Iceage

Elias Bender Rønnenfelt

Vocals, Guitar

Johan Suurballe Wieth

Guitar

Jakob Tvilling Pless

Bass

Dan Kjær Nielsen

Drums

Casper Morilla

Guitar ('19 - )

Formed: 2008
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre: Punk, Post Punk, Art Punk
Years Active: 2009 -
Meaning of the Name: Chosen randomly when they were 16.
Way of Working: Collaborative
Associated: Marching Church
Associated: What's Your Rupture?, Matador, Mexican Summer

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 hit like a short and sharp punch to the gut; their debut album has only one track of over three minutes

Albeit short, the adrenaline-fueled majority of their efforts are an intriguing mix of pessimism and determination, as expressed in the lyric: 'Pointlessness in surroundings cannot ruin things' (from 'New Brigade').

The bustling Copenhagen punk scene of 2009, including bands on the Posh Isolation label, share a strange sense of disillusionment with modern life despite being in a country ranked by an OECD report as the happiest in the world.

This apparent contradiction makes more sense when you ask: 'Why am I imperfect in a perfect world?' When society is 'correct', flaws becomes the fault of the individual. Blame is internalised, and the music of bands formed in such an environment becomes introspective, as well as chastising.

Later albums prove that Iceage were willing to explore not only new sounds, but also the depths of their internal worlds, giving such questions a soul-searching quality that is always looking for answers.

Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014) uses pianos, strings, acoustic guitars, and horns to poetically explore gothic rock as well as themes of desperation and existentialism. Though the work is often bleak, it also has 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 essential enough for wellbeing to risk capture.

Over time, Iceage continued to push the boundaries of post-punk, incorporating a heavenly gospel choir on Seek Shelter (2021). Their exploratory approach to sound is also the product of a deeper search for meaning. With their music, they echo a critical idea in existential philosophy: What is the purpose of life when we are assured of survival?

In the 1840s, Søren Kierkegaard founded existentialism in the same Denmark Iceage call home to address those same same concerns. Iceage, in turn, carry 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? Such Nordic questions are becoming increasingly important. Of course, as late adopters of Christianity, Scandinavia is more inclined to slide into Pagan belief systems than core European countries.

With his brooding baritone, Elias Bender Rønnenfelt probes the recesses of what was once called a soul to answer these very 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

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?

85

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.

65

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.

70

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.

80

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?

70

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.

85

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.

70

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.

80

Singing

i Technical attributes.

70

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.

85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?

65

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.

35

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.

75

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?

85

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.

75

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.

60

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts

Critics >>>

• BBC - New Brigade - The Best Albums of 2011: 10th

Similar Acts

• Protomartyr
• Squid
• Algiers
• Lower
• Joy Division

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