Well this and wicked part 1 is like black n white how previusly was bad this is good, ok not perfect but good, sometimes I think IE think is one big overated stuff, compering whit 1th 3 albums non of those are so powerfull how 3 whit diferent vocalist , all do respect of mussicans like profesionals but somehow some times I cant get into band if I need listen it every day no thank's but I could do it whit IM

This album is horrible. I hate almost every song on it.

Incredibly underrated album, to be honest. This is their best album alongside Horror Show, IMO. "I Walk Alone" and "Come What May" are two of the best songs they've ever done, and the Blind Guardian influenced multi-layered thing going on with songs like "Sacrificial Kingdoms" is too good.

"I Walk Alone", "Divide/Devour", and "Come What May" save this album from being a total disaster, but overall, this is a dire and boring album, which makes the two Ripper Owens fronted albums seem like total classics in comparison.

Written by deadone on 13.03.2014 at 07:21
Totally agree except one thing...I actually really like The Glorious Burden and especially the Gettysburg trilogy.

But then I am a history loving, warmongering centre-right type...

I really like it too, and find the Gettysburg trilogy one of the finest pieces of songwriting of all time. lol The album as a whole, isn't quite a classic, but I love a lot of the songs on it.

"Framing Armageddon" has some amazing songs on it, but it's bogged down by some annoying filler, and riff rehashing. Overall, I find it to be a much better album than "The Crucible Of Man" though.

Written by Angelic Storm on 13.03.2014 at 01:09

"I Walk Alone", "Divide/Devour", and "Come What May" save this album from being a total disaster, but overall, this is a dire and boring album, which makes the two Ripper Owens fronted albums seem like total classics in comparison.

after years of silence when no IE are played at all you put this and then you see how good actually it can be

This is better than most of their famous albums...

Written by Mountain King on 13.03.2015 at 17:54

This is better than most of their famous albums...

You serious?

Written by [user id=101272] on 13.03.2015 at 18:48

Written by Mountain King on 13.03.2015 at 17:54

This is better than most of their famous albums...

You serious?

Very... Don't forget most not all...More complex, better vocals and solos. Dark Saga, this and Horror Show are the only albums I dig as a whole...

Written by Mountain King on 13.03.2015 at 19:20

Written by [user id=101272] on 13.03.2015 at 18:48

Written by Mountain King on 13.03.2015 at 17:54

This is better than most of their famous albums...

You serious?

Very... Don't forget most not all...More complex, better vocals and solos. Dark Saga, this and Horror Show are the only albums I dig as a whole...

Pretty much all the albums before and including Horror Show are better than this, as is Dystopia and even the previous Framing Armageddon. I actually find this album to be one of their worse, behind The Glorious Burden (though the Gettysburg Trilogy alone makes that album more preferable) and Plagues of Babylon. Musically, it's barely decent, but a lot of it sounds so tired and devoid of creativity and then there's the fact that Barlow's vocals to an absolute dive in quality, a far cry from his glorious vocals on albums like Burnt Offerings and The Dark Saga. They definitely should've kept Tim "The Ripper" Owens for this album since he's a way better vocalist as a whole than Barlow.

No better or worse than its predecessor, but with a few less standout moments. "Divide DEvour" and "Come What May" are the best cuts, but that's not saying much when everything else is feels sluggish and weak.

Kind of alright with clearly uninspired songwriting. At least Barlow is back, which I think suits more to this music than Tim the mercenary Owens. Just after listening to both versions of "The Clouding" it's pretty clear who is the more IE singer. Shortage of good songs is noticeable. A Gift Or A Curse is great, Come What May is probably the second best. In overall: pretty forgettable stuff.

So sad what Iced Earth had become. They only had a 10 year run and last 20 years it's more or less sadness.
Not that most other bands are any better, it's same with Metallica, Megadeth and even Iron Maiden apart from Brave New World.
I Walk Alone is the only good song for me, other 3 songs mentioned on this page didn't do for me. Ending to Harbinger of Fate is also good.

Written by GrimReaper85 on 22.11.2021 at 09:49

So sad what Iced Earth had become. They only had a 10 year run and last 20 years it's more or less sadness.

That is true. But this one was their low point for me. The next three albums are a bit better.

I really disliked this one when it was released but as i've listened today twice to it I kind of like it. The first half is weak but from I Walk Alone and forward it's enjoyable. Framing Armageddon is slightly better but it's cool to once again hear Matt Barlow.