Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden
For quite sometime now I have eagerly been waiting for the new Iced Earth to hit the streets, some personnel replacements did drag things longer than planed. But now its here and it really is a huge effort, spanning nearly 75 minutes of music, not including the bonus track When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged), which is an interesting version.

Getting Tim Owens (former Judas Priest) into the band has not only meant a new vocal style, the music also has a more traditional Metal vibe over it, the dark Power Metal approach is not as clear as before even though it remains the leading ingredient.
James MacDonough is back in the band and delivers a solid bass job; with a closer listening he in fact adds quite a lot of creative passages to the songs.
Richard Christy is a really talented drummer, which is easily heard throughout the entire record, he could have been used even more progressively in my opinion without it being too much. Ralph Santolla is handling most of the guitar solos on CD 1 with a certain melodic and driving vibe. Summing up: Musically we are treated with some extremely competent people.

Studying history myself, I of course found the themes and lyrics especially exciting on this concept of conflicts. Jon has indeed succeeded in getting some rather complex tales narrowed down without losing the real essence, the elements described are of course very selected episodes, but I find the lyrics to be very cool. Some of these stories are bound to make us think of the world we live in, appreciate peace, and try to listen and learn from the past.

The Star-Spangled Banner sets a suitable stage for Declaration Day, the tight drums leading into the track symbolising the tension and revolutionary mood of this important day in American history. This powerful song is one of my favourites, Tim singing with pure brilliance and empathy, the mid-section guitar attack and melodic chorus all being great inputs.

When The Eagle Cries has a mellow charm to it, the piano and acoustic guitars supplementing each other nicely; a hymn-like refrain is a central focus point in a moving and great song.

The Reckoning (Don't Tread On Me) adds an older sounding Iced Earth style to the album, forceful guitar riffs from Jon and an incredible dose of aggression coming from the drum kit.
A fast monster with some fantastic grooving bass lines, Tim singing with his high pitch style here, which fits pretty well. The dark atmospheric mid-section gives the song an extra dimension, this one must for sure turn into a live hit.

In Greenface we find a rather aggressive cut that nevertheless isn't that good overall. Tim's vocal does a good job in the verse part; the problem lies in the screaming chorus that becomes too tiresome and too overdone for my taste. The main structure of the song becomes better with each listening and the great drums and hard riffing comes in pretty solid. All in all this is the only song not living up to the otherwise high standard.

Attila sees us taking a journey way back in time, the scene being the remains of the Roman Empire and the leading Huns' quest for it. This very powerful song starts out very atmospheric and all in all it has a great dose of complex features. I especially find the extensive divided chorus part between the two opposing forces genius. The Romans part is sung with a celestial grace, while the Huns are growling away in a more primitive tongue, great details in an outstanding track.

Red Baron/Blue Max sees Owens adding some cool lyrics to this First World War classic story. If two words should sum up this song it is going to be heavy riffing. Jon goes completely crazy and just blasts away with machine gun pace, this is also what makes it so different and yet another great track.

The conflict is seen from within in Hollow Man, a semi-ballad with a great creative bass and pretty cool refrain. This is a solid song with a successful acoustic guitar rhythm. One of those songs that first really shined after repeated listening; the ending solo is in fact immensely cool.

Valley Forge mixed a softer approach with harder aspects in an interesting way. The guitar solo by Santolla is very harmonious and works brilliantly, again a solid song that nevertheless misses something of that special ingredient that makes you go "wow that's amazing".

Waterloo is one of my personal highlights, there seems to be a certain grandiose mood incorporated into this song, fittingly reflecting the tense historical setting. The fantastic lead melody has a Maiden flair to it and Owens does a fabulous job with the challenging vocal passages, his voice is glowing with power and intensity and the chorus has a very driving movement and is filled with catchiness. A complex structure forces the listener to be on the mark when this powerful composition sets in. My only wish was for it to have been a bit longer, but you can't have it all.

The real highlight of this release is the grand 32:54 minute epic Gettysburg (1863), not only is the music phenomenal, the booklet, lyrics and story told is really special, capturing and well written.
The track is divided into three parts each having the duration of one day, the scene being the vital battle in the American Civil War.
There are many exciting and highly emotional stories within the story; mixing this micro/macro perspective gives the song a perfect broad profile while at the same time finding space for digging deeper down to a face-to-face level, displaying themes like friendship in times of war.
I will not go into a longer explanation of what is going on lyrically or musically, this giant is a stroke of pure genius and one that simply must be experienced over and over. The details are countless and I continue to be amazed of how fascinating all parts are fitted together. The use of a real orchestra works to perfection and Tim performs his vocal parts with a stunning competence, showing that he truly is one of the best in the league.
Some of the passages in the last section is completely moving and gives me shivers down my spine, the instrumental part at 3:28 is amazing and Tim's dramatic interpretation of General Lee's terrible realisation of defeat and guilt at the end of the song is totally thrilling.

I had my problems in rating this album, its true that some parts on the first CD could have been more exciting, but then again most of those songs are amazing and kept getting better and better, together with Gettysburg (1863) being one of the best songs I have ever heard I just had to settle at 8,5.

Production-wise the sound is more clear and not quite as deep and heavy as on their latest releases, I miss a little of that both musically and in terms of the production, and also must admit that I find it just a bit to polished from time to time.
Anyway we are dealing with Jim Morris here and together with Jon they both have done a very good and balanced job. The bass has a really cool sound and I especially find the production to fit extremely well in Gettysburg (1863).

Iced Earth has created something really special and highly dramatic.

Written by Tommy
Thursday, February 5, 2004
Show all reviews by Tommy

Ratings

Tommy: 8.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 5, 2004
As a longtime Iced Earth fan I must admit I'm ashamed of myself for not having purchased this piece of metal yet...gonna make a little trip to my record-dealer soon!!!

It sounds like it's well worth the money.


Comment by Mads Aanum (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 5, 2004
it takes a while but then you are hooked... Love the vocals this album is great...




Comment by nihilist (Anonymous) - Friday, February 6, 2004
Tim Owens save this band,I never liked lawyer Barlow as singer,his voice was too irritating.
Tim is the best screamer I ever heard,Iced Earth is on the right way with him...


Comment by lars aanum (Anonymous) - Friday, February 6, 2004
itīs no cornerstone, itīs more old wine one new bottles..... 7/10 itīs no great record !!!!!!!!


Comment by lars aanum (Anonymous) - Friday, February 6, 2004
sorry 5/10 have yust refreshed the Raiting system........


Comment by Mads Aanum (Anonymous) - Saturday, February 7, 2004
Hvad sker der for dig bror mand...
How can you say it's only 5/10 haven't you heard it more than once? well I guess you have otherwise you wouldn't rate it that way, I think it's one of the better Iced earth albums, the music kicks ass and the lead singer Tim Owens rules in iced earth...
Mads Erdland Aanum


Comment by Warlord (Anonymous) - Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Itīs a great album but itīs not greater then Dark Saga or Burnt Offerings. And the lyrics in the When the eagle... just must be the darkest hour in the history of this band. Owens does a great job even though I miss Barlow. 7/10


Comment by Christopher (Anonymous) - Wednesday, February 18, 2004
This is the best way I can sum up this album: those of you who like the Tim Owens version of Judas Priest will like this album a lot. However, for those of you who are big fans of the Matt Barlow version of Iced Earth - and who were indifferent to the Owens version of JP - will be highly disappointed by this album.


Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 19, 2004
Then what about those of us who both love Ripper-era Judas Priest and Barlow-era Iced Earth? :)


Comment by Christopher (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 19, 2004
Mads - good one! I suppose you would like this album!


Comment by spanish24 (Anonymous) - Monday, March 8, 2004
surprasingly good. Ripper does a great job

8/10


Comment by San Sebastian (Anonymous) - Thursday, March 11, 2004
A disappointment. Too much of the album is slow and mid tempo, only two or three songs really shred. Doesn't make much difference who the vocalist is when the music is dull. Perhaps it's an album that requires repeated listenings to appreciate, but why not listen to something that mesmerizes on the first listen? 5/10


Comment by STR1DER (Anonymous) - Thursday, March 11, 2004
Another example of sacrificing a nice band in order to sell in the US.. "When the eagle cries" is by far the worst song that I have ever heard from them, and sadly it was even chosen to become a video clip... 3/10


Comment by Hmmm (Anonymous) - Thursday, April 8, 2004
They're trying to sell albums in the US??? You are a moron.


Comment by B.Ewert (Anonymous) - Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Enough squabbling children. This album is straight up, steady metal. No part is really over the top. It's not grandiose like Avantasia, it's not eclectic like ARK or Frameshift, so what is it you ask? It's in your face mid tempo heavy metal, it's concept is thoughtful, the packaging is great, the musicianship and writing is awesome, and when it's over - you hit play again.


Comment by Pete (Anonymous) - Thursday, April 29, 2004
Sorry, not that great.
4/10


Comment by Metalus (Anonymous) - Sunday, May 2, 2004
Who said an album has to be fast to be good????. Thats all some poeple are complaining about is because not all the album is fast. Who cares....The album is great. The music is what counts and on here it really shines...Never Turn your Back On The Ripper.....Enough Said...9/10.


Comment by Misfit in Action (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Although I think that Owens is a great singer, I really miss Matt.
Will he ever sing again? I hope so!


Comment by Mads J. (Anonymous) - Thursday, July 8, 2004
Incredibly well-executed album: Strong compositions, nice sound and topped off by Tim Owens fantastic vocal range. Iced Earth's best to date!

What the first disc maybe lacks in magic is forgot as soon as Gettysburg blasts through the speakers. Gettysburg is simply one of the best epics ever written, in fact I can't think of a single song who could top it. Schaffer has suceeded in cathcing the many different elements of war, such as tragedy, pain, inhumanity as well as glory, pride and honour. A track that easily could have fallen into just being american patriotism turns out to be everything I could have wished for...well done!

A few tracks on the first disc isn't up the astronical level that most of the album holds, Hollow Man, Red Baron - Blue Max and When The Eagle Cries, but still there are very few negative things to pinpoint. The result: Album of the year, so far.


Comment by Travis Jones (Anonymous) - Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Good album but it does get tireing even with its kinda better sound. However this new chhange of lead singer is a risk. Iced EArth has had better work done in the past.

8.25/10


Comment by Elisabeth (Anonymous) - Thursday, April 14, 2005
This one took some getting used to; I'll admit that on the first listen I positively -loathed- it. My introduction to Iced Earth was the Something Wicked album, and part of what hooked me was the range of Barlow's voice.

It was Gettysburg (1863) that earned this disc a second listen; there were passages from it that kept playing in my head. It helps that the war between the states is a period I've done more than a little research in, and the historical hooks were accurate and well written. Fate intervened at that point - my then-roommate stepped on the remote for the cd changer, and it flipped to disc 1 and started playing. Faced with the choice of letting it play or sitting in silence, I let it roll.

It grew on me. Ripper's range isn't what I'd come to love from Barlow, but ... it works. With the exception of Greenface (I /still/ loathe this track.... bleah!), it's well written and executed. The thrill of having proof that metal can actually teach history is enough to give it a high position in my collection. I'll agree with the 8.5/10.


Comment by Bassmasta Y. (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Lyrically, this is quite possible Iced Earth's greatest effort. I do miss the Dark Saga days, but the songwriting here is smart, edgy, and controlled. I'm also somewhat of a history buff, and the Gettysburg Trilogy does not fail to impress; it's detailed, accurate, and pays homage to both the Civil War and Michael Shaara's amazing novel.


Comment by Harry (Anonymous) - Saturday, August 6, 2005
I think this album should have been sung by Matt Barlow instead of Tim Owens. Tims vocal approach is to Rob Halford sounding, some of the songs there was too much screaming vocals instead of the traditional vocal style.

Ratings: 7/10


Comment by Imol (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 1, 2007
This album is one of those albums that you will hate, or love, depending on wether you are a fanboy or not. Fanboys will pass this by even if they get payed for just one listen. Those who are abit more open minded will see the beauty of this album, and it's mostly signed Tim Owens. However, he should stick to singing and not writing lyrics.

Some songs are really nice executed with some nice thrashy heavy riffs. All in all this is a really nice piecec of art, not perfect, not crap, but really nice.











Review by Tommy
None

Released by
Steamhammer - 2004

Tracklisting
CD 1:

1. The Star-Spangled Banner
2. Declaration Day
3. When The Eagle Cries
4. The Reckoning (Don't Tread On Me)
5. Greenface
6. Attila
7. Red Baron/Blue Max
8. Hollow Man
9. Valley Forge
10. Waterloo
11. When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged)

CD 2:

Gettysburg (1863)

1. The Devil To Pay
2. Hold At All Cost
3. High Water Mark


Style
Power Metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Iced Earth - Official Website

Other articles
Horror Show - (Tommy)

Tribute To The Gods - (Michael)

Something Wicked This Way Comes - (Tommy)

Night Of The Stormrider - (Tommy)

Framing Armageddon, Something Wicked Pt. 1 - (Alanna)

Alive in Athens - (Stuart)

The Crucible of Man, Something Wicked Pt. 2 - (Alanna)

Horror Show - (Alanna)



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666 - Unrated

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