I bought the new album yesterday, and as a Metalhead completist I had to have the limited edition digipack double CD, even though I had to pay 23,90 Euro (instead of 13,99 for the single disc).
No regrets here, I had to have it and I had to have it now! I've waited long enough and the glorious moment had finally arrived.
I was very excited when I heard Tim's vocals on The Reckoning on the EP last year, but I didn't buy the single. No extra tracks -> no purchase.
The album package is very nice and the European version (which I own) has a sticker with the European tour dates from 3/19 - 4/11/04.
The intro sounds really good and flows seamlessly into Declaration Day, which is a great start and features a lot of high singing (which I'm sure Matt couldn't handle - although I adore his singing very much). A typical Iced Earth song IMHO.
I had already seen the video for When The Eagle Cries and I liked it very much. Musically it's just a Metal ballad, nothing less, nothing more.
The Reckoning is another typical Iced Earth stomper and Tim sounds a lot like Rob Halford here. Great!
Greenface is even heavier and features a really wild chorus with lots of high screams - Oh, I love Tim's voice - YEAH!
Attila sounds like a slower version of Colors from IE's debut album (listen to the verses - you can even sing along "Walking in the subway alone late at night, New York City gangs everywhere in sight...". But I like the song anyway - great dialogue part between the Romans and the Huns.
Red Baron/Blue Max features Tim's only songwriting contribution and sounds not so much like IE but more like other US Power Metal bands (Omen and Cage come to mind). Needs some time to get used to, but comes out great.
I don't remember much of Hollow Man and Valley Forge, except that they are (semi?) ballads.
Waterloo also isn't too memorable (at least after a few listens), one of my least favorite tracks. But that could change very soon.
When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged) is the track that pushes the complete running time just over 78 minutes and is the only justification for the double CD. I don't really need the Unplugged version, but I don't mind having a double CD (approx. 46:30 and 32:00 minutes long), especially because Gettysburg really is a grand epic that deserves to be on an extra disc.
Gettysburg: Jon's comments and the lyrics are quite interesting, traditional melodies and new music are mixed (or is interwoven the correct word? Is this a word at all? *g*) very well (as well as the orchestra and the band) and Tim's voice shines once again. The pace of all three parts is pretty much the same: mid tempo.
The Glorious Burden is not the TOTAL KILLER ALBUM that I expected (I expected to be blown away, but I wasn't
), but a great record anyway, and one of this year's highlights, that's for sure
I'm really glad that I finally got to hear Tim Owens' superb voice on a really great traditional Heavy Metal album![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
No regrets here, I had to have it and I had to have it now! I've waited long enough and the glorious moment had finally arrived.
I was very excited when I heard Tim's vocals on The Reckoning on the EP last year, but I didn't buy the single. No extra tracks -> no purchase.
The album package is very nice and the European version (which I own) has a sticker with the European tour dates from 3/19 - 4/11/04.
The intro sounds really good and flows seamlessly into Declaration Day, which is a great start and features a lot of high singing (which I'm sure Matt couldn't handle - although I adore his singing very much). A typical Iced Earth song IMHO.
I had already seen the video for When The Eagle Cries and I liked it very much. Musically it's just a Metal ballad, nothing less, nothing more.
The Reckoning is another typical Iced Earth stomper and Tim sounds a lot like Rob Halford here. Great!
Greenface is even heavier and features a really wild chorus with lots of high screams - Oh, I love Tim's voice - YEAH!
Attila sounds like a slower version of Colors from IE's debut album (listen to the verses - you can even sing along "Walking in the subway alone late at night, New York City gangs everywhere in sight...". But I like the song anyway - great dialogue part between the Romans and the Huns.
Red Baron/Blue Max features Tim's only songwriting contribution and sounds not so much like IE but more like other US Power Metal bands (Omen and Cage come to mind). Needs some time to get used to, but comes out great.
I don't remember much of Hollow Man and Valley Forge, except that they are (semi?) ballads.
Waterloo also isn't too memorable (at least after a few listens), one of my least favorite tracks. But that could change very soon.
When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged) is the track that pushes the complete running time just over 78 minutes and is the only justification for the double CD. I don't really need the Unplugged version, but I don't mind having a double CD (approx. 46:30 and 32:00 minutes long), especially because Gettysburg really is a grand epic that deserves to be on an extra disc.
Gettysburg: Jon's comments and the lyrics are quite interesting, traditional melodies and new music are mixed (or is interwoven the correct word? Is this a word at all? *g*) very well (as well as the orchestra and the band) and Tim's voice shines once again. The pace of all three parts is pretty much the same: mid tempo.
The Glorious Burden is not the TOTAL KILLER ALBUM that I expected (I expected to be blown away, but I wasn't
![Headbang :headbang: :headbang:](/data/assets/smilies/headbang.gif)
I'm really glad that I finally got to hear Tim Owens' superb voice on a really great traditional Heavy Metal album