Iced Earth

I've just got a download of the new single off a friend, and all I can say is...

WHAT

THE

FUCK?!

Okay, so Ten Thousand Strong is a fairly good single-fodder; on the upper end of mid-paced, Ripper's voice doesn't grate too much, but it's distinctly average, neither good nor bad. If that's the worst of the album, it'll probably be good. If it's the best...dear god, that doesn't bear thinking about.

Now, onto the 'reworking' of the Something Wicked Trilogy. Before you start hitting on me for hating Ripper, I'll get this out of the way first; these songs were not designed for Ripper's voice, and it shows. He has no real power in the bass clef like Barlow did...whether you like his voice or not, there is no escaping that fact.

However, it's only partly Ripper's fault. For a start, half of the 'Prophecy' intro is distorted, and there is zero contrast between the heavy bits (e.g. after 'Through centuries, await the prophecy') and the soft parts...there are no synths, and Brent uses a really annoying sleigh-bell throughout. When the main riff comes in, all the melody is missing; it's just uber-dry stuttering riffing, and if you think that means he made it sound like 'Pure Evil' or 'Travel in Stygian', think again...the one redeeming feature is the solo, and even that pales in comparison with the original.

I just finished listening to Birth of the Wicked, and much of what I just said applies to this as well. It's a poor job by Schaffer and Owens, although Owens can only be blamed for so much...Schaffer wrote the goddamn song, so he should be expected to at least play it right. It sounds like a poor tribute band covering them...yes, mess with the song to add some variety, but there's only so much you can do before it becomes a self-parody.

Okay, so now we move onto The Coming Curse, and by this point I really want to kill them both. Smedly hasn't lost anything, although his double bass gets buried during the chorus, thanks to the shoddy production. Jesus, John, how much palm muting do you want to do? Imagine all the energy and power of the original...now remove that, leaving the bare skeleton, and this is what John Schaffer has 'treated' the fans to.

And as for Owens' scream in the breakdown of The Coming Curse...let us never speak of it again.

sounds very positive....my god

I sure do hope we do not have the same opinion.... because all my hopes for the future of Iced Earth are on this new album.

Maybe youve got a bad sound quallity download or something like that?

I also heard some pirate version, and it is crap.. but until I have orginal CD I don't want to comment on this release..
Btw, I read some other forums and webzines, and I saw something very strange for me.. Many people are saying that Night Of The Stormrider is the worst Iced Earth album. Personaly I think that it is not only their best release but that it is one of the best Heavy Metal albums ever. So, I would like to hear our opinion about this

Ive downloaded it myself very quickly.....This could go two ways....or i will cry or i will think its not bad. Give me a few minutes......



Alright here we are......ive listened the 4 tracks several times and here comes my opinion as a fan:

I must say that i agree with you, RavenLord on "the stuttering riffing" which is to mutch Palm Muted on occasions...overall the songs are a little to much palm muted....this way it loses some Power which we are (i am) used to if we talk about Iced Earth. Nonetheless i have to give credits to Tim Owens. His voice is amazingly fitting by this (new) style of playing. Its very difficult to hear this songs without barlows voice in the back of your mind.....but you have to look at this as new songs (you have to try and be openminded on this to start with, or dont listen it at all). Tim Owens does a great job on The Coming Curse, the last verse is amazing "HELL FIREEEEEEEEEEE!" But its not the same as Barlow, you cant agree.

The Something Wicked Era is the era of Jon AND Barlow. All other combinations cannot keep up with it.

I can say that i am a true Iced Earth fan, and above all i prefere Mathew Barlow as a singer because he fitted so well with the sound of Jon Schaffer. I know every singel song and riff and can play most of it myself. So its extra hard to get used to this new style for me. But you do great dishonor to Iced Earth if you say this is not good. I think it has an new kind of unique atmosphere. This is a new sound forthcoming of Jon Schaffer and Tim Ownes.


The Coming Curse still has that kind of power in it that only Iced Earth can give me.

But, i must say that i have to get used to this in time.....its not easy listening to this if youve heard the old songs 28737082378 times.


For the real (old) fans this will go two ways: You do NOT like this at all, or you think its not bad.....but i do not think that there will be people who would say this is better than with Barlow.

So far for the RE-DONE of the Wicked Trillogy....the new song "Ten Thousand Strong" i found VERY amazing. It really did surprise me. I found Owens not superbe back on The Glorious Burden, i did not find his voice very fitting so i was afraid this would be the same way again. His voice did not give enough power to schaffers riffing....but this new song sure works out fine on this point i can say.

It seems Jon Schaffer changed his sound to fit better with Owens voice. This is not bad at all. If the whole new album is filled with this kind of songs i sure will like it. And i believe most of us will.


For the new fans this is great music, for the older fans this might be dissapointing, but not as dissapointing as the Glorious Burden. I think its not that bad at all for what ive heard there might be some good stuff on the coming album.

Written by APOHAKC on 12.05.2007 at 02:56

I also heard some pirate version, and it is crap.. but until I have orginal CD I don't want to comment on this release..
Btw, I read some other forums and webzines, and I saw something very strange for me.. Many people are saying that Night Of The Stormrider is the worst Iced Earth album. Personaly I think that it is not only their best release but that it is one of the best Heavy Metal albums ever. So, I would like to hear our opinion about this

Really? All I've ever heard is that Night of the Stormrider is one of their best albums. I got it not too long ago and it is indeed one of the best. Even though the vocalist is great, I think it would have been even better with Matt Barlow. Maybe that's why you heard people bitching about it.

As for the new album, I won't even bother with it.

Oh I have to hear these things.

Anybody know where I can go to download them?

I did it with torrents. Here is the link http://www.mininova.org/tor/677814

You need te program Azureus to download.

the problem with the new EP is that the whole tone is empty as hell, not nearly as "full" as on the original something wicked, and the vocals are sometimes too loud and sometimes too low.. the guitar is mixed in waaaaay to low and the bass a little too high.. honestly, relative to the music genre, this is probably the worst production i have ever heard!+ the bongos (lol or whatever the fuck they are) are completely uninspired...

the good points which were on the original trilogy are still good, though, like the middle break in "the coming curse" and the intro for "birth of the wicked"]

if the whole album is like this, i'll sure be disappointed. i'd rate it with 55% or something

For all you how have given up on Iced Earth, Matt Burlow is back! He is now the lead singer in a danish/american band called pyramaze.
http://www.pyramaze.com/index1.php

Written by BrightNight on 12.05.2007 at 20:19

I did it with torrents. Here is the link http://www.mininova.org/tor/677814

You need te program Azureus to download.

There are other Torrent clients than Azureus xD But that's not what we're here to talk about. It's about Iced Earth. Personaly I think Ripper Owens is just as good as Matt Barlow. Just open your minds and don't see in a one-way-corridor. And the new single "Overture of the Wicked" is just awsome, I really like Owens voice to the old songs. And I really like the last album "The Glorious Burden".

Yes i know, but azureus is a good example for a torrent client. Anyway....back to Iced Earth indeed.

I totally agree with you that everyone has to open their minds and not compare Tim Owens With Matthew Barlow all the freaking time. Matt was a hell of a singer who i miss terribly at the mic by Iced Earth...but there couldnt be a better replacement then Tim Owens if you ask me, although their singing style is VERY different. Matt Barlow had a lot of emotion in his voice and brought forth this deep dark sound which fitted totally by the iced earth sound (Better then Tims voice in this case). Tim Owens doesnt have this. But The high pitched screams and the technique of Tim Owens surely cant be beaten by anyone. Tim Owens is a very good singer and im happy with it. So listen to it in a new way. Its of no use to compare them every new album. Just give it a few shots an let your ears get used to it...you will find it very good over time im sure. Iced Earth still is the best in their genre.

Just noticed something today. I didn't knew that Barlow was involved with "The Glorious Burden" at all, but it just happens that he was involved with the writing with two of the songs, "Waterloo" and "Attila" respectively. Just a fun fact ^^

But yeah, I agree with you Brightnight, of all the "true" US Power bands I've heard, Iced Earth is the best. And Tim Owens really brings something new to the band. I heard some more records with Barlow behind the microphone yesterday, and I think he has something for those songs that Owens couldn't have done. But at the songs where Owens sings I think Barlow wouldn't have done it. They're to different. But the new versions of "Prophecy", "Birth Of The Wicked" and "The Coming Curse" is so well done by Owens. I think they've done it more for his voice, it sounds really different from the old versions with Barlow. But you're right by the emotion thing, but I don't think big emotional voice belongs that much in the Power Metal genre. But Barlow did a great job. I'm actually looking forward to the new Pyramaze record, where his voice is gonna be heard again

@ Brightnight: I agree with you, Tim Owens was the best replacement Iced Earth could have found for Matt Balow. For me, Owens has done a great job in the band

My best song of Iced Earth is Melancholy.
First song I ever heard is I Died For You.
They are to heavy but, they have depressed lyrics and I like that very much

Written by [user id=23984] on 23.05.2007 at 20:26

My best song of Iced Earth is Melancholy.
First song I ever heard is I Died For You.
They are to heavy but, they have depressed lyrics and I like that very much

What do you mean by "to heavy"? Just wondering ^^

Written by =maD.Doc:. on 23.05.2007 at 22:50

Written by [user id=23984] on 23.05.2007 at 20:26

My best song of Iced Earth is Melancholy.
First song I ever heard is I Died For You.
They are to heavy but, they have depressed lyrics and I like that very much

What do you mean by "to heavy"? Just wondering ^^

ups
I mean TOO heavy

Written by [user id=23984] on 24.05.2007 at 14:41

Written by =maD.Doc:. on 23.05.2007 at 22:50

Written by [user id=23984] on 23.05.2007 at 20:26

My best song of Iced Earth is Melancholy.
First song I ever heard is I Died For You.
They are to heavy but, they have depressed lyrics and I like that very much

What do you mean by "to heavy"? Just wondering ^^

ups
I mean TOO heavy

yeah, I understood you ment that, but I just wonder how you can think they're too heavy?

Is anyone else disappointed that the new material is a continuation of Something Wicked This Way Comes. For sure Something Wicked was an excellent part of Iced Earth's career, but why do they need to drain it for all they can? I would rather see something new and creative from Schaeffer, and I just don't feel this is his way of putting his creative skills to good use.

Written by AtLossForWords on 24.05.2007 at 22:38

Is anyone else disappointed that the new material is a continuation of Something Wicked This Way Comes. For sure Something Wicked was an excellent part of Iced Earth's career, but why do they need to drain it for all they can? I would rather see something new and creative from Schaeffer, and I just don't feel this is his way of putting his creative skills to good use.

Maybe he ment for it to be a trilogy from the start? At least I think that, and it's new alright. It has never been released before, any of the new material So it's new and creative. Just the rest of the Something Wicked trilogy ^^

The latest episode of "Talking Metal" n°143 features and interview host Mark Strigl and special guest Rich Catino of MetalAsylum.net conducted with Jon Schaffer is now online at this location (or direct link to the mp3 podcast by clicking here).

And baconmusic's James Allman recently talked with Tim "Ripper" Owens and you can listen to the interview here. Enjoy.

Great to hear Jon's comments on the forth coming album. He explains a lot.
Thanks for posting this interview mate.

I've got huge expectations for the new albums. I'm a huge fan of Ripper, I even bought the 'Priest'-albums Jugulator and Demolition. If you haven't checked them out (because people seem to bash them pretty much everywere) you should! I read the unofficial review at http://www.bravewords.com/news/67132 and it seems they aren't going for any narration, which is great. If they come to Sweden during their world tour it would be cool if they'd play the full album or something because of the concept.

Well, I really liked teh new single, I think te music suiutes more Ripper's voice, it still Iced Earth of course, but like in a new direction. Really nice, nicely done, with cool solos. Makes headbang along the 22 minutes it lasts. can't wait for teh forthcoming album

Cover art for "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked - Part 1)" was revealed and you can see it here or on Iced Earth's official website here.

Also, more info can be found here.

Written by White Winter Sun on 25.06.2007 at 20:33

Cover art for "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked - Part 1)" was revealed and you can see it here or on Iced Earth's official website here.

Also, more info can be found here.

The cover art is really cool, thanks for sharing it dude.

...I only want Barlow to come back and finish the wicked trilogy in 2008...we deserve it for being so loyal to him. I heard the new song on the music channel to tell you the truth I was expecting more from the Ripper, as one of you said up there "these songs were not designed for Ripper's voice" I agree with that...he lacks the passion and energy.

...hope Barlow do good with Piramize, hopefully to get John Schaffer's attention...sept 11 is forgotten past, the future is Barlow.

Ripper rips. I have no problem whatsoever with his vocals because he is a great singer. All that crap about lack of passion and emotion is just annoying. Haven't you heard the Gettysburg trilogy? I also saw him do Dracula live on youtube and he did it great.

Go Gurr! Sure, Barlow is great, but Ripper's great as well. When Barlow left an old Era ended, when Ripper joined, the new Era started. Barlow isn't coming back to Iced Earth, just face the fact.

I wann know why they recruited Ripper as the new vocalist anyway, usually when bands replace a vocalist, they want him or her to sound as similar as possible to the old singer

Haha come on man! You cant be serieus.....no one can compare or act like mathew barlow. His voice can never be duplicated. Jon schaffer does not look for someone tot immitated the formal singers, he only takes the best in his band. Ripper is the best in his own perspective. So there you are.