(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
Neff, Ralph
from Germany
First of all I want to say that I could'nt trust my eyes when I read some of the other ratings concerning that album. There is absolutely no alternative for giving the full amount of stars.This album, no, this masterpiece is one of the greatest metal records ever to be made. The sound is brilliant, melodies and harmonies are awesome, the vocals (inspired by Todd McFarlanes "Spawn") and the music fit together perfectly which is not only achieved by brilliant vocalist Matthew Barlow but also by the outstandig songwriting qualities of John Schaffer.Seldomly I've listened to a record that intense and beautiful. Iced Earth managed to create a piecee of art which is melancholic, spirited and encouraging at the same time. Songs like "The Dark Saga", "The Hunter" or "Depth Of Hell" are well balanced concerning slow and fast parts."Violator" is one of the fastest and mightiest tracks ever to be written by a Power Metal Band and tracks like "I Died For You", or the final trilogy "The Suffering" are simply beautiful. These guys have the rare talent of "transporting" emotions through their music and lyrics. John Schaffer is one of the best rythm guitar players I know and his riffing sometimes reminds of James Hetfield but the music itself does NOT sound like Metallica and I wonder how some people can even consider it to be so. Matthew Barlow surely is one of the best vocalists on this planet and capable of "visualize" emotions by an incredible variety in his way of singing. All songs are well structured and fit together perfectly no matter if you listen to the whole record or to single tracks. All in all you've got to bow your heads in sheer admiration of the beauty and majesty this CD embodies. Two thumbs up and full amount of stars. A+!
