Iced Earth's Reviews

Something Wicked This Way Comes

A perfect bonafide heavy metal classic of the 90s

Ever since the dawn of the 90s, Iced Earth has been releasing numerous heavy metal masterpiece albums, going along the lines of their infuences (older) Metallica and Iron Maiden. IE are nothing, if not consistently progressing with their sound. The first two albums Iced Earth(1990) and Night Of The Stormrider(1992) followed the traditional heavy metal style of their heroes very closely before finding their own way on the forthcoming Burnt Offerings(1995) and Dark Saga(1996). BO saw the debut performance of veteran metal vocalist Matt Barlow, and delivered menacing emotion that few could compare to. Band founder and rhythm guitarist Jon Schaffer excelled in his songwriting abilities on both the third and fourth albums, especially in the epic 'Dante's Inferno' and many metal/ballad songs found on Dark Saga like 'I Died For You'. So what does an aspiring heavy metal band do when they find their own style to work with?

Simple! They take it to the next level in greatness, as demonstrated on the final 90s IE album SWTWC. The band uses the melodic elements of Dark Saga, the grandieur of Stormrider, the ferocity of Burnt Offerings, and combines it all into one of the finest heavy metal platters I've ever heard by any band. For the first ten songs of the album, the band takes the songwriting approach started on Dark Saga and brings it to the full. Many reviewers might disagree with me by stating that the two previous albums are IE's greatest offerings, but I find Wicked to be the band's strongest, best produced, most emotional, and most accessible work to date. This was the very first IE album I bought and upon first listen I was hooked. It may not be as dark or progressive as Burnt Offerings, but one thing that stands out about Wicked is that the songs have INCREDIBLE variety, meaning there's something for every fan. You've got plenty of intense, yet catchy thrash-rockers, several gloom/doom metal ballads, an Iron Maiden-esque instrumental, a song dedicated to the band's own fans, and a huge 20 minute progressive metal epic at the end. In other words, all the ingredients necessary for an outstanding heavy metal album. There's a constant flow throughout the album and the songs never drone on or seem like clones of one another.

The beginning of the album explodes with the midpaced thrash opener 'Burning Times'. Excellent rocker with an outstanding scorching vocal performance by Barlow. Also of note is the appearance of newcomer lead guitarist Larry Tarnowski. He's actually pretty good for a guitarist in his early 20s. Next is 'Melancholy(Holy Martyr)', which is a heavy ballad based on the crucifixion of Christ. Then there's 'Disciples Of The Lie' which is undoubtedly the heaviest track on the album. Barlow shouts quite a bit, making this track seem like a combination of older and more modern styles of metal. Plus there's an erie organ solo later in the song. 'Watching Over Me' is a very emotional ballad/rocker written in tribute of Schaffer's lost best friend. 'Stand Alone' and 'My Own Savior' are two more interesting thrash rockers, both with great choruses. 'Consequences' is a track which starts as a ballad and gradually becomes heavier, while 'Reaping Stone' features different time changes. The latter is probably my least favorite song on the album, though not bad at all. Next is the band's galloping instrumental '1776', originally called 'Purgatory', but done in an Iron Maiden style. The last of the shorter tracks is 'Blessed Are You', and as mentioned is dedicated to the fans.

And now we arrive at the end (and best part) of the album: A 3-part mega epic detailing the story of a race of beings who are conqueored by man in ancient times, and their only hope for salvation is by retreating and waiting 10,000 years for a special child to be born in order to bring down the fall of mankind. It's actually supposed to be the beginning of the story, and it is rumored to continue on a future album(?). Anyways, 'Prophecy' starts things off melodically, and then changes into a chugging and intense fast rocker in the vein of 'Dante's Inferno'. It ends with a clock ticking, signaling the wait for the wicked child to be born. 'Birth Of The Wicked' starts the second part, which isn't a whole lot different from the first, but is still worth hearing. My favorite song though is the third part. It starts off with a piano intro, and an operatic vocal outro, but inbetween it is ONE OF THE GREATEST THRASH METAL ROCKERS EVER CONCEIVED BY ANY BAND. Clearly this is the album's finest moment, and the chorus will not disappoint. This is how metal albums should end, with a BANG!

Overall, I'm extremely impressed with SWTWC and it easily gets my 5 stars. Some may argue with me on this one, but I'd go so far as to place it alongside some of the greatest classic metal albums such as Metallica's Master Of Puppets, Iron Maiden's Powerslave, and Judas Priest's Defenders Of The Faith. Due to the album's apparent hooks and accessible songs, this is probably the perfect place for new fans of IE to start. It contains a sampling of every style the band employs, and serves as a perfect synthesis of modern and old-school heavy metal music. Even though I'm trying not to sound like I'm overpraising this album, I just can't say enough good things about it. Buy it and chances are if you like metal, you won't be disappointed. ALL FANS OF HEAVY METAL MUST OWN THIS MASTERPIECE.

Other Recommendations:
-'Burnt Offerings' by Iced Earth
-'The Glorious Burden' by Iced Earth
-'Master Of Puppets' by Metallica
-'The Dark' by Metal Church

Buy this album on Amazon at $14.99