3. March 2025
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Media Review

Dead Icarus – Zealot

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Dead Icarus - Zealot

Dead Icarus - Zealot
4.1

Rating

 4.1/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Good musical quality
  • Nice arrangement and work with very different elements
  • Overall really enjoyable

Zealot is the debut album of the band Dead Icarus. However, some band members have quite a history in the metal scene. On 31st October 2024 (a Thursday, not a Friday), they share their first record with their fans. I already had a listen.

 

Dead Icarus – About The Artists

Alex Varkatzas is known as a founding member of the metalcore band Atreyu. In 2020, he left the band and founded Dead Icarus one year later. The US-American metalcore band is a trio. Varkatzas is doing the vocals, Gabe Mangold is the guitarist and Brandon Zackey the drummer. In 2023, Dead Icarus released their first single Sellout. In March 2024, this track was also the opener for the EP Ad Infernum.

 

Dead Icarus – Zealot – Track by Track

The eleven song album lasts 38 minutes.

1. The Unconquerable

The (rather) new band is not going for any kind of slow start, indeed. The Unconquerable opens with full toughness and brutality, Neither of the three musician take any break and give full metalcore power. Fans of the genre will love it.

2. Bearing Burdens And Saving Skin

The second track on Zealot is Bearing Burdens And Saving Skin. The song is more melodic than the opener. However, the song especially stays in mind due to its massive speed. Did they really record the song at that speed level? Can they do the same song in that way as well? Wow, this single release is truly impressing, even though the distortion gets a bit too much from the middle of the song, which also spreads some industrial tunes.

3. Zealot

The four opening tracks contain three single releases. The fourth track in that set is this one, which is nothing but the title track. It’s a bit slower, but still comes with the brutality and bestiality of the songs. Nonetheless, it feels a bit more limited on the instrumental side. The chorus of Zealot is a really nice one, though.

4. 1 Million Days

Apart from hard riff, cool grunts and a brutal speed offered by Dead Icarus already, you also need some sections made to sing-a-long with a band. The chorus of 1 Million Days gives the fans of the US-American band exactly that band. However, this does not mean at all that this track is a kitschy or too melodic – Dead Icarus is serving other needs of their clients as well.

5. Temptations Kiss

Starting with Temptations Kiss, Zealot solely presents so-far unreleased material. This fifth track just lasts 89 seconds and thus rather takes the part of an interlude. Some time to relax before the upcoming metal hammering episode, I guess.

6. Fountains Of Death

After this brief intermission, Fountains of Death starts with a rather hymnic and gently swaying intro. Overall, the groovy touch stays during the five minute listen. Just when you think that this kind of “shanty metal” feels a bit of boring, Dead Icarus feel to understand. The second half of the track removes the groove and exchanges it with additional speed and brutality.

7. Casting Spells

Casting Spells opens with a guitar theme, which could be a nice theme for a folk music track – in a different musical environment. Compared to the songs before, Casting Spells feels rather gentle. Its key feature is its focus on virtuous guitar play.

8. Hell Opens Its Mouth

The horror style, dark atmosphere stays on with the eighth track, Hell Opens Its Mouth. Again, the song is a showcase for guitarist Gabe Mangold. However, even though the song nicely features a battle of different hooks and theme, I also feel a more limited level of fascination.

9. Vade Retro Satana

The next four minutes of Zealot are taken by Vade Retro Satana. This song spreads the sprit of a church choir at the beginning. Thereafter, it rather leans towards a typical, still slightly gentle sounds. The choir-alike presentation of the chorus stays the highlight of the track.

10. Secrets In The Dark

Now, Dead Icarus introduce us to the Secrets In The Dark.  The track is the second interlude one of the album, warming you up for the chucker-out.

11. Betrayal Shaped Daggers

Especially regarding it is a debut album, it is a good idea to farewell the listener with a good mood. Betrayal Shaped Daggers puts up a “best of” of the elements of the album. The chorus is likely the best of the album, hymnic elements guarantee a majestic marching out and even the backing choir is back. This one is definitely a highlight of the album.

 

Dead Icarus – Zealot – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Dead Icarus – Zealot – Track by Track

Zealot is not innovative or special. However, it underlines the talent and quality of Dead Icarus. You feel happy and in your comfort zone while listening through the sounds and stories of the album. It’s not a must listen, but a really good companion for your metalcore heart.

Favorite Song: Betrayal Shaped Daggers

 

Media Reviews – US Hard Rock / Heavy Metal

Here are all my hard rock / heavy metal postings in the Media Reviews related to the USA:

 

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