The first trap to avoid when you listen to the new Iced Earth's EP is the comparison. Tim Owens (ex-Judas Priest) has replaced Matthew Barlow. Matthew was singing very much like Paul Stanley (Kiss) and Tim Owens is Rob Halford's clone. It would be an easy task to criticize Tim ... and it will not bring back Matthew anyway. So let's focus our attention on the music, on Jon song-writing talent, on this new team. Yes, you go it, the page is turned as a new chapter begins for Iced Earth.

This EP contains four songs. Let's have a look at the first successor of Horror Show :

1) The Reckoning (Don’t Tread On Me) : The title track starts and send me directly to Something Wicked This Way Comes. Do you remember the trilogy on that album ? That's exactly what The Reckoning is all about. The tempo is quite fast and the guitar melody reminds me immediately Iron Maiden. Tim starts to sing. Enormous ! Can you imagine young Rob Halford on Jon Schaffer's furious tempo on the same track ? Of course you can ! The chorus "doubling" Tim is outstanding. Even though it took me a short time to adapt my conscious self that I was listening to Iced Earth, once you get used to these vocals, Jon's song-writing talent appears bright ... and the magic is back.

2) When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged) : I can easily imagine this song was originally written for the next Demons And Wizards ... especially with this unplugged touch. Tim Owens has a difficult task here as Iced Earth's "ballads" have become a trademark, not to say they are the best from the metal scene. The weakest track, not bad, but simply the weakest on the EP. May be the "plugged" version brings more intensity, more depth, more colors to this track.

3) Valley Forge : An interesting track where I discover a new facet of Iced Earth, the "hard rock" facet. The trademark melody of the band is almost nowhere to be found on Valley Forge. Is this another "stolen" Demons And Wizards track ? The guitar - both classic and electric- reminds you very much the first album of Jon and Hansi.

4) Hallow Man : A classic Iced Earth power-ballad. Topnotch! Jon mentioned many times this track before leaving Century Media and I must admit that Tim does an excellent job on Hallow Man. If you like Melancholy or I Die For You, you will appreciate this one too.

I can't wait for the full album now. I am thirsty as The Reckoning is very promising for the future for the band. Even though it has been an enormous shock for me to see Matthew leaving Iced Earth, I am a big fan of the last Judas Priest, where Tim vocals are enormous. Now Tim has the chance to work with one of the best - my favorite - heavy metal songwriter. I hope this band will scorch the sky :)

One last word about the cover : I really like it, but I am wondering where stands the difference between this cover and The Trooper cover. Luckily, The Glorious Burden cover is simply ... amazing. Once again shall I say !

Iced Earth was dead ... long live Iced Earth.