Iced Earth - The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked Part II)
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.54 You Save: $11.44 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.20 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked Part II)
Free Music Review: Anticlimax
Hit: 3 Stars
Musically, there's nothing wrong with this album - it's actually a little less repetitive (see: recurring but uninspiring rhythm pattern from "A Charge To Keep" off Framing Armageddon) and was easier to get into on the first listen than Pt. I. It's a little unfortunate that several of the songs fade out, but at least it was immediately engaging. Overall, not bad.
That said, I was expecting a disc full of anger and rage, emotions more in line with the notion of the creation of a child to bring about the end of humanity. What we got during "Come What May" instead was a plot twist that completely neuters the character Set Abominae and stands in direct contrast to the cover art.
It's unfortunate that the change in vocals had to come between the two chapters - I know Framing Armageddon will be rereleased with rerecorded vocals from Barlow, but somewhere, I find myself hoping that there's a mix with Tim Owens' voice that will see the light of day sometime. I think it was better suited for the story.
Free Music Review: Underwhelming
Hit: 3 Stars
I have to agree with the "Good, but thats all" review. I like all Iced Earth's stuff...Barlow and Owens included. But agree with others who say theres no energy here...feels tired and uninspired, a bit lifeless. I couldnt disagree more with the "Iced Earth is back!" type comments in other reviews....huh? Nope.
I dont think anyone should be surprised when a metal band that orginally broke on the scene with an angry sound begins to soften as the money arrives. Schaffer is no different...what's to be angry about? He's no longer roofing houses to eat, hes comfortable, pampered and full of ego. Its called sucess. The anger that originally fueled Iced Earth and other great bands (take a guess) is gone, and cannot be replaced. Just be glad it ever existed in the first place and enjoy the early years.
I feel Framing is closer(but still not the same)then this to being classic Iced Earth anger and emotion. This is a good album, just not a great album.
Free Music Review: Not the IE I once knew.
Hit: 3 Stars
All I can say is that this album here is alright and I think their previous album part 1 with tim ripper was better. I was happy to hear that matt barlow was back with IE but it's not enough for their latest album. Theres no real thrash, the songs are short with less catchy tunes and boring that would make you skip from track to track to find an atleast catchy song. You would have to be a long time die hard IE fan to enjoy this album but for me I would just stick with their older classics such as:
burnt offering
the dark saga
night of the storm rider
something wicked this way comes
Overall it's not a bad album for long time fans but I wouldn't recommend it for new fans at all, If your new to IE then start with the albums I listed above.
Stay metal \m/
Free Music Review: Not the IE I once knew even with the return of matt barlow.
Hit: 3 Stars
This new album was pretty decent with the songs and killer art cover but kinda dissapointing and yeah we are all glad for matt barlow returning back to IE. To me theirs no real aggressive thrash in here because I know jon schaffer plays alot faster than this here, The song durations are like 2 minutes short (not all).
Even with the return of matt barlow iced earth just doesn't seem make albums like they use to with less effort. Im not trying to say this album sucks it was still good but the old iced earth albums are much better and this album here is no something wicked this way comes album which that album is pure gold to me. Anyway good album I still recommend it (not strongly) but you may be really dissapointed if your a true IE fan.
Buy it and enjoy!
Free Music Review: A bit of a letdown
Hit: 3 Stars
The brilliance of the original Something Wicked trilogy is what drew me to Iced Earth in the first place, so the concept of two entire albums dedicated to expanding on this story had more than a little appeal. Perhaps the bar was set just a bit too high, but neither album quite lived up to my expectations. Where I thought Framing Armageddon started strong and faded a bit on the second half, Crucible of Man starts fairly average and only kicks it up a few times in the last half. It's really missing a good hook track like Ten Thousand Strong. In fact, there's very few songs that really stick with me after I listen. Overall, it's deserving of a solid C or perhaps a C+, but certainly isn't IE's strongest effort. I'd put it alongside Horror Show, for what that's worth.