A return to 1862 can only mean good things.

I can't wait for this! Iced Earth never disapoints one of my favorite bands for sure

This is pretty boring, holy shit. They need to get a better songwriter

Amazing album. Can't fault it. Love every second.

Underwhelming in pretty much every aspect. And if these dudes want their singer to sound exactly like Matt Barlow, maybe they should just rehire him and stop wasting Stu Block's time.

Yeah underwhelming is the best word for it. Most tracks are mid tempo, slow mo dragging songs with no heart to it. Raven Wing is an exception and reminded me of the Something Wicked era. Defiance is a cool fast paced track and Clear the Way with it's Maiden/Running Wild melodies is top notch. These are clearly the best tracks this album has to offer.

Written by Guest on 17.06.2017 at 12:43

Yeah underwhelming is the best word for it. Most tracks are mid tempo, slow mo dragging songs with no heart to it. Raven Wing is an exception and reminded me of the Something Wicked era. Defiance is a cool fast paced track and Clear the Way with it's Maiden/Running Wild melodies is top notch. These are clearly the best tracks this album has to offer.

My definite favourite is Black Flag, the main melody line is excellent and decently varied in expression. Raven Wing is good as soon as it picks up and Ghost Dance is pretty cool too. The rest is pretty boring; many are praising Clear the Way but I think it's mostly a mess of ideas that don't mix.

Amazing, just like in old days, old Iced Earth is back, positive surprise in everything, song writing, music, songs, vocals and lyrics, just like young lads what just begin band activities, not veterans what often fail to give us good album after so many years, this simply is brilliant masterpiece and kick ass album. I have been spinning this all day long!

A definite improvement over their last album, which in my opinion, was a borefest. This one just sounds more coherent and inspired. Shaffer's riffs are top notch as well, especially on tracks like Clear The Way and The Relic (which reminds me of the Something Wicked era). Good to know they're back.

Outstanding album - Songwriting, creativity, musicianship, production, intensity are all first rate. This is a very talented band. Every member contributes to the albums success. No one gets lost. I couldn't find a bad track. The album rocks from start to finish. The more I listen to this one, the better I like it. Easily up there with their very best works. I gave it a 9 of 10.

Havent really heard much of Iced Earth apart from The Dark Saga and Something Wicked and 1 or 2 other albums. Really like this one, they got a new guitarist or the old one just got really better? i loved the solos

Kick ass stuff, early thrash/us power IE may be my 1st preference, but this is great too.

P.S. "Seven Headed Whore" is more in the thrash department. Ass status = kicked

Written by JC Steele on 24.06.2017 at 00:03

Kick ass stuff, early thrash/us power IE may be my 1st preference, but this is great too.

dude! Internet Explorer sucks, where have you been

I haven't stopped listening to this since it came out. Love it. One of the best IE album ever.

Can't believe they released another mid-tempo album... 🙄

Another "iced-earth-by-numbers." No surprises, but a decent collection of songs with the usual filler. "Clear the Way" seems like a collection of cool riffs that jon tried to cram into the "epic" final track, which leads to it sounding a bit disjointed and forced. That said, it's still a highlight, and I'll be damned if I don't start headbanging when the verse kicks in.

It's getting better with every listen. Album of the year for me so far. I havent heard all of their discography but I must say this band seems very underrated.

I've been impressed with this album's staying power, months after its release I am still regularly enjoying the bulk of this record. Brothers is still stupid.

A lot more solid and consistent than its predecessor, though the change in direction compared to the band's heavier leanings in, say, Dystopia means that this album will take more getting used to, especially for those who have been fans of Iced Earth since day one. That said, this is a thorough release and doesn't ever seem to hesitate in terms of delivery and performance. However, there isn't really a standout track to go back to here either, except maybe the nine-minute closer which takes great pride in being one of the most ambitious songs we've heard from Iced Earth in quite a while.

Drained myself trying hard to find the old IE here but in vain. Underwhelming.

Re-listened it: It's still listenable an album yet nothing remarkable to me and in the band's discography it isn't quite their best materials. The main issue is clearly the songwriting that doesn't totally impress in most of the songs. The Relic sounds like best song here, the last 1 ½ minutes are skippable though.

P.S. I don't think any of the "video songs" are good on this album. Clear The Way could possible be another favorite if it had less filler instrumental parts.

Best Iced Earth record since The Glorious Burden. Real solid work.

5 years later, this is still my favourite Iced Earth album. I definitely like the Stu Block era more than any other, but this is the peak of this era for me.