Iceage
Formed: 2008
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre: Punk, Post Punk, Art Punk
Years Active: 2009 -
Meaning of the Name: Chosen randomly when they were 16.
Core Members: Elias Bender Rønnenfelt, Dan Kjær Nielsen, Johan Surrballe Wieth, Jakob Tvilling Pless, Casper Morilla
Way of Working: Collaborative
Associated: Marching Church
Essential Releases
You're Nothing (2013)
Dark, pessimistic hardcore punk.
Plowing Into the
Field of Love (2014)
Developed their sound into post punk and gothic rock.
Seek Shelter (2021)
A more uplifting effort showing an ever increasing maturity and willingness to experiment.
In a world obsessed with happiness, Denmark's Iceage dives headfirst into the beautiful chaos of existential dread. Formed by a group of friends at 17, they initially made hardcore punk influenced by Joy Division and Wire, their aggressive songs hitting like a well-timed punch to the gut. Their debut album had only one track lasting more than three minutes, 'Never Return', at 3.09.
Albeit short, the adrenaline-fueled majority of their efforts were an intriguing mix of pessimism and rugged determination: 'Pointlessness in surroundings cannot ruin things' (from 'New Brigade').
The bustling Copenhagen punk scene of 2009, which included bands on the record label Posh Isolation, such as Lower, shared a collective sense of scathing disillusionment despite living in a country ranked by a timely OECD report as the happiest in the world.
This apparent contradiction makes more sense when you think about it as: 'Why am I imperfect when the world I live in is perfect?' When society is 'correct' and the individual is flawed, the blame is internal, and as such, the music of these bands is introspective, as well as chastising.
Later albums proved Iceage was willing to explore not only new sounds, but also the depths of their internal worlds, giving these questions a soul-searching quality.
Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014) used pianos, strings, acoustic guitars, and horns to poetically explore gothic rock as well as themes of desperation and existentialism. Though the work was often bleak, it also had moments of tender hopefulness as on 'Against the Moon', 'A fugitive has a tendency to return home.' This lyric shows that when the world is against you, the comforts of familiarity, and family life, are so essential to be worth the risk.
Over time, Iceage continued to push the boundaries of post-punk, even incorporating a heavenly gospel choir on Seek Shelter (2021). Their exploratory approach was also the product of a deeper search for meaning when the necessities are catered for, a critical idea in existential philosophy. Is existence without meaning enough?
Søren Kierkegaard founded existentialism in the same Denmark Iceage call home in the 1840s to address meaninglessness in a world without purpose. Iceage, in turn, carries this profound philosophical torch into the current day. With religion declining across Europe in the 21st century, these questions are even more pertinent than ever. In a world without God, why endure the hardships of life? If there is no heaven, why be good?
With his brooding baritone, Elias Bender Rønnenfelt probes the recesses of what was once called a soul to answer the same questions. Join him in his deeply rooted exploration of Danish existentialism that's more relevant now than ever.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
85
Mental Impact
65
Originality
70
Artistry
80
Authenticity
70
Live
85
Production
70
Musicianship
80
Singing
70
Songwriting
85
Danceability
65
Fun
35
Consistency
75
Range
85
Cool
75
Charisma
60
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards
Certifications
Charts
Critics >>>
- BBC: New Brigade - Best Albums of 2011: #10
CRITICISM
- Some fans accused Husker Du of selling out after they signed a major deal with Warner.
