Metal Reviews

Stop making assumptions. Noone here has complained that its not like Stormrider or that its not thrash. I've also listened to it about 5-6 times now (and have listened to many individual songs more often). I can't speak for others of course, but most people here seem to listen to an album at least a few times before putting out an opinion.

I don't know. If I would make a best of the two last CDs I would pick

from Framing Armageddon

-Something Wicked part 1
-Ten Thousand Strong
-A Charge to Keep
-Setian Massacre
-Order of the Rose
-The Clouding
-The Domino Decree
-Framing Armageddon
-When Stars Collide

fom Crucible of Man

-Behold the Wicked Child
-A Gift or Course
-Crown of the Fallen
-I Walk Alone
-Harbinger of Fate

And that says much...

Go to hell, I'll assume anything I want and I'll tell you exactly what you think. If you don't like it, take your life.

Now, Metal Warrior. I'm not going to go into the 'make the best album from the two' talk too much, because I think they're both great. But are you really telling me Come What May doesn't make the cut? A curse on you and all your kin.

I'm very much hoping this is a joke. If not, wow man, you're a dick.

Why "if not" ?

Guilty on all charges.

Let's keep it friendly, guys.

(twice in two threads, wow)

Its just a coincidence , I swear.

And for the record. In this thread, I was being friendly.

I'm pretty surprised something that silly could be taken any other way than a joke. I guess thats the curse of the newb though.

Sorry about that, man. Kiss and make up?

So, how about that Iced Earth album?

true. i listen for at least 2,3 weeks before speaking.

I agree with you that its shit because its not Stormrider.

This album is definitley a grower. After the first listen I was quite disappointed, but after about 5 or 6 spins I find it to be quite solid. I feel the album is more balanced then Framing Armageddon; There aren't too many songs I'll skip over. There are a lot of very good songs, but nothing that I would say is better then Something Wicked Part One or Ten Thousand Strong. Best songs being The Revealing, A Gift or a Curse?, I Walk Alone, Harbinger of Fate, and Sacrificial Kingdoms.

The thing about Owens and Barlow is that both singers enunciate the words to evoke an "Evil" delivery, for lack of a clearer description. However, they both do it in slightly different ways. I liken Owens style to that of a serpent and Barlow to a lion. When listening to the songs, it seems as though Owens would have outshone Barlow on certain sections with his hissing and venom-spitting delivery and then Barlow, would have in turn, blown away Owens on certain sections with his awesome deep, melodic voice. Makes for a frustrating listen!

Maybe they should have let singing Ripper and Barlow in a duet form. Like Avantasia or so...

While I've grown to respect Ripper's performances with Iced Earth, I am more than happy that Barlow has come back to the fold (I like the three remixed FA songs with him on the mic from I Walk Alone better than the originals and look forward to a complete re-release of FA with Barlow on vocals). That being said, The Crucible of Man could have been much better than it was.

I think the major issue, and this has been said a couple of times before, is that with the exception of a few tracks like I Walk Alone and Crucify the King, there are no stand alone tracks that can compete with the IE classics. The story line is great and the entire album is quite enjoyable to listen to from start to finish (and also to listen to consecutively with FA), but I don't always necessarily have the time to listen to one album (let alone two) from start to finish. Perhaps Schaffer allowed the Something Wicked story to become too complex which is what caused both FA and CoM to be the way they are. Its not like he hasn't pulled off a great concept album while still generating killer stand alone tracks before. Night of the Storm Rider (though not nearly as grand of a storyline as Something Wicked), was technically a concept album and look at the number of killer songs that came from that one.

So overall I'd say CoM is a decent release. Not even close to IE's best stuff, but a fun album to listen to from start to finish. I'd have to give it some where in the low to mid 80s I think. Won't rate Barlow's return to Iced Earth until they release the first post Something Wicked album, which probably won't be for a while given Matt's primary career (any one else sense a third Demons & Wizards album on the horizon??)

+1 on your thoughts. took me a couple of listens to get into it.

Anything that delays another Barlow album is bad news.

But as far as bad news goes, this wouldn't break hearts.

Very disappointing album for me. I had hoped it would grow on me, but after numerous listens it's just not happening. I find myself getting bored with the album halfway thru & switching over to something else. Probably the worst Iced Earth album in their catalog. A few good songs, but lots of filler.

Easily the disappointment of the year. I don't think this thing would've been any better with Ripper doing vocals, since the compositions themselves are so damn lazy. It's really quite incredible how dull music Schaffer has concocted on this album, theres not a shred of energy on it.

I agree that this is a grower, as I was compelled to keep listening to it to see what new patterns would be revealed. I have listened to this probably about 7 or 8 times now in total and count maybe 2 or 3 fillers tops.

I liked this a lot better than part 1, and I think part of the credit has be given to Barlow. And that's not just due to who is better .. Owens can certainly belt 'em out. I think the difference is their vocal lines. Owens is not very melodic, and when he is it's just not very memorable - I don't find myself singing along. Often he seems at odds with the backdrop constructed by Schaffer. Beyond that it's just preference I guess.

Musically I would probably put this near Horror Show in terms of quality, i.e. their best since then. There are some really great trademark Schaffer riffs to be found here.

If I had a gripe, it would be with the art - the strokes and lines are very coarse and rough compared to past comic style covers and just don't look like they had as much effort put into them.

What puzzles me a bit is that when "Framing Armageddon" was released many fans thought the Epic direction was disappointing (too, bombastic, guitar sound too watered down...), and now when "Crucible" is out, and this one is less epic and bombastic, some are disappointed that it doesn't follow 100% in the musical footsteps of "FA". This tells me that for many, FA was a definite grower, and that we all should give "Crucible" a second chance, as it may turn out to be a grower that one too.

Sure hope so... I found the two D&W albums to be far better and far more METAL (especially the first) than both bands latest releases (IE & BG). There was something about the riffs being catchier and the vocals of Hansi Kürsch (better than BOTH Barlow & Owens, IMO) being a PERFECT match! The lyrics were also a bit darker and the melodies had this "dark" gregorian-like flavor. So I would be stoked to see a new album coming out soon!