Average with bright spots

One equal to the outset: Despite the return of Matt Barlow Iced Earth to you is to expect any miracles, and I think that is a major reason for the failure of the album for many fans and critics. I have to say that is not so bad, even if a classic ala "Ten Thousand Strong" is absent as in the predecessor of the shekel. But I must say that the same also was the only one, which I liked to "Framing Armageddon".

What has it the album? Now, many of the songs are simple midtempo pieces held. This type song has the duty to immediately go to the ear and stay there, lack of catchiness throws him against it immediately from the playlist. Unfortunately, these are just too many become. Had Framing Armageddon and The Crucible of Man to an album put together and taken only the best of the two, it would have been an excellent business, but good 2/3 of the disc are felt pen.

It all starts still good, "Behold the Wicked" has precisely those catchiness. But as a guitarist I have to say that the song does not comply with me, I will not re-enact it because it gets boring after one minute at the latest. However, as one hopes perhaps that the songwriting still improve, the charismatic voice of Matt is already a quality boost too. But hope is like to pass on many of the songs coming. Another Lichtblich is then "I walk alone". This shows that it can Schaffer but with the songwriting, although this song lacks the catchiness, he always works better after repeated listening. One should not write every song after the first time. Not bad, after five felt pens.

But is followed by 4 more average songs, none of which can inspire me. "Divide Devour" then not only increases the pace, but are also much more robust in the hitherto quite gentle mixture, bearing in mind that it still is a band that lives of hardship. And already the second chorus I felt the need, "I want to devour, I will devide" mitzugrölen. A good sign, because suddenly makes the disc fun.

But if there is a song on the album, which is actually in a very sound, it's "Come What May". Here it is true at last, and as though Schaffer know this, it is the longest song on the disc and worth every second. Already the main reef is clear, this song stands out clearly from the rest. The galloping guitars during the verses accompany Matts excellent voice here very good, always something with intensity is hard interlude still inserted. But without Matt would not have far to settle on the other also the song. During the chorus, or for a quiet central part of the song then also provides a very fitting coda that playing in the background guitars during the reconciliation, in which Matt just brilliant, just sound just outstanding. The last three minutes of the song I could hear in loop, they would not be bored, but as a whole the song is very good and I personally like better than "Ten Thousand Strong".

It is ultimately "Come What May", which brings the fourth star. More than that, perhaps it saves the song even before the loss of the third, because only 4 usable songs over 20 minutes on an album, which plays 60 minutes and that is not enough. Especially if only one song is really strong. Iced Earth also on the second part of the Something Wicked saga a few moments shine that stand out. But apart from that there's not more than become average. If you, the few songs are worth the album, then I can definitely give the buy recommendation, I guess but apart from these expectations sharply to throttle, otherwise ye shall be classified under the disappointed fans. I think Schaffer should be more concerned with writing good songs and riffs give as inventing a concept story that then it only gets in the background. The primary objective should be good music that can be found here unfortunately far too rare.

Playing tips: "Behold the Wicked", "I Walk Alone", "Divide, Devour", "Come What May"