Search - Iced Earth :: Glorious Burden

A Very Glorious Burden

R. Jacobi | 06/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm using my dad's account to publish this.

I recently turned 17, and received this album for my birthday. I am very pleased, and impressed with it. I had heard some songs beforehand and based on those had asked for it. Being a bit of a history buff, I was excited that it was all about historical battles, events and figures. The lyrics are great, with excellent delivery by Owens. Just to get this out, Owens is a very good singer. No, he's not Dickinson or Halford, but who is? I first heard him in Framing Armageddon, and liked him there too. However, longtime fans seem to dismiss him out of hand. So he's not Barlow. Big deal. Barlow is a good singer, but so is Owens. His vocals just match the music.

This brings me to the best part: the music. The music is awesome. Schaffer is a master of the rhythm guitar, continually entertaining you with his ripping riffs. There is no one else like him around. The drums hammer you down, while the bass, though slightly understated, fills out the sound nicely. They also got a pretty good lead guitarist. In Gettysburg, they bring in the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, which does a great job of making the album epic.

You may wonder why you should buy this version instead of a cheaper one. The answer is because this edition contains bonus tracks: When the Eagle Cries (unplugged) and Waterloo. Waterloo is amazing, and one of my favorite songs on this album, though it is hard to choose favorites from this album, as they are all so great. Also, it comes with a booklet containing lyrics and notes by Schaffer about his inspiration for Gettysburg and what he was trying to do with the music. All in all, if you like good metal, solid lyrics, and great vocals, buy this CD before it is sold out. Then listen to Gettysburg and tell me you didn't get goose bumps at least once.

"