3 stars because it Iced Earth are ...

The second part of the Something Wicked saga falls compared to its predecessor from clear. The songwriting is very monotonous: mostly only midtempo, constantly exaggerated and dramatic mood and melodies with hardly recognizable. The only songs that I - after repeated listening - have adhered fairly positive in memory, called "I Walk Alone" and "Behold the Wicked Child". The returned to the band vocalist Matt Barlow but does a very good job. Otherwise, the album can compete with classics by no means the band such. B. "Night of the Storm Rider" or "Something Wicked this Way Comes".