To say I have been eagerly awaiting new music from Iconic Eye is probably a bit of an understatement.
I first came across the band on the second stage at HRH AOR in March 2018 and their performance that day really caught my eye.
I know that since then they have gone through some personnel changes but that has in no way diminished the high quality melodic hard rock that they play. In preparation for a heavier regime of gigging, sensational new vocalist Janey Smith has been brought in to replace the superb Jane Gould who was their vocalist when I first saw them.
It is a shame to see Jane go, but in Janey the band have recruited an incredible vocalist for what is going to be an exciting time ahead for Iconic Eye.
“Back From Behind The Sun” is the lead single from their upcoming 5 track EP of the same name. Due out on the 4th December 2020, the EP can be pre-ordered from https://iconiceyemusic.com/new-ep.
Me personally, I pre-ordered the EP when the link first went live, some months ago, so to get the chance to listen to it before the postman drops the physical copy through my letterbox puts me in a win win situation. I am going to review the full EP before it is released but for now, this is just about the single.
Of the track, guitarist and founder member Greg Dean says “We wrote this song because we’d been away for a while, and not released any new material.
This is where it starts for us right now. We wanted an anthem, a positive to mark our return.” Well, all I can say is what Greg wanted, Greg got. This is one of the finest slabs of UK melodic rock I have had the pleasure of listening to in many a year.
Janey Smith’s vocals are striking and backed with a band of high quality musicians make this single easily comparable to acts like Lee Aaron, Vixen, Saraya and Romeo’s Daughter to name a few.
After a few listens it is clear that the track really is a true melodic rock anthem and provides an amazing vehicle for the band to showcase not only their talents but the power, melody and range in the vocals of new front lady Janey Smith.
It is a glorious 3 minute adventure into a world that the world has in many ways forgotten. “Back From Behind The Sun” takes you on a sumptuous journey that is swathed in majestic
keyboards, regal guitars, imperial vocals and all backed by an imposing backbeat from the rhythm section.
From the first few notes you just know that you are for a triumphant ride with the band and as the song builds it becomes increasingly apparent that “Back From Behind The Sun” is going to take you to every destination it was intended to.
With songwriting and musicianship of this quality I would think that if Iconic Eye had been releasing music 30-40 years ago, that journey would have taken them to headline slots on arena stages around the world. Who knows, in the post Covid world that me must surely arrive at some day, it may still do that.
“Back From Behind The Sun” should propel the band straight back into the melodic rock limelight, which is where they clearly belong.
They have already built a solid fan base for themselves with their two album releases that also saw them play sets at Download, Hard Rock Hell, Giants of Rock and Planet Rock’s “Rockstock” as well as holding down support slots for Magnum, Hardline, Lee Aaron, Kee Marcello, Y&T and Last In Line and this exquisite number should clearly help them build on that.
Iconic Eye are
Janey Smith – Vocals
Greg Dean – Rhythm/Lead guitar, keyboards and backing vocals
Neil Hackett – Lead Guitar
Mike Dagnall – Bass and backing vocals
Jon Cooksey – Drums
Iconic Eye online Website: www.iconiceyemusic.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/iconic.eye.music/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/Iconiceyerock YouTube: www.youtube.com/Iconiceye
Review by Darren Smith for MPM
