![Glorious Burden [Limited Edition w/ Bonus CD]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000YTOXA.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Release Date: 13 January, 2004
Audio CD
Tracks
- Star-Spangled Banner
- Declaration Day
- When the Eagle Cries
- The Reckoning
- Greenface
- Attila
- Red Baron/Blue Max
- Hollow Man
- Valley Forge
- Waterloo
- When the Eagle Cries (Unplugged)
- The Devil To Pay
- Hold At All Costs
- High Water Mark
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Rating 4.5
Who Would've Thought US History Could Kick This Much Ass?I don't know why I didn't get this sooner, this is amazing! I was contemplating picking this up for the longest time, and finally broke down last night and did just that. Yes, I got the two disc LE set, and it is utterly fantastic. I wasn't really a fan of Iced Earth until recently when a friend of mine sent me some MP3s over my PC, but when I heard them for the first time I was absolutely floored. I actually started promoting them like crazy, and even converted a few people into fellow IcedEarthaholics. However, I didn't pick up "The Glorious Burden" for a long time, oh how I wish I picked it up sooner.
Seriously, to call this album "Epic" is an understatement, it tells of historical battles from A.D. 500 (Atilla), all the way to WWI (Red Baron/Blue Max), and does so with pizzazz. Seriously, when it was found that Matt Barlow left the band, everyone was shocked, he was truly one of a kind. But Tim "Ripper" Owens does more than a fine job of filling in Barlow's gap, and sings all 14 songs with passion on "The Glorious Burden". Each song seamlessly transfers from one to the other, so you won't be missing a beat here from start to finish.
The opener "The Star Spangled Banner" is the only weak part, simply because no one can top the way that Jimi Hendrix did that at Woodstock, but after that, starting with "Declaration Day", the album grabs you by the balls, and doesn't let go! "When the Eagle Cries" is a wonderful song indeed, both the regular and acoustic versions are incredibly done, and sung with as much passion as "Ghost of Freedom" which was on the Horrow Show album. Seriously, I don't know why people diss this track, it's beautiful, and fits the album perfectly. "The Reckoning (Don't Tread On Me)" is another one, seemingly talking about the Old West a ton. I'd go on and give a break down of every track, but I think that'd take forever, and it's already been done in other reviews.
All in all, this album is fantastic, epic, sweeping and actually ranks in the upper echelon of metal. If the Barlowheads can look past the fact that he's gone, I have a feeilng you won't be disappointed. If I could give this album six stars, I would. I suggest you check it out now!
Standout songs: Every one of them, but there is really one in particular that I had to go back and edit this review for. Namely one called "Waterloo", which isn't on the original release of "The Glorious Burden", truthfully, it's the best song on the album, the powerful lyrics, the catchy rift, great drum work, to call it beautiful is an understatement. The chorus sends shivers up my spine every time I hear it, I can never get enough, sometimes I have to put the song on Repeat when the disc is in my discman. The chorus line really says it all here.
"Forshadowed man of destiny
Soon you will be forced to see
Nations aligning against you
Marking your time Your reign is through
...And you will see a 100 days come to an end
Forshadowed man of destiny
Soon you will be forced to see
Nations aligning against you
Marking your time Your reign is through
...It lies before you, fate shall befall you"
Seriously, how can one NOT love those lyrics? I'm surprised that this was not on the original one-disc release. Still, we got it here on the Limited Edition set. And I am glad for it, I highly recommend this album for this song alone! SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCEFrom the screams on this CD, this is the CD that Judas Priest should have release with Ripper instead of Demolition. Yes, this is a different band and a new fresh beginning for both Jon and Tim (nothing but the best for them both). Keeping the audition part a secret from the record company and the rest of the world, was a smart idea. This is Rippers time to shine away from Priest under an already established name (ICED EARTH), all I can say is BRAVO!!!!!!!!!! Good for Jon to take away such a talent from a band that only wanted to compete with it's former singer. I still listen to this CD even after almost a year out, the screams, the power, the stories, the hatred against America's youth for forgetting about history and only doomed to repeat it. This CD got me involved in our National History, to learn more about it so that I can understand why a band that has gone through line up changes, story changes. There was alot of bad mouthing of Jon for playing the National Anthem in the beginning of every show, it's kinda funny that when we watch Football, Baseball, Hockey, etc. that we don't complain of our National Anthem played before the game. After 9/11 there was/is alot of confusion, things have come out that I myself am not quite sure of and scared to death of the ramifications that are to take place Nationally and Internationally, but that is yet to come. As for me and my house we shall live and die waving the flag of America and if you don't like it that's just too bad!"We Must Hold At ALL COSTS!!"Tremendous pressure was put on Iced Earth to make this album their best yet. Matt Barlow left the band, and the (in)famous Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Judas Priest, gloriously replaced and filled Barlow's shoes. Taking a new route for a concept album, Jon Schaffer left behind his long-time obsession with comic books and horror and aimed for something much closer to his heart: American history. Some may call this CD a big patriotic bluff, but whatever you want to name it, you can't deny that this is by far Iced Earth's best and most powerful, magical, emotional, and touching work to date.
Jon's guitar playing has simplified, but is more consistent overall, and is much more focused on riffs and emotions than dazzling solos. The dual harmonies are absolutely brilliant, and the meaty guitar tone coupled with some sparingly used thrash battery makes it even better. Some reviewers complain about the songs being too "accessible", following only verse-chorus structures; However, I think it works out perfectly for what Iced Earth are aiming for on this album.
Tim's vocals are either praised or hated for sounding like a Halford rip-off. I do admit that some of the parts when he sings in his falsetto do sound a bit tedious and irritating, but otherwise his voice is impeccable and you can truly feel the emotion of the man in songs like "When the Eagle Cries" and "Hollow Man". The layering of the vocals works to IE's full advantage, and creates a magical feeling in the listener, nearly sending chills down my spine every time.
All of the songs on the album are brilliant, including the fierce and fiery delivery of "Green Face" and "The Reckoning (Don't Tread on Me)", all the way to the haunting ballads of "When the Eagle Cries" and "Valley Forge". Such a wide display of emotions is shown through the music here that it's almost cathartic. Schaffer's lyrics perfectly describe the struggles of anyone and everyone that has fought for the sake of the U.S., and the narrative perspective on the "Gettysburg" trilogy is genius. There is not a bad song here, but undoubtedly the high point comes with the whopping 31-minute epic "Gettysburg", which was so long it was actualy divided into 3 parts. This final epic uses a wide range of instruments, everything from haunting strings, Dixie banjos, booming concert snare drums, and a full-scale orchestra. (Ironically, it was the same orchestra used for Dimmu Borgir's 2003 album "Death Cult Armageddon".) The wide variety of instruments coupled with the chilling sound effects of cannons firing, men screaming, guns shooting, and swords clinging makes you feel like you're right there fighting to the death on a bloody battlefield. The section of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is a nice twist on the original, and every second of "Gettysburg" is a perfect symbolic representation of the Civil War, its perils, and the tremendous loss felt by the soldiers when a fellow comrade fell. It's a truly emotional piece of art, and I can't begin to fathom how this, quite possibly, may be one of the greatest metal songs ever recorded.
Iced Earth poured their hearts into this record, which is clear to see. This is without a doubt the best power metal record of 2004, and is reccommended to fans of metal. Watch out: Iced Earth are backing with a patriotic vengaence, and they mean business. |
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