Iced Earth - Horror Show review
| Band: | Iced Earth |
| Album: | Horror Show |
| Style: | Heavy metal, US power metal |
| Release date: | 2001 |
01. Wolf
02. Damien
03. Jack
04. Ghost Of Freedom
05. Im-Ho-Tep (Pharaoh's Curse)
06. Jekyll & Hyde
07. Dragon's Child
08. Transylvania [Iron Maiden cover]
09. Frankenstein
10. Dracula
11. The Phantom Opera Ghost [Feat. Yunhui Percifield]
When I heard this album I began to feel homicidial tendencies toward Hansi Kursh. Why? Because his influences on Shaffer have ruined the perfect heavy style of early Iced Earth. In fact, since the "Demons and Wizards" project between the two musicians (which I see more as a Blind Guardian album with Shaffer playing guitar?) the mastermind of Iced Earth has been attracted by Blind Guardian's choral-melodic style.
Anyway, "Horror show" is not a bad album, it is only a different one, recorded with an all-star formation - the talented new-entry Steve Di Giorgio (ex-Death and Testament) and the technical drummer Richard Christy (Death too), added to the virtuous Larry Tarnowsky and the two essential pillars of Iced Earth Matthew Barlow and Jon Shaffer - the album is technically perfect: fast and precise.
Developed on the themes of the famous monsters of literature and fiction, the CD contains 11 tracks, which treat of figures such as Dracula, the Werewolf, Frankenstein and so on, all interpreted through Shaffer's and Barlow's lyrics. It goes from power-oriented songs such as "Wolf" or "Jeckyll and Hyde", to the more thrash sounding "Jack", going through one of the greatest ballads made by the American group: "Ghost Of Freedom" - a slow patriotic and sentimental song that has nothing horrific except for the title. A totally new experiment is the long "Phantom Of The Opera Ghost" in which Barlow duets with an unknown female singer - pity that Matt's voice is outstanding as ever, while the other?well, I think that Shaffer could have concentrated more on finding a talented female singer. As a tribute to Iron Maiden, Schaffer has decided to include a wonderful cover of the immortal "Transylvania", perfectly and aggressively performed. Regarding Barlow's voice: here we can find another little difference from his usual tone, for it is slightly higher and so more "powerful" than before.
In conclusion - it is a great album for anyone, who has never heard Iced Earth's works before, but when I read the name "Iced Earth" on a CD case I expect something more.
If you don't know them listen to "Burnt Offerings" first!
Rating:
7.4
7.4
|
Rating: 7.4 |
Concept album based on horror movies, "Horror Show" is a very particular album in Iced Earth discography. First, it's the last studio album recorded with singer Matt Barlow if you don't count the box-set "Dark Genesis". Then, it's probably the most experimental and hence criticized effort of the band. Read more ›› |
Comments
| Powerslave16 Account deleted |
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Posts: 40071 From: The Netherlands  |
Written by Guest on 13.05.2007 at 00:38 7 is NOT a lowly mark 5-6 is average, so a 7 is above average.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Lucas Mr. Noise Posts: 13427 From: The Netherlands  |
Agreed with Marcel. When you rate an album (in the bands disco) you have this list: 8 - Very good 7 - Good 6 - Average So the rating matches the review quite well.
---- SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?  "The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
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| +{Jonas}+ I R Serious Cat Posts: 4955 From: Colombia  |
I think this is their 2nd best after Dark Saga. from teh very beggining is fast and amazing. I would've rated it higher 'cause I really liked teh lyrics, the songwriting in thios album is kickass.
---- "Nobody wants to be the weird kid, you just end up being the weird kid. You don't know how you ended up getting there" - Rob Zombie http://jonas-bs.deviantart.com My dA, mainly photography, go check it out!
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| Harmonic Account deleted |
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| Metalbound7 Posts: 229 From: Mexico  |
Ghost Of Freedom must be one of the greatest ballads ever compossed my fav song of the album, Barlow's Godly voice is at his best in Dracula and Dragon´s Child and Transylvania is one of the few Maiden covers that actually is better than Maiden's version. Great Album! 
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