Band:	Iced Earth
Album:	Night Of The Stormrider
Style:	Heavy metal, US power metal
Release date:	November 11, 1991
Guest review by:	DIE_by_my_HAND

01. Angels Holocaust
02. Stormrider
03. The Path I Choose
04. Before The Vision
05. Mystical End
06. Desert Rain
07. Pure Evil
08. Reaching The End
09. Travel In Stygian
10. Stormrider [live] [2008 reissue bonus]

Thrash, heavy, power. Call it what you will, Night of the Stormrider takes you on a ride from start to finish with some of the fastest charging riffs in all of metal contrasted with its dark lyrics and mood. This second offering from Iced Earth is their first stab at making a concept album and it delivers the goods. The story, in the words of John Schaffer is about "a young man who is betrayed by Christianity... and is chosen to bring about Armageddon." He goes on to say you can figure it out for yourself if you read the lyrics, which are very dark and evil and perfectly express the story's sinister vibe. This feel is also perfectly executed by the instruments, especially guitar, of which the distortion almost personifies the Stormrider and his struggle. The drumming on the album is very well written, however, not as well played. The double bass is the area which could have used the most work because it is supposed to go along with the quick riffs, but only manages to follow them closely.

The songs on the album are the darkest ones that Iced Earth has ever created, they are also the best and most epic. The album as a whole tells a story, including the two short acoustic tracks, which, although reinforce the story with melancholic episodes, to me they seem like filler that could have been filled with two better Iced Earth worthy songs. That would have pushed the album over the edge and into the territory of perfection.

Stormrider is one of the most epic albums of all time, all you have to do is listen to the first two tracks and you know you are in for a turmoil-filled ride that will leave you wanting more. It is one of the last that came from Iced Earth, though. This is because Jon Schaffer wanted to step away from that element of his music, and make songs for what they are, simply songs. This concept started with The Dark Sage, and it is evident, because the songs are much shorter and get straight to the point.

Despite its filler, Night of the Stormrider is Iced Earth's best album, and one of metal's masterpieces. It shows off Schaffer's amazing rhythm guitar skills, proving he is one of the best out there. We have not seen an album of similar style since Stormrider was released back in 1992, and it is doubtful that we ever will. But it is good to know that a 14 year old record is still relevant in today's metal scene.