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In the pantheon of Metal gods, there are many mighty powers. Modern metal is rife with exceptional talent and creativity; there really is no way any one who truly appreciates music can point to any specific group as being “my favorite band”. There are, however, bands who rise above the common dross, and through determination, talent, and innovation become the greatest of the great, towering above all others of their ilk. Once such band is ICED EARTH.
Now all I should really have to tell you here is that ICED EARTH have released new material, an EP entitled “Overture of the Wicked”, which contains one previously unreleased track (“Ten Thousand Strong”) as well as some supremely re-created tunes from their illustrious past, namely the “Something Wicked” trilogy (“Prophecy”, “Birth Of The Wicked”, and “The Coming Curse”), originally from their 1998 album “Something Wicked This Way Comes”. ICED EARTH, new material. That should be more than enough to get your blood a-pumpin’ and your wallet a-openin’. But, being the finicky and jaded connoisseur of metal you surely are, likely you want me offer a convincing argument of why you should part with your hard earned cash for this disc.
Well, first off let me say that, next to BLIND GUARDIAN, ICED EARTH is quite possibly the greatest power metal act to grace this heap of dirt on which we’re all currently careening though space. Power metal really doesn’t even accurately describe the band’s dynamic and oh so thrashing sound. Guitarist Jon Schaffer is a musician of mythical stature, shredding intense riffs which are as supremely melodic as they are forceful. His playing is unmistakable, from his tone, to his immediately recognizable style. The man is a six string metal machine, and no words that I can conjure can possibly express the majesty and might which is inherent in every ounce of sound that he wrings from his chosen instrument.
And then there’s vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (formerly of Judas Priest). If you haven’t heard this guy before, then you are *not* prepared. There are singers, and then there are vocalists. Owens has a range that is staggering, whether he’s wailing like a crazed banshee, sneering like a vicious dog, or crooning like a golden throated angel, everything his voice touches is imbued with the utmost power and emotion. At one time the man was taken for nothing more than a Rob Halford clone (which he admittedly sounds eerily similar to), but with each successive release since his joining with ICED EARTH, he has proven that he ranks in the highest echelon of metal vocalists. He is simply amazing.
Then there’s the concussion grenade drumming skills of Brent Smedley, who slams on the skins like some kind of drumming maniac, who’s sole purpose in existence is to drum himself into sheer exhaustion. The individual components of ICED EARTH are amazing, even taken alone. But combined they form a group who deserves the to be called the “best of the best”.
“Overture of the Wicked”, the first new material from the mighty metal gods since 2004’s “Glorious Burden”, (which was itself, in my most humble opinion, one of the greatest albums of all time), is a prelude to the bands forthcoming album "Framing Armageddon". So if “Overture of the Wicked” is a taste of things to come, I’m ravenous for the main course.
Bottom Line: If your already a fan (and why wouldn’t you be?) then “Overture of the Wicked” will help satisfy your need for all things ICED EARTH and get you primed for the next full length album. If your new to ICED EARTH then this EP is the perfect place for you to introduce yourself to the band without committing yourself to an entire album.
Key Tracks: It’s a single, there’s only 4 tracks, but they’re all excellent.
Reviewed by Farron Watson |
