Anyone heard this new one yet? I guess it's going to be released next week. I didn't realize it was that soon!!!
Iced Earth - Plagues of Babylon
- Thread starter DustyV
- Start date
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
This is definitely my favorite Iced Earth disc since The Glorious Burden. And although nothing here (and few things ever do) reaches the heights of "The Gettysburg Trilogy", this is a damn fine album. Stu has clearly been coached to approach his vocals in a very Barlowesque manner, but I have no issue with it. He's very convincing in his role and is a damn fine vocalist in his own right. Ultimately, he's a great fit for the band. I'll be surprised if this doesn't wind up in my Top 5 of 2014. It seems to grow on me more with each listen. Make sure you get the Limited Edition. It includes a cover song with Stu, Russel Allen and Michael from Volbeat. It's an amazing song.
TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER
Halcyon Way Sufferer
- Jan 7, 2002
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Probably need to give it a few more listens, but I love it. Only songs I have an issue with are Parasite (I just don't get it, seems too generic/bland), Spirit of the Times (Unnecessary cover), and Peacemaker (Jon's subtle-as-an-atomic bomb love letter to the 2nd Amendment).
AeonicSlumber
srs
- Aug 14, 2008
- 4,893
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I think I would dare say it's my favorite Iced Earth record full stop. Tied with Horror Show I guess for me.
TwizstedJesus
Member
- Mar 1, 2004
- 1,220
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Horror Show???? That's the reason why I gave up on Iced Earth!
Seriously though, the new disc is pretty damn good!
Horror Show??? Really?
AngraRULES
Member
Excellent disc. Congrats to Jon. It's been a while since I've been excited over an Iced Earth release.
Oblivion Ocean
Member
Wow, I guess I need to listen to this again. Granted I have only listened to it a couple of times, but neither time did it make an impression on me at all. Not bad, just not very memorable.
labrekk
Member
Really liking the new album, maybe a little bit more than Dystopia. It's still nowhere the near the greatness of Stormrider/Burnt Offerings/Dark Saga... But with Stu they're releasing their best albums since Horror Show (I loved Gettysburg but didn't care for most of The Glorious Burden. And the two Something Wicked albums could have made one great disc but ended up being two decent ones. Oh well).
I agree that he's a good vocalist, but the fact that he's being coached to sound like Matt ends up annoying me. It sounds vaguely forced and to my ears, the effort he puts into sounding like Matt detracts from his ability to convey emotion, tell a story, and really make the role his own. I liked Ripper in Iced Earth because he came in and sang like Ripper, and it worked. Perhaps if I wasn't already familiar with Stu in Into Eternity, his Barlowesque singing wouldn't sound as unnatural as it does, I don't know.
On the whole, the album has its moments, and I love the darker tone, but there's a lack of memorable riffs and hooks, I'm hoping it grows on me, but right now I'd rate it on the lower end of the Iced Earth discography.
Plagues Of Babylon threw me off a bit upon first listen, perhaps because I was expecting to to sound more like Dystopia, which is still one of my favorite albums of the last several years... but I'm liking it quite a bit more on subsequent listen. I'm looking forward to seeing them live yet again in April.
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
I actually like the way he approached this. I'm usually someone who's turned off by political or religious lyrics I don't agree with. However, the song feels more like it's about a love for old cowboy movies than a political statement.
Horror Show is inconsistent. But Wolf, Damien, Dracula and Phantom are four absolutely flawless songs. In my mind, all 10/10. Dracula may be my favorite song of all-time.
Agreed on all counts. Stu is a talented vocalist. I would have preferred Jon encourage him to find his own sound.
TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER
Halcyon Way Sufferer
- Jan 7, 2002
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Meh. Stu will probably get replaced in the next year or two. So, maybe the next guy won't sound like Barlow. Unless Barlow returns again. That boomerang is past due.
Admittedly, this depends on my mood how I view it. I actually like the song itself, and it does strike me as a more cowboy movie type tribute half the time. I just assume it's political because it's Jon.
Stand Undefeated
Constant Lurker
I only listened to it once so far, but I wasn't impressed. But that's not fair of me to judge the album with just 1 listen.
Agreed 100%. Schaffer hasn't written a memorable riff since the last Demons & Wizards album, and Stu Block trying to ape the inimitable Matt Barlow is the final nail in the coffin. It sounds especially hollow to my ears now after hearing Barlow give such a dominating performance with AofA.
The album is slowly growing on me. First couple of listens didn't excite but I think this album really needs a few listens. Dystopia was a far more instant album than this one. However I think this one might turn out to be it's equal in time. I just get the feeling they are trying a bit too hard to be aggressive instead of letting it flow. BTW they played here last week but I wasn't feeling well so I missed it. I would have liked to have heard some of the new material live but it wasn't to be.
GoRillaBoy76
you can call me RRrrr!!
- Aug 22, 2008
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It is a great album, it just seems to lack that Great Song quality, nothing really sticks with me, but I love the album super fun to listen too. (maybe Peacemaker might be the only song i found my self still singing.)
Speaking of which, when the north american tour was announced, I wondered for a moment if they were thinking of adding "The Phantom Opera Ghost" to their setlist, since they're touring with a band with a female vocalist. I know, I know, probably not... but it's a fun thought, heh.
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