Iced Earth - Tribute To The Gods
Normally Iced Earth is not my musical style and I do not own any of their albums. You might wonder, why I should write this review then. The bands covered on this album are among my favorite bands and I grew up listening to AC/DC, Maiden, Kiss and Alice Cooper. This review is written from a Hard Rock fan's point of view. A fan that has listened to the "gods" bands for more than 15 years.

Like most American bands Iced Earth pay tribute to Kiss with 2 well-played versions of Creatures of the Night and God of Thunder. I have to credit Iced Earth for choosing both a Paul Stanley and a Gene Simmons sung song. Singer Matthew Barlow is paying both Paul and Gene homage by trying adapting to each individual style.

Overall the covered songs are close to the original versions. Matthew Barlow is doing his best Bon Scott impression on Highway To Hell. Another AC/DC anthem It's a long Way to the Top has a bit heavier guitar than the original from 1975.

Iced Earth are less successful in covering Iron Maiden. Iced Earth's versions are lacking the characteristic Steve Harris lead bass and Bruce Dickinson's vocals are in a different range than Matthew Barlows. You might say that Iced Earth have added their own stamp, but I have a hard time hearing Maiden songs not sung by Bruce Dickinson.

The Blue Oyster Cult and Alice Cooper songs are among the best tracks on this tribute. Dead Babies get a full shot of heavy distortion. These songs are so well written and the up-dated powerful sound really suits them.

Surely Iced Earth have some healthy influences. Moreover Iced Earth play the songs with both love and respect for the covered artists. However, it is problematic with tribute albums, because 99 percent of the time you prefer the originals and that goes for "Tribute to the Gods" also.

I wonder why this cd is released separately. Iced Earth fans have it already since it was included in last years "Dark Genesis" boxset. Maybe it is to gain new fans. Speaking for myself it is not gonna be me - I would rather dust off my originals and play them.

Written by Michael
Monday, October 21, 2002
Show all reviews by Michael

Ratings

Michael: 6/10

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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Jesus (Anonymous) - Sunday, December 29, 2002
Fuck you! you dont kwow shit


Comment by Satan (Anonymous) - Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Go to hell, Jesus!











Review by Michael
None

Released by
Century Media - 2002

Tracklisting
1. Creatures Of The Night
2. Number Of The Beast
3. Highway To Hell
4. Burnin' For You
5. God Of Thunder
6. Screaming For Vengeance
7. Dead Babies
8. Cities On Flame
9. It's A Long Way To The Top
10. Black Sabbath
11. Hallowed By Thy Name

Supplied by - Nordic Metal


Style
Heavy Rock/Metal history

Related links
Visit the band page

Iced Earth - Official Website

Other articles
Horror Show - (Tommy)

Something Wicked This Way Comes - (Tommy)

The Glorious Burden - (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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Ratings
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2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

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