Search - Iced Earth :: Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)

First Iced Earth album

Born in '73 | USA | 04/27/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fantastic Album of Metal. Forgive me, I don't get into lables so much (ie) Progressive, Thrash ect. Good Metal stands on it's own.



I'd never heard of Iced Earth before, I'm a 36yr old fan of heavy Metal of all kinds. I'll admit I have since found that I caught Iced Earth in transition so to speak with a different singer. but I think this album rocks!

Being a long time fan of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Megadeth and the like, I was looking for something new, but I don't care for the nu-metal sound at all. This album fit that mold nicely.



The strongest tracks to me are: 'Setian Massacre' 'A Charge to Keep' 'Ten Thousand Strong' 'Order Of The Rose' and 'The Clouding'



I really enjoyed putting the headphones on and listening to this album, it is very crunchy and the vocals are soaring. Tim Owens sounds MUCH better here than on his Judas Priest albums IMO. The story line, I can take or leave, as it requires you to "get into this fantasy world" Of Setians vs Humans, which at this stage in my life is a little "corny" But overall I like the music and lyrics enough to recommend it to my friends. I even checked out Glorious Burden (same vocalist) and purchased that as well.



I've learned my lesson over the years about following a band and purchasing every release (ie) Metallica, Kiss and Judas Priest. Most bands reach a creative peak and put out two or three great albums, and then spend the rest of their career trying to recapture the magic, or go in an entirely new direction to build a new fan base. The exceptions being Iron Maiden's (Matter of Life and Death) and Judas Priest's (Nosradamus)



Iced Earth, as I've discorved them, seem to be in top form, and I for one highly recommend this release as well as Glorious Burden.



My advice for those of you who were disappointed with this: Don't have a favorite band, you will always be disappointed, just have a favorite genre and cherry pick the best of the best, and before you know it you will have a collection of music so awesome, that no matter which one you pick out to play you will have a smile on your face.







"

Depends on your P.O.V.

Sithspawn | USA | 01/07/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As with all opinions, mine is based soley on my point of view. And with this CD I felt as though my POV was used more than usual. This CD is a fantastic marriage of Sci-Fi, fantasy and Heavy METAL. Being a fan of all three genre's, I find this an exciting project. For the most part I believe a Heavy Metal fan is by nature, to some degree, a Sci/fi-fantasy fan. But without an appreciation for those two genre's you may not care for it.

I am a new fan of Iced Earth (yes, I've been in a cave), and in my brief experience I feel Matt Barlow is this bands true singer. As a matter of fact, if Barlow had sung this album I more than likely would have rated it 5 stars. This is in no way a knock on Tim Owens, it's that pesky POV coming into play. I grew up with 70's/80's metal (I lost touch once everything was covered in "hairspray"), so I'm a fan of Dio, Dickenson and Halford. Hearing the vocals on "Framing Armagedon" is like listening to a mix of all three voices and styles. Though there is nothing wrong with that, it just didn't sit right with me. Don't take me wrong. Owens sounds great on this CD, but I feel he lacks the emotion that Barlow's vocals offer. It's rumored that Jon Shaffer is going to re-release this CD with Barlow. Some may find that a bit greedy, and maybe it is, but if it sounds as good as I believe it will and I enjoy it as much as I believe I will, than I'll but it.

The theme for this concept album is outstandingly fresh and imaginative. Jon Shaffer's rythym guitar-work and lyrics make up for the lack of the "twin lead guitar" sound this style of metal normally uses, though there is still some nice guitar solo's to be heard. It isn't quite as melodic as earlier I.E. work (The Dark Saga), but I still recommened it."

Tim "Ripper" Owens Vocals seals the deal

FMC | Phoenix, AZ USA | 06/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album, and have listened to it completely about 20 times since it was released. Of the two parts (this is part I) I prefer this one. Tim "Ripper" Owens vocals are outstanding and "seal the deal" as far as the music is concerned. To really enjoy this album, you need to learn the story and listen to it a few times. Framing Armageddon has a lot of great hooks (catchy parts) that make it fun to listen to. The Sci-Fi story is very cool and well implemented as a concept. Too bad Tim couldn't sing on Part II, but oh well, Matt Barlow is back and does a great job on part II. However, in my opinion, this is the best of the two parts. If you like power metal, great operatic/screaming vocals, dark sci-fi, fast metal with lots of hooks, then get this album, give it a couple spins, then google the back-story to fill in all the blanks, then listen to it again and again."