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Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)

Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I) Audio CD

A fair review of the Iced Earth "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Iced Earth reviews here, or go back to the Iced Earth tabs.

Band: Iced Earth
Title: Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Pt. I)
Rating:

Release Date: 2007-09-11
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Overture 2: Something Wicked (Part 1) 3: Invasion 4: Motivation Of Man 5: Setian Massacre 6: A Charge To Keep 7: Reflections 8: Ten Thousand Strong 9: Execution 10: Order Of The Rose 11: Cataclysm 12: The Clouding 13: Infiltrate And Assimilate 14: Retribution Through The Ages 15: Something Wicked (Part 2) 16: The Domino Decree 17: Framing Armageddon 18: When Stars Collide (Born Is He) 19: The Awakening

Tim "Ripper" Owens Vocals seals the deal
Of the two parts (this is part I) I prefer this one. I love this album, and have listened to it completely about 20 times since it was released. Tim "Ripper" Owens vocals are outstanding and "seal the deal" as far as the music is concerned. To really enjoy this album, you need to learn the story and listen to it a few times. Framing Armageddon has a lot of great hooks (catchy parts) that make it fun to listen to. The Sci-Fi story is very cool and well implemented as a concept. Too bad Tim couldn't sing on Part II, but oh well, Matt Barlow is back and does a great job on part II. However, in my opinion, this is the best of the two parts. If you like power metal, great operatic/screaming vocals, dark sci-fi, fast metal with lots of hooks, then get this album, give it a couple spins, then google the back-story to fill in all the blanks, then listen to it again and again. .

First Iced Earth album
Forgive me, I don't get into lables so much (ie) Progressive, Thrash ect. Fantastic Album of Metal. Good Metal stands on it's own.

I'd never heard of Iced Earth before, I'm a 36yr old fan of heavy Metal of all kinds. I'll admit I have since found that I caught Iced Earth in transition so to speak with a different singer. but I think this album rocks!
Being a long time fan of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Megadeth and the like, I was looking for something new, but I don't care for the nu-metal sound at all. This album fit that mold nicely.

The strongest tracks to me are: 'Setian Massacre' 'A Charge to Keep' 'Ten Thousand Strong' 'Order Of The Rose' and 'The Clouding'

I really enjoyed putting the headphones on and listening to this album, it is very crunchy and the vocals are soaring. Tim Owens sounds MUCH better here than on his Judas Priest albums IMO. The story line, I can take or leave, as it requires you to "get into this fantasy world" Of Setians vs Humans, which at this stage in my life is a little "corny" But overall I like the music and lyrics enough to recommend it to my friends. I even checked out Glorious Burden (same vocalist) and purchased that as well.

I've learned my lesson over the years about following a band and purchasing every release (ie) Metallica, Kiss and Judas Priest. Most bands reach a creative peak and put out two or three great albums, and then spend the rest of their career trying to recapture the magic, or go in an entirely new direction to build a new fan base. The exceptions being Iron Maiden's (Matter of Life and Death) and Judas Priest's (Nosradamus)

Iced Earth, as I've discorved them, seem to be in top form, and I for one highly recommend this release as well as Glorious Burden.

My advice for those of you who were disappointed with this: Don't have a favorite band, you will always be disappointed, just have a favorite genre and cherry pick the best of the best, and before you know it you will have a collection of music so awesome, that no matter which one you pick out to play you will have a smile on your face.

.

Depends on your P.O.V.
And with this CD I felt as though my POV was used more than usual. As with all opinions, mine is based soley on my point of view. This CD is a fantastic marriage of Sci-Fi, fantasy and Heavy METAL. Being a fan of all three genre's, I find this an exciting project. For the most part I believe a Heavy Metal fan is by nature, to some degree, a Sci/fi-fantasy fan. But without an appreciation for those two genre's you may not care for it.
I am a new fan of Iced Earth (yes, I've been in a cave), and in my brief experience I feel Matt Barlow is this bands true singer. As a matter of fact, if Barlow had sung this album I more than likely would have rated it 5 stars. This is in no way a knock on Tim Owens, it's that pesky POV coming into play. I grew up with 70's/80's metal (I lost touch once everything was covered in "hairspray"), so I'm a fan of Dio, Dickenson and Halford. Hearing the vocals on "Framing Armagedon" is like listening to a mix of all three voices and styles. Though there is nothing wrong with that, it just didn't sit right with me. Don't take me wrong. Owens sounds great on this CD, but I feel he lacks the emotion that Barlow's vocals offer. It's rumored that Jon Shaffer is going to re-release this CD with Barlow. Some may find that a bit greedy, and maybe it is, but if it sounds as good as I believe it will and I enjoy it as much as I believe I will, than I'll but it.
The theme for this concept album is outstandingly fresh and imaginative. Jon Shaffer's rythym guitar-work and lyrics make up for the lack of the "twin lead guitar" sound this style of metal normally uses, though there is still some nice guitar solo's to be heard. It isn't quite as melodic as earlier I. E. work (The Dark Saga), but I still recommened it.

Underwhelming - Iced Earth NEED Matt Barlow!
The music is average and the vocals are terrible. Having been a fan for a long time (10+ Years) I had some really high hopes for this album and unfortunately I didn't really like this at all.

Thankfully, Matt Barlow is back for Crucible of Man and that album is so much better than this one. Especially the vocals! .

Something Wicked Indeed
A few of the songs tend to blend together and it feels as though the first half is by far stronger than the last, but overall a very satisfying listen. There's definitely some moments of pure brilliance mixed into this CD.

Iced Earth continues to bridge the gap between 80's and 00's metal better than anyone else.

You can see a complete list of all Iced Earth discography, or go back to the Iced Earth tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.