Iced Earth

The Glorious Burden

It gets one star because I can't give it zero!!!!!

Review Score:

(2/10)
First off, I don't understand why everyone is going boggles over this really bad album. Don't get me wrong, I "was" a huge Iced Earth fan, until the moment came . . . Barlow was kicked out of the band. Why? Because Shaffer wants to go commercial and hit the big time by drawing in Judas Priest fans. As far as the music is concerned, it seems that Shaffer wrote this album a week before he recorded it.

Each song is lond as hell (always with a week intro that drags on FOREVER!) and only consists of two, maybe three riffs. The production is also pathetic because it sounds thinner than a Twiglord on a diet. The lyrics on the other hand are pretty good . . . if they were written by a 3rd grader!!!! What is with this Americana crap? Okay, have a song or two about 9/11, thats cool, but at least make the lyrics good. To put it short, the lyrics are terrible and so is the music.

The Ripper does not belong in this band, and I don't see how Shaffer can justify it. He had one of the best vocals in all of metal (and he is one hell of a cool guy to hang out with), and then rationalizes that the Ripper's vocals are what he has wanted for Iced Earth the whole time. Barlow could go from low to extremely, as well as some good harsh vocals sometimes. But the Ripper is too One-dimensional.

So basically, those who have been giving this album high marks prob. don't have the older Iced Earth albums that show that this latest effort is a disgrace, and also shows how much Shaffer really cares about the integrety of his music and his feelings for his fans.

P.S.= Iced Earth and videos do not mix.
P.P.S.= Shaffer is a real jerk when you meet him in person.
P.P.P.S.= Doesn't sound like some of these riffs should have been on a Demons and Wizards album?

More Reviews: