of former albums, but also explores new musical possibilities. Following the recent departure of vocalist Michael Carrodus, the band has been reduced to a duo, with songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist Chris McCarter stepping up to the microphone, and, with the aid of subtle effects, delivering a solid vocal performance throughout the album. Perhaps as a consequence of this development, the reliance on keyboards on This Quiet Earth is more pronounced than in the past, and while Ikon forges ahead with an energy and emotive quality all their own, the sound on this CD is to some extent indebted to the synth/goth of the 1980s. (...) The album's first three songs, along with Ghost In My Headand Voice Of The Sun are all of the before mentioned electronic design, with expansive thematic layers of synths, and dynamic, processed beats. Subversion is particularly inspired and catchy, with McCarter's soaring vocal performance being carried on the rushing waves of keyboards and underlying current of rhythmic bass chords. The swirling synth harmonies and throbbing techno beats on Ghost In My Head, and the spacey effects applied to the vocals on Voice Of The Sun, become almost too insistent, but these are still good tracks for the dance floors, and are not enough to upset the otherwise strong balance of the CD."

lastsigh.com

¼ 2001: On the Edge of Forever

"Gone are the pathetic vocal imitations of Joy Division and the watery thin instrumental tones of albums past. On this record, Ikon sounds much more innovative, finding their style to be a rough combination of Paradise Lost's guitar melodies and The Swans’ male vocals. Thus, they have wisely chosen to avoid the usual much overused (and often laughable) Joy Division and Sisters Of Mercy cloned playing style that is favored by so many Goth bands. Unfortunately, there is an element of sameness running through most of the songs, but just when things start to seem redundant, an excellent guitar fill is thrown in that completely draws you back to the music. Also, though the vocals are not the most varied, they are well performed in a deep yet melodic style that would fit perfectly in The Swans’ music."

-- internetEd.com

½ 2003: From Angels to Ashes 1997-2003
Tracklisting: 1.Fall Apart (new version) 2.In Trust I Return (acoustic version) 3.The Disappeared 4.Subversion (new version) 5.Ghost In My Head (new version) 6.Reality Is Lost (new version) 7.Lifeless (new version) 8.The Shallow Sea (alternative version) 9.Elohim 10.Blue Snow Red Rain (alternative version) 11.As Night Falls 12.Afterlife 13.Scorpio Rising (new song) 14.The Golden Dawn (new song)
"Ikon is one of the better Goth bands to come from the land of Australia, and have gone through a sort of evolutionary process with their sound. From Angels to Ashes is a compilation of songs spanning 1997-2003, including refined versions of older tracks, alternate versions, and previously unreleased pieces. The overall sound is rounded bass and mellow rhythms, with many rich melodies and lush guitar. 'From Angels to Ashes' presents a comfortable mix of songs to calm stormy souls. (...) Ikon's 'From Angels to Ashes' is an ideal disc for folks unfamiliar with their music, and for those who want to collect the unreleased tracks and revised recordings. Most songs on this release have been changed or edited somehow, or were previously unreleased, so it doesn't carry the typical "best of" rehash sound. It sounds new, yet familiar."

-- Laura B., Sublevel203

2003: Destroying the World to Save it
Tracklisting: 01. Never Forgive Never Forget 02. Thy Dying Crown 03. Without Shadows 04. God Has Fallen... 05. Psychic Vampire 06. Father Of Lies 07. Ashes Of Blue 08. Rome 09. My Crucible 10. Heresy 11. Slaughtor 12. Path Of The Unknown 13. The Black Goat Of Judas

Release date: May 9, 2005

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Recommended Links:

Ikon: official site