in retrospect, what did u fink of 'ripper era' iced earth?

now its all in the past and stuff, what did u think of the two albums he done with them?

im not goin to lie i didnt like them at all. I think Jon went a little out of his boundaries because Ripper could do more with his voice. Iced Earth went from being my favorite band to me actually disliking them when Ripper joined them. I liked the more Traditional style and passion with Matt. There were a few songs i liked with Ripper but nothing special imo

Loved "Ripper" era and prefer it!

I thought both albums were awesome!

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Loved "Ripper" era and prefer it!

My sentiments exactly

i thought the second one was pretty good.

I think both albums are awsome. I liked the Ripper era, but I prefere the Barlow era before Ripper joined.

I liked "Glorious Burden" but I'm more in line with MetalRob. Iced Earth went from being one of my favorite bands, to being a band I barely listen to anymore. I too think Jon was going "a little out of his boundaries", especially on the latest CD. Wish he would just stick to straight forward heavy metal and thrash and stop with all the symphonic crap.

I loved (and still love) THE GLORIOUS BURDEN. The "Gettysburg" epic was worth the price of the album all by itself.

However, I found FRAMING ARMAGEDDON to be a pretty major disappointment. Not so much due to Ripper's involvement (I remain an Owens fan; I think he's got one of the best voices in metal right now), but more for the fact that the album just seemed overcooked. Too many tracks, too many orchestral interludes, thin production, yawn, zzzzzzzzzz.....

I agree that the production on the last album was a bit lacking for the KIND of album that it is. It was a little bit flat or didn't have enough dynamics in the production end of it to make it come alive.

Liked Glorious Burden, don't care for Framing... but not because of Ripper. I think he's a fine vocalist, but like Freddy & Ult stated, the album is too overblown.

I've never heard Ripper in IE. The only IE I have heard is Burnt Offerings and I suppose it was OK. In other words, I have nothing to input to the conversation. I just like to hear myself type.

Still a fan, love The Glorious Burden.


I'm glad Matt is back tho, Beyond Fear is superior to FA

I liked both of them. I don't think Jon did anything wrong experimenting with symphonic stuff, after all it is his band and if he wants to try to expand his repertoire then more power to him. IMO the signiture Iced Earth sound was still there. However, I did like Glorious Burden more, mostly due to the epic trilogy. I am glad Matt is back (I like his voice much more than Ripper's) and look forward to the next chapeter in the Wicked story.

DallasBlack wrote:

IMO the signiture Iced Earth sound was still there.

I dunno, on FRAMING ARMAGEDDON it sounded more like the signature Blind Guardian sound to me. I was like "Dude, Jon, maybe you've been hanging around with Hansi a little TOO much!"

I absolutly love both of them, and think they are amongst the best this band have done so far. That said, I'd still wished it was Matt doin' them.

The Glorious Boredem did nothing for me. However, Framing Armageddon was very enjoyable, if not a bit over the top and filler ridden.

I loved Framing Armageddon and I really like The Glorious Burden. There are a few songs on TGB that I think lack a solid hook, but overall I don't think it deserves the flack it gets. The production is weak, however. Like I said before, albums that came before TGB are louder.

And the Gettysburg trilogy is stunning. The best piece of music Jon's ever written. If you sit down and read the lyrics/story right along with the music, the visuals it evokes are awesome.

I loved the Ripper era of the band.
I wish he would have got to stay with the band.

Fat Freddy wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

IMO the signiture Iced Earth sound was still there.

I dunno, on FRAMING ARMAGEDDON it sounded more like the signature Blind Guardian sound to me. I was like "Dude, Jon, maybe you've been hanging around with Hansi a little TOO much!"

That's what I thought too.

Loved ripper era IE, I think Jon needed to use his creative juices and see what all he could amass in is musicl style and abilities. I say if it works both ways go for it but then again there are always those who will disagree and agree, sometimes there is no winning on either front!

Wargod48

I haven't got either of the Ripper ones. I have heard some stuff off of Glorius Burden which I can listen to, I mean they sound good 'n all. I don't particularly like his work with JP either.

To me Overture of the Wicked and Gettysburg were the two best things Owens did in IE. Kind of strange considering that the Gettysburg and Something Wicked trilogy were both originally intended for Barlow. Framing Armageddon and the rest of The Glorious Burden were pretty spotty.

Actually, I take it back. Gettysburg was very good. A lot of TGB was just 'meh', though.

I thought that they were both pretty good. The Blind Guardian comparisons are spot on though (but I like them too)