Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked - Part 1)

Let me just say this has to be the best Iced Earth album I've ever heard. Some may say the classic Iced Earth sound is lost... NOT TRUE. It's EVOLVED.

Ripper truly outdoes himself on this album- moreso than anything he has ever done in the past. You may think of him as Halford's clone, you may call him Barlow's crappy replacement, but it's bullshit... he truly deserves the Ripper name on this album. He literally tears apart every good vocal moment Matt Barlow has had; he proves what Matt did Ripper can do better. Matt could NEVER have pulled this one off.

Besides all that, Jon Schaffer's rhythm guitar stands out as per usual, his tone seems to have matured a bit and seems a bit cleaner. The classic Maiden-esque riffage, as godly as it was, is being traded for a more diverse sound; you tend to hear more variety in the playing. The bass work and leads are great as well, and Brent Smedley does a great job as a drummer on this record. The incorporation of world instruments gave the music a bit of diversity from the previous efforts, and really makes it stand out. The instrumental pieces are great... whoever the hell did them also deserves credit.

The story this album follows is so brutal, I don't think I've ever thought of a more metal, more ingenious concept than this, and to think this was a story spawned by the band's leader. Let's face it people, what can be more metal about the destruction of mankind? I thought it was neat to see all these parts in human history being brought about by Setian manipulation, whether it be the rise and fall of kingdoms, the creation of martyrs and gods, etc. The songwriting is great and tells the story perfectly.

When it comes to the music I could not recommend any songs, because they all stand out. They are all perfect. The music is intricate as it is flawless, innovative as it is original. Yeah it's different, yeah it isn't as thrashy as it used to be, but was Iced Earth ever a band that stuck to a particular label? Absolutely not. And they prove that case with this new album. Seriously buy this album, it's amazing. If not the hell hounds will come get you.