Iced Earth--Burnt Offerings (1995)
Rating--9.2
Burnt Offerings--RealAudio Dante's Inferno--RealAudio
A splendid thrash/speed album---one of the best to be had. Fabulous double-bass work, and tight, sustained
guitars. The first IE album with singer Matthew Barlow, and he outshines the previous two vocalists. Dark, moody subjects are
covered here, as suggested by the title, and the overall feel of the music reflects those themes. The music reminds of a mix
between Slayer (strains of 'Seasons in the Abyss'), old school Metallica, and old school Maiden. If
you're a fan of any of these groups, then you have to get into Iced Earth---you owe it to yourself. Did I mention fabulous
guitar work? Fast drums? Great vox? What more can you say?...
Highlights abound. The title song is one of the
most malevalent pieces ever put to sound, and sets the atmosphere for the remainder of the disc.
"Last December," "Diary," and "Burning Oasis" all crank and thrash, and creep towards the ablum-ending, classic epic "Dante's
Inferno".
A dark, mystic feel to the entire disc, with spooky keyboards used in the intro. Ahhh... I've gotta go listen to this
one again...
HOT CHOPS--The chorus line in the title song-- "Offer me good omen." It is sung with soaring emotion, and
really fits in well with the natural procession of the song. Also, at the very beginning of the CD, the keyboards and evil voice-over.
Lets you know just what exactly you're in store for...
The entire final song, "Dante's Inferno," is magnificent. It goes through
a number of moods and beats (all the levels of Dante's Hell, in fact), with both emotional singing and playing coupled with furious stages of thrash. The slow-down,
melodic piece near the middle of the track is placed perfectly, and the band crashes through the remainder of the song to
contrast (and strengthen) the moment. A masterpiece.
TRACK LIST: Burnt Offerings/Last December/Diary/Brainwashed/Burning Oasis/Creator Failure/The
Pierced Spirit/Dante's Inferno
Back to Discography