ICE HOWL: Forging Fire: Heavy Metal as Rebellion and Redemption
In this candid and thought-provoking interview, Ice Howl invites us into their lair to discuss how their music channels both the fantastical and the deeply personal. With themes of transformation, resistance, and the battle for authenticity, the band speaks to the heart of grassroots heavy metal’s enduring power. From navigating the evolving Indiana metal scene to exploring the intersection of escapism and real-world struggles, Ice Howl reminds us why doom metal resonates as both catharsis and protest. At its core, their music rejects consumer-driven monotony in favor of something raw, meaningful, and defiantly human—a testament to the soul-filling power of passion over profit.
But Ice Howl’s resistance goes beyond the music, firmly rooted in the band’s moral compass. Vocalist Zebah Latifi emphasizes this stance: “For us, that means zero tolerance for bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny. We don’t need to spell it out because it’s embedded in every riff and verse we play. We’re here to stand for something—plain and simple.”
-Hi, first off thanks for taking your time. How’s everything doing in the lair of Ice Howl?
We are doing well! Thanks for asking us to talk a little bit about us and what we have going on in our party.
Q: Ice Howl’s music draws heavily on themes of myth, legend, and mysticism. With Reborn and Reforged, how have these fantastical elements evolved? Does the EP’s title hint at a specific narrative or mythical arc that runs through the music?
A: [Zebah Latifi]
In every mystical tale, there’s a band of adventurers who meet by chance. They’ve had their own lives and paths that have led them to the exact moment of converging at the crossroads of Fate. For us, Ice Howl is that convergence of souls. Reborn and Reforged is a testament to the past year of Ice Howl’s resurgence: a new sound, new vision, and new strengths.
While the title is more of a nod to how we’ve bonded as a band and overcome hurdles that would’ve crippled and stalled other groups much further along in their journeys, one of the songs will be a springboard for our upcoming concept album we’re hoping to release by mid-2025.
Q: Indiana has a burgeoning but distinct heavy music scene with bands like Spirit Division (RIP) and Sacred Leather leaving their mark. How does the location and scene influence Ice Howl’s music, and do you find any specific Midwestern experiences or outlooks shaping your sound or lyrics?
A: [Mark Jackson]
I feel like Indiana is a hotbed for all kinds of metal. From outright power, thrash, black, death, doom, and speed… there’s literally a flavor for everyone.
When bands leave their mark, it scratches an itch. And when they disband? It’s disheartening, yeah, but it serves a need too. This scene evolves so rapidly that the groups rising from the ashes are often better than their predecessors.
As for “Midwesticism” (shoutout to Dan Canon for that term), it’s impossible not to feel the cornfields and cold winters in the writing process. Nothing beats the vibe of a warm, sweet riff that just lets you jam out and disappear for a while. It’s like revisiting that peaceful corner of your mind where everything feels right.
Q: Your instrumental skills, especially the riffs and rhythms, feel influenced by both classic metal and doom’s unhurried, heavier side. Could you share any insights into your writing process? How do you go about constructing songs that balance raw heaviness with melodic hooks?
A: [Jason Roach]
It’s kind of crazy to think that not too long ago, I had no idea how to write a song. Songwriting feels like second nature now, but it started with me senselessly noodling on a guitar until one day I had my first full-length album in front of me.
The process? It’s evolved over the years, but it always begins with jamming on a guitar. I let it flow and see if something feels right. Usually, I start with a specific part (intro, verse, chorus—whatever) and build from there. I even program a drum beat and layer the catchiest riff I can think of over it.
It might sound cliché, but balancing heavy riffs with melodic hooks? That’s me through and through. And honestly, it’s way better now that I’ve got a crew of people I respect helping pull everything together.
Q: The lyrics and soundscapes in your work often feel like an escape into another world. How does Ice Howl tackle the balance between escapism and reflection of real-world issues? Are there any real-world themes that you consciously want your listeners to engage with?
A: [Zebah Latifi]
There’s a fine line between putting on a killer metal show and standing up for what you believe in. Some bands exist to send distinct messages—but that’s not really our gig. For us, it’s about the moral compass we all share. You see it in how we treat people, both on and off the stage.
Musically, our influences dig deep into resistance—whether it’s literary (like Mistborn or Tolkien’s Return of the King) or real-life struggles. Themes of pushing back against overwhelming odds are threaded into everything we do, especially in a world where darkness seems to grow daily.
Our upcoming album sticks to this: fighting back, doing what’s right even when it’s easier not to. For us, that means zero tolerance for bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny. We don’t need to spell it out because it’s embedded in every riff and verse we play. We’re here to stand for something—plain and simple.
Q: In Reborn and Reforged, how do you explore the idea of transformation, both musically and personally? Are there specific aspects of Ice Howl that you feel have been “reborn” in this new phase, either within the band lineup or the sound?
A: [Zebah Latifi]
One of the biggest transformations? The lineup. What started as Jason’s solo project has evolved into a five-piece beast. He’s given me so much freedom with the vocals, and I’ve worked to honor his original vision while bringing my own style into the mix. This collaboration happened even before we started writing new material.
Sonically, this new era is like a democracy in motion. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and we’re smart enough to play off those to make something greater than the sum of its parts. No egos here—just mutual respect.
Fans of Reborn and Reforged will recognize the crushing doom mentality, but we’ve amped it up with power metal elements, relentless drum energy (Kyle’s an absolute monster), and Mark’s basslines holding it all together. Vocals? Smokier, rawer, but still dynamic. This album? It’s us reborn, reworked, and more crushing than ever. Get ready.
Q: With some of your past work being deeply personal yet raw, do you feel that doom metal has allowed you to express vulnerabilities that might not be possible in other musical genres? What aspects of doom resonate with you on an emotional level?
A: [Mark Jackson]
I feel as if vulnerability is a worldwide language, such as love, well and hate, unfortunately. However, I think in metal, and actually in more specifically; extreme metal is more guarded and shielded, but once you know how to listen for it, there it is, as with how doom resonates with me. For me, it is all a mood and feeling. The more I hear, the more I want to listen and dissect. I want to know what makes these songs communicate so well with people, for my ever-chasing dream of trying to understand humanity. That’s how it affects me.
Q: Finally, doom is often described as a form of resistance against fast-paced, consumer-driven culture. Do you see Ice Howl’s music as a form of protest or countercultural expression, and if so, in what ways?
A: [Zebah Latifi] I would say grassroots heavy metal in general, of any subgenre, is a form of resistance against the capitalistic society in which we’re forced to participate. In a world that tells you that if something isn’t making you money, you shouldn’t pursue it; grassroots metal musicians are hanging on for the passion. The few moments out of the month, or even the season, that you get to stand on stage and escape the rat race. Fully bask in the glory that is filling your soul alongside your friends in front of people who legitimately enjoy what you’re bringing to the table. Your own personal ideas are being accepted, appreciated, and applauded. That doesn’t happen much in the regular world. It’s nice to find spaces where you can feel like you’re seen and your contributions aren’t just another time card punched for a multi-million dollar, soulless corporation. At the end of the day, your life means more than just making money. You have contributed to the world in a meaningful way.
