Pulsing with rebellion and grunge, meet Iceage’s dark new single ‘Vendetta’

Iceage are back and better than ever with their intoxicating single ‘Vendetta.’ This precedes the Danish’s bands fifth studio album ‘Seek Shelter’ which will be up for grabs via new label Mexican Summer in May. 

The new album will also include previously released single ‘The Holding Hand.’ Obscuring the sonic boundaries of punk-rock music with spacey synth instrumentals, the Copenhagen-based quartet consists of band members Elias Bender Rønnenfelt, Jakob Tvilling Pless, Johan Surrballe Wieth, and Dan Kjær Nielsen.

‘Vendetta’ is dripping with references of the post punk hacienda or ‘Madchester’ era. The song inhabits the unhinged spirit of The Stone Roses and textures of The Clash, Shaun Ryder (think Happy Mondays), and sprinkles of Oasis and Primal Scream. ‘Vendetta is lightning in a bottle, swirling with layers of glam-rock buzz and a space-rock realm. Romanticising the sexy indulgence of ’70s-era Rolling Stones, Iceage transport us to images of sleazy back-alleys doused in brandy and ecstasy. Carving out an overtly rebellious, narcotic-fused atmosphere, Rønnenfelt’s vocals are piercing, pulsing with elements of destruction, rebellion and ruckus. The sinister and moody atmosphere of the music video reinforces the nihilism that seeps through the band’s music. Vocalist and frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt recalls that: “Crime is the undercurrent that runs through everything. If you don’t see it, you’re not looking. In its invincible politics, it is the glue that binds it all together. ‘Vendetta’ is an impartial dance along the illicit lines of infraction.”

 

Through the hallucinatory haze, the searing track feels brilliantly trippy and spellbinding at the same time. Iceage’s quirky and grungy music video was directed by Jonas Bang and starring Croatian–Danish actor Zlatko Burić.  The post-punk aesthetics of ‘Vendetta’ remain dark and broody, fostering a cohesiveness to the band’s image.  Aside from their music, Iceage have not remained silent on their political standpoints and their outlook on society. The band has relentlessly challenged the ethics of our society and have openly deemed capitalism an evil force that glitches the harmony of our society. The Danish quartet also talk openly about the struggles of mental illnesses, and how Western culture is plagued with elements of violence and crime. By interweaving their disruptive punk-rock sound and political message, this band is exactly what the music industry needs right now. Their hero-ingredient: they don’t apologize for who they are.

Jaina Pankhania
@jainapankhania

Image from: https://www.upsetmagazine.com/news/iceage-vendetta