Iced Earth | Dystopia
by John Kindred
Staff Writer —
Iced Earth’s 10th studio album Dystopia, although not a concept record per say, loosely is held together by the common thread of the calamity of a Dystopian society. The definition of dystopian, a creation of a nightmare world, is the exact opposite of a Utopian society. It’s interesting in our culture, now as well as in the past that people clamor for the ideal of a Utopian society. Yet as the truth is unveiled to us daily, on the TV and internet, the revelation of the chaos of dystopian unrest is a part of the world we live in today. Although Schaffer visits this idea of dystopian-ism; from the aspect of fictional literature, classic sci-fi movies and dark musical opuses, it is apparent that the real world plays heavily into the conceptual presentations of Iced Earth.
Dystopia contains 10 songs that by titles alone recalls; classic sci-fi movies and TV shows, “Dark City,” “Equilibrium” and “V,” classic books “Anthem” by Ann Rand and times of unrest in the ’60s “Days of Rage.” It’s obvious that Schaffer and the band put thought into the compositions that goes beyond just technical music. Musically Iced Earth has added new vocalist Stu Block to the ranks. Block takes the reigns from the recently departed Matt Barlow. Drummer Brent Smedley, bassist Freddie Vidales and guitarist Troy Steele round out the band and have provided Schaffer with a stable lineup for the last four or five years.
The music of Iced Earth will be familiar to fans. Stu Block doesn’t travel to far from what fans are used to either. From a Halford like shrill-metallic-vocal to gut wrenching growls, what Block delivers meshes with the music flawlessly. This is power metal that is reminiscent of past Iced Earth releases. Heavy galloping rhythms, epic songs, edgy-over-the-top vocals, searing solos, Dystopia should be considered dangerous, like a stack of dynamite ready to explode from your speakers.
Again while not a concept record Orwellian themes abound and the band actually rekindles story lines from previous albums. “Tragedy and Triumph” revisits Something Wicked while “Set Abominae” returns to The Crucible of Man. “Anguish of Youth” features Stu Block mellow slightly and deliver and emotional vocal over a melodic arrangement. “End of Innocence” is another track where the band delivers a song driven by the drums and acoustic guitars that progresses into a heavy-melodic-opus. The rest of the music is a power house of power metal. Plenty of tasteful solos are provided by Schaffer and Seele. The rhythm section, drummer Smedley and bassist Vidales, provide a solid and heavy sound bed for the guitars and vocals to ride over the top of. Iced Earth has definitely set the bar high when it comes to the Power Metal genre. After 10 albums Schaffer and his gang still have plenty of gas left in the tank.
Is the Orwellian future here, today? Maybe it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee or just continue to lay there drowning in the illusion of Utopia rising. Just something to think about.
Genre: Power Metal
Band:
Jon Schaffer (Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals)
Stu Block (Lead and Backing Vocals)
Brent Smedley (Drums)
Troy Seele (Lead Guitar)
Freddie Vidales (Bass Guitar)
Label: Century Media
Track Listing:
1. Dystopia
2. Anthem
3. Boiling Point
4. Anguish of Youth
5. V
6. Dark City
7. Equilibrium
8. Days of Rage
9. End of Innocence
10. Tragedy and Triumph
Web: http://www.icedearth.com/
Hardrock Haven: 9/10