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Iced Earth has been described by
many as being a
Metallica rip-off. I don't know why that is. Is it
because, like pre-Load James Hetfield, Jon Schaffer
has a very distinctive sound in his rhythm guitar
playing? Is it because they are both U.S. metal bands
that got big due to word-of-mouth? Or is it merely
the fact that it's "cool" and "tr00" (as the BMers
would say) to bash any metal band that has a large
following? Well one thing that the bands certainly
don't have in common is their track records. Where as
Metallica has gone down hill after there fourth studio
album, Iced Earth has continued to stay strong. Also,
unlike Metallica's failure to dig themselves out of
the pit of mediocre albums that they have been in ever
since Load, Iced Earth has manage to not only make an
outstanding album after releasing a mediocre album
(Horror Show), but they also manage to release their
best album ever even after losing Matthew Barlow
(vocalist since Burnt Offerings).
First off, as much as I love Matthew Barlow's vocals,
Tim "Ripper" Owens is better overall in the vocals
department. At first I didn't think anyone could
replace Barlow, but after listening to The Glorious
Burden and seeing them live with Ripper on vocals, I
stand corrected.
The Glorious Burden is basically a concept album. A
historical album, if you will. It's also filled with
what could some day be (a guy can dream) new anthems
for the U.S. Many people accuse Iced Earth of having
K-Mart patriotism after 9-11 and banking in on the
post 9-11 patriotism. These people are ignorant.
Iced Earth has done patriotic songs on Horrow Show
("Ghost of Freedom") and on Something Wicked This Way Comes
("1776").
It starts off with a rendition of "The Star-Bangled
Banner". This has been played at there concerts for
years. It's a good rendition, as should be expected.
Next, "Declaration Day" kicks in. It's an anthem-type
tune that is also great to sing along to. It's
basically about the Revolutionary War and how the
Americans decided that they weren't going to take it
from England any more. The chorus is especially
moving.
The third track is "When the Eagle Cries". An
absolutely outstanding ballad about 9-11. I can't help
but sing along when I listen to this song. It's very
emotional and it also takes me back to that fateful
September morning.
Fourth on the album is "The Reckoning". This is
kick-you-straight-in-the-balls heavy metal. Classic
Iced Earth. Hope you're not driving in an area with
a lot of cops, because you WILL be speeding when
listening to this tune.
Next is "Greenface". This is my favorite
non-Gettysburg track. It's about the U.S. Navy SEALS.
It's a punch-you-in-the-face-then-laugh heavy metal
tune that reminds me of Pain Killer-era Priest.
Wailing vocals included.
"Valley Forge" comes in as track number six. Another
favorite of mine, it's about how a revolutionary
war-era American soldier would feel if he were to see
how this country is today. No matter if you lean on
the left or the right, no one could argue with this
song. It's a wonderfully written song with a great
message.
"Attila" is self explanatory in what it's about. Not
much to say except that, just like all the other
tracks, it kicks ass.
"Hollow Man" is actually my least favorite track on
the album, and yet it's still an excellent song (no
filler on this album). It's another beautiful ballad
that may have you singing along.
"Red Barron/Blue Max" is another favorite of mine.
It's a Maiden-esque song that even has kick-ass twin
axe attacks in it. I would love to hear Maiden cover
this song. This song is about the famed Red Barron of
WWI. It was absolutely amazing seeing Iced Earth do
this song live.
The last three tracks are from the Gettysburg Trilogy.
"The Devil To Pay", "Hold At All Cost", and "High
Water Mark". This is the BEST MUSIC TRILOGY EVER!!!!!
With an orchestra and cannons, it's a beautiful
composition that tells about those three historic days
in Gettysburg during the Civil War. My fiancé and I
love going to Gettysburg and I usually play the
Gettysburg Trilogy on the way there. These last three
songs alone make the album worth buying. For those
wondering how the songs would sound without an orchestra, Snowy Own (another reviewer) and myself can
tell you that it's still outstanding. When we saw
them live in April, they played the entire trilogy.
During "High Water Mark", the music machine (a
computer, I'm guessing) that contained the
orchestrated parts stopped playing. Needless to say,
the song still kicked ass!
For those of you that are so weaned on Matthew Barlow
that you won't dare ever listen to anything
post-Barlow, you are making a huge mistake. I never
thought that nothing Iced Earth would make could ever
beat Burnt Offerings. Fortunately, I found out that I
was wrong.
Reviewer:
Keith
"Death Metal Cookie
Monster"
Horning
(5 out of 5)
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