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Iced Earth
Something Wicked This Way Comes
(Century Media Records)
Once known as Purgatory , Iced Earth chunk into the late nineties with their sixth album for Century Media. Guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer recruited new lead singer Matthew Barlow in 1995, an able-throated vocalist who sings low and evil like Cookie Monster but isn't afraid to go falsetto. Iced Earth has become a bit of a legend in the Metal world simply by sticking to their guns for so long. This is a band who believes in their stylwe and, like AC/DC or The Allman Brothers, have not avered from it in the least. Death Metal has become more melodic in the late nineties, a natural maturing process that can be seen in this band's ascent towards the top of the heap. Especially impressive on this album is the trilogy of songs that end the CD called "Something Wicked - Prophecy," ``Birth Of The Wicked," and ``The Coming Curse." The trio of tracks are a testament to the nihilistic, anti-Christian-yet-not-quite-Satanic attitude that the band seems to support. It's not pure Nietzsche, but it's in the ballpark. This album is strictly for Metalheads. For more information, go to www.centurymedia.com or see them live in Milwaukee at The Rave on August 19.
Jeff Muendel |
