Iced Earth – Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked Part 1
This year saw the return of Iced Earth with ‘Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked Part 1′, their eighth studio album to date. This is the first of two albums ‘weaving a thrilling Sci-Fi tale of mankind’s invasion of Earth, the planet occupied by the direct descendants of the Grand Architect of the Universe.’ This concept was first formed in the bands classic ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ back in 1998, and I have to say that this first part of the double bill of concept albums does not disappoint. There is a lot to take in here, so it does take a few listens in order to allow for the album to sink in, however once you’re able to do so it is absolutely amazing. Complication is the name of the Iced Earth game, and without their intensely complicated, highly technical music – they just wouldn’t be the same band and would fail to possess such a high level of depth and dexterity.
The band blast their way through 70 minutes of musical brilliance here, with a Metal album that has been intelligently written and remarkably well crafted. There is never a dull moment, with the band keeping you hooked for the full 70 minute experience. Jon Schaffer has always been the musical mastermind behind Iced Earth, and with ‘Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked Part 1′, he certainly doesn’t disappoint. Over the past 23 years Jon Schaffer has proven himself as a musician and a songwriter, and never once have he or Iced Earth let us down yet. With every album Schaffer just seems to grow and grow in song writing ability, and this latest album shows a greater development than ever. In this album, Iced Earth have created a great album of epic proportions, not just in terms of the albums length but in terms of song depth also. A lot of hard work, time, and effort has clearly gone into the writing and recording of this album, and thus the end result is truly phenomenal.
There are 19 tracks on display here, each of which contributing equal amounts to the album; take one track away and the album just wouldn’t work as the great tale it is, leave all tracks here and the album is faultless. With each and every track providing such a contribution to the album, it is therefore extremely difficult to pick out tracks that stand out most from the album, however it would be criminal for me not to mention the tracks of ‘Ten Thousand Strong’, ‘A Charge To Keep’, ‘The Clouding’, ‘The Domino Decree’, and ‘Infiltrate and Assimilate’. All of these tracks are extremely finely crafted and the more you listen to them; the better they sound and the more you gain from the listening experience.
‘Ten Thousand Strong’ is quite possibly the best Iced Earth track I have ever heard. Intensely powerful and supremely well written; ‘Ten Thousand Strong’ I can guarantee will be a favourite with Iced Earth fans the world over. Clocking in at just under four minutes in length, this is a fine piece of music and it is clear that a lot of time and effort has gone in here. It is perhaps the album’s crowning glory, and with every listen to the album is a track I always thoroughly look forward to hearing. ‘A Charge To Keep’ stood out to me for another reason; here it is not the track as a whole that captured my attention, but instead its chorus which is reminiscent of a battle cry in sound. ‘The Clouding’ shows a whole new side to the band as here they launch into a full on ballad and successfully accomplish it with apparent ease. ‘The Domino Decree’ however is a soaring track with strong guitars, powerful vocals, and some stomping drum beats. This one has a musical interlude around half way through which lasts a good couple of minutes, and truly is an epic Metallic masterpiece. Finally then of the tracks I could not go without mentioning; we come to ‘Infiltrate and Assimilate’. It is right from the opening of ‘Infiltrate and Assimilate’ that we know it is going to be something special. The crashing introduction of the drums and guitars leave you knowing that this is going to be one to remember, and as the track progresses it certainly does not disappoint.
This said; I still would not recommend listening to any of these tracks individually however as to be fully appreciated, they really do have to be listened to as a part of the album as a whole. It is by listening to the album as a whole that you realise just how much Iced Earth have accomplished here as a band. In ‘Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked Part 1′, Iced Earth have shown how diverse they can be as a band, showing here that they can produce not only Power Metal but also ballads and mid-tempo tracks alike. This album can be seen to be an experimentation from the band, and in my opinion it has 100% worked out for them. Schaffer’s abilities as a songwriter have here been shown to be greater than we first thought. Lyrical strength is more impressive than ever here, and Iced Earth truly do seem to be at the top of their game. Songs here have been created and crafted which are more melodic and memorable than ever before, and ‘Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked’ as a two part collection will no doubt be talked about for years to come.
When bands take on concept albums, the end result is not always too successful. Here however, Iced Earth have created a fantastic album in the form of ‘Framing Armageddon-Something Wicked Part 1′, and I for one can’t wait to here the second part. The second instalment is due in February 2008, and Schaffer claims that it is even better than this first offering. Iced Earth are an incredible Power Metal band, and will surely show their worth when the second album is released and their Sci-Fi concept is complete. I feel that it is not just fans of the genre that can get something out of this album. There is something here for everyone due to the fact that such an amazing story is told in the albums process meaning that it is easily accessible to everyone; even those that wont enjoy the music will be able to appreciate this as the story in itself is entertainment enough.
Label: Steamhammer
Release Date: 10th September 2007
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Our Dying Concept – Death Of An Age
Having formed a mere 12 months ago; Our Dying Concept are a five piece Metal band from Peterborough who have already built up quite a reputation for their explosive live shows. The band recently captured the attention of Rising Records, however have decided to go it alone and are to release an EP in January 2008. On evidence of what is on display here with track ‘Death Of An Age’, the EP will surely be eagerly anticipated in the UK Metal scene. The track here shows the band to be greatly talented at what they do, firing their way through three and a half minutes of unadulterated Metal glory. The guitars are strong, the vocals powerful, and there’s also some super slick drum work on display here. Our Dying Concept are definitely a band to look out for come early next year as their EP is bound to be a stormer.
Rating:
Kate Nash – Made Of Bricks
Kate Nash is a 20 year old singer songwriter from Harrow, London. Making her début through record label Moshi Moshi in February 2007 with double-A side ‘Caroline’s a Victim/Birds’, she was soon snapped up by Fiction Records the following month. How Kate Nash made the transition from an independent to a major label in one month is beyond me as in my opinion Kate Nash music has to be the most irritating to have graced the UK charts since Crazy Frog hit the number one spot in 2005 with ‘Axel F’.
‘Made Of Bricks’ starts promisingly with the short musical opening of ‘Play’, however things quickly turn sour as ‘Foundations’ kicks in, quickly followed by the soon to be released ‘Mouthwash’. ‘Foundations’ is a catchy track, however it has to be said that its catchy for all the wrong reasons. I think that with ‘Foundations’, Kate Nash was on a mission to write and release the most irritating track she possibly could. With lyrics such as ‘You said I must eat so many lemons, cause I am so bitter/I said I’d rather be with your friends mate cause they are much fitter’, it is clear that lyrical intelligence here is at a minimum. It’s not just the lyrics to tell you the truth; it’s also the way in which they are sung. The voice of Kate Nash grates on me no end, and the fact that this track is played so extensively depresses me somewhat. Every time I hear the opening note of ‘Foundations’ I voice my frustration, and swiftly change stations. ‘Mouthwash’ is equally irritating a track, and clocking in at just over five minutes it makes the listening experience feel like an eternity. The lyrical content here is so mundane that it puzzles me how anyone could possibly give the go ahead for this track to be included on a major label album, let alone to be released as a single.
As the album progresses it is clear that the quality of the tracks is not going to improve at all, and the lyrics continue to disappoint. From third track ‘Dickhead’ with its copious amounts of swear words right through to irritating closer ‘Merry Happy’, Kate Nash never once portrays herself to be a talented singer songwriter, and in my opinion never justifies the hype that surrounds her. Sure her music is often catchy, but there is no sense whatsoever of any intelligent thought process having gone into any of the twelve songs here and to me ‘Made Of Bricks’ is a complete disappointment. I see no real musical talent here, and it certainly doesn’t take much vocal talent in order to talk your way through an album.
So many of the tracks on display here never seem to get going, and the album proves to be packed mainly full of fillers. Tracks such as ‘Shit Song’, ‘We Get On’ and ‘Nicest Thing’ have no lasting impact on me whatsoever and are soon forgotten as the album comes to a close. It is not often that I listen to an album and fail to recall more than a couple of the tracks that I have just listened to; however this was most definitely the case with ‘Made Of Bricks’. As background music the album works quite well as for the most part what is playing here fails to register as the music is just so disposable. If you’re looking for music to play at a party, then Kate Nash is a definite no-no. If you’re tired and looking for an album to make everyone leave your party on the other hand then by all means reach for ‘Made Of Bricks’.
Having hit number one in the album charts, it is clear that a fair amount of people went out and bought this bilge; however for me this does not detract from the fact that this is still an awful album. With the albums début single having been in the charts now for a good three months, it is no surprise then that the album has therefore sold so well, and in my opinion Kate Nash has already more than outstayed her welcome.
For me the enduring of an hour of Kate Nash was a nightmare, and it is not something I will be doing again in a hurry. At no point in ‘Made Of Bricks’ did I ever feel that I was enjoying what I was listening to, and although I can see why Kate Nash is popular as some of the music she is producing is catchy; her music is definitely not for me. There is no doubt in my mind that Kate Nash will be a one album wonder and in fact this time next year Kate Nash will surely be a distant memory for most. Kate Nash is a second rate Lily Allen, and Lily Allen isn’t even very good to begin with.
Label: Fiction Records
Release Date: 6th August 2007
Rating:
