Dystopia

This CD is a great metal album. I think it's got a bit more of a classic-metal vibe than earlier IE releases (I mean it reminds me more of a classic 80s Metallica/Maiden/Priest sound than most Iced Earth). But, you know, sometimes being heaviest isn't always better - fact is, this thing rocks, but it's got plenty of melody too. The new singer is good - he's pretty similar to Barlow, with a fine Halford scream which he uses quite often. My only complaint is that, on the ballad (and the slow part of the semi-ballad), he has that modern white R&B/ American Idol type singing, which is kind of lame (although it doesn't completely ruin the song). But - this not being an Aerosmith album, there is only the one (and a half) ballad, so it's not too big a deal! Anyway, I think he's a fine fit with the band and I'd be quite happy if he stuck around for a few more albums. The songs are good, and the dystopian theme of the album fits Iced Earth nicely (I think about 70% of their albums are at least somewhat "concept" albums!). As much as I hate the digipack, it's definitely worth it to get for the two bonus tracks, which are great songs (the alternate version of Anthem seemed kind of redundant, though - I'm not a fan of alternate versions of the same song on a CD!) Although not really trying to break new ground, and nothing blows me away like "Dracula", "Gettysburg", or the original "Something Wicked" trilogy (which is what kept me from giving this 5 stars), the general quality of the songs is as good as most of the stuff on their classic albums, and they seem to have kind of returned to a classic IE sound after some of the experimentation of the past few albums. Overall it kind of reminds me of a mix of the Something Wicked album and Glorious Burden (minus the symphonic track . . .). Of the ten or so new releases I've gotten over the past year, this one is the one I've found myself listening to the most.

You know being a long time fan of Iced Earth I was hesitant of the change in the vocals. Iced Earth fans, though Metal Heads are the most torn up about differences like Barlow or Owens and now Stu gets thrown into that pot and you think it would reach boiling point. Several others and myself on the other hand have been given great albums no matter the lineup because Jon is not in the business of packaging and selling crap to the fans. Keeping this in mind I pre-ordered this album. I didn't know who Stu was when he was announced to be the new vocalist and don't like Into Eternity myself, just not my kind of music. So naturally I youtubed who this Stu Block is and what kind of vocalist he is and I come across a video of him just showing the range of his voice. He is wearing a MANOWAR shirt so I think, "That's a good start." He starts hitting highs and I think "Ok, I can see Iced Earth being able to work with this." But then he starts to growl, "NO! Jon you better whip his @$$ into shape! I don't want a Cookie Monster at the microphone". But As for the first Album with both Barlow and Owens, the second album each is where their vocal styles get much better. (Before you come at me with pitchforks I like Burnt Offerings a great deal and Glorious Burden is what got me into Iced Earth in the first place). So it comes in and the Deluxe Edition comes with a fold out poster and a sticker, though good quality I thought it was a cloth patch. I put the album in and that opening scream in Dystopia gets me a worried but as the song goes on, there are no growls but solid vocals and harmonies. It's really good. Anthem hits and I'm already sold. Then Boiling Point comes and I thought that the Ripper jumped in for the high notes for a moment. It's the middle of the night and I've got work in the morning but I finish the whole album out. And have listened to it time and time again. Getting bonus tracks Soylent Green and Iron Will is a must in my book. For you still holding out, Stop being a Pussy! Metal Lives! Iced F@#%ing Earth!

Iced Earth, THE most underappreciated Metal band of all time. If these guys had been around just a few year sooner, they'd be as big as Priest or Maiden. But never again will a true metal band achieve that status and so IE is cast into a sea of obscurity, just another metal band, hidden in the mire of commercialism and fad-driven business.But for those of us who know... here is a band that is as uncompromising as any of the Metal gods ever were, they refuse to give in, they will not bow the knee, they will play real metal, with talent, with understanding of music, with brains and intellect, with passion and pride.OK, enough of the drama, this album will kick your ass. It's real metal, nothing pretend. IE are like a mixture of Maiden, Priest, Metallica and satan--with Jon Shaffer on guitar! If you don't already know, Jon Shaffer IS Iced Earth. Stu Block can sing like nobody's business, every bit as good as Barlow and better than Ripper Owens. I know this for a fact because I saw him live and he can sing live, unlike Owens. Although this is not a concept album, there is still a cohesive thought throughout the album, that of a dystopian world in the (not too distant)future. Some songs, #1 & 12, are based on the Something Wicked storyline. Some are based on movies; Soylent Green, Dark City, V. the entire album, with the possible exception of track 4, is awesome. Unlike many recent IE releases this album is not full of epic motion picture length songs,this is more like a return to the shorter song albums such as Something Wicked, Dark Saga or Horror Show.If you're new to Iced Earth, this is really a good place to start. If you're an old fan, then I'm sure you already have it.

Iced Earth at this point is not going to break too much new ground and they are not going to become the young metal fans' trendy band. It ain't happening. So for IE fans know that this thing rocks. Mightily. And for every other metal fan, time to take a chance on a young buck named Jon Schaffer and his two decade old crusher Iced Earth. Schaffer has crafted his most consistant effort since Something Wicked. This albums starts in motion with the title track and just keeps hauling. Love the quick heavy blasts of Days of Rage and Boiling Point. Fan favorite Matt Barlow has retired making room for Stu Block, Canadian legend by the way, to rip it up. For those that know of Stu's previous workouts on Into Eternity discs then you know Stu has got it all. Here he goes for a more gruff, mid-range persona; reminds me of Hetfield Justice-era a bit. Jon's riffs swing a chain and he also captures some powerful and catchy choruses fully utilizing Stu's range. Jon even loosened the reins enough to let Stu contribute a lot of lyrics, good ones too. So Iced Earth (really Jon Schaffer) have brought the songs, got the singer, the backing band has been smoking for a few years which all hopefully leads to lots of Iced Earth toruing which is where this band even gets stronger. See the Festivals of the Wicked DVD for proof. Songs on Set Abominae's I-pod: Equilibrium, V, and the upbeat riffing closer Tragedy and Triumph.

これぞ＜HEAVY METAL＞という、凄まじく完成度の高い作品です。　皆さまがレヴューが☆４つか５つなのも十二分に納得の内容。　【METAL好き】を名乗る全てのファン必帯・必聴。80年代にMETALと青春を過ごした私にとってはやはりバンドにギター・ヒーローの存在が欠かせません。　その点でどうしても☆５つにはできませんでした。　ただ、（技術的に）突出した存在した存在＝スターが存在しないことで、かえってバンド全体のバランスが保たれているのだとも考えられます。METALは死せず。　久しぶりに血が滾りました！

I first heard Dystopia the song on a radio station, it sounded very catchy with mulitple guitar sounds but my favorite song in Anthem. I recommend this album if you enjoy Iced Earth's previous albums.......the only thing I noticed is I only enjoy those 2 songs.

個人的には「Night of the stormrider」や「Burnt offerings」が好きで，その後の作品はどうもパッとしなかった印象があるのですが，本アルバムはICED EARTH史上最高レベルのアルバムに仕上がっていると思います。とにかく楽曲が粒ぞろいに良いものばかり。どれも良質のドラマティックなメタル・チューンです。最近のトレンドとは無縁だけど，決して古臭くはない。らしさ全快のアルバムです。ボーカルがマシュー・バーロウからステュウ・ブロックに交代しましたが，これはプラスに作用しています。声質がパワフルな上に，あのロブ・ハルフォードばりの高音スクリームもこなします。ICED EARTHのようなドラマティックな曲を奏でるバンドにはうってつけでしょう。

Any Iced Earth album is amazing, so enough said on that front. Stu Block is such a great vocalist and fits so well with the rest of the band; IE hasn't missed a beat! Furthermore, the product was received within the estimated delivery time and in perfect condition. Very pleased with ImportCDs!