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Artist: Icon

Title: Icon

Icon Homepage

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Category: Melodic Metal

Year: 1984

Label: Capitol

Catalog Number:

Personnel

Dan Wexler guitar
Stephen Clifford vocals
John Aquilino guitar
Tracy Wallach bass
Pat Dixon drums

Tracks

1.	Rock On Through the Night	3:35
2.	Killer Machine	3:34
3.	On Your Feet	3:24
4.	World War	4:30
5.	Hot Desert Night	3:52
6.	Under My Gun	3:33
7.	Iconoclast	1:27
8.	Rock 'n Roll Maniac	4:01
9.	I'm Alive	4:11
10.	It's up to You	5:07
Total Running Time:		37:14

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Icon CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Icon are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: toņo chile	Date: October 8, 2001 at 20:17
GREAT HARD ROCK METAL,GREAT ALBUM THE BEST,BEAUTIFUL ROCK BALLAD 'IT'S UP TO YOU',STEPHEN CLIFFORD IS A REAL VOCAL ĄWHAT HAPPENED WITH STHEPHEN CLIFFORD?? hardrocl@uol.cl

From: toņo chile	Date: October 8, 2001 at 20:18
hardrock@uol.cl ok

From: nighttiger	Date: November 28, 2001 at 18:27
I have to say this is a good album.Heavy metal maniac is definitly there best track here.the songs aren't as tight as they could be,although they kept me listening through the majority of songs.

From: TIM	Date: May 6, 2002 at 23:50
These guys had a good sound, but I couldn't seem to get into them. I liked On Your Feet and that was about it.

From: Desslar	Date: May 7, 2002 at 1:27
I agree with TIM. On Your Feet is a fantastic anthem(sounding not a little like Quiet Riot), but the rest is boring and generic, and the closing pathetic attempt at a ballad will have you reaching for the eject button.

From: toņo chile	Date: May 11, 2002 at 8:11
where singer now sthephen clifford,please any information hardrockchile@hotmail.com

From: Andre Tekken	Date: July 24, 2002 at 13:09
To answer you tonõ Stephen became a religious maniac just after recording the album and disbanded!I think he continued singing,and also one of the guitarists helped him on puting toghether his religious effort!Such a waste of talent!He was replaced then by the second singer whitch became an Ultimate pro fighter after the band split.

From: Andre Tekken

Date: July 24, 2002 at 13:24

My comments about this CD are:AWSOME!This debut delivers a cross between early Dokken,a bit of Wasp and Keel!!Very čavy rythm secton,Strong,melodic,passionate vocals!The guitars AH! One of the best combined duo I`ve ever heard!!Metallic sounding reminds me of Scorpions but whith whoola loooot more class!Indispensable to your heavy rock collection!Recently re-issued in France by Axe-Killer record company!Run get yours quickly!It`s a limited edition!!!

From: Andre Tekken	Date: July 27, 2002 at 8:10
Ah!Stephen vocals also reminds me a bit of a cross beetween Ron Keel from:'Keel'and Mike Vescera from:Yngwie Malmsteen,Loudness and Obsession!Best tune:ALL!But to pic just one World War!!!

From: outofthesilence

Date: August 20, 2002 at 20:25

What an incredible rock/metal release! As soon as you hear the introduction to '(Rock On) Through The Night', your ears will never be the same! 'On Your Feet' was their best-known song, and it really kicks! Also outstanding are the cuts 'World War', 'Under The Gun', and 'Rock 'N Roll Maniac.' Overall, a much-overlooked mainstream/melodic metal release showcasing an excellent twin-guitar attack and thundering percussion. Is it any wonder that this band still has a great following these days?

From: miso	Date: August 21, 2002 at 9:38
what can I I say they are my friends & they just kick ass!

From: Steve T	Date: September 5, 2002 at 10:13
Awesome metal album. Exceptional in every department except, maybe, the too sludgy and thick sounding production. Could have done with more crunch in the guitar work. Other than the production it's a monster.

From: Metal_Ed	Date: October 6, 2002 at 23:00
This is a great Cd and as far as my favorite song...I'm Alive!!! Love the raspiness in Steve Clifford's voice. I like 'Night of the crime' too although it wasn't as heavy. Was disappointed after Clifford left but bought 'Right between the eyes' on Cd when it was released. It just wasn't the same band w/o Clifford!

From: TIM	Date: October 6, 2002 at 23:42
Hey Metal_Ed, do you have the 'Axe Killer' version. You ought to get it if you don't.

From: Metal_Ed	Date: October 7, 2002 at 22:14
Tim...thanks for the info. bro! I'll definately put it on my wantlist.

From: r.s.-rocks	Date: February 20, 2003 at 22:29
check out dan wexler`s new band and download 3 brand new songs.'www.thievesinthetemple.com'

From: iaffprofireman	Date: February 21, 2003 at 3:56
Terrific melodic metal album. One of the best to come out of the 80's. Very good songs!

From: Gar	Date: February 21, 2003 at 6:54
I can definitely see the Keel comparisons; both bands played pretty generic (and bland) hard rock. Heard lots of good things about this album back in the day, but I wasn't impressed at all. The band seemed to have some kind of Road Warrior-ish futuristic image on the back cover, but the music didn't match at all. This sounded dated even in the 80's.

From: VICROCK	Date: August 11, 2003 at 19:10
WHAT CAN I SAY, NOBODY SOUNDS LIKE ICON, NONE AFTER, NOT BEFORE. tHAT GUITAR SOUND, THAT SONGS, THAT ENIGMA ITS AMAZING, ONE OF THE BEST, WHO CAN RESIST: WORL WAR, ROCKNīROLL MANIAC,AND ROCK ON...?

From: Thrasher	Date: September 14, 2003 at 21:51
Icon was a big part of my life in the early 80's. Working with them got me into the Rock N' Roll business. I've lost touch with all of them but I loved all the songs and wished they'd gotten more exposure at the time.

From: Shoemaker	Date: October 23, 2003 at 14:03
If you like these kinda music, you should check out Razormaid 'First cutt'. Great Hardrock album!!!

From: Legend	Date: October 25, 2003 at 19:26
Only one good song in the whole album. Very poor for me. No merece la pena.

From: Agnar	Date: November 25, 2003 at 10:59
perfect US Metal influenced by european masters such as Scorpions and Accept. i rate it very good. 8/10

From: r.s.- rocks	Date: December 20, 2003 at 19:24
All you need to know about the band you find here: ' www.inland.net/~evcarter/index.html '. Check it out!

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: January 23, 2004 at 17:05
This rocks! Just pure, straight-ahead, guitar-driven hard rock ala the awesome 80's.

From: Alejandro

Date: February 6, 2004 at 11:47

Interesantėsimo debut de Icon.Un muy buen disco de lo que fue el heavy americano de principos de los 80,e incluso un par de pasos mas adelante de las mega bandas del momento (Ratt-Motley-Cinderella) y que con el tiempo cayo en el olvido.Una lāstima porque el siguiente, NIGHT..orientado a un sonido mas AOR,tambičn es una joyita de su tiempo.Excelentes guitarras, melodiosas,y para destacar ICONOCLASTA WORLD WAR,ON YOUR FEET,UNDER.. y la gloriosa IT`S UP TO YOU.8/10 carro_martin2000@yahoo.com.ar

From: gener8tr

Date: February 27, 2004 at 18:33

If you like any of Dokken's early work, especially Tooth & Nail or Under Lock & Key, then you will instantly fall in love with this little gem. Do yourself a favor and grab the Japanese pressing on the Toshiba / EMI label. It was part of the BURRN Legendary Masters series released in 1994 / 1995 and the sound quality destroys the 1994 German Bear Tracks issue. I have not heard the recent Axe Killer reisuue, so I cannot comment. Lastly... having ICON listed on the site as an AOR band is dumb!

From: toņo chile	Date: March 14, 2004 at 4:40
alejandro...Icon es realmente un paso adelante que muchas bandas....el problema que no fue tan conocido

From: toņo	Date: March 14, 2004 at 4:43
is up to you...The best ballads of th all time,Long live Steve Clifford

From: christo	Date: April 20, 2004 at 7:26
This album kicks major butt, crunching rhythms,cool guitar leads, catchy hooks, and steve cliffords great voice, the best icon album for the metal fans, the other icon releases are good but they are more mellow and dont touch this for raw in your face classic metal.

From: Rafo Phoenix

Date: November 8, 2004 at 1:04

DE ACUERDO CON Alejandro Y toņo UNA TREMENDA BANDA SUPERIOR A MUCHAS QUE SALIAN EN ESE MOMENTO, PERO QUE SE HACE ASI ES LA VIDA, A VECES EL MARKETING TE HACE FAMOSO, PERO PARA LOS VERDADEROS SEGUIDORES DEL BUEN ROCK NUNCA PASARA DESAPERCIBIDO, UN ALBUM QUE SI CATALOGO COMO UN HARD ROCK CON TOQUES DE AOR, ESO SI SUS 2 SIGUIENTES OBRAS SON LO MEJOR DE ELLOS PARA MI. PARA AMANTES DEL BUEN HARD ROCK. SALUDOS MUCHACHOS.

From: Metalhead66	Date: November 11, 2004 at 12:26
Very under-rated Album.This came out and wasn't played by anyone it seemed...I jammed on it ALL THE TIME!!!Some Bands go unnoticed until it's too late, but that is the Great thing about Music...You can listen to it Years later and Find a New(old)favorite Band!!The songs Are Great as is the Music...9/10!!

From: budzillla

Date: November 24, 2004 at 1:47

Dan Wexler is the true core of this band!!!!! HE is also one of the most underrated Shredders I have ever heard!!!! phenonimal amounts of feeling behind every note!!!! Being a fellow Musician, I dont like to criticize anyone but the Vocalist RUINED this band On EVERY album!!! WHAT A SHAME!!!! Musically speaking, THIS cd as well as Night of the Crime ARE the Only ones worth spending YOURE cash on!!! WOULD love to hear WEXLER do a instrumental Shred ALBUM OR get a TONY HARNELL/ RAY ALDER singer!!!

From: Scandinavia	Date: November 24, 2004 at 3:39
I agree that the vocals mess up the overall impact of ICON - Especielly on "Right Between The Eyes" with the ALICE COOPER duets...But Dan Wexler a genius on the guitar??? Hmmmm - May just be me but I always considered him pretty average - Not bad, just not a "hero".

From: Budzillla

Date: November 24, 2004 at 12:30

OOPS !!!!! I made a mistake!!! I forgot to include the Right Between The Eyes cd. Musically Solid, Great guitar by Wexler!!!!! IF I could only delete the vocals!!!! By the way Jerry WHaTEVER his Name sounds nothing like Coverdale by any stretch!!!,however is bearable compared to Clifford!!! Want A Confirmation of this ,find the Live Bootleg and judge for Youreself!!!! Granted, the Sound and Production are ATTROCIOUS!!!!!! but the MUSIC is RAW!!!! ONI LOGAN Would be a good fit with Wexler!!!!!!!!

From: christo	Date: December 1, 2004 at 10:17
Dan wexler is underrated, also I think the vocals are great on this cd, i think on right between the eyes the new vocalist was pretty grating , but icon kick ass and wexler deserves more acclaim.

From: Rycheage	Date: January 2, 2005 at 21:59
Very clean yet bombastic metal on this album. Very Priest-like. "Killer Machine" and "Hot Desert Night" showcase this. Less polished than their other 2 albums but it does not lessen the impact. Great metal.

From: KAN FROM TAIWAN	Date: February 3, 2005 at 22:30
icon=keel+quiet riot !i like this debut! and you will need it!

From: Geoff	Date: February 10, 2005 at 5:58
'World war' and 'Under my gun' are as good a songs as Icon ever made. Two absolutely killer tracks surrounded by some of the finest melodic metal of 1984, without a second's doubt. Great CD. Highly recommended to see where Icon metalically started before their more AOR years. Great CD.

From: Swriter	Date: March 19, 2005 at 19:50
I saw a huge poster for this when it was released and love this one!!! shame it was not huge!!! World War, Rock On, Killer, On your Feet,I'm Alive, It's up to you,, great melodic metal, just fantastic. The second album is also fantastic. First album hard rock/metal, 2nd album rock/aor, both are essential

From: player68	Date: August 31, 2005 at 16:31
I don't like this one.I don't know why,but I think this kind of rock is'nt so interesting.But similar band "London" is better!

From: Nick C

Date: August 31, 2005 at 17:38

I have to agree with Geoff and Swriter, this is a pretty cool release, another I bought when it came out (yawn) and with a cool poster included. The album as a whole shows Icon with their more metallic edge (Mike Varney produced this). I have to say Night blows it away but this is a great album in its own right. World War is just a bombastic track..brilliant and the whole album just begs you to get the old air guitar out..for melodic metal chose this for AOR chose night..best get 'em both!!!!!

From: Toņo Chile	Date: September 4, 2005 at 22:32
GREAT HARD ROCK METAL,GREAT ALBUM THE BEST,BEAUTIFUL ROCK BALLAD 'IT'S UP TO YOU',STEPHEN CLIFFORD IS A REAL VOCAL, maiby,Great Whit,WASP,ICon,Obsession,Grim Reaper the best Metal in all History.

From: Mudhawk

Date: September 15, 2005 at 12:01

Mick Sweda (sp?)was in early incarnaton of this band. He later went on to King Kobra and Bullet Boys. Whatever you are doing, stop it right now. Run, don't walk, run to your record shop and kill someone to get this CD. I've worn out 2 cassettes and was so glad they reissued it on CD. The singer's voice was on the rough side but I really liked it becuase it matche the buzz and guitar work on this. World War and Killer Machine are brilliant.

From: Mudhawk	Date: September 15, 2005 at 12:01
I agree with others that there is a strong Dokken sound here. Player 68 mention's London (Nikki Six's old band before Motley Crue). There are some similarities, but IMO Icons songwriting is miles by far the better.

From: player68	Date: November 26, 2005 at 17:24
Mudhawk: OK,I agree,it's your opinion and I think,Icon are great band! But the first album is Icon's worst album for me.

From: player68	Date: November 26, 2005 at 17:26
Ok,I agree with you,it's your opinion,I think ICON is great band, but the first one is worst for me from ICON's albums.

From: aMetalhead1966	Date: January 9, 2006 at 14:18
Pure Fuckin Hard Rock....I still play this...and I always will.... 10/10!!!!

From: Ale_Carro

Date: March 15, 2006 at 11:53

Interesantėsimo debut de Icon.Un muy buen disco de lo que fue el heavy americano de principos de los 80,e incluso un par de pasos mas adelante de las mega bandas del momento (Ratt-Motley-Cinderella) y que con el tiempo cayo en el olvido.Una lāstima porque el siguiente, NIGHT..orientado a un sonido mas AOR,tambičn es una joyita de su tiempo.Excelentes guitarras, melodiosas,y para destacar ICONOCLASTA WORLD WAR,ON YOUR FEET,UNDER.. y la gloriosa IT`S UP TO YOU.8/10 carro_martin2000@yahoo.com.ar

From: Muddley	Date: May 8, 2006 at 22:58
Avoid this one, if you like good tunes, good vocals and a good guitar player.

From: juan carlos

Date: June 3, 2006 at 21:56

Que? no creo que se pueda olvidar este excelente debut! Rock pesado de gran factura, un cruce entre Quiet Riot y Judas Priest, no a esa altura claro, pero igual de bueno. "on your feet" es Quiet riot total! pero el temazo sin duda es esa bomba llamada "world war" que tema Dios! y un solo fenomenal. "killer machine" y "under my gun" otro par de temazos con excelentes riffs y solos muy buenos. En "itīs up to you" dieron claros guiņos del estilo que se veía venir para Icon. Muy bueno. 8.8/10

From: Badboy	Date: November 30, 2006 at 17:13
This album just kick ass, there's nothing else you can say about it. The ablbums got that cheap production raw sound which makes the guitars sound that much better and the singers voice sound that much more scratchy. I have the original release on ATM Records so I can't say what the album sounds like on the Rock Candy remaster. On Your Feet, World War, and Hot Desert Night just ROCK.

From: Nix

Date: July 21, 2007 at 12:44

When I first saw their band picture, I knew I had to check these guys out. The first Icon album I bought was 'Night Of The Crime', but it was 'An Even More Perfect Union' that made me a believer. This is the last Icon album I checked out and it's around as good as NOTC. 'World War' is a killer song. Other favorites include the ballad 'It's Up To You', 'I'm Alive' and 'Under My Gun'. The album is quite consistent though.

From: Refugee80	Date: August 5, 2007 at 20:46
awesum 80's metal essential 101/100

From: ferstyx

Date: December 10, 2007 at 23:10

Mi viejo hace aņos MUCHOS aņos fue a Santa Cruz,Bolivia y le pedi este disco(long play) pensando que nunca lo encontraria y oh sorpresa jamas imagine que lo encontraria y en version boliviana, no hay nada que hacer que en el Peru, las disqueras, era muy pobres en sacar este tipo de musica. Gran disco, un clasico, con unos riffs sorprendentes. Cuando viaje a Quito, Ecuador tambien encontre el casett de Nigth Ranger- seven wishes, algo impensable en Lima.

From: ferstyx	Date: December 10, 2007 at 23:36
Me refiero a una version ecuatoriana. Otro grupo que deberia reunirse ya que esta de moda, bueno siempre y cuando no sean unos Europe.

From: Carlos A.	Date: December 11, 2007 at 8:32
En el Peru si se editaron discos de buen hardrock 80`s y por alli algunas rarezas pero en cantidades minimas. El auge del long play version peruana fueron en los 70`s y el ocaso desde 1990.

From: ferstyx	Date: December 11, 2007 at 18:01
Es verdad lo que dices existieron sus sorpresas, me acuerdo de un disco de Brighton Rock y en version casset el de Alias. Pero fue algo minimo. Claro salieron discos de Iron Maiden , Ozzy, Judas, Bon Jovi,Def Leppard,Wasp, pero me parece recordar que fue gracias a que un conocido conductor de un programa de rock (que trabajo en una casa disquera) salieron a la luz estas obras.

From: lalorock

Date: January 18, 2008 at 22:33

Grandioso y excelente debut de una de las bandas más subvaloradas del Hard Rock,ICON lo tenía todo en este album,riffs asesinos,coros aplastantes y melódicos,y ese vocalista que encaja exacto para este albúm,fuerza con su dosis exacta de melodía,claro ejemplo del mejor hard rock,ya en su siguiente disco su sonido se orientó más al AOR aunque ni tanto pero con la misma calidad de este,temas? todas son grandiosas,On your feet,World war,Rockīnīroll maniac,Killer machine,himnos del mejor hard rock.

From: MetalianStallion

Date: April 27, 2008 at 22:11

Hugely underrated band hailing from Phoenix,AZ. Living in the valley of the Sun in mid 80's I remember ICON and Surgical Steel being the biggest bands in the land on the club circut. Originally called The Schoolboys with a self released EP in 1980 which producer Mike Varney heard and later singed them to Capitol. Icon was like a meteorite that had the image and talent for stardom but the world is not a fair place. If you don't own this pick it up on the Axe Killer reissue as it's a must have in any true Metalian. Dan has done a great job with this site but I think erasing all the previous number ratings was a mistake. I know some people play unfair with multiple votes but it will take years to get the rating numbers back up to respectable levels. Now that you can see who left the number rating for a band,some of the ratings are a travesty. Axe-master gives ICON S/T a 68 and Michael Bolton a 100? Whooo is me.

From: rockthunder	Date: March 10, 2009 at 15:52
This is just awesome plain and simple!

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: March 30, 2009 at 23:22
Excellent debut by Icon...powerful metal songs such as "Killer Machine" and "Under My Gun" and of course not 2 leave outside the opener "Rock On Through The Night".They first were catalogued as a metal band somehow they changed into the mainstream sound(not AOR as some people say))on their second release and maintaining this american sound after this...this album?,an straight 90/100

From: DNOMYTE	Date: May 16, 2010 at 16:35
who says Glam can't be heavy? These guys rock!

From: StarChildBlade	Date: June 2, 2011 at 15:12
Great album by a great band with a great image.

From: MrMetal

Date: June 4, 2011 at 6:24

Agreed this was definitly an underrated band. I don't hear much DOKKEN or QUIET RIOT though. My ears musically hear KEEL & maybe traces of TRASH (just not as filthy). Vocally I'm surprised that noone compared Stephen to Brad Sinsel of TKO. Musically this also reminds me of TKO. It has the same rough production & Stephen is a Brad protege, although he sounded less like him on their follow up (likely due to the genre change). I think what hurt this band was recording a follow up more in the Melodic / almost AOR realm. Not that it was bad, but they should have given this style a chance. If TKO's your thing, you can't go wrong with this release.

From: hair metal again	Date: March 28, 2014 at 12:35
excellent debut by the great ICON!raw,powerful&anthemic,it captures the spirit of that era with heavy riffs,big choruses and howling guitars!"rock n roll maniac","rock on through the night" and "under my gun" are great songs!this is mid 80s heavy rock and it still sounds great!!

From: titothetitan	Date: October 21, 2019 at 16:55
I love their second album (Night of the Crime) a lot but I'm not a big fan of the debut. Metal it's no exactly my taste. The band is great and the lead singer is incredible but production is poor.

From: titothetitan	Date: October 21, 2019 at 17:11
'World War' and 'Rock 'n Roll Maniac' (killer tracks), 'Iconoclast' (awesome instrumental), 'It's up to You' beautiful ballad.

From: Metal T

Date: November 28, 2019 at 14:50

Budzilla is a clown...Steve Clifford's vox were d@mn good on the debut-solid,spirited singing delivered with a fire! THIS is HEAVY METAL-I wouldn't expect some of the AOR-pussies (don't get mad) to like it,but hey to each their own.Couple the rippin' guitar work from the two fiddlers w/ the vox and you do in fact have an underrated gem right there.I have the Axe Killer reissue,but still have my old Capitol Records cassette from like a gazillion years ago and the thing still plays-go figure.'Night Of The Crime' is a bit lightweight compared to the S/T but id recommend that one for the axework and Steve's vox which are both worth the price of admission on it.

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