Iced Earth

Horror Show

A good doze of intelligent, powerful metal

Review Score:

(10/10)
I always used to put Iced Earth down as another Iron Maiden cliché without even hearing and judging their music. And Iron Maiden wasn't always exactly one of my favourites; but, as I saw the reaction and the reviews for the album, I began to get excited and hoped I could come across the album and purchase it.

Dear reader, this is not Iron Maiden at all so don't even think about categorizing it there; this is basically speed metal, although the power metal is very strongly present and felt. There are nice acoustic passages within songs and some emotional, high vocals.

"Wolf" is a never-stopping vocal & guitar attack, with a melodic chorus vocal and guitar wise, as are many of the songs. "Damien" is a 9min. long slow song which is either very heavy, very soft & moody or very demonic and dark. "Jack" is basically speed metal; this song takes advantage of a crunchy tone and some reckless vocals from Matt featured in a truly great, melodic chorus. "Ghost of Freedom", the ballad, is one of the best ballads I've heard and the main reason is the acoustic guitar work and one again, Matt's vocals, this time truly smooth and beautiful. Actually, for the rest of the review, I'll take that for granted for each song because Matt did a wonderful job with his vocal melodies for each and every song. "Im-Ho-Tep" features nice chords in the chorus and an egyptian melody and rhythm. "Jekyll & Hyde" includes a classic power metal riff, a good solo and some very nice acoustic guitar work. "Dragon's Child", which I'm currently listening to, is very melodic in the chorus and has a nice crunch in the rhythm which couples together with awesome lead guitar work. Matt almost sounds like Ozzy in "Frankenstein", which again has an awesome, vocally melodic chorus and a driving and pounding rhythm with a great melody in the background. "Dracula" starts off slow but then absolutely explodes with aggression, emotion and power. "The Phantom Opera Ghost" is an epic piece, with many rhythms layered upon the other at times and an innovative intro that sounds very...it's hard to explain...it gives you a feeling of old, English/Scottish music played in a folk style - just listen for yourself!

Of all these songs, it's hard to pick any favourites. This is due to each song serving a purpose in the album and ultimately making this album a very fine doze of metal. You basically have everything you would want from a metal album - crunchy tones, some softer songs, good vocals, speed, emotion, darkness, good melodies and rhythms as well good creative intelligence in all sects and finally technical skill and originality. And all things above are present, at high quality levels so you won't be dissapointed even if you're looking for a particular amount of these things mentioned. So if you're expecting modern-age Iron Maiden, your expectations will be blown away; which is similar to what occured in my case.

Please endeavour and be provident to purchase this album as soon as your eyes come across it because it's well worth the price, especially if you see the limited edition, which features a cover of Iron Maiden's "Transylvania" (which is truly awesome) and a 70 min. interview with the man behind the madness, Jon Shaffer. Almost anyone can find something in this and It's very likely you will.

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