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Iced Earth: Overture Of The Wicked (EP)
 The Metal world has been waiting for new Iced Earth music since their blockbuster release "The Glorious Burden" and since this album we have seen two DVD's arrive to sate some of the growing hunger for anything from the band. The fans need not worry that founder/leader Jon Schaffer has been sitting idly by for during this time he has been carefully crafting his next Metal masterpiece. The album will be called "Framing Armageddon" and this EP gives listeners a teaser sample with one new track from the release. "Ten Thousand Strong" is the kind of track that Iced Earth is best known for as it is uncompromising, true to the roots Heavy Metal power. It is heavy in the guitar riffs and melody while Tim "Ripper" Owens shows us why he is the perfect fit in this band as lead vocalist and perhaps one of the best in the industry as a whole. As a sign of things to come from the band on the new album I can only guess that this will be a fantastic ride. The storyline of the new album will be a continuation of the tale that was begun on the album "Something Wicked This Way Comes" which was originally released in 1998. The new track acts as a prequel to this tale.
Proving that good things come to those who wait, Schaffer, Owens and company make sure that they do not leave you feeling left for want by giving you a completely new recording of the "Something Wicked" trilogy from the aforementioned album. The new version is done with respect to the original, but has an added level of sonic power and intensity based on the banshee wails of Owens, the crunching guitars of Schaffer and the pounding rhythm section that recorded it. It's more aggressive and faster paced than the original was and I am sure this will become an EP that all Iced Earth fans will seek out and place proudly among their Metal collections. You would be wise to pay attention dear friends in Metal, for the story is once again about to unfold. Are you ready?
Track Listing
1)Ten Thousand Strong
2) Prophecy
3) Birth Of The Wicked
4) The Coming Curse
Added: May 9th 2007
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score: 
Related Link: Iced Earth Website
Hits: 2939
Language: english
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Iced Earth: Overture Of The Wicked (EP)
Posted by Jedd Beaudoin, SoT Staff Writer on 2007-05-09 14:15:25
My Score:
This stopgap EP will have to suffice until IE gives us the full meal deal later this year with Framing Armageddon but it will be hard. Tim "Ripper" Owens sounds more in tune with Herr Schaeffer's ongoing vision for this veteran epic metal act, especially on the re-recording of the "Something Wicked" trilogy. It's hard to know where Framing Armageddon will take this ever-heroic band (the track list boasts a whopping 18 tunes) but all bets are on that the group climbs one more step into the upper echelon of metal.
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Iced Earth: Overture Of The Wicked (EP)
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2007-05-08 17:12:34
My Score:
Nothing like a little teaser from Jon Schaffer & the Boys in Iced Earth, as we all salivate the arrival of the upcomingFraming Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1) which will be released later this year.Overture of the Wicked features the new track "Ten Thousand Strong, a rousing classic metal number fueled by Schaffer's powerful guitar riffs and Tim "Ripper" Owens metal wails. Longtime Iced Earth fans will love this stellar but almost too brief powerhouse of a song, which hopefully indicates more of the same on the upcoming CD. The other three tracks on this EP are a reworking of the "Something Wicked" trilogy from the Something Wicked This Way Comes album, with updated arrangements and Ripper taking over the vocal helm which was originally recorded by Matt Barlow. The three songs, "Prophecy", "Birth of the Wicked", and "The Coming Curse", sound great as you would expect, but there's a chance that loyal fans, especially those who still favor Barlow, might take offense to the current band re-recording these classic tracks. Regardless, Owens gives his take on these tunes, and does a fine job, considering his style is more in the line of say Rob Halford meets Ronnie James Dio, a total contrast to Barlow. If you've seen Iced Earth live since the parting of Barlow, you've no doubt heard Ripper perform some of these pieces before, so it should come as no big shock. These new versions add in some extra atmosphere & symphonics, and the extra bit of guitar harmonies and punchier riffs really give the tunes a new dimension.
Now, if you weren't antsy for Framing Armageddon before, start counting down the days.
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