Hardcore band hits with sophomore effort

Hailing from Baltimore, Trapped Under Ice is a band with an unmistakable sound and hardcore running through their veins.

With label-mates like hardcore heavy hitters Terror, Madball, Wisdom in Chains and Death Threat, it is easy to see where Trapped Under Ice draws its inspiration. The band’s sophomore release, “Big Kiss Goodnight,” is quite the opposite of the title’s implication; it is a breath of fresh air in a world polluted by imposters.

For “Big Kiss Goodnight,” the band sought production help from New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert. Gilbert has producer credits for Terror’s “Keepers of the Faith,” A Day To Remember’s “Homesick” and “What Separates Me From You,” as well as H20’s “Nothing to Prove.”

Tackling topics like death, love, friendship, and hate, vocalist Justice Tripp is not reinventing the wheel with his lyrical content. His distinct vocal style and delivery make it all very personal. His voice is full of emotion and you know he means what he says in songs like “Still Cold,” where he proclaims, “I’m all out of love, nothing left to give.”

“Born to Die,” the album’s first track and first single, speaks volumes to the frustrated youth that makes up the majority of Trapped Under Ice’s fan base. Tripp uses this melody-laden track as a platform to express hope with lines like, “Been put to the test once again, I won’t bitch and cry, lose any sleep at night, I’ll be just fine,” and “This time is our time, one chance to love, we gotta make it right, one day we’ll die, big kiss goodnight.”

Other standout tracks include “Outcast,” “Still Cold” and “Reality Unfolds,” which gets a facelift after appearing on the band’s 2007 Flatspot Records demo and later appearing on the memorable 2008 re-issue of the “Stay Cold” EP.
“Outcast” begins with Tripp’s unique sing-style vocals that he is known for utilizing during live performances, and it builds on a dark progression ultimately culminating in a circle pit break halfway through track, with gang-vocal chants of “outcast” throughout. This song is sure to be a favorite for show-goers.

“Still Cold” can be considered a sequel to Trapped Under Ice’s 2008 anthem “Stay Cold.” Tripp makes it clear that although it has been three years since he was telling us to “Stay Cold,” nothing has changed. Screams of “I will die on my feet, and you better believe I will die cold and all alone” make this very apparent. The end of “Still Cold” transitions flawlessly into the beginning of the album’s last track, “Reality Unfolds,” almost making it seem like one long track divided by a perfectly executed breakdown. The band seems to have done the impossible and made a nearly six-minute hardcore song that never lulls or seems forced.

Trapped Under Ice has always had a very apparent punk-rock influence, and this album is no different for them; enormous bass lines and simple, fast drumming are the backbone for the band’s best record to date. The brilliant guitar-playing demonstrated on “Big Kiss Goodnight” continues to show their taste for melodic leads and heavy breakdowns, while avoiding dull song structure and repetition.

With 2011 seeing releases from notable acts such as Mother of Mercy, Foundation, The Carrier, and even hardcore pioneers Agnostic Front, Trapped Under Ice has some heavy competition for hardcore album of the year. However, even with two months to go before we close out this year, they have laid claim to their spot on the throne.