I just got the new Iced Earth album

[hiro23]

I think it's awesome, I think this marks a return to the classic Iced Earth sound and I welcome Matt Barlow back as he was very missed.

I did really like Tim Owens but let's face it Matt Barlow is the voice of Iced Earth.

[black death]

I did really like Tim Owens but let's face it Matt Barlow is the voice of Iced Earth.

Hell yeah!
Although Ripper is a great singer, everytime he is replacing someone, he has that ungrateful position that the person he's replacing is too recognizable. And most of die-hard fans doesn't want to accept it. (Including me when speaking about Judas Priest.)

For some unknown reason I think Framing Armageddon is better than The Crucible of Man , even if I really don't like Ripper. But I've noticed that Framing Armageddon was re-sung by Matt (some limited edition??), so I'm curious how THIS sounds

[hiro23]

very true, but they didn't re-record framing armeggedon, they just redid a few choice songs for the "I walk among you" Single.

and yes I will admit Tim Owens seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to bands he gets placed in, which is why I believe he made "Beyond Fear" so he could have a band he's in permenantly. Though it seems Yngwie Malmsteen has placed him in his band as well.

You are right when it comes to the fact that Crucible of man doesn't really have anything in the way of singles like framing armeggedon did however you have to admit it's a no-nonsense Iced Earth metal album.

[Babylon]

I really wanna hear this. Ripper is a very talented singer, but there is nobody better for IE than Matt Barlow.

Got the bootleg from Graspop 2008 from a friend of mine and it's amazing. Matt's voice on Declaration Day sounds incredible.

[hiro23]

Amen to that.

plus the new songs may come off as okay at first but they slowly start to grow on you and you see how great they are.

I'm really hooked on the "I walk alone" song.

[black death]

Though it seems Yngwie Malmsteen has placed him in his band as well.

Yes, I've noticed. But I'm afraid "Yngwie's singers" and "long-term position" don't match together

[hiro23]

you do have a point there, but maybe mr owens will break that record, only time will tell.

[Babylon]

Just bought this yesterday. Sounds great so far!

[hiro23]

Different from the first part but still great Iced Earth I believe.