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Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)
SPV - SPV 98182 - September 11, 2007
By Ryan Starr
What’s worse than your co-workers and friends interrupting you while you’re listening to your newest CD? Jon Schaffer interrupting you! I understand that labels are concerned about pirating music, but seriously, how am I supposed to review a CD when the flow is constantly interrupted by your pathetic attempts at keeping people from ripping the album and sending it to their friends. People who review music are doing it for the love of music and to support the scene, so why would we try to rip bands off?
None the less, I will do my best to review Iced Earth’s latest opus Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I).
Everything sounds like it should. The lead work is solid, with some great dual lead harmonies and impressive solos, as we all expect from a master shredder. The riffs are typical of Schaffer, with plenty of his trademark palm muting and triplets. But I’m starting to wonder if this style is simply an attempt at a signature or does Schaffer just lack the originality to find a new rhythm to play. One thing is certain though, no one else plays quite like him. There are also a couple of decent slow songs, but while they are well written, I really think Barlow’s vocals are better suited for this style. Ripper does a good job, but Barlow just has more emotion. In contrast, Ripper does a fantastic job with the more up beat songs. Songs with a quick pace and high energy seem to really suit the “balls in a vice” vocal style much better. Now, as I mentioned on the previous review of the Overture of the Wicked EP, Ripper did a great job singing below his normal register, but on the full length he can’t control his urge to add another layer of ear piercing howls on top. I’m not really sure if I like it or not. Layers are nice, but it can be a little much sometimes.
Lastly, I’m not entirely sold on the additional sound effects, like the ethnic drums featured on ‘Overture’ and ‘Something Wicked Part II’ and the organ part on ‘The Domino Decree’. They don’t seem to serve any purpose. The entire ‘Something Wicked Part II’ track can go away and it really doesn’t hurt the album. And on ‘The Domino Decree’ there is plenty going on in the song, and the organ mixed pretty low anyways (except for the solo part) so why have it to begin with?
In closing, do not mistake my bitterness (and realize these are my opinions and no one elses) with the voice overs for a poor review. This album is fantastic. Even though I’m a bit tired of Schaffer’s rhythm work, it has everything Iced Earth fans have come to expect. Epic songs and phenomenal guitar leads are this bands trademark, and its all here, no one should be disappointed by this release. It has everything.
But next time, maybe self release the album and get rid of the greedy label voice overs. It's obvious, by the tone of Schaffer's voice and the depressed sigh before every voice over, that you don't like this any more than I do. “Hello SPV, I did not enjoy my promotional copy of Iced Earth’s new CD Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I). Please leave the voice overs off Part II. Leave the music alone”
Official Iced Earth Website
Official SPV Website
SPV - SPV 98182 - September 11, 2007
By Ryan Starr
What’s worse than your co-workers and friends interrupting you while you’re listening to your newest CD? Jon Schaffer interrupting you! I understand that labels are concerned about pirating music, but seriously, how am I supposed to review a CD when the flow is constantly interrupted by your pathetic attempts at keeping people from ripping the album and sending it to their friends. People who review music are doing it for the love of music and to support the scene, so why would we try to rip bands off?
None the less, I will do my best to review Iced Earth’s latest opus Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I).
Everything sounds like it should. The lead work is solid, with some great dual lead harmonies and impressive solos, as we all expect from a master shredder. The riffs are typical of Schaffer, with plenty of his trademark palm muting and triplets. But I’m starting to wonder if this style is simply an attempt at a signature or does Schaffer just lack the originality to find a new rhythm to play. One thing is certain though, no one else plays quite like him. There are also a couple of decent slow songs, but while they are well written, I really think Barlow’s vocals are better suited for this style. Ripper does a good job, but Barlow just has more emotion. In contrast, Ripper does a fantastic job with the more up beat songs. Songs with a quick pace and high energy seem to really suit the “balls in a vice” vocal style much better. Now, as I mentioned on the previous review of the Overture of the Wicked EP, Ripper did a great job singing below his normal register, but on the full length he can’t control his urge to add another layer of ear piercing howls on top. I’m not really sure if I like it or not. Layers are nice, but it can be a little much sometimes.
Lastly, I’m not entirely sold on the additional sound effects, like the ethnic drums featured on ‘Overture’ and ‘Something Wicked Part II’ and the organ part on ‘The Domino Decree’. They don’t seem to serve any purpose. The entire ‘Something Wicked Part II’ track can go away and it really doesn’t hurt the album. And on ‘The Domino Decree’ there is plenty going on in the song, and the organ mixed pretty low anyways (except for the solo part) so why have it to begin with?
In closing, do not mistake my bitterness (and realize these are my opinions and no one elses) with the voice overs for a poor review. This album is fantastic. Even though I’m a bit tired of Schaffer’s rhythm work, it has everything Iced Earth fans have come to expect. Epic songs and phenomenal guitar leads are this bands trademark, and its all here, no one should be disappointed by this release. It has everything.
But next time, maybe self release the album and get rid of the greedy label voice overs. It's obvious, by the tone of Schaffer's voice and the depressed sigh before every voice over, that you don't like this any more than I do. “Hello SPV, I did not enjoy my promotional copy of Iced Earth’s new CD Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I). Please leave the voice overs off Part II. Leave the music alone”
Official Iced Earth Website
Official SPV Website
Cool artwork tbh.
