Arguably the best Iced Earth album released to date, this is the pinnacle of their album collection. Horror Show is based on several creatures that are seen in old movies, books, and are in several famous monster legends world wide. It is also the last album to feature Iced Earth's best vocalist (in my opinion), Matt Barlow.
Iced Earth's line up on this album:
Jon Scaffer - Rhythm, Lead, Acoustic Guitars, Vocals, Mandolin, Keys
Matt Barlow - Lead Vocals
Larry Tarnowski - Lead Guitar
Steve DiGiorgio - Bass Guitar
Richard Christy - Drums
Now onto the songs:
1. Wolf - A song about Werewolves, this is an awesome opening track and it really sets the tone for the rest of the album. Wolf starts out slow and melodic, but quickly picks up into a crescendo of double bass drums and crazy thrash riffs. This is one of my favourite Iced Earth tracks of all time. 5/5
2. Damien - A song based around the central character in the "Omen" series. This song features "Gregorian Chant", a thing Iced Earth is known for using. The predominant instrument in this tune is the bass guitar, so it gives it a really deep and dark sounding style, which suits the mood quite well. This is the longest track on the album being 9:11. 4/5
3. Jack - This song is about Jack the Ripper. This entire song is violently fast, with the exception of the slow part in the middle, and has great sounding vocals. By far one of the better tracks on the album. 4/5
4. Ghost of Freedom - This is the only song on Horror Show that is not directly related to a famous horror creature. This song would probably sound more appropriate on the Glorious Burden album since it is a song about war. It is also the only ballad on the album, and a very well written one at that with plenty of acoustic work and emotional lyrics. The song takes on a heavier sound near the ending, which is also very well done. 4/5
5. Im-Ho-Tep (Pharaoh's Curse) - A song based around the famous Egyptian wizard Imhotep. This is probably the worst sounding song on the album simply because it is rather flat and repetitive. The effects used on the guitars as well add to this flatness. The one good thing about this song is the solo, which is very well played and sounds stunning. 3.5/5
6. Jekyll and Hyde - As the name implies, this song is about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This song starts with a nice sounding acoustic piece which is short lived due to the main part of the song, which is quite fast, kicking in. The part that is especially interesting about this song is the conversation between Jekyll and Hyde in the song, the parts being played by Barlow and Schaffer. This adds an intriguing portion into the song that isn't heard any where else on the album. One of the best tracks on Horror Show. 5/5
7. Dragon's Child - This song is about the Creature of the Black Lagoon. It has a very dark feeling intro with deep sounding drums and very slow and melodramatic lyrics. When the guitars kick in, the style changes entirely into a more Iced Earth sounding song. 4/5
8. Transylvania - This instrumental was originally only available on the special version of Horror Show, but is added onto the redone version of the album. This is an Iron Maiden cover that is very well done. It is heavier then Iron Maiden's version, and is tuned lower as well, but the song is played flawlessly. 5/5
9. Frankenstein - This song is, unsurprisingly, about Frankenstein. This song, like Im-Ho-Tep, is rather flat sounding through out, but the lyrics on this song are very well done, adding that extra kick that track 5 didn’t have. 4/5
10. Dracula - A song about the infamous vampire lord, Count Dracula. The beginning bit of this song is a ballad, with a nice sounding acoustic riff overlapped with emotional lyrics that creates a very nice effect. However, 2/3 through the song, it drastically speeds up. This part sounds amazing and is very memorable. Barlow sings in a very high pitched, almost screaming, voice through out this part which adds a very nice touch. 5/5
11. The Phantom Opera Ghost - A song based around the Phantom of the Opera. This is very well played all the way through. The most interesting thing about this song is that there are two singers, each playing a character. Barlow plays the Phantom and the guest musician, Yunhui Percifield, plays Christine. Through out the song, the 2 switch back and forth singing, and in a few parts harmonize with each other to create a very cool effect. This songs outro, and the outro to the album, is done by an organ, which adds a very chilling and creepy sound to it and ends the album very appropriately. 5/5
This is one of the best written albums I have ever come across, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who is a metal fan. Definitely one of metal's most memorable albums.
