Iced Earth were a band I discovered sometime in high school. They quickly rose to the high ranks for me, and even for a great stretch were likely my favorite band (outside of the immovable classics, like Priest or Maiden). I listened to them at such a consistent rate that it was borderline obsessive. With the firing of Tim Owens and the constant BS spewing of head honcho Mr. Jon Schaffer (not to mention his crazy right-wing solo effort) my adoration for the band quickly faded. They receded back to the depths.
I was pleased with the overall album that was Matt Barlow's return to the fold (although I felt it inferior to the previous release, Framing Armageddon, which I feel is the bands true masterpiece). I also finally got to see the band live around this time and actually met Mr. Schaffer and was delighted to discover that he is perhaps one of the nicest musicians that I look up to in regards to how he treats his fans on a personal level. All that kind of helped the sting subside. I hadn't really listened to them in some time, but frequenting the official Iced Earth thread here inspired me to give those old albums a spin and I felt compelled to start a top tier listing.
Now of course, this is all personal opinion. I have some weird choices. A lot of obvious top choices for some might very well be my least favorite to listen to. IE isn't all that complicated of a band as far as formula goes, and many have often complained that Schaffer's riffing is too generic and repetitive. At times, I'm inclined to agree, but for me, the band's efforts usually have a ferociousness and intensity balanced with a perfect blend of melodic and sinister elements. I think that's what makes their albums stick out and have such prominence and personal appeal to myself.
So, all blabbering aside, I shall commence the list:
30. "Come What May" - The Crucible of Man
The final song (not counting the instrumental epilogue) to IE's last album, the second half of the "Something Wicked" story arc. Being the end of this giant, intergalactic epic, it's interesting to see it finish on such a reflective note. It's a wee bit on the nose in regard to the lyrics, but it's point is quite true: we can either stand by and watch or even participate in the destruction of everything we have or actively take a stand and try to preserve whatever humanity we have left. The bridge towards the end where Barlow is shrieking as high as I've ever heard the guy get in nearly tear-inducing.
29. "A Question of Heaven" - The Dark Saga
Another finale song, this to perhaps IE's most consistent work, the Spawn inspired concept album The Dark Saga. It's a fairly dynamic way to go out, really balancing the records shades of heavy and melodic bits. The keys really set the mood on this one, and the acoustic elements really help to give it shape. It all concludes with another gut-wrenching performance from Barlow.
28. "The Devil To Pay" - The Glorious Burden
The Gettysburg trilogy is off to an explosive start in this track. Some truly remarkable layering going on here. I believe Jon was quoted as saying that at some parts, there are as many as 125 tracks simultaneously playing...which is crazy. In addition to IE's already fairly densely layered song style, you've got an orchestra accompanying everything. Some of my personal favorite Tim Owens moments on this song as well. The section starting at 8:10 is easily one of the most epic things ever put to tape by the way. I'd really like to get Schaffer to score some film soundtracks. Songs like this prove he's fully capable of it.
27. "The Dark Saga" - The Dark Saga
This song seems to be an underrated one, as most people find it to be too simple. I think its great for that very reason. This was the first song played live at the very first show when Barlow returned to the band, and I have to admit, upon watching the cruddy youtube clip, I damn near got shivers. A solid track and near and dear to me as my old band used to cover it.
26. "The Path I Choose" - Alive in Athens
Aside from the lack of keyboards, this is a far superior version of the track originally from the Night of the Stormrider album, mainly due to the not nearly as awful vocals that are on the initial album. Although the vocals aren't even really the focal point of this track; it's the awesome instrumental section in the middle. A progressive odyssey of riff after riff. Great stuff.
25. "In Sacred Flames/Behold the Wicked Child" - The Crucible of Man
Yes, I know, this is technically two tracks, but the earlier is simply an instrumental intro to the entire record...and it's pretty amazingly massive. This is what the band opened with when I saw them and it was truly mind-blowing. Behold is also the first time we've heard Barlow since his initial departure from the band, so not only is it dramatic re-entry for him but it also marks the descent back into the Something Wicked storyline after the lull between parts 1 and 2.
24. "Prophecy" - Overture of the Wicked
How do you make an epic even more epic? This is a fairly good example. Jon chose to re-record the Something Wicked Trilogy during the sessions for Framing Armageddon and really went through great lengths to differentiate it. He premiered his baratone guitars with this recording, and really mixed things up by bringing in some new percussion instruments to give it a very tribal element. This track just feels so much more massive now. My only real complaint was the palm-muted guitars during the second half of the track, as they are far too muffled and kind of kill the riff.
23. "Attila" - The Glorious Burden
One of Barlow's last contributions before initially leaving IE was his penning of some of the lyrics on this album. Attila is one of the shining points. The sheer brutality is pretty devastating. Ripper has some pretty crazy screams on this. Pure gutteral. The mid-section with the call and response sounds a bit funny and would likely have benefited from Barlow's original vocal tracks or perhaps even Schaffer taking a stab at them.
22. "Travel in Stygian" - Days of Purgatory
Its safe to say that the Barlow renditions on this compilation are nearly all superior to the original tracks (only complaint is the truncated stuff) and this is one of the best. The song starts out feeling like your standard IE track, but quickly erupts into something more. Before one even realizes, they are in the midst of another epic track. I safely say that the ending piano/acoustic guitar section is without a doubt my favorite single section of any Iced Earth song ever. It simply sums up all the anger and anguish perfectly and really leaves you there to sit and think. A wonderful and fitting ending to perhaps my favorite over-all IE album, as far as pound for pound and song for song.
More soon!
Topic: ICED EARTH top 30 - part II: The Wrath of Wolfking (Read 10933 times)
