Iceage - You're Nothing (Album Review)

 

Iceage - You’re Nothing

(2013)


My copy: 2013 press at 45 RPM by Matador.


Denmark’s Iceage made their full length debut with 2010’s New Brigade before following up with You’re Nothing in 2013. Iceage set out to cement their uncompromising and destructive sound into the global pantheon of modern punk bands; and they’d succeed at attracting the attention of several U.S. based labels including Matador. 

“Ecstasy” introduces the key elements of You’re Nothing: feedback, incredibly distorted and sloppy guitar tones, blistering drums and Elias Rønnenfelt’s bizarrely affixing vocal moans. More traditional punk sentiments burst forth from “Coalition” in which you can hear the influence of 80s hardcore groups. What modernizes Iceage is their use of lead guitar lines that play bright lines, often bringing the core melodic element. 

The production on You’re Nothing is raw and amateurish - it contains the will of a nihilistic band who’d rather bask in chaotic noise than risk a professional obscuring their intentions. “Interlude” is an industrial ambient break that paints imagery of some dimly lit slaughterhouse. Sludge and metal are brought into the writing on “Burning Hand” which suffers from a lack of convincing low-end. Guitar solos rip through “In Haze” with tones so prickly and lo-fi that it feels as though the instruments could crumble to dust at any moment. Rønnenfelt croons with a sleazy charm, a vocal style that summons intrigue due to its unusual fit.  

“Morals” begins low, and plays initially as a ballad with piano; the tempo quickens but bright lead guitar and vocal melodies maintain a somewhat optimistic sound. “Everything Drifts” sneaks twinkling ethereal sound effects into a typical punk song. “Wounded Hearts” is mostly forgettable but “It Might Hit First” totally embraces the density of the lo-fi production by exploding into a hellish frenzy of sledgehammer tom fills and drunken howls. “Rodfæstet” is more punk with Rønnenfelt singing in his native tongue while “Awake” demonstrates the most indie charm with its poppy lead. The frenetic crackling of “You’re Nothing” is perhaps the highlight of the record, with the catchiest vocals and dirty whammy-bent guitar chords. 

You’re Nothing is fast-paced and tight from a writing perspective and it is only held back by the harshness of the mixing which generally obscures the rhythmic melodies. The production is done well when the band leans into density on tracks like “It Might Hit First” but it is clear that they are attempting to dip their fingers into something more accessible on many tracks. Iceage would go on to touch up their production with later releases, at the cost of some punk intensity. 

This record is widely available and cheap.


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