I Walk Among You

Iced Earth is back with Matt Barlow once again, and while I can understand the reasoning behind the move to release a 3-track EP, especially with Something Wicked Part II looming on the horizon, I have to question whether this release is truly necessary.

First of all, the release is comprised of 3 songs - 1 original and 2 re-worked tunes from their previous album, Framing Armageddon. The re-working is subtle, with the biggest alterations being in the vocal department. In my opinion, Framing Armageddon was one of the top 3 best albums of 2007, so I was highly interested in getting the EP. The 2 re-mixed tracks, to say it simply, were better with Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals. He has more range than Matt Barlow and the vocal harmonies he laid down soared higher and were more memorable.

Don't get me wrong: As a big fan of Framing Armageddon, it's a pleasure to hear these songs faithfully re-done with a competent vocalist performing on them. But the real highlight of this album is not the tracks which re-visit the past, but the new, original song, "I Walk Alone." Here we won't find ourselves comparing Matt Barlow to Tim Owens, which benefits Barlow tremendously. I Walk Alone is a very catchy song with a good chorus and could easily be a single on the new album. It's similar to the way Iced Earth released "Ten Thousand Strong" on an EP in 2007, prior to releasing the Framing Armageddon album.

Bottom line: If you're a diehard Iced Earth fan, post-Halford Judas Priest lover, or you simply enjoyed Framing Armageddon, you're going to want to hear this new release by Iced Earth.