Formed January 14, 1985 by Sabrina Kihlstrand and Nyström, who were also the main songwriters (music in collaboration, lyrics by Nyström). The band was rounded out by Sabrina's sister Helena, and Strömberg. Ice Age were initially known as Rock Solid, but switched to their more geographically apt monicker after their first demo. Helena was replaced by Viktoria Larsson in October 1986.

New demos in a progressively technical thrash vein followed in 1987 and 1988. The band was now managed by Dave Miles and Sean Wright of Nemesis International, and upon relocating to Wisbech (a small village near Cambridge), the band shot a video for the track 'Instant Justice' from the 1989 demo of the same name, receiving airings on both MTV and Super Channel. The band's crowning live achievement was at the The Open Air ’88 festival in Lamone, Switzerland.

In Spring 1989, Sabrina left the band mid-tour because of managerial problems. She was replaced by Italian guitarist Isabella Fronzoni (previously in Milan-based Warhammer) and American vocalist Debbie Gunn (formerly of Sentinel Beast and Znöwhite, later in Brutal Groove), who both joined in June 1989. Holmstedt (who had originally auditioned for the same spot as Fronzoni) joined on bass soon after, sharing duties with Larsson.

Ice Age slowly disintegrated because of bad management. Sources even reported a fake contract with the FM Revolver label, while other rumours indicate a contract was signed with AVM and the band readied to record their debut album. Internal band relations were equally contrary by this point, seeing the members divide into two camps. Ultimately, Larsson, co-bassist Holmstedt and Fronzoni left in October 1989 during their Denmark tour, only shortly before they were supposed to play The Marqueen in London.

Fronzoni and Holmstedt relocated to London and joined Original Sin in January 1990. This band stayed together for about three years, whereupon Fronzoni joined veterans Rock Goddess in 1993. (She also guested in Tytan and joined Celtic Frost on stage at a gig in 1990/91.)

Upon returning to Sweden, Strömberg, Nyström and Gunn made a final attempt, replacing Larson/Holmstedt and Fronzoni by New Jersey duo Chavarini and Decavolo. The American fraction of the band wanted to relocate to New York, while Nyström and Strömberg opted to stay in Sweden, and so, by 1990 Ice Age was no more. The Americans formed the band S.I.S. (Stranded in Sweden - Nyström even joined them for a one-off gig at L'Amours), while Kihlstrand, Nyström and Larsson rejoined forces a couple of years later in Idiots Rule.