2025 Retro – I.C.E.

Our 2025 retrospective series turns to IMPERIAL CRYSTALLINE ENTOMBMENT and their trad-Black Metal ripper "Abominable Astral Summoning", released in July 2025. So far, our retro series has revisited albums by BONG-RA ("Black Noise"), BLOOD ABSCISSION ("I I"), MÜTTERLEIN ("Amidst the Flames, May Our Organs Resound"), and ANFAUGLIR ("Akallabêth") – check the blog posts in our news section (click here)!

With "Abominable Astral Summoning", I.C.E. struck out with another savage blizzard, continuing the glorious grimness of 2023's "Ancient Glacial Resurgence" and 2004 debut "Apocalyptic End in White": a maelstrom of harsh riffing, relentless blasts, piercing vocals, skewed melodicism and addictive songwriting. "Abominable Astral Summoning" stands as another testament to the band's orthodox and vital Black Metal grandeur!

The band had this to say about their latest work:

""Abominable Astral Summoning" exploded unexpectedly on the masses, yet another surprise savage attack since the release of "Ancient Glacial Resurgence" that appeared out of nowhere as well. We continue to manifest the extreme rage of winter death and are poised to soon destroy Finland and other regions of Europe this coming year. The powers of Råvaskieth surge once again and you can expect another blitzkrieg on the human race in the not too far future."

The Metal press praised "Abominable Astral Summoning" for its perfect execution of traditional high-octane Black Metal:

"The music is cold, calculating, brutal, yet not devoid of melody at all. The music and vocals go perfectly with the album cover!" (Teeth Of The Divine)

"I still can't get over how great these guys were at Maryland Death Fest. The latest frozen offering from IMPERIAL CRYSTALLINE ENTOMBMENT is exactly what you'd expect it to be, and thank goodness. In case you're not familiar, think the atmosphere of IMMORTAL and "Frost"-era ENSLAVED mixed with the punishing power of TSJUDER, DARK FUNERAL and "Lords of the Nightrealm"-era SETHERIAL. It's cold, brutal, and glorious!" (Decibel)

"For a modern American Black Metal band to conjure up images of early EMPEROR and GORGOROTH is an impressive feat by any measurement, and the band gives their all here to allow its listeners to find solace in the chaos, to find warmth amongst the ice, and to let the world know that this I.C.E. is actually a good I.C.E." (Metal Epidemic)

In 2025, I.C.E. also consolidated their uncompromising vision by playing select live gigs across Latin and Northern America – check an extract from their killer performance at Maryland Death Fest here:

Further live dates are currently being planned for this year – with Steelfest in Finland already confirmed for May 2026.

"Abominable Astral Summoning" is available on CD and vinyl – including merch – via our EU, US and Bandcamp shops and can be heard via Bandcamp and our YouTube channel: