Iced Earth - Dystopia

I've now given this C.D 6 spins since picking it up last week. I will have to agree, this is easily better than the Crucible of Man and Framing Armageddon. I started listening to Iced Earth right after The Glorious Burden came out, so I'm not willing to say that it's better than that particular album, but then again I have no problem with people stating it's their best since Horror Story.

Favorite tracks in order: Anthem, V, Days of Rage, Dystopia, Boiling Point, Equilibrium & Dark City. I'm not as big on songs like Anguish of Youth or End of Innocence. And Tragedy and Triumph, just sounds so bizarre. With that being said, this is a great album!

I'm totally digging this cd. It's a billion times better than Crucible of Man was.....but I have to say I am a big fan of Framing Armageddon. I think Tim Owens sang his buttocks off on that disc and there are a LOT of very strong songs on it. Its just the interlude stuff that drug that one down.

But this new one is a return to form and Stu sounds great even though he seems a little awkward in certain places - as if he's trying too hard to phrase his singing to sound like Barlow's when he's singing softly and breathy (example: the beginning of End Of Innocence). But his lower register sounds strong and has the grit that Owen's voice has which is nice. I'd like to hear Stu use his upper screamy singing voice a little more on the next one. I'd also love to hear Stu sing Ten Thousand Strong. I bet he'd wail on that one.

Rex - are you going to try and make the Iced Earth/Symphony X show in NC?

When and where?

Charlotte, Mar6 (it's a Tuesday)...my son & I are going...and Nikki from LOF is coming with us.

Hmmmm....the Monday date in Raleigh would be a lot closer for me to go to and would probably be one I attend if I go. I'd love to go though, I'll have to ok it with my old lady.

I got this album for Christmas and I'm very impressed. I had all but given up on these guys, but this album brought them back. The music, the vocals, all good.

The only minor quibble I have with the deluxe edition is the inclusion of the pointless 'Anthem [String Mix]'. One version (either one really) is all that's needed. Gimme one of those covers they did instead.

I was listening to this in my car this morning and it still sounds fantastic. I think if I had this album earlier in the year it might have been higher on my Top 25 list.

Still digging this disc (and I still have to get off my butt and post a review on my HubPages blog)... Block is kinda like the best parts of Owens and Barlow all rolled up in one guy.

I really, really, REALLY hope this lineup can keep its sh*t together and make further albums...

Quote :

I think if I had this album earlier in the year it might have been higher on my Top 25 list.

I'm thinking the same thing. I only got it at Christmas (with low expectations too) so I didn't even think to include it in my Top 10. Ah well.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Still digging this disc (and I still have to get off my butt and post a review on my HubPages blog)... Block is kinda like the best parts of Owens and Barlow all rolled up in one guy.

I really, really, REALLY hope this lineup can keep its sh*t together and make further albums...

I agree all around! It's a really good album...probably my fave since Something Wicked...

Fat Freddy wrote:

Still digging this disc (and I still have to get off my butt and post a review on my HubPages blog)... Block is kinda like the best parts of Owens and Barlow all rolled up in one guy.

I really, really, REALLY hope this lineup can keep its sh*t together and make further albums...

that would be nice - and someone keeps jon from going all orchestral again...

Oh yeah this disc is phenomenal. I got it the day after Christmas and have given it a couple listens through. It's their strongest in quite a while. The new vocalist (who I've never heard before) just tears it up. Like Freddy said, I hope they're able to keep this line-up together for a nice long time.

It's my number 1 from last last year. Like I said, I know all the lyrics! That's how much I've played and paid attention, you know. I don't often learn all the lyrics like I did as a teen. When I do, I know it's a great album.

Eyesore wrote:

It's my number 1 from last last year. Like I said, I know all the lyrics! That's how much I've played and paid attention, you know. I don't often learn all the lyrics like I did as a teen. When I do, I know it's a great album.

My #1 for 2011 too!

Days of rage is such a great song. I've been playing it so much lately

Speedmetalfreak wrote:

Days of rage is such a great song. I've been playing it so much lately

That's my least favorite song.

My problem with "Days of Rage" is that it's the only track where Stu sounds awkward, like he's forcing the tough-guy macho vocal. The chorus is weak, and the song just abruptly ends with a stupid fade-out. And it sounds way too much like "Disciples of the Lie," which itself sounded way too much like "Violate."

Speedmetalfreak wrote:

Days of rage is such a great song. I've been playing it so much lately

I agree, cool song. One of the best.

Eyesore wrote:

That's my least favorite song.
...
And it sounds way too much like "Disciples of the Lie," which itself sounded way too much like "Violate."

I don't see the problem in that. Those are among the best Iced Earth songs and being too much like something really awesome isn't a bad thing, in my opinion!

Fat Freddy wrote:

I really, really, REALLY hope this lineup can keep its sh*t together and make further albums...

Totally echo this sentiment. They're also fantastic live, they gel really well.

Since I've been on such a Dystopia tear lately, I thought I'd break out Framing Armmegeddon (yea, I know thats probably spelled wrong), the last IE album I purchased, give it a fresh listen. Maybe I was a little harsh. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Skip over the little interludes and just focus on the songs.

Nope. Even the songs themselves just aren't memorable and it goes on for far too long. Owens and the band both sound fine but I think their performances just suffers from poor songwriting. I'd almost blame the whole overblown epic concept of the album, but then again, Dystopia is a concept album as well and it works there. Maybe it was just the subject matter of Framing...

Jon has really done a marvelous job with Dystopia. The songwriting has really improved.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Since I've been on such a Dystopia tear lately, I thought I'd break out Framing Armmegeddon (yea, I know thats probably spelled wrong), the last IE album I purchased, give it a fresh listen. Maybe I was a little harsh. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Skip over the little interludes and just focus on the songs.

Nope. Even the songs themselves just aren't memorable and it goes on for far too long. Owens and the band both sound fine but I think their performances just suffers from poor songwriting. I'd almost blame the whole overblown epic concept of the album, but then again, Dystopia is a concept album as well and it works there. Maybe it was just the subject matter of Framing...

Jon has really done a marvelous job with Dystopia. The songwriting has really improved.

Only "Dystopia" and "Tragedy and Triumph" are part of the Something Wicked concept. The rest are just based on movies and stuff, I think.

Eh, could be. I usually can't follow concept albums anyway. All I know is that Dystopia was a keeper from the first spin and I'd pretty much given up on these guys.

Just ordered the disk and after reading through all these posts, I can't wait to get it.

Iced Earth was one of those bands that I always heard about, but never looked into. That is until I caught Dystopia on satellite radio a while back. Instantly hooked me into this record. Dystopia absolutely slays!!! Got me into their back catalog too. Some good stuff, thus far "Burnt Offerings" is my favorite.

I got the album and I still havent gotten around to spinning it yet.