R.I.P. Iced Earth

[Number Of The Priest]

Bill, apparently Jon claims that he used a baritone guitar in conjunction with his Uberschall to record this CD single... I don't get it! A baritone guitar tuned to Eb is a really weird choice considering he likes Gibson Les Pauls which have a short scale. Pretty odd change.

I'm giving "Horror Show" a spin right now... that was my first Iced Earth album and I haven't listened to it in about four years! I remember seeing them live on the "Horror Show" tour with Jag Panzer and In Flames... AMAZING! Matt headbanged and accidentally whipped his long hair into my buddy's eyes... haha...

[horns666]

Bill, apparently Jon claims that he used a baritone guitar in conjunction with his Uberschall to record this CD single... I don't get it! A baritone guitar tuned to Eb is a really weird choice considering he likes Gibson Les Pauls which have a short scale. Pretty odd change.

I'm giving "Horror Show" a spin right now... that was my first Iced Earth album and I haven't listened to it in about four years! I remember seeing them live on the "Horror Show" tour with Jag Panzer and In Flames... AMAZING! Matt headbanged and accidentally whipped his long hair into my buddy's eyes... haha...

Yeah, that was a awesome tour. Me and Ty almost passed out from the heat. I wore my leather pants for the first and last time. that was the wrong fuggin' day to weer leather jeans. I had to take them off with a spatula when I got home.

It's all about the vocals man..that's why he tuned down so low..for easier reach. If you listen, Tim is straining like mad on that stuff..and thats in the studio..where you can tweak, fix and polish shit. It's done so poorly, you can barely recognize those fuggin' songs..no shit!!!

[horns666]

Well, compared to Metallica..Iced Earth is not doing that bad??...

Is that good..??

eh..?

[horns666]

yet..?

[Venomboy]

Bill, I totally disagree with you, which is odd, because I usually completely agree with you.

Barlow...he's one of the reasons it took me so long to buy Iced Earth CDs. I would listen to them at the used record store and think, man that guy sounds like a retarded Paul Stanley, especially on the slow stuff.

He finally grew on me and I bought a bunch of their CDs. I really like Alive in Athens. However, I feel Iced Earth has always had mediocre solos. Nothing special, no feeling. Not crappy, but they just didn't do anything for me solo-wise. Tim Mills I think finally brings some feelings and dynamics to the solos.

As for Ripper, yes he can be pitchy. I really liked the Glorious Burden (with the exception of Greenface and Red Baron, perhaps 2 of the most lamest songs of all time).

I really enjoy the way he sings the old IE stuff. He's not a great songwriter though. Beyond Fear...eh...I really dig Scream Machine and the rest sounds kinda Godsmack-y and kinda dumb. Like, hey lets write a rockin' song. Yeah, rockin'!

The only thing I don't like about the new EP is that on the 3 old songs, the dynamic riffing is totally lost. When I first heard it I thought they just didn't record the riffs. Now through my headphones I hear the riffs, but totally palm muted. It sounds like the bass is playing the riffs. Which is really odd because IE is known for having great, punchy riffs.

I hear what you're saying about establishing a relationship with a band then getting pissed when something changes. But I don't think Ripper is a change for the worst. Just the lack of pumping up the riffs in the mix.

[iced_earth]

I thought "Soul Temptation" from Brainstorm was great, better than their first two (the first two weren't weak by any means though). Both of Pyramaze's albums were also solid, although "Bone Carver" has a bit too much narration. Another band I'd like to throw in is Evergrey - a very tight band with a lead songer that is more on soulful side, though not as powerful as Barlow.

Check out Pyramaze, Brainstorm, Symphorce, Tarot, I just discovered a awesome femal fronted band called Benedictum..If you like Iced Erath ..you won't be disappointed with these...for starters

My very fave is Nevermore..as you know..give them a shot..not everyone likes them..

[horns666]

Bill, I totally disagree with you, which is odd, because I usually completely agree with you.

Barlow...he's one of the reasons it took me so long to buy Iced Earth CDs. I would listen to them at the used record store and think, man that guy sounds like a retarded Paul Stanley, especially on the slow stuff.

He finally grew on me and I bought a bunch of their CDs. I really like Alive in Athens. However, I feel Iced Earth has always had mediocre solos. Nothing special, no feeling. Not crappy, but they just didn't do anything for me solo-wise. Tim Mills I think finally brings some feelings and dynamics to the solos.

As for Ripper, yes he can be pitchy. I really liked the Glorious Burden (with the exception of Greenface and Red Baron, perhaps 2 of the most lamest songs of all time).

I really enjoy the way he sings the old IE stuff. He's not a great songwriter though. Beyond Fear...eh...I really dig Scream Machine and the rest sounds kinda Godsmack-y and kinda dumb. Like, hey lets write a rockin' song. Yeah, rockin'!

The only thing I don't like about the new EP is that on the 3 old songs, the dynamic riffing is totally lost. When I first heard it I thought they just didn't record the riffs. Now through my headphones I hear the riffs, but totally palm muted. It sounds like the bass is playing the riffs. Which is really odd because IE is known for having great, punchy riffs.

I hear what you're saying about establishing a relationship with a band then getting pissed when something changes. But I don't think Ripper is a change for the worst. Just the lack of pumping up the riffs in the mix.

..I agree with you disagreeing with me! You brought up alot of things people have told through the years about Iceed Earth. Paul Stanely is my singer's "god"..he's the one that got him going. Yes larry's solos are nothing special, somewhat generic, but they fit the song..and once in a while he does write a very good solo like in "Watching over me"..you can hum the solo...I'
m doing it now.

I'm friends with John Comprix ..Ripper's guitarist. He just joined Ringworm with my singer's drummer from Souless..and they want Ty to sing...He's not interested. I talked to John and so has Ty about Beyond Fear..John stated that Tim wanted a very 80's , straight forward metal record. I honestly think it's juvenile (4th grade lyrics) in every sense of the word..but that's exactly what they were going for.

Ty grew up with and Tim and were in many bands that crossed paths..Ty refused to sing for Winters Bane (Tim's shadow..not!) and joined Antithesis who were signed nightmare records..like Pyramaze..then onto Massacre..but he hated the music and the members in that camp..I mean "hate"!

The labels signed them because of the vocals..

Ty and Tim do repsect each other, Ty does a perfect immitation of him that cracks me up..but he can immitate anyone really..he's like the Rich Little of metal...from Lemmy to King Diamond..to Coverdale..to Lane Staley to the T..his voice is like a midi pedal board..I could post his cover band ..

Yeah..those bass parts and the riffs..they're glued together on the same freqs. Listen to how the original song goes, big difference..Larry did alot of those parts. Jon tried to and flopped...it's sounds like Spinal Taps.."Big Bottom"..

I do like Tim Mills tho..he does kick the solos in the ass..but they sound so punched in and out..with nothing but bass and muted, boomy shit underneath..sounds like Korn is covering the damn thing!

Yes, there is some Owens songs I like..not many. Barlow was the one that put Iced Earth on the map and into Athens, and signed to Century Media....that torch was to Tim..and he'll keep things warm (not hot)..until the die hard fans scream loud enough to get their Barlow (many people love him) back in the studio..but maybe theyre's bad blood there..I dunno. Money can heal that shit tho..Take a vote..right here..right now.

Tim will come out punchin'..he always does.

I was very proud of him when I saw him with Preist and Iced Earth..he did do a good job.

I saw "Halford" with Testament and ect., he had a bad night, he was pacing back and forth all pissed off because of the monitors..he threw his headset..but he floored with Preist me at Ozzfest..he was on his game, like he had something to proove..and he did!!!

Evergrey is fucking awesome..saw them twice..Robert Englund is a awesome guy and such a great talent, I felt like a midget..that dude is fuggin' tall!!

[horns666]

OK, just to make a point..

Who do prefer in Iced Earth Tim Owens or Matt Barlow..

How do you do a poll..that would be easier..I never did one before..

[Number Of The Priest]

Yes larry's solos are nothing special, somewhat generic, but they fit the song..and once in a while he does write a very good solo like in "Watching over me"..you can hum the solo...I'm doing it now.

Hehe, the "Watching Over Me" solo was by Jim Morris.

Another hummable solo is "Ghost Of Freedom" from the "Horror Show" album... strangely enough, it's also done by Jim Morris!

Dang, Larry's solos really aren't anything special, are they?

I think he plays his purple Jackson Kelly on the "Alive In Athens" CD/DVD if I recall correctly!

[horns666]

Hehe, the "Watching Over Me" solo was by Jim Morris.

Another hummable solo is "Ghost Of Freedom" from the "Horror Show" album... strangely enough, it's also done by Jim Morris!

Dang, Larry's solos really aren't anything special, are they?

I think he plays his purple Jackson Kelly on the "Alive In Athens" CD/DVD if I recall correctly!

..That's hilarious..I did not know that. Wow, Jim Morris actually kicks ass on guitar. He produced a zillion band and I did not know that. Those are the only good solos I thought were Larry's..he learned them and played them live ..pretty OK..

C'mon..lets see a show of horns...Ripper or Barlow..?

It's funny Matt Barlow is a cop..If we were partners, our last names would sound hilarious together!!!!!!

Bill Z Bub

[Venomboy]

I think I need to hear the next 2 IE records to say if I like Barlow or Ripper more in the band. I need to see if he leaves a stamp on the band or if he feels like a hired hand. On Gettysburg I really like his vocals and I feel the band went to another level on those songs.

Ripper comin' out punching...indeed! I saw him twice with Priest and was amazed. I brought 2 skeptics to the show and when they opened with Electric Eye they were floored.

I have a bootleg vid of Halford singing for Sabbath in Costa Mesa. Good stuff, even though he came in too early on a few verses. He was just having some fun at the gig.

The thing about the IE solos is I never felt the passion like I do from Adrian Smith, Andy LaRoque or anyone like that. They feel like they're from the guy in high school who could play really well, play a lot of things note for note, but had zero vibrato or dynamics. Mills' solos do feel a bit punched in, probably because they were. I've listened to his soundclips on the Bareknuckles Pickups site (his company) and he's a bad ass and has the feeling in his playing that IE needs. He can play fast and slow but it always sounds dynamic.

I love Evergrey too. Although the last record was a bit too simple and the guitar sounded too dark and too...soft...I think that's the word I'm looking for. The singer is great and a nice guy. Met him at an IE/Evergrey/Children of Bodom show a few years ago.

I'm really surprised that Jon let the riffs go unnoticed on the EP. The guy is obviously a control freak and a great rhythm player. Then he lets the best parts of the songs get buried. WTF?

[horns666]

Yeah, I hear you. Gettysburg is mostly Barlow singing background, The Glorious Burden was complete with Matt Barlow before his depatuire . Tim filled in the gaps at that time and put his stamp on it, which totally changed the dynamics of Iced Earth. Which was a big, dramatic change for old , die-hard Iced Earth fans like myself. I am not slamming Tim, I think he is a talented guy, but their style is night and day. Some people like night..some day. I like both in the right context I guess..which is always subjective..which is cool.

I just want my old Iced Earth back. I wish Tim much success with his music career. He's been screaming his brains out for approx 20+ years... That's awesome!

Tim Mills, Yeah..he just popped out of the blue for me at this time, and now learning about his skills...he's great! Ralph Santolla is a very talented player. I don't know if you like death metal..but He's insane on Deicide's "The Stench of Redemption"...wow.

OK guys, I gotta bail..I'll be back later.

coolness,

Bill Z

[Venomboy]

I heard Santolla a bit on the new Deicide. When I saw him live with IE...YUCK. Totally squeaky. People all around me winced when he played.

[DC_rhoads82]

I can't say im very knowledgeable when it comes to IE but I do have a few cds and the athens dvd and its one of my favs. I can say that I enjoy the song 10,000 strong though. and to what someone said, Benedictum is quite cool indeed, they cover a lot of Dio. i think i have their album on my comp somewhere. by the way, phantom opera ghost is my fav iced earth song , quite a fun workout!

[Number Of The Priest]

C'mon..lets see a show of horns...Ripper or Barlow..?

It's funny Matt Barlow is a cop..If we were partners, our last names would sound hilarious together!!!!!!

Owens or Barlow?

Barlow or Zurlo?

Barlow or Zurlowens?

Barlowens or Zurlo?

TimMatthy Zurlowens.

I'm just amusing myself. The English language is fun to play around with.