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
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