Violent Resonance: For everyone who hasn’t heard of Ice Sword yet, tell us briefly how the band got started and what you’re all about.
Ice Sword (Chris): Well I had the concept for a while, but it seemed nightmarish to coordinate such a glorious undertaking… Lo and behold our guitarist Daniel, and I sat down and worked out the details, reworked the story a bit, and the songwriting commenced… All of us were friends already (playing in other/separate bands) so it was just a matter of decisively selecting those who would forever wield the glacial blade and march onward to immortality… As per what we are all about: We bring melodic tales of other worlds, times, and realms; magic, mysticism, and glory eternal…
Daniel: We’re all about having a good time and having fun. Rocking out and looking cool.
VR: You describe yourselves as power/high fantasy metal, which makes me think of warriors, dragons, wizards, and etc. Would you say that is an accurate description of your preferred subject matter? What are some of your favorite fantastical things to write songs about?
Chris: I would definitely say you are quite accurate with said description. In fact, our first album (a concept album) is all about a complacent farmer who grows tired of his life in the citadel and longs for adventure, thus traveling an epic journey, hardened by battle, changed to dragon form by a dark wizard’s hand, and ending with an outcome so earth shattering it cannot be uttered in this symposium… As per fantastical things we enjoy writing about: Other worlds, creatures, magic, and warriors, dragons & wizards…
Daniel: Yes
VR: What made you decide on this particular band genre? Was this something you had been wanting to do for a while, or did it sort of evolve naturally?
Chris: I can’t speak for everyone in the band, but I’ve always really enjoyed epic metal, especially fantasy themed. Having always been in more “hard” bands in the past it was a welcomed departure to have more melodic vocals, soaring riffs, dueling guitars, etc…
Daniel: Being in a power metal band has been a dream of mine for a long time. In high school I really started to get into metal/playing the guitar and also I always loved Dungeons and Dragons Lord of the Rings and Fantasy stuff. So when I heard Dragon Force for the first time (haha) I was super stoked! I new it was something I would like to do. Then Chris came along with this concept album Idea and we finally got around to doing it like 4 years later and it rules.
VR: Are there any bands or artists that you feel are a strong influence on your songwriting?
Chris: Theres definitely a lot of 70’s, and 80’s artists who played a big role in our sound influence, and I know this answer would differ betwixt each band member, but I’d say my biggest influences/inspiration to this project were The Lord Weird Slough Feg, early Hammers of Misfortune…
VR: What are a few of your favorite books and movies, fantasy or otherwise?
Chris: I’ll try not to get too overzealous here: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Conan the Barbarian, anything by H.P. Lovecraft, The Malazan Book of the Fallen. I’ll just stop myself there..
Daniel: Army of Darkness forever. I’ve seen it probably 100 plus times no joke.
VR: What kind of music and media were you surrounded with at home when you were growing up? Did any of that have an impact on you that has lasted into adulthood?
Chris: My mom mostly listened to Enya, and Kitaro, and my Father liked The Rolling Stones, and classic rock. I don’t know that any of that had a particularly large affect on me, though I’d like to think that the Enya & Kitaro had some kind of subconscious Impact… Most notably, I’d say my sister played the biggest role in influencing my music taste. She was heavily involved in the San Francisco Bay Area punk scene, and as her tastes evolved I got a lot of her hand me down music, which in turn got me into the punk/metal scene there and in turn my twisted form evolved to what it is today…
Daniel: I always thought what my brother listened to was super cool when I was little. So pink floyd and murder city devils is kinda like my childhood soundtrack.
VR: What do you do when you’re not playing in Ice Sword? Any major hobbies or interests?
Chris: I’d say music is typically my main hobby, but I also enjoy nature, film, hiking/biking/swiming/etc. contemplation, long walks on the beach (you know, stereotypical crap)
Daniel: I love rock climbing and Counter Strike: Global Offensive haha
VR: If you could book your dream show with any band lineup at any venue, what would that be like?
Chris: I can’t speak to venues (something grotesquely large, a true blight on the land arena or something) but as per lineup: Hammers of Misfortune (playing the album The Bastard in its entirety), Slough Feg, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Scorpions (only their early stuff, and maybe a ballad or two), Thin Lizzy (with zombie Phil Lynott), and Dio (Dio never dies). It’s already looking as t’will be a festival, so I’ll just end the lineup here…
Daniel: Manowar…just Manowar forever in Valhalla.
VR: Who are you most looking forward to seeing and/or playing with at Southwest Terror Fest this year?
Chris: Acid King, Sleep, Thou & The Body, Graves at Sea, Bong Ripper, and Swamp Wolf it’s nice to have some fellow Flagstaff heathens out there.
VR: Based on the photos I have seen online, it looks like you pull out all the stops when you play live — leather pants, bullet belts, keytars, epic hair, and more. Do you have anything special planned for your Southwest Terror Fest performance?
Chris: With each passing show the splendor grows. I dare not spoil the wonder…
VR: What kind of things are coming up for Ice Sword? Do you have plans to release any recorded material in the near future? How about touring?
Chris: As it stands, we just finished recording a demo, and we’re in the mixing process now. Plans for a solid west coast tour in January, and hopefully our full length (concept album) will be in the works at that point…
VR: If you’d like to add anything else, the floor is yours. Otherwise, thanks for your time!
Chris: Long ago, five intrepid travelers set fourth on a perilous journey… Crossing the frigid wasteland, they came to their destiny… From the glacial face they pulled the frozen blade… Prepare yourself for the tales of the Ice Sword!
