Natas wrote:
Quite honestly, I have no problem with Ripper's voice, it was really the musical style in general of TGB that turned me off. Horror Show for me was their last great album, and I wish Jon would stop dissing Burnt Offerings. As for Ripper, I just feel he'd be better off sticking to his own thing where he's calling the shots, the Beyond Fear stuff was really good and he sounded more at home with that material than being the replacement for another band who had lost the "Voice of the band". Thats exactly why I dont want them doing the Something Wicked Trilogy with Ripper, he should be working on his future, not on a past that he could never truly be part of.
I prefer Ripper in Iced Earth. Ripper has no songwriting skills. The lyrics on Beyond Fear are pretty bad. I can see why Tipton wouldn't let him write on any of the Judas Priest songs. I feel sorry for the guy, with not being able to contribute to the writing process and all, but singing is his strength and not songwriting.
Ripper is one of my favorite vocalists, and I was very happy to hear that he joined Iced Earth. It sucked that Barlow wanted to leave, but Tim is one hell of a replacement, and I'm willing to move forward on this issue. I heard a live version of Dracula with him on vocals, and it proved to me that he can sing the Barlow era stuff just fine. Actually, it was more then fine it was awesome.
