We were wondering when the impossible American light speed black metal machine calling themselves I.C.E. (that’s "Imperial Crystalling Entombment for those wondering) would resurface, what with being utterly blown away by their demo that we reviewed a couple years ago (see below for a link). We proclaimed it better than Marduk, we laughed at the band members’ get ups, and we crossed all our digits for more.

So great that I.C.E. landed a deal on Crash Music. They’re still going with the wacky look, which is seeming less quaint as we realize that the band is totally serious about it. Apocalyptic in White contains all three songs from the demo, plus seven more. Stylistically, think Marduk mixed with Aurora Borealis. The straight forward, keyboard-less black metal brutality of the former, with breaks and tempo changes that remind us of the goodness of the Gholgoth record we reviewed two months prior. And although those seeking pure swirling black metal overkill at all times might be turned off a bit by the more death metal leanings on and around songs like "Convulsing Frigid Death," extreme metal fans will have lots and lots to savor.

But if there is one criticism to be leveled, it’s that the vocal phrasings are largely unimaginative, mostly following the accents of the music. Paired with the riffs, this sometimes has the effect of sounding like super sped up, evil nursery rhymes. Get the I.C.E. vocalist to do a case in study of Immortal’s second and third records, and get these guys a production to rival the best coming out of Scandinavia, and we’d have something to erect shrines to.

But the quality of material and execution is undeniable. A highly recommended purchase for fans of Marduk, Thy Infernal, Gholgoth and Aurora Borealis. (8/10)