Vol. #227: Vandalizard – “Break the ICE” EP
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #227: Vandalizard – “Break the ICE” EP
January 25th 2026
Hello Cleveland and greetings to all those beyond. This week I have a powerful new release with an urgent message from the Cleveland Underground. The music in question is the new two song demo by Vandalizard. Now, I have long thought that the RbRR, would not get “political,” but that is not to say I will not review political music. And as it turns out political music leads to political musings. I’ve put a lot of thought into this release and what it means... in the grander scheme of things. I think these songs, and their subject matter, warrants some reflection. So that’s what I’m going to do. Buckle up, we’re about to get into some good old fashioned protest songs. If that’s not something you’re feeling, then you had better check out now.
Political dissent is one of the major driving forces behind Rock N’ Roll. Always has been, always will be. Black Sabbath warned me about the “War Pigs.” The Bouncing Souls told me I was “Born Free.” C.C.R. showed me I was no “Fortunate Son” and CSNY taught me what happened in “Ohio.” From Bob Dylan to Bad Religion. From Megadeth’s classic “Symphony of Destruction” to NOFX epic “The Decline” the list goes on and on and on. The spirit of rebellion and resistance is deeply ingrained in Rock N’ Roll. In that spirit I present to you the newest installment to the Vandalizard catalog, the “Break the ICE” demos. So what are the “Break the ICE” Demos? Here’s what the band said on the subject:
“Break the ICE, a two-song EP responding directly to the escalating violence tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota and across the nation. Recent federal immigration enforcement actions — including the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by ICE
We denounce ICE and all state violence that targets vulnerable communities.
Originally, these two tracks were slated to be fully re-recorded later this year. But in light of what’s happening on the ground — the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and the broader pattern of aggressive enforcement tactics — we knew we had to release them now, as they are.”
Strong words. Vandalizard is pulling no punches, raising awareness and taking a stand. In addition to that, all the proceeds from this track will go directly to the ACLU. While many Americans are feeling powerless in the face of what looks like unchecked aggression, Vandalizard is speaking up and fighting back with two songs paying homage to the immigrant experience.
First up is “On the Tracks.” This is the tale of a Mexican family and child labor in The Great Depression. It is a story of poverty and hunger; of perseverance and pride. This also happens to be a true account of the Vandalizard songwriter’s own grandfather. Raised in a boxcar, working on the railroads and struggling to gain a foothold in a new nation, this is a compelling immigrant story. Musically it’s a bitchin’ song with a ripping riff, nasty lead licks and a rhythm that takes off like a shot. The galloping tempo and throbbing Bass line carries the verse as the yarn is spun out in a gravelly voice. The lead licks roll over the chorus as they recount the conditions of the protagonist’s youth...“Comfort never came easy. Not living in those days. Life in a boxcar. A boxcar where you stay.” In short it’s a bad ass piece of music with a true American tale behind it.
Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review
Coyote (noun)
a wild dog that resembles the wolf, native to North America.
2. informal • North American English
a person who smuggles Latin Americans across the US border, typically for a high fee.
"at the bus station, there were coyotes offering to drive us to Los Angeles"
Second on the release is “Coyote’s Teeth.” This song paints a picture of a poor Latino family, leaving their violent home land in search of a better life north of the border. For some such people the only way to make that crucial border crossing is with the aid of a “Coyote.” These generally unsavory characters charge high rates and offer little in the way of comfort along the journey. In fact, hundreds of migrants die every year while in the “care” of Coyotes, either from violence or from environmental factors. Musically it begins less as a Punk song and more like a Southwestern Ballad. It has great riffs, while the Bass and Drums come together to produce a very danceable groove. As the song progresses it picks up, rises to a Rockin’ peak and closes out with a nice solo. This is yet another track shining a light on the struggles of immigrants, and the hardships they must endure just to get here. On top of that it is a genuinely excellent song and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the Vandalizard catalog.
So in the end, what do I think about the “Break the ICE” demos? Well, I unquestionably love and support them. These are songs that I have seen performed live before but to now having them recorded, even roughly, is a real treat. While I hope we get those more polished recordings in the future, I understand and applaud Vandalizard’s decision to release these demo versions. After all it is the message, not the recording, that matters. And what is that message? Well, far be it from me to speak on behalf of Vandalizard, but my take on it is that this is a very potent attempt to put a more “human” face on our neighbor “the immigrant.” I believe we could use a little more humanizing these days. When faceless stormtroopers have taken to our streets and are literally executing people on camera, well then yes, I say we have lost a portion of our collective humanity. Something is wrong in the USA. When families are being divided. When people are disappearing. When human beings are being dragged through the streets. Yes, my friends, something is very wrong. This is America. We have a Constitution. We have a Bill of Rights. We have due process. For the love of all that is sacred and holy, we are supposed to be better than this! I believe we ARE better than this. At least, we were. And I hope we can be again. We just need to admit we’ve lost our way and right the ship. Not as easy as it sounds, I know. Not with a madman at the helm and his legions of fanatical followers at his heels. So how do we do it? We start by standing together. By holding the line. By raising our voices and singing protest songs. By supporting art and artists who are capturing the struggle. Vandalizard has given us two fresh anthems for this new battlefront. “On the Tracks” and “Coyote’s Teeth” are new entries into the jukebox of resistance. They are old stories sung out with new chords. These tales Vandalizard has told us might bring us a little closer to understanding a perspective that we have never really had. Maybe we can come together and defeat this great wave of injustice and violence that is sweeping our nation. I don’t know. You can say it’s just Rock N’ Roll. But to me, nothing is ever “Just Rock N’ Roll.” Rock N’ Roll is more than just the music. Rock N’ Roll is Randy Blythe’s essay. Rock N’ Roll is Dee Snider testifying before congress against the PMRC. Rock N’ Roll is the everlasting spirit of rebellion. Some of you have forgotten that. Now I’m sure I’ll lose some followers over that statement, but you know what, I don’t care. If the “Break the ICE” demo, or if anything I have had to say about it pisses you off, then maybe Vandalizard and the RbRR aren’t for you. I trust you know where the exit is. Please leave quietly. You will not be missed. Now, for those of you that stay: Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your kindness and your humanity. I urge you to visit Vandalizard’s Bandcamp page (follow the link below) and purchase the “Break the ICE” demo. As I said the proceeds go to a good cause. If you can’t afford to donate then find the songs on your favorite streaming service and blast them from the rooftops! Together we will sing the Rock of resistance and perhaps hold back the fascists for one more day.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
1/31/2026
Links:
About Break the ICE
• Two unreleased tracks — raw, urgent, and unfiltered
• Written and released in response to state violence and systemic injustice
• A call for accountability, humanity, and an end to cruelty
All proceeds from this record will be donated to the ACLU — to support civil liberties, protect protest rights, and defend individuals targeted by overreach.
Buy the EP Here:
Follow Vandalizard:
Voice of the Underground
