Review ICONIC “II”

A lineup that brings together well-known names from the worlds of rock and metal does not automatically guarantee great music. Iconic is a project featuring iconic veterans of the scene, and the band’s name alone naturally creates certain expectations. With II, the group now delivers their second studio album.

Iconic consists of Nathan James, Michael Sweet, Joel Hoekstra, Marco Mendoza, and Tommy Aldridge. All of these musicians have impressive backgrounds and have joined forces once again to create another studio release.

The band presents eleven new songs, opening with “Cry No More.” It quickly becomes clear that Iconic’s sound is built around a combination of powerful hard rock and memorable melodies. At the same time, the band’s music has a few rough edges, as shown by the driving “All I Want.” This rocker proves that alongside their strong sense for melody, Iconic also brings a certain level of heaviness and intensity.

This approach runs throughout the entire album, and even the more emotional track “Tears Keep on Falling” avoids the kind of overly sentimental feel that can often appear in this style of music. Instead, it is a melodic, AOR-influenced rock song before “Take Me to the Place” unleashes the heavier side of the band. The track stands out as one of the highlights of the album.

“Nothing Left for Me” features a big chorus and a slightly slower pace compared to some of the other songs. However, it is exactly this variety that shows the experience and craftsmanship behind the project. Iconic make it easy for listeners to connect with their music. The strong hooks and melodies immediately leave an impression, and the fact that the album does not rely on a traditional power ballad shows that the focus here is clearly on a more energetic and guitar-driven approach.

Fans of melodic hard rock with AOR influences will likely consider Iconic’s second album one of their favorites of 2026. Overall, these five veterans have created a well-crafted and colorful record that captures the spirit of classic rock while fitting perfectly into the summer season.