Iced Earth - Dystopia

I wish this album was as good as some of the dystopian films the song titles reference...

V just might be my favorite Iced Earth song.

EDIT: And I just noticed it's the fifth song on the album. Well played, Iced Earth. Well played.

This album is a masterpiece compared to its predecessor. Of course, it's not a masterpiece, but it's solid as fuck and I love the shit out of it.

Just downloaded it,i've just listened to end of the innocence and i'm really impressed by stu block's voice,really strong and beautiful,gonna listen to it all and then will rate,for now i can surely say it'll be somewhere between 9 to 10.:thumbup:

I love this album very much, i think it's Iced Earth and John Schaffers' adolescence in composing!!!
i give it 8.5 / 10, riffs, drums, vocals, solos and mixs are very good!!!
it's something about PURE METAL which only John can write!

Just to warn anyone thinking about buying the new Century Media "Limited 2CD Edition" version of this - released as part of the label's Metal For The Masses 25 Alive! promotion - you DO NOT GET the 3 bonus tracks from the original ltd edition: "Soylent Green", "Iron Will" & the string mix of "Anthem". Instead you get 4 live tracks from the upcoming Live At Ancient Kourion DVD. Disappointing.

Came back to this album and gave it another listen in the car today - I'm surprised at its staying power. Whilst I used to love IE, out of all the bands I once listened to regularly that I lost my passion for, they're possibly the band I lost interest in most drastically, and I can't remember the last time I listened to more than a song or two of theirs. However, I found this one just as entertaining as on previous playthroughs and was happily singing along throughout. Not sure what it is about this album, but it does feel different to the rest (and not just the vocals) - maybe it's a heavier sound, or just a different style of writing, but I always felt it had a different feel/sound to their previous stuff. There's nothing about the individual songs that lifts them up higher than good and enjoyable, but it comes together into a rather solid package. Probably the one thing I'd complain about is that Iron Will, possibly my favourite song from the album, somehow didn't make the original cut.

Written by deadone on 18.09.2014 at 03:03

Written by musclassia on 17.09.2014 at 20:35

Came back to this album and gave it another listen in the car today - I'm surprised at its staying power. Whilst I used to love IE, out of all the bands I once listened to regularly that I lost my passion for, they're possibly the band I lost interest in most drastically, and I can't remember the last time I listened to more than a song or two of theirs. However, I found this one just as entertaining as on previous playthroughs and was happily singing along throughout. Not sure what it is about this album, but it does feel different to the rest (and not just the vocals) - maybe it's a heavier sound, or just a different style of writing, but I always felt it had a different feel/sound to their previous stuff. There's nothing about the individual songs that lifts them up higher than good and enjoyable, but it comes together into a rather solid package. Probably the one thing I'd complain about is that Iron Will, possibly my favourite song from the album, somehow didn't make the original cut.

A very good assessment! I think they just focused on getting the basics right and not getting too wrapped up in overblown "epics."

Shame Plagues of Babylon didn't display the same level of enjoyability.

Yeah, definitely a case of playing it simple and writing basic yet effective and enjoyable songs. And it is a wonder how the quality dropped so quickly to Plagues, ah well

Just tried The Mob Rules
Original is better, but still good version

I guess compared to its two predecessors "Dystopia" as an album is very good indeed, but still seems to clutch at straws when you know the band have been capable of much better musicianship in the past. That said, I guess this album has to be taken for what it is at face value: that is, a comeback of sorts. The thing is "Dystopia" is pretty run-of-the-mill by Iced Earth's standards, but at the same time the goods here are in full flavour and impact with everything you'd expect. Though it's hard to really pick out any outstanding versatility here, for me the highlights would be "End of Innocence" and the title track.

Iced Earth made a big change in their formation, they changed the singer, it has been years since this vocalist that made a good difference and they renewed their sound, great album, I recommend

A superb album after a long gap filled with mediocre material

A decent return to form. I don't think the album is anything really remarkable and there isn't very many outstanding individual songs, but it is a breath of fresh air after a few letdown albums. "Iron Will" from the bonuses is killer track, probably the best even, the title track is another winner. ENJOYABLE stuff throughout.

Written by No False Steele on 14.01.2021 at 21:55

"Iron Will" from the bonuses is killer track, probably the best even, the title track is another winner. ENJOYABLE stuff throughout.

I've always thought that Iron Will is clearly the best song on the album, and don't really understand why it didn't make the cut whilst more forgettable songs such as Equilibrium, V and End Of Innocence did. I guess it's triplets the whole way through and they maybe think it doesn't vary much, but it's just triumphant and exciting

Whole album is good, far from the best, but best since Horror Show.

Not sold on this one either even if it's a more focused record compared to the previous two. I don't know why but I've never thought Stu Blocks singing fit Iced Earths music and most of the songs here are just okey.

My least favorite from the albums I heard so far from the band, although not bad at all.

Written by John_Doe on 20.01.2025 at 16:03

the albums I heard so far from the band

Which ones are they?

Written by Redel on 20.01.2025 at 17:06

Written by John_Doe on 20.01.2025 at 16:03

the albums I heard so far from the band

Which ones are they?

The last two albums I've always struggled with, I'll give them another chance.

90s Iced Earth remains my favorite. It shows I guess I'm the old fart rocker.

Written by John_Doe on 20.01.2025 at 17:12

I guess I'm the old fart rocker.

You are definitely not alone there.
My least favourite of them is their 2008 album.

Best songs: 01. Dystopia, 02. Anthem, 04. Anguish Of Youth and Iron Will [limited edition bonus]

Somehow I think Jon should re record first 3 Iced Earthalbums whit Stu,, Tim and Mat on vocals as The Three Tremors did solo versions

I feel a bit sorry whit Owens because Jon as main song writer, his 2 albums was more experimental in some way , few songs , few good really singkle good songs but not album. This is much stronger , this album would soun well whit Owens as singer same good as Stu sounds here.

The return of good IE? Yes and no. It´s better then everything since HS but even the better songs like Anthem, V and Equilibrium are just okay. I think that the last album of the last three is their best from the new phase.