Written by godisdead on 08.03.2011 at 17:20

Written by Valentin B on 08.03.2011 at 10:56

Written by godisdead on 06.03.2011 at 22:19

Ive been listening to a lot of iced earth recently can anyone reccomend what albums I should start with if I want to really get into the band???

you'd better try Night of the Monstrousriffsthatwillbangyourheadtillyoudiefromtheawesomenessofjonschaffer... i mean, Stormrider.

Ok been listening to it sounds great ill get it thanks!!! and which album with matt barlow in it should I get?

Something Wicked and Burnt Offerings. Dark Saga has its moments but it's not as good as these two.

Stu Block's in. Any opinions?

Personally I think he'll fit nicely. Listening to the latest Into Eternity album I can imagine him doing their early non-Barlow stuff without complications. I don't think he'll struggle with the Barlow stuff but obviously it won't sound quite as good. I got into Into Eternity (NPI) because of this.. didn't care for them before but after I heard about Block's transfer to IE I suddenly liked them. Weird psychology going on there.

Written by Storchillarn on 21.03.2011 at 15:53

Stu Block's in. Any opinions?

Personally I think he'll fit nicely. Listening to the latest Into Eternity album I can imagine him doing their early non-Barlow stuff without complications. I don't think he'll struggle with the Barlow stuff but obviously it won't sound quite as good. I got into Into Eternity (NPI) because of this.. didn't care for them before but after I heard about Block's transfer to IE I suddenly liked them. Weird psychology going on there.

yup, Barlow as good as he is, simply cannot match Ripper or Greely when it comes to those vicious high-pitched screams. his sound too operatic and clean, but then you have that "with virtue as our beacon.." part in Declaration Day which is insanely epic and devastating when Ripper does it, but loses some of its power when Barlow sings it.. also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wixRSDXnQU now i realize no-one is perfect, but he manages to fuck things up at one of these supposed "reunion" shows. compare him to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMGJzZugoA and it's pretty clear who wins in the high-vocals department as far as Iced Earth is concerned. and it also seems to me that Barlow has a way too whiny voice now.

why am i comparing Barlow to Ripper when we're talking about Stu Block? well, it's because Stu is almost as good as Ripper at hitting those screams. and when it comes to those epic low growled notes Barlow may have the upper hand, but Stu is close by too.


anyway, i'm pretty satisfied with the guy, i know he'll do a great job in IE.

Written by Storchillarn on 21.03.2011 at 15:53

Stu Block's in. Any opinions?

Personally I think he'll fit nicely. Listening to the latest Into Eternity album I can imagine him doing their early non-Barlow stuff without complications. I don't think he'll struggle with the Barlow stuff but obviously it won't sound quite as good. I got into Into Eternity (NPI) because of this.. didn't care for them before but after I heard about Block's transfer to IE I suddenly liked them. Weird psychology going on there.

Well, I think if Stu mostly removes his death style vocals in IE, he'll have a style closer to John Greely, than any other previous IE vocalist. His highs lack the aggression of Ripper's, and his lows probably won't match the soulfulness of Matt at his best. John Greely was amazing on "Night Of The Stormrider" though, so if Stu can come close to that performance vocally, then he'll probably fit into the band very well. Still, because of the obvious differences between his harsh vocal style with Into Eternity, and Iced Earth, it's going to be interesting to see how he fits in with their sound. Personally though, Id prefer if Ripper was still in the band... I think his performances in IE were very underrated.

Written by Valentin B on 26.03.2011 at 15:45

it's pretty clear who wins in the high-vocals department as far as Iced Earth is concerned. and it also seems to me that Barlow has a way too whiny voice now.

Barlow can't match Owens when it comes to high-pitched vocals. Barlow's natural voice has a low-tone so, while he can perform high-pitched vocals, it will never be as natural for him as it is for Owens.

As for Barlow having a whiny voice, I already mentioned it on other forums but people disagreed with me. And that's the reason I never liked Barlow much. Especially on slow parts, Barlow's voice is whiny, weak, nasal. Some people call it emotional, I call it dull.

I think we can all agree that if there is one man who can more or less emulate the styles of all 5 (!) of the different vocalists Iced Earth had/has and also bring something new to the table, that person is already in the band and is named Stu Block. i once listened to an Into Eternity song on youtube and i thought there were 2 guys doing the vocals(didn't bother to listen too attentively), and i guess that says enough.

Ripper hands down, has a better high vocal range than Matt. It has depth to it, and is full bodied. His highs also contain an aggression that isn't often found in high pitched vocals. Whereas Matt's sound thin and a bit forced. Hearing Matt attempting "Ten Thousand Strong" was painful to listen to, and he clearly struggles in the top end of the higher ranges that Ripper can pull off with ease. And this is coming from someone who loves Matt's vocals on the earlier IE albums. He is just not in the same league as Tim, when it comes to the high vocal range.

As for Stu, well... He certainly has range, that much is very clear to me. Whether he has the depth to really fit in with Iced Earth, I guess time will only tell. But his upper range is reminiscent of John Greely, it's more how his lower range will sound with the band that's the question mark. He's certainly an interesting choice, and I can't wait to see how the band sounds with him at the mic.

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.03.2011 at 16:14

Ripper hands down, has a better high vocal range than Matt. It has depth to it, and is full bodied. His highs also contain an aggression that isn't often found in high pitched vocals. Whereas Matt's sound thin and a bit forced. Hearing Matt attempting "Ten Thousand Strong" was painful to listen to, and he clearly struggles in the top end of the higher ranges that Ripper can pull off with ease. And this is coming from someone who loves Matt's vocals on the earlier IE albums. He is just not in the same league as Tim, when it comes to the high vocal range.

I think it can be summarized shortly. Owens is basically a screamer (a clean screamer, not a Black Metal vocalist), while Barlow is closer to a growler than a screamer.

Concerning Ripper's high-pitched vocals, I have to say even if they're not distorted and don't have the same 'tearing' effect as Black Metal vocals, they're aggressive and have quite a bit of sharpness. Far from weak.

Written by RavenKing on 26.03.2011 at 16:48
I think it can be summarized shortly. Owens is basically a screamer (a clean screamer, not a Black Metal vocalist), while Barlow is closer to a growler than a screamer.

Concerning Ripper's high-pitched vocals, I have to say even if they're not distorted and don't have the same 'tearing' effect as Black Metal vocals, they're aggressive and have quite a bit of sharpness. Far from weak.

Some vocalists are good at growling and screaming though. Matt seems to struggle with his highs. Which is especially evident when he sang on Ripper era material.

Well, I wasn't and couldn't really compare Ripper's highs with black metal vocals, because it's a different style altogether. lol But definitely for the more traditional metal (and power metal) style, Ripper's high pitched vocals are certianly more aggressive than most other vocalists in those genres.

I was actually quite surprised that Stu's highs are so clean, when he does harsh death-like vocals in his lower register.

Http://youtu.be/pDrpOFVN1I0
If you are a fan of old school heavy metal this is a band for you check it out it´s the first release demo ( Buried Alive) from their up comming album.
There alsoe a homepage on the way www.afterlife.nu
Metal is the Law!!!

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.03.2011 at 17:18

Written by RavenKing on 26.03.2011 at 16:48
I think it can be summarized shortly. Owens is basically a screamer (a clean screamer, not a Black Metal vocalist), while Barlow is closer to a growler than a screamer.

Concerning Ripper's high-pitched vocals, I have to say even if they're not distorted and don't have the same 'tearing' effect as Black Metal vocals, they're aggressive and have quite a bit of sharpness. Far from weak.

Some vocalists are good at growling and screaming though. Matt seems to struggle with his highs. Which is especially evident when he sang on Ripper era material.

Well, I wasn't and couldn't really compare Ripper's highs with black metal vocals, because it's a different style altogether. lol But definitely for the more traditional metal (and power metal) style, Ripper's high pitched vocals are certianly more aggressive than most other vocalists in those genres.

I was actually quite surprised that Stu's highs are so clean, when he does harsh death-like vocals in his lower register.

They are clean, but weak imo, I doubt very much I could listen to him front IE.

It will be interesting to hear if Schaffer will utilize the same kind of vocal harmonies that Stu does in Into Eternity because they sound really good. I'm more than confident that he'll do a great job, maybe even better than Owens. It's all in the hands of Schaffer and the musical style of the new album, which hopefully is more thrashy and less power metal.

Written by Storchillarn on 28.03.2011 at 12:00

It will be interesting to hear if Schaffer will utilize the same kind of vocal harmonies that Stu does in Into Eternity because they sound really good. I'm more than confident that he'll do a great job, maybe even better than Owens. It's all in the hands of Schaffer and the musical style of the new album, which hopefully is more thrashy and less power metal.

I'm very interested in hearing him do the old stuff live. When I saw them with Ripper, I thought Ripper did a fantastic job on "Declaration Day", which supposedly was written with Barlow in mind. Yet, Barlow did a better job live with "Ten Thousand Strong", which was supposedly written with Ripper's vocals in mind.

On the CD, I'm sure we can expect to hear a ton of massive Stu choirs since Jon seems to be all about massive vocal layering ever since Demons & Wizards.

I really wanna hear some shit from Night of the Stormrider, he should be able to manage demanding songs like Travel in Stygian pretty well.

I am so dissapionted because Mat has left the band.I respect him and his reasons but man, IE is not the same withou him.And just when they booked a tour for Serbia, Mat decided to leave the band...I am not saying that the new guy is a bad singer but still Mat is kind of a leader on the stage, even if he doesnt write the music or lyrics.

I don't wanna hear them with this guy at all.

I've been impressed with all Iced Earth vocalists so far (except Matt on last album, but the songs were weak which didn't help). I haven't heard Stu yet, i'll wait for the new release and find out.

Written by Dark Cornatus on 26.05.2011 at 06:49

I've been impressed with all Iced Earth vocalists so far (except Matt on last album, but the songs were weak which didn't help). I haven't heard Stu yet, i'll wait for the new release and find out.

Gene Adam who sang on the first album was an atrocious singer. But aside from him, every Iced Earth singer has been great, and hopefully Stu will carry on that tradition. I didn't find Matt's vocals particularly weak on the last album, but he could have been singing at his best and it wouldn't have mattered, seeing as musically most of the songs were dull. :\

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.05.2011 at 17:40

Written by Dark Cornatus on 26.05.2011 at 06:49

I've been impressed with all Iced Earth vocalists so far (except Matt on last album, but the songs were weak which didn't help). I haven't heard Stu yet, i'll wait for the new release and find out.

Gene Adam who sang on the first album was an atrocious singer. But aside from him, every Iced Earth singer has been great, and hopefully Stu will carry on that tradition. I didn't find Matt's vocals particularly weak on the last album, but he could have been singing at his best and it wouldn't have mattered, seeing as musically most of the songs were dull. :\

Are you serious? I thought he was great. His style was definitely that of most US power metal vocalists, only with more high pitched tones (He kind of reminds me of the King Diamond of US Power Metal).

I meant what you said in relation to the last album. As in, Matt's vocals were nothing spectacular because the album songwriting didn't test his range or anything (making him sound boring).

Written by Dark Cornatus on 27.05.2011 at 01:21

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.05.2011 at 17:40

Written by Dark Cornatus on 26.05.2011 at 06:49

I've been impressed with all Iced Earth vocalists so far (except Matt on last album, but the songs were weak which didn't help). I haven't heard Stu yet, i'll wait for the new release and find out.

Gene Adam who sang on the first album was an atrocious singer. But aside from him, every Iced Earth singer has been great, and hopefully Stu will carry on that tradition. I didn't find Matt's vocals particularly weak on the last album, but he could have been singing at his best and it wouldn't have mattered, seeing as musically most of the songs were dull. :\

Are you serious? I thought he was great. His style was definitely that of most US power metal vocalists, only with more high pitched tones (He kind of reminds me of the King Diamond of US Power Metal).

Are YOU serious?! I agree with Angelic Storm, the vocals on the first album (the very first one, the self-titled one, yes?) were certainly "atrocious". I'm not a major Iced Earth fan but have got some several of their albums, including original copies of the first 2 albums.. the vocals on the self-titled debut are pretty bloody appalling, but the vocals on the 2nd one 'Night of the Stormrider' are infinitely superior.

Written by Valentin B on 08.03.2011 at 17:23

Written by godisdead on 08.03.2011 at 17:20

Written by Valentin B on 08.03.2011 at 10:56

Written by godisdead on 06.03.2011 at 22:19

Ive been listening to a lot of iced earth recently can anyone reccomend what albums I should start with if I want to really get into the band???

you'd better try Night of the Monstrousriffsthatwillbangyourheadtillyoudiefromtheawesomenessofjonschaffer... i mean, Stormrider.

Ok been listening to it sounds great ill get it thanks!!! and which album with matt barlow in it should I get?

Something Wicked and Burnt Offerings. Dark Saga has its moments but it's not as good as these two.

Dark Saga has its moments? Its more like this Dark Saga, Something Wicked, Burnt Offerings.

Written by Richard on 27.05.2011 at 03:20

Written by Dark Cornatus on 27.05.2011 at 01:21

Written by Angelic Storm on 26.05.2011 at 17:40

Written by Dark Cornatus on 26.05.2011 at 06:49

I've been impressed with all Iced Earth vocalists so far (except Matt on last album, but the songs were weak which didn't help). I haven't heard Stu yet, i'll wait for the new release and find out.

Gene Adam who sang on the first album was an atrocious singer. But aside from him, every Iced Earth singer has been great, and hopefully Stu will carry on that tradition. I didn't find Matt's vocals particularly weak on the last album, but he could have been singing at his best and it wouldn't have mattered, seeing as musically most of the songs were dull. :\

Are you serious? I thought he was great. His style was definitely that of most US power metal vocalists, only with more high pitched tones (He kind of reminds me of the King Diamond of US Power Metal).

Are YOU serious?! I agree with Angelic Storm, the vocals on the first album (the very first one, the self-titled one, yes?) were certainly "atrocious". I'm not a major Iced Earth fan but have got some several of their albums, including original copies of the first 2 albums.. the vocals on the self-titled debut are pretty bloody appalling, but the vocals on the 2nd one 'Night of the Stormrider' are infinitely superior.

Haha, it seems i'm alone on liking him. The main fault i pick up on is that his vocals can be drowned in the mixing, especially from the guitars, which makes him sound much weaker than Greely from Stormrider. He definitely is not better skill wise, but for the sake of the music, i think Greely fits fine.

Adams was by far the weakest of all IE vocalists, but admittedly it did go kinda well. I prefer listening to the original versions of those songs and albums than the remixes/Remasters and Barlows later takes on them on the Days of Purgatory compilation.

Greely was the shit......so's matty, but john is a nice break from those very dramatic vocals (though i know thats the allure)

Written by Richard on 27.05.2011 at 03:20
Are YOU serious?! I agree with Angelic Storm, the vocals on the first album (the very first one, the self-titled one, yes?) were certainly "atrocious". I'm not a major Iced Earth fan but have got some several of their albums, including original copies of the first 2 albums.. the vocals on the self-titled debut are pretty bloody appalling, but the vocals on the 2nd one 'Night of the Stormrider' are infinitely superior.

Hehee

Gene Adam was actually fired from the band because Jon thought his vocals were not good enough to be on the 2nd album. He asked Gene to take vocal lessons, he refused, and this is why Jon sacked him from Iced Earth. Whether anyone likes the vocals on the first album is of course a matter of taste, what isnt up for debate though, is that he can't sing at all. He never sings in tune with the music, and it makes the first album sound as if Stripe the Gremlin had been hired to do vocals for it.

I knew Gene was fired, but not the vocal lesson part haha

I've said this before in other threads and i'll say it again here. It doesn't matter really how good your skills are in music, if blended together well, good music can happen. I would rather hear Gene's vocals on the first album that many other vocalists i've heard. I think he is outstanding on songs like "Written on the Walls" or "When the Night Falls". I compare his vocal style to something like Harry Conklin from Jag Panzer (not the same sound... they are very different, just the style). Where Barlow is far more melodic sounding.

Written by Angelic Storm on 27.05.2011 at 15:07

Written by Richard on 27.05.2011 at 03:20
Are YOU serious?! I agree with Angelic Storm, the vocals on the first album (the very first one, the self-titled one, yes?) were certainly "atrocious". I'm not a major Iced Earth fan but have got some several of their albums, including original copies of the first 2 albums.. the vocals on the self-titled debut are pretty bloody appalling, but the vocals on the 2nd one 'Night of the Stormrider' are infinitely superior.

Hehee

Gene Adam was actually fired from the band because Jon thought his vocals were not good enough to be on the 2nd album. He asked Gene to take vocal lessons, he refused, and this is why Jon sacked him from Iced Earth. Whether anyone likes the vocals on the first album is of course a matter of taste, what isnt up for debate though, is that he can't sing at all. He never sings in tune with the music, and it makes the first album sound as if Stripe the Gremlin had been hired to do vocals for it.

Stripe the Gremlin! That's a bit of an off-the-wall comparison, but fair enough.. I didn't know that about Gene Adam being asked to take vocal lessons and refusing. And of course the guy on Night of the Stormrider, although a very good vocalist, supposedly had some dodgy racist views which led to him being sacked as well, so I.E. apparently didn't have much luck with singers in the early days..

Written by Dark Cornatus on 27.05.2011 at 17:14

I've said this before in other threads and i'll say it again here. It doesn't matter really how good your skills are in music, if blended together well, good music can happen.

That's certainly a fair point. Technical music skill, in a conventional sense, doesn't necessarily equate to the creation of 'great music'. Although it's all relative, of course.

Written by Richard on 28.05.2011 at 03:19

Written by Angelic Storm on 27.05.2011 at 15:07

Written by Richard on 27.05.2011 at 03:20
Are YOU serious?! I agree with Angelic Storm, the vocals on the first album (the very first one, the self-titled one, yes?) were certainly "atrocious". I'm not a major Iced Earth fan but have got some several of their albums, including original copies of the first 2 albums.. the vocals on the self-titled debut are pretty bloody appalling, but the vocals on the 2nd one 'Night of the Stormrider' are infinitely superior.

Hehee

Gene Adam was actually fired from the band because Jon thought his vocals were not good enough to be on the 2nd album. He asked Gene to take vocal lessons, he refused, and this is why Jon sacked him from Iced Earth. Whether anyone likes the vocals on the first album is of course a matter of taste, what isnt up for debate though, is that he can't sing at all. He never sings in tune with the music, and it makes the first album sound as if Stripe the Gremlin had been hired to do vocals for it.

Stripe the Gremlin! That's a bit of an off-the-wall comparison, but fair enough.. I didn't know that about Gene Adam being asked to take vocal lessons and refusing. And of course the guy on Night of the Stormrider, although a very good vocalist, supposedly had some dodgy racist views which led to him being sacked as well, so I.E. apparently didn't have much luck with singers in the early days..

When you think about it, they were probably all sacked because Jon is an arsehole to his members. He probably woke up and thought... fuck i'm angry.... going to sack someone today. I still found it hilarious that they edited Steve DiGorgio out of the Horror show booklet and listed him under 'guest appearance' because he didn't communicate with the band for a period, and said he couldn't be on the next tour for personal reasons.

Written by Dark Cornatus on 28.05.2011 at 04:01

When you think about it, they were probably all sacked because Jon is an arsehole to his members. He probably woke up and thought... fuck i'm angry.... going to sack someone today. I still found it hilarious that they edited Steve DiGorgio out of the Horror show booklet and listed him under 'guest appearance' because he didn't communicate with the band for a period, and said he couldn't be on the next tour for personal reasons.

i wouldn't take it to that extreme. Tim Owens, Steve DiGiorgio and Richard Christie are all accomplished musicians, and they had numerous occasions to bash Schaffer if they really felt like it. now i don't know what really happens inside the group and i don't really care, as long as the music keeps on being awesome, and it hasn't been so for quite some time unfortunately.


anyway, in november i'll finally be able to see these guys in concert. i'm really stoked on hearing Block sing "Declaration Day".


edit 24th June: live stream today from Graspop starting at 22:15 CET! http://www.skynet.be/generation-nl/muziek/festivals/live - edit 25th June: the show was great aside from some fuck-ups from Seele, it's really a shame Barlow is retiring at the top of his game, he was excellent all night, except maybe on the last song they broadcast (The Coming Curse) which is anyway extremely demanding. after that one everyone was expecting Iced Earth but in an orgy of metal blasphemy they cut to some british dudes saying they love classic metal acts like Pantera and Metallica and from the festival bands, they were blown away by.. Korn??!