'The Glorious Burden' marks the arrival of a much-anticipated release, as Matt Barlow has departed Iced Earth and been replaced by Tim Owens, formerly
of Judas Priest. The disc is entrenched in patriotic/war themes, culminating from a mixture of John Schaffer's genuine love of history, and the recent terrorist
attacks in the U.S. and around the world.
If you are coming into this release with some scepticism, bide your time while making it through the first few songs. The
first two (excluding the intro) are the weakest spots of the album, in my opinion, and an unfortunate start. However, beginning with track number four, you have a run of
strong, heavy songs. "The Reckoning" is a ripping track in the classic Iced Earth style, and would have fit on any of the past releases; Owens is at his venom-spitting
best. The constant and churning "Greenface" follows up, with "Attila" effectively mixing thrash and gallop, and featuring some evil post-chorus singing and chanting
sections.
The shifting, rapid-fire pace of "Red Baron/Blue Max" is good, and the solid "Valley Forge" crunches forward after a very Dickinson-like vocal intro.
The slower "Hollow Man" is a traditional IE-style "ballad", hearkening back to the 'Dark Saga' days, and showcases a thick, distortion-backed chorus. "Waterloo" closes
out the run, as there are few weaks spots to be found during that four-through-ten span.
The second (bonus) disc features the "Gettysburg Trilogy," comprised
of two 12 minutes tracks and one checking in at just over seven. There is some background symphony/synth work heard in "The Devil to Pay," but a lurching,
continuous rhythm keeps things heavy, and some absolutely great Owens' singing tops it off. "High Water Mark" is good and building, as well.
This release can be viewed in several ways, and will likely be approached with many preconceptions, especially by
longtime IE fans. It should be expected that with Owens at the vocal helm, this will be a different "sounding" Iced Earth in places -- and it is.
Barlow was one of a kind, and liked by 99% of IE fans. That being said, there is certainly more than enough good metal here to like this version of the band. The
songwriting remains creative, the playing is inspired, and the songs and their arrangements definitely grow on you with every successive listen.
But yes, at the same time, you find yourself missing the old version as well. The best of both worlds might have been for this to be a project ala Demons & Wizards.
You could have had Schaffer and Owens, and yet still know there would be Schaffer and Barlow. But that's not the case. Barlow chose to
leave, which was certainly his right. The hope now is that metal fans will not give up on a still strong and very dominant (albeit changed) group, before first giving them a chance.
TRACK LIST: The Star Spangled Banner/Declaration Day/When the Eagle Cries/The Reckoning (Don't Tread On Me)/Greenface/Attila/Red Baron - Blue
Max/Hollow Man/Valley Forge/Waterloo/When the Eagle Cries (Unplugged)
BONUS DISC: The Devil to Pay/Hold at All Costs/High Water Mark
The Reckoning-mp3