Ice Ages

Ice Ages is the brainchild of Austrian musician Richard Lederer, who's probably better known in metal circles as Protector from the epic black metal band Summoning. Kicking off in the mid-'90s, Ice Ages dives deep into the dark electro and industrial scene, blending cold, atmospheric synths with brooding, futuristic vibes that feel like a soundtrack to a dystopian sci-fi flick. Lederer handles pretty much everything solo—writing, producing, and performing—drawing from his diverse influences in metal, darkwave, and electronic music to create these immersive, shadowy soundscapes.

Over the years, Ice Ages has dropped a handful of albums that have built a cult following among fans of underground electronic and goth-industrial tunes. Starting with the debut "Strike the Ground" in 1997, followed by standouts like "This Killing Emptiness" in 2000 and "Buried Silence" in 2008, the project keeps evolving with eerie, minimalist tracks that explore themes of isolation and existential dread. If you're into stuff like Skinny Puppy or early Nine Inch Nails but with a more ambient twist, Ice Ages is definitely worth checking out—it's niche, but super rewarding for those who dig the darker side of electronica.