CD Review: Iced Earth - Tribute to the Gods

Way back in 2002, Iced Earth was getting ready to part ways with their longtime label, Century Media Records, and to do so they were required to deliver one final album. Instead of giving up an album of new material, Iced Earth mastermind Jon Schaffer decided that for their final release they would pay tribute to some of the bands that inspired him and the band to get into this business of music creation. The end result is what you would expect of a tribute/cover album, a mixed bag, but generally well worth the listen.

Iced Earth is one of those bands that has a dedicated following but haven't really broken through to the mainstream in any meaningful way. They are an incredibly talented band that has delivered some of the best heavy metal over the past 15 years. Even with the seemingly endless rotation of band members, session players, touring players, and vocalists they always seem to turn out some great music. This fact is probably due to the strong guiding force that is founding member, guitarist Jon Schaffer. It is said the bands represented here are those that influenced the band, but I suspect that it is a list that heavily favors Schaffer's influences.

Tribute to the Gods would prove to be the final studio recordings that the band made with vocalist Matthew Barlow, who still owns the record of longest tenure of any of their singers, spanning four studio albums, one album of re-recordings of earlier tracks with him on vocals, and a live album. The split was amicable. Barlow's reason for leaving had to do with his changing attitudes in the wake of 9/11. Wishing to contribute more to the real world, he went to the police academy and became a police officer, currently serving in Georgetown, DE. The man has an amazing voice, very powerful and emotional. This album may take him a bit out of his element at times, he still puts his stamp on these Iced Earth versions. Barlow is actually making a return to music, becoming the new lead singer for a band called Pyramaze, whose schedule allows him to retain his post as a police officer.

This album contains classics from such luminaries as Kiss, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Blue Oyster Cult. The songs feel as if they were partially attempting to remain true to the originals while also putting a distinctive Iced Earth stamp on them. It is a little strange hearing these songs, some of which had more of a raw feeling or sparse production recreated here with the thick, heavy production that I would associate with Iced Earth. I wonder if the Iced Earth stamp was just a byproduct of their production practices more than a concious decision to give that Iced Earth vibe? Whatever the case may be, it is effective on some songs more than on others.

Track one is the Kiss song "Creatures of the Night." It is not bad, but it sounds a bit strange hearing them play in this higher register, it sounds a bit awkward and Barlow is definitely out of his element. They make up for the false start by following up with Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast," a song in a style that they are better suited to. They bring a nice thickness to the track and while Barlow is definitely a different type of singer than Bruce Dickinson, he sounds very good here, as do Jon Schaffers guitars. "Highway to Hell," from AC/DC, is next, and there is a bit of a "metalling" up going on with this rock song which falls in the middle in terms of success. The guitars and drums have a nice heavy feel for them, but the vocals do not come close to Bon Scott.

Blue Oyster Cult makes an appearance, their first of two, with "Burnin' For You." This sounds really good, it is a bit more of a classic rock sound, but Iced Earth's sound molds easily around it and Barlow sounds just right. Next is the second of the Kiss cuts, "God of Thunder," and it is really made to sound awful heavy. Sure some of the lyrics sound a bit silly, but man if it doesn't sound cool. Iced Earth then takes a turn to the metal stylings of Judas Priest with "Screaming for Vengeance." I'm sorry, but this just does not sound good at all, they just seem to be trying to keep up and making a pale imitation of the original.

The pace is slowed for Alice Cooper's "Dead Babies," given a very morose feel and allows Barlow to stretch his emotional range, as he sounds very good here. No, not quite Cooper, but give it a listen, you may be surprised with what he can do if you were not previously familiar. Next up is the second Blue Oyster Cult inclusion, "Cities on Flame," a track which is moderately successful, it is a bit too "rock" for them and the end result is curious but nothing to really right home about. The production seems to have been stripped back a bit for AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top," another example of a song that isn't bad, but sounds a bit off when played by Iced Earth.

Tribute to the Gods closes strong with a pair from legendary bands Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. First up is Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" which sounds deep, evil, and heavy and gives Barlow another change to streetch his pipes. The drumming from Richard Christy sound sparticularly good on this track. The album closes with Maiden's "Hallowed Be Thy Name," and it is here where all of the pieces come together in near perfect harmony. It allows the band to spread out in a technical wall of sound while Barlow does a fantastic job of being Barlow while also respecting the original.

Bottomline. I love Iced Earth, and while this is not near their best work, it does offer up some tracks that any fan will want to have in his collection. It is not bad by any stretch, but with any tribute album you are going to expose the band's strengths and weaknesses in playing the music of others. In short, do not hesitate in checking this out, it is fun, just not great. If you want greatness check out their album Something Wickedn This Way Comes.

Mildly Recommended.