Iced Earth's Reviews
Night of the Stormrider (Average Rating: 9.50 out of 10)
Stunning heavy metal...some of Iced Earth's finest work. (Rated this album with 10 out of 10)
Reviewed by
Lord Chimp
from Monkey World
Night of the Stormrider, Iced Earth's sophomore album, is a huge forward leap in songwriting over the debut. The music here is much more progressive and dynamic. While the debut was a predominantly straightforward metal beast, this is a multi-dimensional work that carries the listener through sophisticated tracks that easily fuse heavy guitars and acoustic passages. It requires several listens to put it all together. Keyboards -- used for pianos and strings -- are used to create an "epic" feel. It is an ambitious concept album to boot. The lyrics to each song read like chapters in a book, and the songs flow smoothly into each other to immerse the listener in the experience. The story follows a character called the Stormrider, who loses faith in God. Then, chaotic and dark powers consume him, and he unleashes unholy terror upon the land. For his actions, he is sent to Hell, but his indignant and proud spirit feels no penitence. In the final song, "Travel in Stygian," he resigns himself to the evil being he has become. Is guitarist/songwriter Jon Schaffer trying to show us the error of the Stormrider's ways, or perhaps enjoining us to partake in some of the sorrow the character could not feel himself? He seems to be doing both with this great metal album, which possesses a great deal of power.Other than the intensification and diversification of their songwriting, Iced Earth's biggest improvement here is the addition of vocalist John Greely. Gene Adam, from the debut, wasn't a very good singer. Greely, while puny in the face of IE's current singer Matt Barlow, still has decent range and power. Unlike Barlow's deep voice, Greely's singing is more of a traditional metal scream that sometimes reminds one of Halford. I think the big problem with Greely is not his lack of skill, but his lack of personality. He doesn't have anywhere near the vocal presence of Barlow. He's not bad though. Interestingly, Schaffer himself sings "Stormrider." "Fight on...grab on...Stormrider! Stormrider!" <-- that's my favorite line in any song, by the way. Well, sort of. The band has come a long way since recording this album, but it retains some of their finest moments. The album begins very different from most of their stuff, with the orchestral bells, symphonic synths, and acoustic melodies of "Angels Holocaust." Many of the heavier riffs throughout are underscored by choral bursts. "Stormrider" and "The Path I Choose" are mostly fast, galloping riffs, but they remain very melodic because of the prevalent guitar harmonies. "Travel in Stygian" is a 9-minute piece that demonstrates Schaffer's inventive songwriting at its best, with driving riffs, melodic harmonies, and excellent atmosphere. "Mystical Eyes" is awesomely melodic with those tight harmonies. All throughout, the riffing is insatiably chuggin' and heavy and infectious, and the solos are some of Randall Shawyer's best ever. My only complaint with this entire CD is the goofy keyboard sounds on "Pure Evil." Incredible song though. The piano-only outro of the album is the perfect coda for this ominous, fantasy story, with its unforgettable, haunting melody. One thing you have to admire is that Schaffer was brave to release this album in 1992, when alterna-rock and grunge bands were rapidly dismantling the ubiquity of heavy metal. For Schaffer to release such a deep, ambitious metal album in these times was very daring, and it attests to his uncompromising integrity for the sake of his music. Don't let his risk be in vain...it may be 10 years later, but better late than never. Buying this out of deference is a perfect ancillary reason to buying it for the awesome music.
Buy this album on Amazon at $14.99
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