(Rated this album with 8 out of 10) Reviewed by
Daniel V Davis
from Dallas, Texas
This was my first of this band. I have read many a review proclaiming their greatness and it goes without saying this is an excellent band. They are similiar to Savatage but heavier. What I found most interesting was the the singer Kevin Barlow has an interesting voice in that sometimes he sounded like Geoff Tate of Queensryche and he sounds like Paul Stanley of Kiss on "Blessed Are You" when he sings the chorus,its uncanny. A very interesting mix. It was nice how they arranged the album so you have a rocker then a ballad thruout the album. Growing up in the 1980's which was arguably the decade which metal heads like myself were able to break out and never look back I must say this group reminds me of my rocking youth. Standout tracks include: Burning Times, Melancholy (which i've heard some say their best song ever, but i regress), Watching over me (about Schaffer's real life boyhood friend who died), Consequences. But the REAL Treasure is "Blessed Are You" an excellent song! As much as I like Iced Earth the true MASTERPIECE is Demons and Wizards, a side project by Iced Earth's juitarist and writer Jon Schaffer and Blind GuardiansHansi Kursch. Also check out Iced Earths best album The Dark Saga and their excellent album of rock covers Tribute to the Gods.
