Overture Of The Wicked

SPV

After many months of anticipation the first taste of what we can expect from the forthcoming Iced Earth double CD, Framing Armageddon (due later this fall), has finally arrived. Overture of the Wicked is our first look at the next chapter in the legacy of one of the metal underground’s most notorious bands and is nothing less than stellar. The new track is titled “Ten Thousand Strong” and contains the ever-crushing trademark riffing of Iced Earth mainman, Jon Schaffer, in all its wondrous glory. Also onboard again are the superb vocal abilities of frontman Tim “Ripper” Owens, who completely owns this song in every aspect of its delivery.

Being that the new album is an expansion of the original Something Wicked Trilogy found on the Something Wicked This Way Comes album from 1998, Schaffer decided to re-record the original trilogy and add Owens’ vocals to the project. Owens replaced Iced Earth’s former vocalist Matt Barlow in 2003 after Barlow quit the band. The songs featured in the trilogy are “Prophecy”, “Birth of the Wicked” and “The Coming Curse”. Owens brings to the table a passion that, in my opinion (and I know that this is touchy subject matter for long time fans who disagree), was lacking in the original and helps to redefine the Iced Earth sound making it more the caliber I believe it was created to be. That’s not to say that Barlow did not fit the band or their music but there were, at times, a feeling of restraint in Barlow’s attack. Either way I am a fan of both and refuse to ultimately choose sides. I do have to say that I wasn’t totally sold on the addition of female Middle Eastern sounding vocals on “The Coming Curse” but I can see how Jon may view them as fitting.

Needles to say, the Overture of the Wicked mini-EP is definitely fuel for the fire and I can’t wait to hear the full-length offering when it is released. Jon Shaffer and Co. are an essential part of the Metal world and their contributions never cease to amaze.

-Priest