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Fifth full-length in five years for Ice War, on top of splits and other releases, not counting Jo Steel’s other bands. Guy sure keeps busy. Beyond the Void inches a little more toward speed metal without quite getting there, so let’s call it speedy heavy metal—it’s definitely not an album of ballads. Once again this is very much of the old-school ‘80s heavy metal mould, especially some of the guitar work that I can’t help but think, "I’ve heard something close to this before" and, of course, I can’t figure out what. Enough to drive a guy nuts. ;) Jo’s vocals are OK but are an acquired taste, so if you didn’t like them before, you won’t change your mind here (I happen to like his death vocals in his new band Weaponry better). Crunchy, heavy, catchy, more or less melodic heavy metal with some razor-sharp guitars and a few songs that are instant earworms, Beyond the Void delivers that.