The Official Iced Earth Thread v. "Tastes Like Treason!"

[MirrorMask]

I still have to warm up to this album, I hope it will grow on me. So far I like Seven Headed Whore, The Veil, and I already completely LOVE Clear the Way, that song is kickass 

[Luoto]

I already completely LOVE Clear the Way, that song is kickass 

I think it goes nowhere after that bagpipe break. Even the faintest momentum that song has dies off when the same thing just gets repeated without any variety. Many say it's one of their best long songs but I'm going completely the other way. The musical ideas just don't mix for the most part, I can just tell from how jagged the arrangement is.

Black Flag is easily my favourite song here.

[MirrorMask]

Well, the first time I was hearing the song, after the chorus I was expecting another round of verse / bridge / chorus, I wasn't expecting the solo break to already arrive. Yes, after the solo it's all the same, but it's a fitting conclusion to the song.

[wolfking]

Picked up a copy of this yesterday.  haven't listened to it yet, but looking forward to it.

[Mister Gold]

So I watched a new interview with Jon on YouTube last night and he mentioned that part of Jake's audition process for the band required him sending in potential song ideas for Iced Earth and that he was so impressed by what Jake sent in that he was upset that they didn't have the time to really flesh out and finish writing those songs in time for them to make Incorruptible.

So I have a feeling that the next IE album is gonna be pretty baller, provided that Jake's in it for the long haul (which seems to be the case).

[Samsara]

So I watched a new interview with Jon on YouTube last night and he mentioned that part of Jake's audition process for the band required him sending in potential song ideas for Iced Earth and that he was so impressed by what Jake sent in that he was upset that they didn't have the time to really flesh out and finish writing those songs in time for them to make Incorruptible.

So I have a feeling that the next IE album is gonna be pretty baller, provided that Jake's in it for the long haul (which seems to be the case).

That's good to hear. I'm very impressed with Jake.

In regard to the record, I'm warming up to it more now, on the sixth and seventh listen.

[Zook]

Jon's been basically writing all the music on his own since Randy Shawver left. A few small ideas here and there from past band members. It would be awesome if Jon got his Randy back.

[Mister Gold]

Jon's been basically writing all the music on his own since Randy Shawver left. A few small ideas here and there from past band members. It would be awesome if Jon got his Randy back.

Well, it looks like Jon's already got his Dave Abdell back in the form of Luke Appleton. Luke co-wrote two of the songs off of Incorruptible; Black Flag and Defiance (Jon mentioned that the latter of which was mostly written by Luke in that interview I mentioned).

[Zook]

Jon's been basically writing all the music on his own since Randy Shawver left. A few small ideas here and there from past band members. It would be awesome if Jon got his Randy back.

Well, it looks like Jon's already got his Dave Abdell back in the form of Luke Appleton. Luke co-wrote two of the songs off of Incorruptible; Black Flag and Defiance (Jon mentioned that the latter of which was mostly written by Luke in that interview I mentioned).

Good to hear. I haven't watched the interview yet.

I can barely hear Luke on the album. Kinda sucks. They mixed the kick drum way too loud, though, but I do enjoy the album.

[MirrorMask]

I'm warming up to the album... but I'm afraid it's more of getting used to Iced Earth's sound than anything.

I mean, the album is not bad, and it's not a timeless masterpiece that will change the history of heavy metal. It's an Iced Earth album with songs in the Iced Earth style, and hearing it again and again I get accustomed to the songs, but I'm afraid it's more of an habit and that in some months I will have already forgotten about this album.

[Samsara]

It has taken me a bit, but finally, after repeated listens, I'm completely enthralled with Incorruptible. The one thing I really like is that for the first time in a long time, I get to an Iced Earth ballad, and don't feel the urge to skip it. The record flows very well, and I'm really enjoying it now.

[Grappler]

I keep coming back to Raven Wing.  My mind knows that Clear the Way is the best song on the album, but I just want to hear that big stomping groove that the riffs and drums sync up to, and Stu's vocals and melodies are so good. 

[TAC]

It has taken me a bit, but finally, after repeated listens, I'm completely enthralled with Incorruptible. The one thing I really like is that for the first time in a long time, I get to an Iced Earth ballad, and don't feel the urge to skip it. The record flows very well, and I'm really enjoying it now.

Awesome. I've been lukewarm on them for a while now. But this album, with it's simplicity, is so immediate.

[wolfking]

Having my first listen now.  It's Iced Earth but will need a few listens, as most IE albums do.  Raven Wing an early standout.

[Grappler]

Nice interview with Stu, discussing the band, brotherhood, the future of Iced Earth and their independence, lyrical topics, etc.

https://maximummetal.com/interviews/intresults.asp?ID=stublock_iearth&idBand=165

[DT89]

I thought Clear The Way could be improved with a solo, so I wrote my own: https://youtu.be/5cNltIeB8fc

And here's my cover of Seven Headed Whore: https://youtu.be/pgRjQCbo2j4

[wolfking]

This album is fucking legit.

[TAC]

This album is fucking legit.

This post is fucking legit.

[Samsara]

This album is fucking legit.

This post is fucking legit.

You're fucking legit. 

[TAC]

 

[seasonsinthesky]

Pleasantly surprised by this one. I was previously under the impression that the band would be stuck at middle-of-the-road 'stock IE' stuff due to the past few Stu albums (which are fine, but have very few highlights sticking out of the meh for me), but this one blows all of them out of the water. Thoroughly great riffing throughout, even when retreading the usual stuff, and genuinely surprisingly twists and turns all over the place. Seems like Schaffer and co. are finally ready to push into the proggier side again – I'd love if the next one went full epic and made use of Stu beyond his ability to do both Barlow and Ripper types of things. I think they're on the cusp of another Burnt Offerings or Dark Saga, so let's see that happen!

[Zook]

They're overdue for another trilogy. I love me some trilogies.

[TAC]

They're overdue for another trilogy. I love me some trilogies.

With lots of triplets!

[wolfking]

They're overdue for another trilogy. I love me some trilogies.

With lots of triplets!

An Iced Earth fucking legit trilogy of triplets.

[wolfking]

This album really has one thing that Iced Earth have never really been able to nail IMO, and that's guitar solos.  Don't get me wrong, Randy was cool as was Larry and Ralph was cool on TGB.  Troy really was pretty shit, but he managed to come up with some decent solos on the last album.  My fav solos were actually from Tim Mills on the re-recorded something wicked trilogy, it's a shame he never recorded on some original material, he has chops.

But his Jake fella is also fucking legit.  It is so good to hear these kinds of advanced, well executed and professional solos on Iced Earth's music.  What he's doing really adds to the songs and adds so much to what Iced Earth are doing here and makes the album more diverse and enjoyable.  Definitely have to go back and check that Witherfall album and I really hope this guy can stick around.  A breath of fresh air for this band and their sound.  I know Jon has never been a big advocate on leads but what's on offer here is quite plentiful and works really really well.

[Grappler]

Definitely have to go back and check that Witherfall album and I really hope this guy can stick around.  A breath of fresh air for this band and their sound.  I know Jon has never been a big advocate on leads but what's on offer here is quite plentiful and works really really well.

The solos are killer, and I'm pretty sure that Jake will stick around.  Jon recently said that Jake's audition process was late in the production, so he showed up and just laid down the solos, but his audition included submitting ideas for more Iced Earth styled songs, rather than his own (Witherfall).  So Jake gave him some riffs and Jon loved them and wished they could have fleshed them out to put on the album. 

[kaos2900]

Sounds like this is getting some positive reviews. I did not care of Plagues of Babylon but I really like Dystopia.

[wolfking]

Sounds like this is getting some positive reviews. I did not care of Plagues of Babylon but I really like Dystopia.

Was the other way round for me.  Check this new one out for sure.

Definitely have to go back and check that Witherfall album and I really hope this guy can stick around.  A breath of fresh air for this band and their sound.  I know Jon has never been a big advocate on leads but what's on offer here is quite plentiful and works really really well.

The solos are killer, and I'm pretty sure that Jake will stick around.  Jon recently said that Jake's audition process was late in the production, so he showed up and just laid down the solos, but his audition included submitting ideas for more Iced Earth styled songs, rather than his own (Witherfall).  So Jake gave him some riffs and Jon loved them and wished they could have fleshed them out to put on the album. 

Nice.

[MirrorMask]

I guess today it's a nice excuse to blast out Declaration Day  (I've heard Ripper doing it live and man, he was wailing like a badass m0th€rfokker on the final verse!!!)

[wolfking]

I guess today it's a nice excuse to blast out Declaration Day  (I've heard Ripper doing it live and man, he was wailing like a badass m0th€rfokker on the final verse!!!)

Ripper live in general is a badass all over.

[MirrorMask]

Absolutely true.

[wolfking]

My first concert ever was Priests Demolition tour, holy shit he was amazing.

[Zook]

Anyone hear the live covers he did for Roadrunner United? King Diamond should have sold his vocal cords on ebay after that.

[wolfking]

Anyone hear the live covers he did for Roadrunner United? King Diamond should have sold his vocal cords on ebay after that.

Yeah, that's a great DVD.  He did an amazing version of Abigail.

[DT89]

I've done guitar tabs for three songs on this album, if anyone's interested.

Black Flag: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/i/iced_earth/black_flag_guitar_pro.htm#c_5215931
Seven Headed Whore: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/i/iced_earth/seven_headed_whore_guitar_pro.htm#c_5206619
Defiance: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/i/iced_earth/defiance_guitar_pro.htm