Icon & The Black Roses
Thorns

Ten years ago one of my all time favourite albums was released by a Portuguese quintet called Icon & the Black Roses. Strangely, after the self-titled album things never took of - they gained some fame in their home country but after a few years going nowhere they decided to call it quits. A few years later they tried their luck with a reunion but it took them several years and a few members to get to the point where they finally released this sequel to their amazing 2004 album.

'Thorns' leaves me with a striking resemblense to their debut emotionally, which was very good feelings. That album grew on my constantly from being great in the beginning to something I wouldn't even trade for a safety helmet if I got stuck under an approaching comet. 'Thorns' may very well feel the same with time even if it 20 runs in to the album haven't get just that kind of status yet. Despite 20 runs, though, I still can't believe I'm listening to this album. It's kind of like Tron: Legacy - a sequel you just didn't expect. I had since long given up hope for a second album despite they told me they had reunited some years ago because they didn't seem to get anywhere. And now when it's here, I just can't believe it. And I'm ecstatic, because it's not a disappointment!

I always think it's unfair to compare albums from classic bands and to me Icon & The Black Roses is one of the holiest of all holy names in this genre so please excuse me if I get a bit sentimental all though I'd try not to wear you out with it. Ten years is a long time, though. Just ask a ten years old - a lot of things can and does happen in such a long time but Icon & The Black Roses haven't changed too much. They're a bit heavier now, somewhat rougher and Johnny Icon sounds somewhat less polished in his voice. Despite some new ideas and a slighty darker sound, I'm pretty sure old fans will embrace this with open arms and recognise the music they've done.

Compared to when Icon & The Black Roses released their debut, the conditions are definitely different this time. Back then the goth-scene were huge with success following HIM and several years of bands releasing albums like this, but the album was on a downturn and has since more or less become underground today. However, with recent albums from HIM, Lacrimas profundere and To/Die/For besides this one, maybe the genre is on a move again. I'm not sure it matters to this album but if it's so, maybe this time they'll end up leading the train and not following it. Regardless, I'd be glad to see some sorrow back in the metal genre!

Where in the ocean of missery, roses and black tears can we find 'thorns' though? Well, partly I wanna rock along with the rhythm and nod my head in consent - partly I want to stare in to the air with a hand over the heart and maybe shed a tear. The album is both enjoyable and beautiful at the same time, it's catchy and captivating but also emotional and lamentable. And it's powerful! There's some definite power in these ten songs. Definite power in the 50 minutes it lasts, which feels way too short - and I know how stupid that sounds coming from me that always complains on albums being too long. There is also power in the melodies on the album, which are driven by a fantastic keyboard work. And last but not least, there's power in the guitars and the voice of Johnny Icon.

I definitely think they play the right chords on this album, they sing in the right tone and they make songs as appealing as they did ten years ago. The only bad thing is that it's taken them ten years to make a second album but 'Thorns' is definitely an album worth waiting for! Perhaps not ten years of waiting… but it's a really good album!

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