Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)
Steamhammer/SPV file under heavy / power metal
 Sjak: Because of severe back problems of guitarist Jon Schaffer it took about three years to deliver the follow-up record of 'The Glorious Burden'. And probably because it took so long, the good chap, who didn't exactly suffer from a lack of inspiration, decided to make it two records at once. This '˜Framing Armageddon' will be released in September while the second part will see the light of day somewhere in the early part of 2008. Both parts together create one story that was introduced already on the 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' album.
I won't go into details concerning the featured science fiction story, but I will certainly let you know that this story forms a damn good framework for the different mood changes which you can clearly separate in the music: aggression, anger, sadness and joy. Musically this is performed in a very beautiful way, it's just like you're listening to the soundtrack of a movie.
The former also has as a consequence that the traditional straightforward metal style of Iced Earth in their early days has been replaced by an inclusion of more progressive and sometimes even symphonic elements. Luckily the heavy metal component is still dominating though. After the intro 'Overture' all hell breaks loose by means of 'Something Wicked' which has a very thrash-like feel. Also the single track '˜Ten Thousand Strong' is a good example of the aggressive side of things, while '˜The Clouding' for instance is much more laidback and varied. This leads to a high level of variety, which doesn't bore you for a single second and which opens new elements after every listening experience. Vocalist Tim Owens certainly knows how to strut his stuff with this varied material and impresses, certainly by the many switches between aggressive and more laidback material, to a large extent. Some of you who will listen to this for the very first time, might not be completely convinced about this album but you'll have my guarantee that you will be after several spins.
Iced Earth once more has delivered a top quality album and still remains one of the best bands around in the traditional metal scene. Until the release of part two I will certainly be able to enjoy myself with this 'Framing Armageddon'.
Rating: 89/100 (details)
http://www.icedearth.com
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