Review Summary: An amazing, well written epic from one of the best metal bands from America!
After the loss of Matt Barlow, I couldn't see myself listening to Iced Earth with another vocalist! After finding out the "Ripper" was the replacement, I still wasn't satisfied. I heard "The Reckoning" and thought the music was crazy but the vocals were not up to Barlow's par. Shortly after I heard "When the Eagle Cries" and thought it was really cheesy.
One day I said, it has to be good, becuase Jon Shaffer wrote it so let me give it a listen especially since my drummer praises it as the best I.E. album and the fact that I am a history buff. I borrowed the album from my band mate and the cover was signed by Jon Shaffer and "Ripper" which I have in my possession to this day since he had an extra.
I fell in love with the album instantly. "Declaration Day" was just so emotionally moving becuase everything was put together so perfectly, from words to music especially in the chorus:
So we make our stand and pray
On this declaration day
For independence I will fight
With liberty I will defy
So we make our stand and pray
On this declaration day
Give me liberty or give me death
I'll fight 'till my last breath
Even though I still prefer Matt Barlow, Owens voice is amazing and he really sang his heart out in this album and "Framing Armageddon". Owens just amazed me track after track. Every song had its own unique sound and feel but it felt so real as if, you felt what a Marine (Greenface) was feeling in the battlefield. Attila wasnt American history but it just muscled itself into the lineup with beefy gang vocals from the Huns and Romans in the heat of battle. On the song "Red Baron/Blue Max", Owen's sings the chorus with so much balls that it keeps the listener hungry for more of his high pitch techniques. The only track that Shaffer could have left out was "Hollow Man". I know he usually likes to balance his albums with at least 2-3 low tempo/ballads but this song just drags musically and Owens doesn't help with some lackluster melodies.
The trilogy is just amazing. Some of the vocals were heard to figure out without the words but an amazing epically written trilogy. The beginning of "Hold at All Cost" with the clean guitar and vocals sends chills down my spine. The sounds of battle, the extra instrumentation with ,mixture of actual American battle songs, and the singing of General discussion just overwhelms the listener. This isn't going over the top at all, becuase it would be dishonoring those who fought and died in this epic war.
1 - The Star-Spangled Banner - Perfect way to start or even could have ended with. 4/5
2 - Declaration Day - My personal favorite song, one of the best choruses ever. 5/5
3 - When the Eagle Cries - Simple, but too the point, and grows on you. 3.5/5
4 - The Reckoning (Don?t Tread On Me) - Classic I.E. speed 4/5
5 - Greenface - Scream "GREENFACE" 5/5
6 - Attila - Great battle song, keeps the blood pumping. 4/5
7 - Red Baron/Blue Max - High vocal techniques of Owens is insane! 5/5
8 - Hollow Man - Unnecessary. 1/5
9 - Valley Forge - Cool song, with a great concept. 3.5/5
10 - Waterloo - Cool song about Napoleon. 3.5/5
11 - The Devil to Pay - Pledge of allegiance, great instrumentation 4/5
12 - Hold At All Costs - Bone chilling intro with a great riff 4/5
13 - High Water Mark - The epic finish. 5/5
