[2 July 2009]
IKON TO MAKE VIDEO CLIP FOR 'A LINE ON A DARK DAY' | NEW ALBUM RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED
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IKON has just been awarded a substantial grant from the Victoria Rocks funding scheme to produce a video clip for 'A Line on a Dark Day'. The video clip will assist in the promotion of Love, Hate and Sorrow, which will be released in advance of the band's forthcoming European tour, which will visit Germany, Belgium and Poland (more dates to be added soon). |
In other exciting news, the new album will be released on IKON's original German label, Apollyon, marking a return to IKON's beginnings.
And, on top of that, American label Vendetta
will release it in the United States. It will also appear on Russian label Shadowplay.
The release date for the album will be September 11th 2009. This date is a significant one on which to release Love, Hate and Sorrow because the first single from the album 'A Line on a Dark Day' was written in response to the events of 9/11 in the United States in 2001.
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[25 May 2009]
UPDATE ON PROJECTS AND MICK MERCER REVIEW
As the band scurries to put the finishing touches on Love, Hate and Sorrow, prepare for the scheduled European tour in September (dates to be advised soon, but we do have a confirmed date in Poland with fellow Aussies Dandelion Wine) and miscellaneous other projects including the CD release of the download compilation Live in Marseille, and In the Shadow of the Angel 15th anniversary t-shirts, it's nice to see some more love out there for Amongst the Runes from no less than the esteemed Mick Mercer. The cover versions compilation is still in the works, if a little behind schedule, unfortunately.
Here's a sample of Mercer's review:
[Amongst the Runes] provides ample evidence why they’re one of the more steadfast and reliable of Gothic Rock bands. Indeed, if you can’t appreciate their developing style and studied quality you probably don’t get Goth in the first place. It has a different feel to some of the previous work but contains the same characteristics, with a clipped energy, bursts of hot and cold, and a determined economy to bring out their melodic best. They like to change through time, which is a good sign, and even manage to be both chipper and beset by doom.
‘Amongst The Runes’ moves forward smoothly, the rhythm matched by the keyboards and vocal delivery everything hypnotically regimented, guitar held back but decorative over prudent drums. [...]
There’s a new album this year too. Me happy.
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[22 April 2009]
SIDE-LINE REVIEWS AMONGST THE RUNES
Side-Line has written a favourable review of Amongst the Runes.
Ikon remains for sure one of the most renowned and successful Australian bands. Often linked and considered as pioneers in the gothic genre Ikon definitely evolved in sound and style all over the years. “Amongst The Runes” is the first single from the forthcoming album “Love, Hate and Sorrow”. The title song was delivered in its “Version” and “Extended Version”. It’s a pure dreamy wave cut where pop and new wave have been merged together. The guitar parts are totally enjoyable.
Next comes a noticeable and remarkable cover version of Pink Floyd’s “Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun”. Ikon transposed this legendary song into another remarkable and wafting new wave minded version. This cover version is also an appetizer for another very special album that Ikon is working on. This album will be entitled “A Different Story” and will only contain cover versions. Notice by the way that this album will be released as a download album by Cleopatra Records.
Back to our maxi. “War Of Love” reveals a quieter approach with heavenly strings and acoustic guitar parts. The more moody “Stalag 13” is not without reminding to the darkness of Echo & The Bunnymen. It’s another quiet, but efficient extract of the new Ikon. Throughout the years I’ve always been impressed by this band!
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[23 March 2009]
IKON IN NEW MICK MERCER BOOK, MUSIC TO DIE FOR
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Legendary alternative music journalist Mick Mercer has published a new book that will become the definitive resource on underground music including ambient, goth, gothic metal, noir, post-punk, punk, psychobilly, cabaret and "melodramatic song" (whatever that may be!).
IKON is featured in a comprehensive listing and double-page photo spread. You can buy Mercer's book direct from the publisher Cherry Red for 17.99 (UK pounds) plus very cheap shipping. You'll also find the book for sale on Amazon. |
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[16 February 2009]
IKON COVERS COMPILATION: A DIFFERENT STORY
We know some of you IKON-lovers are waiting in anticipation for Love, Hate and Sorrow but to tide everyone over, IKON will be releasing a download covers compilation through Cleopatra Records this year. Called A Different Story, the compilation will contain versions of a dozen songs that have been influential on the band, performed in IKON's distinct style.
There is a mixture of tracks drawn from rare compilations released over the past 15 years and some newly recorded ones into the bargain.
The songs and artists covered include:
The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby
The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
Bauhaus - She's in Parties
Simple Minds - The American
Nine Inch Nails - Hurt
Pink Floyd - Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Joy Division - Ceremony
Icehouse - Don't Believe Anymore
Death in June - Fall Apart
Dead Can Dance - In Power We Trust the Love Advocated
The Cure - A Strange Day
U2 - 11 O'Clock Tick Tock
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[17 January 2009]
'A LINE ON A DARK DAY' NAMED TOP SINGLE OF 2008
Germany's Black Magazin (issue 49) has named IKON's 'A Line on a Dark Day', from the League of Nations EP, as the second-best single of 2008.
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[5 January 2009]
IKON PLANS FOR 2009
Happy New Year! This year will be a big and busy one for IKON with several projects in the pipeline. In addition to the long-awaited release of the album Love, Hate and Sorrow, the band is working on a full-length compilation of cover versions. This release will gather together covers that IKON has contributed to various tribute albums over the years, including to Dead Can Dance, Bauhaus and The Cure, as well as obvious favourites like Death in June and Joy Division. There'll also be some more obscure cover versions in the mix and a few new songs that are currently being worked on and have never been heard before.
We're also planning the first ever IKON DVD and a remastered version of the first IKON album.
