Iced Earth

The Glorious Burden

My Review, Pt. 1 (of 2): Overture and Tim Owens

Review Score:

(10/10)
P>From the opening riffs of one of the best renditions of the "Star Spangled Banner" I have ever heard, this album is, without a doubt, going to ultimately be the best album of the year. Here it is, just in January, and I can already say that, because here on Iced Earth's seventh full-length studio album, the continuing legacy of heavy metal, a la Jon Schaffer, has gotten to be better than ever.

I just want to say that the special edition of this album [is] absolutely [better than] the regular edition. Two extra songs, a bonus disc reserved for the final GETTYSBURG (1863) trilogy, a slipcase, and expanded liner notes (with information about the making of the album as well as Jon Schaffer's love of history and his passion in music), is totally worth the extra money. If you're going to get this album, ABSOLUTELY get the special edition. You'll KNOW it is worth it, trust me.

Jon Schaffer (guitars, vocals, almost all songwritings) has long had a passion for history, but it never quite showed in Iced Earth's songs. Most of the lyrics to their albums up until THE GLORIOUS BURDEN focused primarily on science fiction, supernatural, and horror themes; however, Jon's passion never was really introduced until now. Jon felt that he was living the illusion of a rock star, until the horrors of September 11th shook his thoughts and opened his eyes. Inspired not out of the same over-patriotic drive that makes too many people proud of our country, but out of seeing these desperate and dire times in the United States of America as the right time to release his passions full-force. Jon has focused his talents as a heavy metal songwriter to take a look at various historical battles and figures throughout the world.

I'll be honest, this album makes me proud of my country. Much like Jon's expression through his music, I am not being over-patriotic; right now, living in the United States as it is being run by the Bush Administration, I am far from proud about the country. However, looking at the various actions and events that the United States has done over its hundreds of years of independence, I really am proud of some of the good things it has done. THE GLORIOUS BURDEN, on the U.S.-oriented songs, reminds me of these good things, and so I say it again: this album makes me proud of my country.

THE GLORIOUS BURDEN is, quite simply, the best Iced Earth album since 1995's BURNT OFFERINGS, and that is in part because both of these albums feature new singers. On BURNT OFFERINGS, we were introduced to the absolutely unrivaled Matthew Barlow. Here, we have the first full-length release with Tim Owens, formerly of Judas Priest (as the replacement for the temporarily absent Rob Halford). So much controversy has been stirred by Tim's arrival; so-called "fans" of Iced Earth won't even give him a chance simply because they don't like Judas Priest. It is one thing to judge someone if you don't like what they do, but to judge someone that you don't even know, that is stupid. I, personally, think Tim is a fantastic replacement for the departed Matthew Barlow; he's got a great range, ultra-powerful notes, and simply FURIOUS in faster-paced songs. Granted, he's a little iffy on some of the more ballad-oriented songs, but he does the job well, to me. Hopefully, if you're a true Iced Earth fan, you'll give him a chance. And don't forget - Iced Earth is the embodiment of Jon Schaffer's musical vision; if he likes the music he hears, that is what the music is, and that music is what (true) fans like. If Jon likes Tim (and he does, verymuch so), then so should you.

More Reviews: