IKON ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER ALBUM APOLLYON, METROPOLIS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 27, 2001 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 23, 2001

The Australian goth band Ikon has always been more or less good. They've existed for quite a number of years by now and have released lots of material including a number of special limited edition releases.
The single "The Shallow Sea", taken from this album, made heavy impact on me. It is very strong in a kind of traditional Ikon manner. Gothic rock without unnecessary metal and/or electro elements in the music. Therefore, my expectations for the new album were set high.
It starts with "King of Terror" - an awful song though! Probably the worst I've heard with Ikon if we don't count their Bauhaus cover. After hearing this, I get worried and the fear rises inside. I skip to "Wheels in Motion" and when hearing that song I feel better, much better. It's an amazing hit song - gentle and melancholic, but still with that catchy pop feeling that makes it a hit.
Worth noticing on this album, is that Ikon have quite many acoustic guitars mixed with the standard gothic styled electric guitars. In the old days, Ikon could easily be compared to Joy Division. Mostly because of the old vocalist and the mood in the music. Now I feel that they have matured and have a rather unique sound. Although it is typical gothic rock touched by the hand of Death in June when they were on the top.
This is something as rare as real goth music. Chris McCarter, who is the brain behind Ikon, should have credits for not forgetting about the old fans like far too many bands seem to do nowadays.

JOHAN ASTEMARK