Combining haunting vocals, carefully-calculated riffs, and complex rhythms, the foursome known as Ictus offers listeners a unique change of pace from the rock and metal status quo. Ictus’ sound is the product of tasteful songwriting and an enchanting contrast between the band’s heavy rock backdrop and singer Sarah Jacobs’ emotionally-charged vocals.
Originally formed in 2001 in Windsor, Ontario, the members of Ictus have been writing and performing individually since their high school days. Greg Atkinson (guitar), Jordan Ferguson (drums) and Jeff Meloche (bass) played in various bands throughout Windsor and Essex County, but it was only when they started collaborating with charismatic vocalist Sarah Jacobs that what would become Ictus began to take shape.
Once the lineup was established, Ictus began to focus on songwriting, and started playing shows around Windsor in 2002. As they played more shows, their reputation began to grow as a band that brought something new to Windsor’s sometimes stagnant music scene.
Ictus has earned a reputation for intense and emotional live performances. Audiences grew with each show, and the band soon found itself playing to capacity crowds in Windsor’s live music hotspots like The Avalon Front and The Coach and Horses.
In 2004, Ictus released its independent debut, Vis Inertiae, gaining airplay on campus radio throughout Ontario and the U.S. midwest, along with the Indie Hour on Toronto’s 102.1 The Edge. The band began playing shows around Toronto to promote the album, including memorable performances at 102.1 The Edge’s Indie Club, The Rivoli, and the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Vis Inertiae has received positive reviews in prominent Canadian music publications like Chart and Exclaim.
2005 was an exciting year for Ictus. In addition to recording a three-song demo in Toronto under the guidance of Mike Turner (formerly of Our Lady Peace), the band was selected for showcases at both the inaugural Motor City Music Conference in Detroit and Toronto’s Indie Week. Ictus also released the “Lamia†single to Canadian commercial radio and received extensive play across the country.
As Ictus readies itself to deliver its distinctive style of emotional rock to a growing number of eager listeners, fans of bands as diverse as Tool, Radiohead, Evanescence and Garbage should prepare themselves for a sound that is entirely new.
