Iced Earth's Reviews
The Glorious Burden (Average Rating: 8.86 out of 10)
Is it Glorious or just a Burden? (Rated this album with 6 out of 10)
Reviewed by
Borgy
from Toronto
This CD has me confused. I really admire what Jon Schaffer is trying to do, the concept and the approach- yet I strangely feel unfullied when I listen to this CD compared to the high standards set by Schaffer himself.Like many people reviewing this CD, I am a huge Iced Earth fan that was prepared to depart with my $33 CAD to buy the digipak version as soon as it was available. Let's be clear, Schaffer is the riff-meister from hell and every Iced Earth CD (except the one with Adam as vocalist) gets taken out and played periodically because I really enjoy them still today. I just can't say I'll be periodically playing the Glorious Burden after the initial rush of listening to new work. It's still good but in comparison to previous work it plods (or gallops at the same level) and despite the subject and orchestration etc. lacks the emotion Ievels I expect of Iced Earth's material. I do admire Owen's performance - 5 days to lay down the tracks is awesome. I also note Schaffer's claim that he did not have to play with his voice in the studio as much as Barlow's but maybe he should have as it does not sound as full as vocal's on previous Iced Earth CDs. I am one of the many that disagree with Schaffer that Owen's voice is the best voice that suits Iced Earth. After 8 years of spoiling us with Barlow, the guy (whether Jon likes it or not) defined alot of what Iced Earth was about - why else would Jon have rerecorded old material with Barlow's voice. (Hint to Matt if you read this - use your talent and get behind a mic again with Iced Earth or with somebody else). But, as I said above Owen did a pretty job good (although the Screetches - Greenface! bug the hell out of me)and my feelings on the CD pre-dominately reflect my thoughts on the music. The other line-up change of note of the Glorious Burden was the replacement of Tarnowski with Santolla. I've read Schaffer's impressions of Tarnowski but I have to think after listening to the solo on Watching Over Me on Something Wicked that the move wasn't good! Standout Songs- none. Bad Songs - none. To me that is the story of ths CD and that is why I feel unfullfilled. Man I love this band, so giving less than 5 stars pains me but this is honestly how I feel.
Buy this album on Amazon at $20.99
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