Making it in the music business is almost impossible and yet we have a new band called VEINS ICED OVER that are going to release a four disc concept trilogy separately. That means they know something we don’t, they have tons of money or they believe in what they do. I have a feeling it’s the latter and they truly believe in what they do.

I first stumbled across these guys on MySpace as I was searching for new projects to fancy our readers. VEINS ICED OVER hail from alligator alley, Tampa, FL, where the band have taken over the mainstream of metal. The array of input and influences come from Pete Blakk (KING DIAMOND) and vocal in-put from Wade Black formally of CRISMON GLORY.

The track that hooked me was “Unholy” the second song off their debut “The Awakening”. If you’re a metalhead the drool will be salivating from the corners of your mouth with this one, Great chorus and the guitar gods have been summoned with duel guitars blazing. Vocally Voz has elements of KING DIAMOND and Cam Pipes of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD; he has that great vibrato yet can hit the high notes with ease.

If you’re looking for a heavy dose of guitar solos “The Awakening” has some tantalizing shredding and these guys deserve the metal horns up. Fast paced, not in the thrash mold but more in the pure classic metal mold. “Purgatory” is another track that will send you to 7th heaven; what a great song. It has those great power chords of JUDAS PRIEST that catch you by surprise and later in the day you’ll be humming away. Damn those type of songs!!!!

The more and more I listen to VEINS ICED OVER, I think they will be compared to KING DIAMOND, not really totally on the vocals (but close) but the musicianship is hard driving, actually just as heavy as KD (who I love).

Special note… check out the track “Lantern” and tell me this song is not magic.

The last track “Metal Fockers” has a tinge of MANOWAR meets PRIEST and could end up being a great live track. This is an exceptional release and will remind you of many different artists in metal. It’s really heavily guitar oriented, fast paced, and just a pure metal CD. Pick this one up.