i noticed this band(mostly shcaffer) likes to write ballads, so i thought of opening a poll for them. i didn't include consequences, because i think the track is kind of disposable, the first part sounds like some bluegrass band.
my fave is definetely a question of heaven, since it's epic, grandiose, depressive, tragic, and it's got the INCREDIBLE angel voice... and it's got the stormrider feeling, since it has about 10-15 riffs in it.
i died for you, melancholy, watching over me, ghost of freedom, and hollow man are all nice/average but they aren't really anything special, the second spot for me being taken by when the eagle cries(the acoustic one, cuz the electric is just way too over the top) followed by blessed are you, which sets the mood for the brilliant something wicked trilogy.

ghost of freedom is the best one imo!!

I voted Watching over me because everytime I hear this song I start crying becauseit kind of says my story so I LOVE it, the second best is A question of heaven Imo because it has wonderful vocals and lovely acoustics.

It's definitely a Question to Heaven. You already described the reasons to this perfectly so I don't have to tell you why . But I'd like to add that it was one of the first Iced Earth songs I heard and that makes it special to me. The lyrics are also sweet and musically the song is really moving.

By the way I don't mind listening to Consequences either. It sounds really different for Iced Earth, only Barlow makes it recognisable. I see they were experimentating with this song and I think it turned out pretty good actually.

All these ballads are just amazing, but my favourites is without a doubt A Question Of Heaven. It's just such a beautiful song, great soaring vocals, awesome riffs. Also the addition of the orchestral vocals in the bridge adds such a nice contrast. This is definitely one of my favourite Iced Earth songs overall. The ending "why won't you let me die?" part is just amazing.

Watching Over Me would probably be my second favourite. Such a sad song with so much meaning. And it just amazes me how much emotion Matt Barlow manages to put into it.

When The Eagles Cries, (except im not aloud to vote) that whole album kicked ass for me. and that was one of the standout songs, but if it was anything that Schaffer did it would definitly be 'Fiddler on the green' by demons & wizards.

I died for you, no doubt about that, That song is just amazingly written lyrically as well as musically. This is algo one of my fav songs from the band

I totally agree with @ Tulkas, "I died for you" has perfect lyrics, it is one of my top favorite songs (not only from Iced Earth). The solo is one of the best also.

I would have voted for "Consequences" but you're right, it is most definitely doesn't sound like a ballad. My vote goes to "A Question Of Heaven" because it is one of their more creative tracks and it is an IE albums closer and every IE album close is awesome. Second place for me is "Blessed Are You." Everytime I listen to that song it gets me pumped up and I just want to start singing along with the chorus.

I died for you. because it's the most sad one, and the one with more romantic lyrics, IMO. besides, it's on my fav. album.

Melancholy (Holy Martyr) got my vote. It stays just on the right side of tastefulness, (not descending into embarrassing propaganda like When The Eagle Cries which is rather vomit inducing), and has some good vocal melodies.

I like A Question Of Heaven and Melancholy equally, but I voted for A Question Of Heaven This Time... I was listening that song today, it is very beautiful and it is on my playlist for some time now...

Written by Valentin B on 09.03.2007 at 12:30

i noticed this band(mostly shcaffer) likes to write ballads, so i thought of opening a poll for them. i didn't include consequences, because i think the track is kind of disposable, the first part sounds like some bluegrass band.
my fave is definetely a question of heaven, since it's epic, grandiose, depressive, tragic, and it's got the INCREDIBLE angel voice... and it's got the stormrider feeling, since it has about 10-15 riffs in it.
i died for you, melancholy, watching over me, ghost of freedom, and hollow man are all nice/average but they aren't really anything special, the second spot for me being taken by when the eagle cries(the acoustic one, cuz the electric is just way too over the top) followed by blessed are you, which sets the mood for the brilliant something wicked trilogy.

Plus Matt Barlow does backing vocals on the acoustic version, making it that much better

A Question Of Heaven is the best Metal Ballad ever written imo. I love this song. The same reasons as "cursed" said above. I died for you and Melancholy are great to. But Watching over me sure comes on second place, it is so beautifull

"I Died For You" duh!

It's a love song, and power ballads that are love songs usually slayyyyy!!!!

I died for you - the one I love best. A WOW song!

Although i dont really consider A Question of Heaven to be atrue ballad largely because of that part after the first first verse where it gets quite heavy... But its not just my favorite iced earth "ballad" its probably one of my favorite songs of all time time.

It might be my personal opinion, but I always seen "A Question of Heaven" as a metal Stairway to Heaven. Its just epic in all elements, not to mention Matt Barlow voice(Both on the Dark Saga and Alive in Athens) was just perfect. a Question of Heaven definitely got my vote

I voted for Watching Over Me
It's lyrics is fair enough to make you fall in love with it .... awesome track

They didn't had to do this all American propaganda thing with When the Eagle Cries, just don't know why great bands have to do that (Dream Theater with Sacrified sons, too)...maybe that's why I'm not really into that song... I'll go with A question of Heaven, although I LOVE Melancholy, too..and Barlow's voice....

Written by [user id=5315] on 16.05.2007 at 10:20

But its not just my favorite iced earth "ballad" its probably one of my favorite songs of all time time.

same here

Melancholy for me. I like that song the best from all those.

Written by Doc G. on 10.03.2007 at 10:50

When The Eagles Cries, (except im not aloud to vote) that whole album kicked ass for me. and that was one of the standout songs, but if it was anything that Schaffer did it would definitly be 'Fiddler on the green' by demons & wizards.

by fucking far it would be!! damn that's a good candidate for "best metal ballad ever"

Watching Over Me, because the lyrics are amazing, I lost a friend some years ago too... and I use this song to remember him.
A great ballad, a solid song with much force and feeling!
I don't know if this one is "the best" of all Iced Earth ballads, but for me is special and it's the only reason of my vote!

I Died For You was one of the first songs I ever heard from Iced Earth and I listened to it about six times in a row

Melancholy and Died for you are pretty similar but i like Melancholy more its just more catchy and heavy riffing

I voted for Watching Over Me, I dont know really the background of the lyrics, but it seems very personal, and it touches me somehow every time I listen to it, and also, its good musically, that is the weakest point of ballads in metal, IMO.
P.S. I dont know what do you think, but I think that the epic "Phantom Opera Ghost" could be counted as ballad, and if so, my vote goes for this song without any doubt!

Written by Stalker on 06.12.2007 at 22:20

P.S. I dont know what do you think, but I think that the epic "Phantom Opera Ghost" could be counted as ballad, and if so, my vote goes for this song without any doubt!

dude, the obviously thrash part right after the intro says it's faar from being a ballad!

Written by Valentin B on 06.01.2008 at 14:08

Written by Stalker on 06.12.2007 at 22:20

P.S. I dont know what do you think, but I think that the epic "Phantom Opera Ghost" could be counted as ballad, and if so, my vote goes for this song without any doubt!

dude, the obviously thrash part right after the intro says it's faar from being a ballad!

Yeah man, I know, musicaly it cant be, but sure youve read the lyrics, so you know what Im talking about.

Written by Stalker on 06.01.2008 at 14:20

Written by Valentin B on 06.01.2008 at 14:08

Written by Stalker on 06.12.2007 at 22:20

P.S. I dont know what do you think, but I think that the epic "Phantom Opera Ghost" could be counted as ballad, and if so, my vote goes for this song without any doubt!

dude, the obviously thrash part right after the intro says it's faar from being a ballad!

Yeah man, I know, musicaly it cant be, but sure youve read the lyrics, so you know what Im talking about.

yeah come to think of it the theme, even the vocal delivery and stuff are in the ballad-zone lol