Iced Earth

Alive in Athens (Live)

Simply the most amazing live metal album, Ever!

Review Score:

(10/10)
Saying that any album is the best live metal album ever is a bold statement. I had always given this title to Iron Maiden's "Live after Death", until the day I first purchased Alive in Athens, only days after it was released.

Iced Earth, one of the world's most talented, and yet underrated metal bands, under the control of guitarist/songwrited John Shaffer, make this album one that has yet to leave my cd player since the first day I listened to it. With material dating from every Iced Earth disc from their self titled album to "Something Wicked This Way Comes", they put on a show fit only for the gods.

I must say that this album is performed flawlessly, and not only meets the standard set by their studio albums, but also far exceeds any performance this band has recorded previously. Matthew Barlow's vocals on this album are the peak of any metal vocal performance to date. There has never been an vocalist who can bring the energy required to deliver heavy tracks such as "Dante's Inferno", and yet still bring forth the deepest emotions in songs such as "Melancholy (Holy Martyr)" and "A Question of Heaven".

If the outstanding performance and recording on this album isn't enough, they bring to the table one of the most amazing set lists ever. They truly play all of the best tracks this band has to offer. Classics like "Angel's Holocaust" and "Travel in Stygian" are played better than ever.

If there's ever been a metal band worth listening to it's Iced Earth, and if there's any disc by Iced Earth worth owning, its Alive in Athens. Think about it, you get all their best songs, performed and recorded better than on any of their studio albums through "Something Wicked..." Truly, the best live metal album, ever. Period.

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