Review: “Break The Ice” by Negative Frame

 “Whatever you do in this world with your life it will keep spinning and we will all be dust soon enough, don’t live a life of hate and expect the world to give you anything other than what you’ve put into it. Let go of the pain.” ~ Negative Frame

Three years after they struck like Deep Impact with 2023 EP “Mercy Killing” and nine years after their inception, London Metallic Hardcore crew Negative Frame have finally offered up a debut album in “Break The Ice“. Produced by John Mitchell at Outhouse Studios in Reading and adorned by artwork from the legendary Adam Burke (Unto Others, Gatecreeper, Cloak) at Nightjar Illustration, it is said to explore themes of loss, pain, isolation, addiction and personal struggle, acting as a cathartic release of negative energy while at the same time delivering a message of resilience and hope.

The tribal drum jam that is sixty five second introduction piece “Samsara” might be something you’d expect from a Max Cavalera’s Soulfly but it sets the tone perfectly as a palate cleanser for the mind before the Negative Frame land the first punch with “9 Circles“. The surprise with this one is that the vocals are limited to sparse screams from vocalist Kesari Gorin as he stares down the face of adversity with an evil grin. In truth it’s all about the riffs with Olly Coyne and George Evil throwing back to “The End of Heartache” era Killswitch Engage for some early American Metalcore inspired riffs with the warmth and melancholia of Scandinavian roots while throwing in one of their own trademark breakdowns.

Gorin harness his inner Kirk Windstein for the chorus of the heavy hitting “New Lows“, the gravelly harsh sung vocals offering a nice contrast to his usual bark and bite. Its the guitar work that really captures the imagination on this one, the band not afraid to mix it up as they capture the imagination with a collection of fleeting moments that cross sub-genres with consummate ease in the same way that bands like Malevolence have done with their recent works. The Metallic Hardcore roots are still very much there for everyone to witness but there is so much more to this that it takes multiple listens to hear and appreciate it all, which tells you just how much dedication to craft has gone into this.

Injecting bounce into the mosh pit “Sorrow & Solitude” piles breakdown upon breakdown while having a face melting solo at its bitter black heart, the bruising cut offering the opportunity for mic grabs, stage dives and high fives when it gets performed live. The surprise is just how far Gorin pushes himself vocally, testing the waters with a couple of clean moments but in all honesty they work incredibly well, enhancing the atmospheric of the track nicely. He pushes himself the opposite way on the vicious “Cut Throat“, his harsh uncleans reaching hitherto unheard new lows as he roars his way through the lyric sheet accompanied by some slick menacing and sinister Metallic Hardcore riffs. You can tell exactly what this means to the band with the weight of atmosphere and emotive vocal performance, the harsh reality of whatever the situation was making them drive nails into coffins with this.

There are still riffs fit for two stepping on the likes of “Cold Nights” which sees a nice little bass solo from Mark Maccutchan steal some of the limelight before galloping drums from Luke Walker as the rhythm section get creative while offering something of a nostalgia trip at the same time. It has to be said that the solo that finishes this one is absolute class and will leave you wanting more. A bit of Motorhead influence comes into play with the opening riffs of “Pay To Play” before Gorin leads the charge into some gang chant moments, the cut feeling very much like another risk that has paid off handsomely with the quintet not afraid to experiment to keep things fresh.

A heavier tune to help you breathe more easily “Rat Trap” has more of the heavier down tuned guitars and unclean vocals, Gorin reaching demonic throat shredding moments more often here than on some of the others. It’s all undisputed attitude as the quintet keep pushing themselves and the boundaries of Metallic Hardcore so as not to be pigeon holed by any of their sonic abrasions but at the same time refusing to let go of any of their roots. There will be few who expected an acoustic song on Negative Frame record but “Heavens Blue” finds them worshipping Alice In Chains in the first half before the electric guitars come crashing down and the percussion kicks in. Whether it will ever find its way into the bands live set remains to be seen but it has all the grit and integrity to do so as a soul stirring tune that is deserving of some attention.

Throwing back to the early American Metalcore style “Part Of Me” picks up the pace without losing the energy, the verve and swagger in the song confirming just how confident the band are in this material, the gang chants perfectly weighted for crowd call and response when this is performed live. Arguably the finest performance behind the kit from Luke Walker is saved until the final cut “Another Way“, which is absolute class, the sing-a-long chorus and relatable lyrics making it one of the bands catchier tunes. Not only has it been worth the weight but this debut album is worth its weight in gold because it’s going to solidify the bands status on the European touring circuit for years to come [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Samsara
2. 9 Circles
3. New Lows
4. Sorrow & Solitude
5. Cut Throat
6. Cold Nights
7. Pay To Play
8. Rat Trap
9. Heavens Blue
10. Part Of Me
11.  Another Way

“Break The Ice” by Negative Frame is out 7th August 2026 via Blood Blast Distribution and is available over at bandcamp