Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Pt. 2)

I'm not a Barlow fan and haven't listened to Iced Earth since Tribute to the Gods, but I think I might pick this one up this week just to have something new.

I picked it up, along with the new Metallica on Friday. I like what I heard, at least on the first listen.

I'd personally like to see Iced Earth drop all the concept bullcrap and return to playing straight forward heavy metal and thrash. This stuff is ok, but gets kind of boring after a while. I'm sort of sick of all the "orchestration" that classic bands are adding to their music in an attempt to "be creative".

This album is actually pretty good. I like it better than Part 1 so far. Could be because there are less of those little interludes between each song. Could also be the return of Matthew Barlow. Not sure yet why I like it better.

However, as with Priest, I sort of hope this album gets the stinkin' "orchestration" bug out of their systems.

I heard a song from the new one on sattellite radio this morning and I thought it was ok, but I kinda lost interest in Iced Earth. The orchestration/concept stuff doesn't interest me. I doubt I'll be getting this unless I find it on the cheap in a used bin or ebay.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I heard a song from the new one on sattellite radio this morning and I thought it was ok, but I kinda lost interest in Iced Earth. The orchestration/concept stuff doesn't interest me. I doubt I'll be getting this unless I find it on the cheap in a used bin or ebay.

Make random holes in your yard. I've heard that sometimes CDs end up buried in your yard.

I still haven't picked this up but I plan to soon. The clips I've heard of it on the Net sound more promising than the last CD (which bored me to frickin' tears).

I envy you guys that can just go down to the store and pick up stuff like this. lol

Is it the same for you as it is for Arttie? LOL! 90 miles to the closest cd store?

The closest cd store is either walmart or best buy. Neither of which carry much of anything. Especially the walmart.

Rex wrote:

The closest cd store is either walmart or best buy. Neither of which carry much of anything. Especially the walmart.

Surprisingly enough, I got the last Iced Earth disc @ Wal-Mart. Though I have to admit, I was shocked to see something so relatively "obscure" at a Wal-Mart store.

Rex wrote:

The closest cd store is either walmart or best buy. Neither of which carry much of anything. Especially the walmart.

I live in a big city, and even then, it's getting harder and harder to find something good in the local Best Buy or Walmart. Their stock is getting smaller & smaller. I refuse to buy anything "new" at FYE. Most of purchases anymore are coming from used shops, flea markets or on-line. Or anything I come accross when I'm digging holes.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Or anything I come accross when I'm digging holes.

I like the way you think.

Rex wrote:

The closest cd store is either walmart or best buy. Neither of which carry much of anything. Especially the walmart.

I picked up the latest Metallica and Iced Earth at Best Buy, though they didn't have the new Molly Hatchet disc.

I picked up the latest Dragonforce at Wal-Mart and noticed while I was there that they had plenty of copies of the new Motorhead as well.

As for anyone who has to travel over the river and through the woods to get to a store that sells music, I'll give you one URL: CDUniverse.com. I love that place, great prices and I'll still occasionally order from'em instead of going to a store. That's my first destination online when looking for CDs and DVDs.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Surprisingly enough, I got the last Iced Earth disc @ Wal-Mart. Though I have to admit, I was shocked to see something so relatively "obscure" at a Wal-Mart store.

Wal-Mart's selection actually surprises me sometimes. They're 3rd choice in my area (Best Buy 1st, FYE 2nd), but if you can find what you're looking for, it's usually the best price.

Doesn't Wal Mart just sell edited versions of CDs or did they stop that ignorant practice?

spectrefate wrote:

Doesn't Wal Mart just sell edited versions of CDs or did they stop that ignorant practice?

I thought they sold both versions, but you'd be lucky to find an un-editied one. If they stock 10 cd's, 8 are the edited version. At least that's the way it always seemed to me. Unless, of course, the un-edited ones just sold out faster. I can't remember the last time I bought a new release at Walmart.

spectrefate wrote:

Doesn't Wal Mart just sell edited versions of CDs or did they stop that ignorant practice?

Not every CD they sell is edited... just ones that carry a "Parental Advisory" sticker elsewhere, I believe.

Metal Misfit wrote:

As for anyone who has to travel over the river and through the woods to get to a store that sells music, I'll give you one URL: CDUniverse.com. I love that place, great prices and I'll still occasionally order from'em instead of going to a store.

I've ordered from them before and I'll do so again. But nothing beats finding the cd amongst the racks in the store though.

Back on topic, finally got around to purchasing the CD the other day (I was away, otherwise I'd have it on day one, like the IE fanboy I am) and it's not bad. But it's not great either. There are some really fantastic moments, and Matt sounds spectacular but it's just too slow most of the time. I was never a huge fan of the Something Wicked Trilogy, because I felt at a lot of times it dragged on, and this album seems to suffer from the same ailment, except for an entire album. I dread to think how much slower it'll be with the added interludes when it gets rereleased with Framing Armaggedon. There are some brilliant moments, but I am really hoping that with the next album, Iced Earth incorporate more speed. Even Framing Armaggedon had some great fast-paced moments. Still, a good album. Just not as good as it could be.

Listening to this album is such hard work. There's some really nice stuff on it, but it's buried within a mountain of never-ending, bloated repetitive
blandness.

The track 'A Gift Or A Curse' is a perfect example. There's a minute and a half of absolutely smokin' thrashy guitar work on this track; but it's sandwiched right in the middle of a really quite awful power-ballad.


The high points on the similary bloated Priest record justify the rest of the pretentious crapola. I'm not that's the case with this record.

Finally received this album in the mail. Haven't properly heard it yet but i can proudly say that my Iced Earth collection is finally complete after all these years .

Divide Devour is one of their best songs.

A lot of good songs in here. I'm surprised this would be the last one you get.

I've been on an Iced Earth binge lately and they are an all-time top 5 band for me.

There are some good songs but I'm glad Jon seems to be mostly over this phase.

Lari wrote:

Divide Devour is one of their best songs.

A lot of good songs in here. I'm surprised this would be the last one you get.

I've been on an Iced Earth binge lately and they are an all-time top 5 band for me.

I too have been on an Iced Earth mode lately. During my summer vacation in the greek islands last month, i picked up the following Iced Earth cd's: the blessed and the damned, alive in Athens and live in ancient Kourion .