Metal Reviews

An even better idea for consistency between the entire story and the first trilogy (and yes I know this is wishful thinking) just get Matt to do it.

I look forward to this, but considereing Horror Show and TGB were pretty boring, I'll keep my expectations in check for this one.

In a perfect world.

Nice addition of the picture, Ken

Matt left to do his own thing and there could never be an opportunity to "get Matt to do it". Jon has to do what's available, and while Matt is one of the greats, Ripper is a pretty good vocalist. It's easy to dismiss him because he isn't Matt, but let's give him a chance. On the last album, I thought he was okay, but it was obvious they did the lead vocals in a rush. Maybe he can really let loose and get creative on the new albums.

His vocals on Beyond Fear are killer! I still think Jon should have gotten the guy from Winterfell.

http://www.myspace.com/winterfellmetal

Listen to the "Winter Is Coming" demo.

I know. I'd swear that guy is related to Matt. I want their CD just to have another CD where it almost sounds like Matt is still around. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone knew who Winterfell were when Jon had to recruit somebody

Ripper was treated like a God when Judas Priest first discovered him. Eventually, Priest fans were starving for a Halford comeback, and Ripper is called upon to Fill Matt's shoes - from being asked to fill one legends shoes to being asked to fill another great singer's shoes. When I see people on the internet bashing Ripper (they even gather to bash him on YouTube's Ripper video clips with IE) because he isn't Matt, it just kills me. The guy is a talent. He isn't Matt. He wasn't Halford. He's Ripper, and he has quite a set of pipes at his disposal if people will give him a chance, especially now that he'll be more wholly involved in the recording process.

I always end up in discussions where I ramble in defense of Ripper's performance or Jon's attitude

How did I double post?

Owens is one of the best metal vocalists out there today. Anyone disputing this is a retard.

Agreed!

I hope he really tears it up with these new Iced Earth CDs and turns a few naysayers around

Heh, that guy actually sounds abit like Matt. A bit like how I'd expect him to have sounded a few years before he got involved in Iced Earth. Pretty cool.

And I agree about Owens, people need to give him a chance.

I liked Iced Earth material with both Matt and Tim. I do prefer Tim Owens on vocals though. He has an incredible voice. I'll be thankful to just get new material from Iced Earth this year. I'm sure it will sound great as always. I hope that Tim is able to devote his time between BF and IE in a manner that keeps both bands fueled and sounding fantastic.

I agree......

'Something Wicked this Way Comes' was a masterpiece but I was let down a little by 'Horror Show' and especially 'TGB'. John seemed to have run out of good ideas and many riffs sounded re-hashed and uninspired to my ears.

Hopefully John's refreshed and has inspired creativity for this album. I like Ripper as the singer quite a bit and think he fits Iced Earth's music well.

Barlow was Amazing though! One of the best ever IMO.

Peace.......

I prefer Owens to Barlow as a vocalist, its just a shame he came in on an album no better than decent with weak production.

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.

Winterfell is excellent! Sadly they're currently just a vocalist. But they're damn good. They released an EP demo and then a full-length, both kick ass. And they got ten times better on the full-length.

I, for one, think this one will be awesome. I haven't lost faith in Jon, The Glorius Burden might be their weakest album but it's still good. And now that Ripper is more settled in and the Something Wicked story will unfold, I have hopes that this one will crush both Horror Show and TGB.

I dunno, but watching Alive in Athens made me once again realise how much I love this band. They'll probably never top an album like Burnt Offerings, but Iced Earth at a less awesome level is still one of my favorite bands, no doubt about it.


Can't wait

What? Winterfell disbanded? When did this happen?

As for Ripper; I agree with Eyesore. He's talented and awesome. Its just too bad that he was with Priest when Tipton and Downing were mainly in a songwriting funk and then Iced Earth on their least inspired release since The Dark Saga. I have high hopes for this album; however, two album CDs are a dangerous thing, and I hope there's enough good material there. Lets face it; Jon isn't exactly the most innovative of riff writers (triplets, triplets, triplets), so lets hope that this will be his coming out into more variety in songwriting.

Not disbanded, I guess, but they're only a singer right now.

Agreed, IMO he is more versatile than barlow, im really looking forward to hear the new IE album.

Horror show =

But i'll agree with you about TGB, IE's worst by a country mile. Still, high hope for this one being the best album ever!!