• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

It's a rule: on double albums, the second disc is never as good. Nordland Part 2, The House Of Atreus, Part 2... there is almost never any good reason for the second disc to exist. This is part 2 of the interminable "Something Wicked Saga" from Iced Earth. Last year we had Framing Armageddon, which at the time I thought was pretty good, but it has faded with time, so I don't like it as well now.

Now we have this: 15 more tracks of IE music that is so by-the-numbers they would have been better off just re-issueing the last album and changing the song titles. Really. I was hoping that after the break, and his superlative performance with Pyramaze on Immortal, that Barlow would be able to inject some fire into the proceedings. A vain hope, as Schaeffer saddles him with boring songs and tepid vocal lines. He sounds bored, and I was bored. It actually made me wish Ripper was back. There is not one riff or vocal melody you will remember after this is over. It's not that bad while it's on, but there are much better ways to spend your time.