"Bow to no trends," is the motto which Icarus Witch have stood fast by since materializing in 2004. When vocalist Matthew Bizilia and bassist Jason Myers formed the band, their vision of a traditional heavy metal outfit carrying the torch for hard rock's classic, bygone era was about the least fashionable genre one could hope to prove themselves in. However, the band caught fire out of the gate with their initial, self-financed EP, Roses On White Lace. Originally intended as a demo, these 5 songs not only garnered global press accolades, but caught the attention of L.A. based indie juggernaut Cleopatra Records (Motorhead, 69 Eyes, Dokken...) who promptly returned the group to the studio for a full-length follow up, Capture The Magic. Both discs were released internationally in 2005, the latter of which notably featured guest guitar leads from George Lynch (Dokken/Lynch Mob) and Frank Aresti (Fates Warning). A video for the title track featuring Jasmine St. Clair was aired on Headbangers Ball, becoming a favorite within the On Demand and You Tube communities as well. The Witch were embraced by the metal press for their fortitude in sticking to their old school guns with features in such prestigious magazines as Metal Maniacs, Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Pit, Outburn, Classic Rock and many more. The band recruited lead guitarist Quinn Lukas and hit the road, touring regionally as headliners but it was their rock/metal hybrid flexibility that made them the support band of choice for everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to 3 Inches of Blood with the pinnacle coming as featured performers at Germany's proving ground for "True Metal," the Headbanger's Open Air Festival, alongside veterans Metal Church!
Returning to the studio in 2006 with a new sense of identity and an increased energy, they churned out the now classic, Songs For The Lost album with a decidedly doomier yet more melodic vibe. This time they scored a hit with their rendition of the early Def Leppard classic, "Mirror Mirror" featuring none other than Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow/Deep Purple/Yngwie fame sharing the vocal duties! Back on the road, Witch gigs would include supporting Trouble, Candlemass, Kamelot, Doro, Winger and one last show to close out the “Lost In America” tour opening for the dark lords themselves, Heaven & Hell! More press followed with the international acclaim increasing. This round the boys were featured extensively in Europe with such publications as Heavy, Rock Hard, This Is Rock & Hard Rocker singing their praises and the venerated Metal Hammer U.K. tagging the Witch as leaders of a so-called "New Wave of Traditional Metal," comparing the sound to "Dio-fronted Sabbath crash-landing in a Judas Priest gig!" Apparently by ignoring the trends at their onset, the tides had turned and Icarus Witch were now in vogue simply by staying the course.
Never ones to rest on laurels, the ambitions were only further fueled by these highlights. The Sabbath slot gave them a taste for the big stages they aimed to make their own and a few years of concerts under their spiked belts gave this crew a sharp sense of how to create heavy music with the arena in mind. Back to the studio for disc IV with long time producer Eric Klinger at the helm, the Icarus Witch style was now a finely tuned metal engine. Noticeably stripped of synths, samples & filler, this lean, mean 9 song machine epically titled, Draw Down The Moon has the Witch firing full blast on every cylinder! Raw, vintage Marshall guitar tones, tasty heart wrenching leads - growling, counter-melodic, serpentine bass lines - slamming, signature drums - and the most accomplished vocal performance yet by Bizilia making every note, every scream, snarl, and shout simply drip with venom. With new drummer Steve Johnson now initiated, this vicious 4-piece is ready to share their sinister brand of classy, dark, hook-heavy songs with you. Don't believe the hype? Crank this son of a bitch to 11 and you will soon enjoy what the true metal underground has been raving about for half a decade...a band whose time has come!
