I got my copy of the 30th Anniversary debut today. The lazy bastard at Amazon couldn't even put it by my front door, not even at the end of the steps, but another ten feet away at the corner of my house. This isn't even the first time they've done this.
Anyway, it may be the last Iced Earth CD I ever buy. Who knows if anymore retailers are gonna stop selling anything from the band. I guess rappers go to prison all the time and still have their shit sold everywhere, so maybe it was just the label. Still, I want it for my collection as it's a reminder of better days, and a damn good remix. His involvement in the insurrection didn't impact me as bad as others, but I'm still a bit iffy on supporting him going forward. I guess it depends on if he does his time and realizes what a colossal asshat he was. I doubt it. Iced Earth is probably done. Maybe in a 10 years we'll get the other remixes, or he'll find a way to get them out there sooner. Did the Zeus guy cut ties as well?
Am I being selfish for wanting these remixes?
I don't know what it is about this band. Dream Theater currently holds the number 1 spot, but I don't have a mini ZeppelinDT collection of their output. Iced Earth is the only band where I own multiple copies of the same albums. Having different artwork and track lists plays a big part in that, but still. The Jon Schaffer Band is very special to me. Jon has written his fair share of stinkers, but the music just resonates with me. When I discovered the band in 2004, things weren't going so well in my life, so Jon's music helped me escape. It's also nice to have a favorite band that still puts out enjoyable music for the most part unlike another band I used to love. *cough*theoffspring*cough* their last decent album was 18 fucking years ago.
Yeah, Iced Earth was just a mediocre band with a laughable amount of line up changes and a batshit crazy asshole guitarist/founder/bear spray enthusiast, but that asshole entertained me for close to 20 years, so i thank him for that.
There's a 19 year old thread on the Ultimate Metal Forum simply called Nevermore vs Iced Earth. Nevermore may be more talented, but Iced Earth still wins. I like some Nevermore, but they are mostly boring, and Warrel Dane never 100% clicked with me. Tolerable, but I couldn't listen to him for a long period of time.
Anyway, that's all I got for today.
Go away now!