3 and 1/2 Stars: Carpe Diem

Schaffer and co. launch yet another collection of songs into the Limp Bizkit loving world. Many things have changed, a new drummer as usual, better production, (polished even) and longtime lead guitarist Randy Shawver makes his exit. Barlow is still handling the vocals and new lead player Larry Tarnowski is on board now.



The sound is much meatier and crunchier compared to it's previous brother, with a very full and thick punishing guitar tone. Thankfully, Schaffer injected some more thrashy-speed qualities into the music again, and the improvement is obvious. However, there's simply too many ballads on here, 4 (count'em) is way too many and 3 of them are pretty boring. A few highlights on here are the opening midtempo delight "Burning Times", the speedbomb "My Own Savior", the winding Sabbath inspired "Reaping Stone" and the brutalizing "Disciples of the Lie." (Complete with a cool church-organ middle section)



Then, of course there's another trilogy at the tailend of the album, which consists of three conceptually linked songs and they are some of the best work they ever did. The only real issue for me is that the songs alternate between heavy, soft, throughout the entire album mostly and this really kills any momentum brought forth by the more scorching tracks. So add another 1/2 star if that wouldn't bother you.

Masterpiece set to music

True Iced Earth with none other than Matt Barlow on vox!!! If you are new to Iced Earth, this is the album to start with. I must caution, however, that the entire album is rich with religion overtones, particularly Catholic ones. I am wondering if Schaffer is a closet Catholic, or if he's just pissed off at them.

Inhibitions aside, IE mix highly energetic and powerful heavy metal (sometimes reminiscent of Iron Maiden) with beautiful harmony and some quite haunting, melodic guitar work, making it a style of music that is truly their own.

The songs are arranged and composed quite nicely--- the something wicked trilogy almost reminds me of some of the music from the movie, the Omen. A true future classic!!!





Song #

1. Burning Times- High energy tune reminscing the several times throughout history when the church condemmed anyone of Witchcraft who did not proclaim Christ as their savior.



2. Melancholy (Holy Martyr)- When I went to see IE perform live a few years ago, Barlow opened the piece by saying that "this is a song about a man who walked the earth 2,000 years ago- a man that has been misunderstood ever since."



3. Disciples of The Lie- Schaffer clearly didn't have a good relationship with the papacy at the church he grew up in. here, he accuses them of hypocrisy ("I gotta do as you say, not as you do")



4. Watching Over Me- Written by Schaffer for a friend of his who lost his life in a motorcylce accident



5. Stand Alone- Follow your heart, not the church.



6. Consequences- A very melancholical, power metally piece that, while written in the late 90's illustrates the situation our country is in, in terms of the war we're in and the killing we do in the name of our gods.



7. My Own Savior- Escaping it all by way of suicide and starting all over again in the next life.



8. 1776- This is an instrumental, so there's not much to say, here.... I can't help though, but picture Achilles marching out to battle the Titans when I listen to this song.



9. Blessed Are You (Children of The Night)- The title speaks for itself.



10-12: Something Wicked Trilogy: a three part story illustrating the Biblical prophecy of the end times, the birth of the anti-Christ and what is to come when he comes to power over the world.

My favorite from Iced Earth!

WOW! This was the first Iced Earth album I bought... and after buying and listening to the rest of their catalogue I have to say this one is my fave! I played it through about three or four times the day I bought it and memorized pretty much all of the lyrics that day; these songs are really catchy... anthem-like, if you will.



Their mix of heavy rockers and power ballads on this album will either "Rally the Troops" or "Bore them to death"... depends on the listeners taste... However, no one can deny the intense Something Wicked Trilogy!!



Favorite song from the album: Melancholy (Holy Martyr)