Ice Age-A Case Of Cerebral Death

Bio by She Rox All Female Bands:Heavy Metal is still pretty much a boys club, and women still have to work twice as hard to prove themselves to most when it comes to playing metal, the 1980's were even more difficult for all female bands that played metal. Based in Goteborg, Sweden's Ice Age were pivotal in the heavy metal scene for being the very first documented all female thrash metal bands and for paving the way for women in metal for decades to come. At a time when female thrash bands were few and far between, only New York based Meanstreak would share in this genre, with Meanstreak succeeding Ice Age by a few years, the two bands would often be compared because of this. Ice Age began in 1985 by founders Sabrina Kihlstrand and Pia Nystrom, with Sabrina on lead vocals and guitar, Pia on lead guitar, hard hitting drummer Tina Stromberg and Sabrina’s sister Helena Kihlstrand on bass, the band originally known as Rock Solid, played a more power metal before honing in their speed metal sound before releasing their first demo in 1986, titled Rock Solid with the band named changed to Ice Age. By 1986 bassist Viktoria Larsson was brought in to replace Helena, this line up would soon gain the attention from the metal music scene for their exceptional musical capabilities that could rival any other thrash bands and found themselves being called the female Megadeth. A buzz over the band soon grew beyond Sweden, thanks in part to the numerous positive reviews by music critics, so much so the band caught the attention of U.S famed Runaways producer, Kim Fowley who wanted to work with the band but ultimately the band members decided against it. By 1987 the band released their second demo General Alert along with an untitled demo released in 1988, constant touring during this time only opened the band up to fans far beyond just Europe and with only three self-released demos under their belt, these were enough to carry the band and their popularity with fans. By 1989 Ice Age would release their final demo titled Instant Justice, this would see founder, guitarist, and lead vocalist Sabrina Kihlstrand leave the band citing too many issues with management. American vocalist Debbie Gunn and Italian guitarist Isabella Fronzoni were brought in to replace the bands departed front woman. Now a five piece band Ice Age released an official video to the single Instant Justice, that received airplay on MTV. In what many would classify as major achievement, many fans and critics assumed a debut full length album would be next, however with some record companies refusing to work with the band’s sup par management, and finding out that a record deal was in the works without the band members consent, any plans to release an album were halted soon after. Long time bassist Viktoria Larsson was as well growing up happy with the band’s management along with her soon to be replacement on bass Johanna Holmstedt, and guitarist Isabella Fronzoni, the three members would abruptly quit the band during the middle of a tour, leaving drummer Tina Stromberg, vocalist Debbie Gunn and founder and lead guitarist Pia Nystrom the only remaining members left. Replacements for the departing members were brought in from the States with Tammy Chavarini on bass and second guitarist Lisa Decavdo however the writing on the wall was clear that Ice Age was all but over, this was solidified when the new line-up became divided on where the band should relocate too, the states or remain in Sweden, and the band officially ended in 1990. Original members Sabrina, Pia and Viktoria would form the band Idiots Rule along with a male drummer, Idiots Rule would go on to record several demos and played locally for some time. With the invention of the internet, Ice Age would grow to cult status giving fans old and new, ways to rediscover the ground breaking band that should have continued on in their dominance of the metal music scene. This revival was long overdue and the band would reform as Ice Age although co-ed with new members joining original members Sabrina Kihlstrand and Viktoria Larsson, the new line up would release the much awaited release in 2017, Breaking The Ice, the album received positive reviews and contains new tracks along with some of the bands classic songs re-recorded, giving fans a true taste of when thrash metal rule the world.
Pia Nyström-Guitar,Tina Strömberg-Drums,Sabrina Kihlstrand-Vocals&Guitar,Viktoria Larsson-Bass
Like the band at / iceage.se.official
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