Something Wicked Pt. 1

[ElectricWiz]

Okay, so I bought this...I'd listened to samples a few times, and it sounded kind of interesting.

I've owned a few IE albums, but have never been blown away by any of them. They are good enough, just not amazing. Also, I really get turned off by John's whole patriotic thing - just not my cup of tea.

Anyway, I gotta say, this is a really good record. It is MUCH more varied than their other output, and i really think Tim Owens (I can't bring myself to call him "ripper") is great on it. Incidentally, is it just me, or does he sound JUST like Ronnie James Dio on "A Charge to Keep," for those of you who have heard the album.

Anyway, again, it is quite varied, lots of odd little middle easter interludes, good riffs, catchy verses etc. It rarely devolves into the old triplet John Schaeffer thing. Well, it does, but it works when it does. it definitely has Iced Earth's best ballad on it (The Clouding), and well, it's just pretty freaking good. I think John a bit of a tool like a lot of you probably do, but this record is worth a try if you haven't heard it.

ironic too, because big fan or not previously, I did prefer Matt Barlow, and so was marginally glad to hear he was coming back....but, I hadn't really listened to them with Tim, and damnit, he really sells this stuff.

Big surprise all this is to me.

Oh, and you are right No Mercy, 10,000 Strong is a great song!

 

[mdmatt4ever]

i like this album but i thought glorious burden was better

 

[Wyvern]

It's an amazing album, moreover for me since I'm not an IE fan. "Glorious Burden" failed to catch my attention but this one is damn fine. Sadly Schaeffer is replacing Owens with Barlow.

 

[Priest of Evil]

maybe i should have a listen, I dont recall why but older Iced Earth with Barlow on vox did f'all for me. I think I'll sit tight and see what comes my way

 

[Psychonaut]

My second listen to this album was much better than the first. Jon did put a lot of diversity into it to make it more of an engaging listen. I think it's a good album, just not their best. I need to listen to it a few more times but I'm overloaded with new music from the holidays (which is never a bad thing).

 

[wdiv]

Great album that is well conceived & well executed. Maybe bordering on "rock opera", due to all of the elements that are worked into it & the detailed storyline???

The Glorious Burden had the Gettysburg trilogy which is simply incredible, but the rest of the album was not that special to me.

 

[poundingmetal74]

I thought it was okay. Ripper's vocals bothered me in that it was too predictable. Sing 1.8 lines and the last note is a high scream. My other major gripe with the record was the production. Something about the tones, mix, etc. just did not sit right with my ears.

 

[sixxswine]

i like this album but i thought glorious burden was better

Same here. I think there was good chemistry on Glorious Burden, maybe because it was all new and Tim gave it his all? I think there was something lacking on this record, maybe Tim was already on the way out? Or maybe not, when I spoke with Tim about the album he was excited and looking forward to touring, obviously Jon was not.

 

[ElectricWiz]

I thought it was okay. Ripper's vocals bothered me in that it was too predictable. Sing 1.8 lines and the last note is a high scream.

Haha. This is a funny assessment.

I don't feel bothered by the formula, but again, this made me laugh. It's funny to picture a band in the studio going, "okay, so you haven't screamed for the last 30 seconds of this song, you better let one go....then we'll do that tweedle thing with the guitar, and that's lunch!"

 

[mutantllama]

 

[ElectricWiz]

Just bumping this thread up a bit, because dangit, this record is reeeeally doing it for me. Many listens in I'm hooked. I hope some folks will give it a chance, it is NOT normal Iced Earth fare. I miss Tim Owens already!

 

[Oddity_13]

I heard 10,000 Strong first and didn't like it. Then I listened to the whole album (more attentively, I might add) and loved it. I listened to it for ages and it was always stuck in my head. Sadly, the unthinkable has happened and it has gotten kinda old and, dare I say it, boring.

Still, I wish Scaffer had of let "The Ripper" do Part 2. I wouldn't have minded if they brought Barlow back after that.

 

[The Butt]

I haven't heard the album, I'm pretty hesitant on getting it, if the Glorious Burden and the Overture of the Wicked EP are any hint. I thought his performance on TGB was subpar, and I thought he completely mutilated the Something Wicked trilogy on the EP.

I might give it a chance one of these days, though... I just think his vocals are just way too out of place.

 

[Avigrus]

I've had a couple of listens and it's not too bad. With the Glorious Burden it took me a while to get into it - i'm expecting the same from this album.