Artist: Iced Earth
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 6/26/01
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Title: Horror Show Artist: Iced Earth Label: Century Media Release Date: 6/26/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
So I was sitting on the toilet trying to figure out what to say about the new Iced Earth album. The first thing I thought was… well, that my shit really doesn’t stink. But then I tried hard to think of a word to describe this album I came up with… Craptacular! Then I realized I should probably leave the bathroom before I continued my thoughts. And what a good idea that was, because once I got up, I was able to articulate how awesome this album is.
"Yeah that’s right, you heard me, METAL and HORROR- IT’S WIN-WIN!" Iced Earth have delivered again! They’ve pumped a ton of metal into a concept album about horror stories- yeah that’s right, you heard me, METAL and HORROR- IT’S WIN-WIN! It’s all here, The Omen, Werewolves, Dracula, The Mummy… all metalized for your protection (No, the word “metalized” is not currently in the dictionary, but I have made some inquiries). Anyway, I don’t really care about lyrics, but I’m digging these. Mostly because, like almost all of Iced Earth’s material, this is the cream of the crop, the crème de la crème, the tits, etc.
Their combination of power and melody remains intact, with Schaffer’s riffs as delicious as ever, and Barlow’s vocals dominant throughout. Of course, every other part is just as good as you’d expect, but those guys are my favorite. From the opening track, “Wolf” (which is about Dracula, or maybe it’s the werewolf one… I’m not really sure and I don’t feel like researching it.) this band rips and tears throughout. “Dracula” (the werewolf one?) emphasizes dynamics that complement the intricacies of the story, and “Damien” is grand in all its epic glory. The only disappointment is the final track, the one based on the Phantom of the Opera, which is by all accounts a good song, but I think the guest vocals come up a bit short. The female part of the duet, while having a capable voice, pales next to Mr. Barlow and makes one long for a vocal partner that could capture the strength and vigor of his performance. Only a small complaint, but there nevertheless.
"The best power metal band, period." Of course, it’s way to early to say if this is the best Iced Earth album, and that’s the biggest reason this rates a five… cause I’m going to spend a hell of a lot more time trying to figure it out. The best power metal band, period.
Death's Review:
The name Iced Earth is almost synonymous with 1990's American heavy metal. Clearly one of the greatest American power metal acts ever (if they can even be referred to as "power metal"), Iced Earth, together with label-mates Nevermore, carried far more than their share of the clean-vocal metal flag in this country (through some of metal's darkest days, no less) than any two bands should ever have had to. So it is with great pleasure that I report to you today that - notwithstanding distracting side-projects like Jon Schaffer's Demons and Wizards - the new Iced Earth album kicks serious ass.
To me, the modern Iced Earth is primarily about four discreet factors: (1) Jon Schaffer's trademark vicious right-hand gallop, interspersed with enough melody in the accents to give the riffs a three-dimensional life; (2) incredible dynamics, with the collision of clean and heavy parts used to great dramatic effect; (3) fantasy imagery and comic-style artwork; and (4) Matthew Barlow's Geoff Tate meets Kiss' Paul Stanley style vocals. Once again, I'm happy to report that all of these elements are present and accounted for on Horror Show.
"some of the best Iced Earth material ever. We're lucky to have them." But wait, there's more! How about discernable and talented bass lines from none other than Testament's Steve DiGiorgio and killer drumming from Death's Richard Christy? Check. How about cool-sounding female vocals (reminding me of the chick from "Suite: Sister Mary" on Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime album)? They're here too, and are at their best on "The Opera Ghost," the album closer and one of my favorite tracks.
Horror Show also offers a loose concept, with each track dealing with a famous horror story or monster (the aforementioned "The Opera Ghost" is, for example, about the Phantom of the Opera). At its core, however, the beauty of this, the first Iced Earth studio album in three years, is in the killer songwriting. Catchy affairs which still rip your face off with thrashing greatness, such as "Frankenstein," "Dracula," "Damien" (think Operation: Mindcrime again when listening to the intro Latin choral chant) and "Jack," are some of the best Iced Earth material ever. We're lucky to have them.
"In short, Iced Earth is metal, and metal is back." In short, Iced Earth is metal, and metal is back. If you like Iced Earth, buy Horror Show. If you liked Iron Maiden back in the day and are looking for something new, buy Horror Show. If you like power metal with American thrashiness, buy Horror Show. If you love American metal and simply want to support the cause, buy Horror Show. Trust me, this one deserves your attention.
Hel's Review:
Favorite tracks: "Frankenstein" & "Damien"Iced Earth is part of my inner circle of bands. You know, the ones who have achieved favorite status through establishing a history of releasing great albums. These are the bands that I privately root for, the bands whose new albums I look forward to with anticipation. Believe me when I tell you I've been anticipating my brains out over this one.
Which is why I think I experienced a little backlash - while I wasn't disappointed, I did experience an odd feeling of not liking it as much as I wanted to. I'm confident at this point that this was due to exactly one thing - I despise the female vocal line on "The Opera Ghost". I guess they just weren't able to get all the Andrew Lloyd Weber out…
"Schaffer is hot, hot, hot - and not just because the flames of hell are clearly licking at his heels." At any rate, I have now reached that point where I feel that setting aside this petty dislike, and the twinge of annoyance I feel when I hear that same female voice in the chorus of "Ghost of Freedom", is mandatory, since the rest of the record is just so damn good. Schaffer is hot, hot, hot - and not just because the flames of hell are clearly licking at his heels.
Instead of the usual concept album fare, he's gone thematic this time around, and I have very much enjoyed reliving my favorite horror classics through Schaffer's musical and lyrical interpretations. Overall, he has utilized his thematic device brilliantly, and nearly every twist and turn has been deliberately plotted and planned out, both musically and conceptually.
"Sucks you in even farther than sheer musical brilliance can accomplish alone. Ponder that, and buy the damn album!" One single thing stands out - while all the songs on Horror Show are based on one or two specific iconic characters, "Ghost of Freedom" seems to portray a larger concept of war as omnipresent evil, with the "ghost" as the embodiment of everyman - victim of war, not a specific evildoer. And that, my metal friends, is just the kind of interesting tidbit that sucks you in even farther than sheer musical brilliance can accomplish alone. Ponder that, and buy the damn album!
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