Metal Reviews

This may very well be the most controversial album of Iced Earth's entire career, so I thought a Hit or Miss poll about it would be interesting.

I'd say it's a Hit, but it has the rather large flaw of falling into that trap a lot of other concept albums fall into: You can't really relate to the songs on a personal level, because of how much they tie into the album's storyline. This IMO makes the album more difficult than other Iced Earth albums, since you really need to understand the storyline to enjoy it. And even then, the story is just so far out that I have a hard time really relating to any of the songs.

Otherwise, the music is very well written, and Owens does a great job at the mic.

I think it's completely useless. There's nothing good on the album, and I hate Ripper. Just like in The Glorious Burden everything is well written, there's just something important missing that keeps the album from becoming good.

Miss.

Miss. I think it's a good album, but "good" isn't what I expect from Iced Earth, I expect GREAT.

Good:
Ripper sounds amazing, his best work
Pretty cool storyline
Something Wicked Part 1, Framing Armageddon

Bad:
Not many good riffs
Weak production compared to the guitar heavy giants of old, like Horror Show
Most songs are kinda slow, very few above mid tempo
Order of the Rose, Infiltrate and Assimilate, Retribution through the Ages

Hit. I think it's an excellent album. It's different from the Iced Earth we've all come to know, but given the time, it's a worthwhile listen. And there's just some badass tunes on it, no matter what anyone says! Some of the short interludes could be tossed away, but overall Framing Armageddon is a solid slab of metal.

I could give a shit about riffs. Fuck a riff right in the ass. Give me good songs. Framing Armageddon has a bunch.

Hit
This is easily my favourite Iced Earth album considering I can't stand Barlow's voice and style of singing.

Hit for sure the best IE album since the original Something Wicked.

Hit.

Owens made me eat my hat by being apart of an album that I like. The ending section on the track Framing Armageddon is nuts.

I still have a problem with the production, but I'm sure mostly everyone does.

Hit shame Ripper got dumped (puts on flame suit.) Wonder if there is any plans for a new Demons & Wizards cd.

Certainly a hit. It took a while to grow on me (both the album and Ripper's voice), but it finally clicked. The same can't be said about the original Something Wicked album...

Hit. Not something that can be listened to every day, and the production certainly makes it sound very thin and flat, but a good album for sure.

Miss, I've tried so much Iced Earth now. And can't seem to get into it. everything is a miss for me by these guys. Shoot me.

Have you tried Night Of The Stormrider?

No... But Iced Earth isn't very high up on my to-buy list right now.

Hit. Good album.

Hit. Flawed, but has really beautiful moments. And Ripper is a beast.

I'm in the same boat man. Although, I was planning on giving them another chance.

Have you heard Night of the Stormrider? It's awesome awesome AWESOME thrash with power metal tinges and basically just pwns me.

Neither. Closer to a hit I suppose, but that feels too strongly complimentary.

I like it, just don't love it. Ripper has a good, powerful voice, but I can't help but compare it to Barlow and I just love Barlow's voice (so I can't shed that personal bias).

Also, while there are some really good tunes, there are just as many that do nothing for me.

I find myself fast forwarding to the several tunes I really like -- and then breathing a bit of a sigh of relief when I throw in Alive in Athens.

That's a hit. Cut the crap!