Iced Earth vs Metallica II
January 30, 2007 by Jo Minor
“Red Baron” has to be heard to be believed - Ripper Owens really lets his vocals run wild in this one, check out the screams in the chorus of the song! Finally, the last stand-out moment of the album’s first CD (the second CD is the Gettysburg Trilogy with 3 really epic tracks - more on that later) is the song Valley Forge. The song starts off slow, with acoustic guitars and lyrics which detail a very personal account of war through the eyes of a soldier, and gradually builds up to a catchy chorus. Listen to this one right to the end, folks…the guitar solo in this one has got to be the best guitar solo in any Iced Earth song!
The Gettysburg Trilogy: I’ll keep this part short and simple. Take the time to listen to the entire CD from start to end, and read the lyrics as you do. It’s an amazing experience, really! Tim’s vocals and the band’s music really does it for me, and the war scenes that progress together with the songs are products of a brilliant visionary and are truly touches of songwriting class.
The Stormrider vs. Saint Anger
Being the mastermind of one of the greatest Metal bands of all time isn’t a walk in the park. Just ask James Hetfield of you-know-which-band (your 13 year old sister has probably seen them on MTV). Nothing against the man behind one of Metal’s living legends (after the mid 80s and most parts of the 90s that is, but that’s OK, MTV still wants them), but when Bob Rock said he wanted to get the band to release something a band jamming for the first time in a garage would, I couldn’t keep a straight face and put the blame solely on Rock’s head. Jon Schaffer, on the other hand - albeit not having a single companion with him through the times (maybe its better to not have a Lars Ulrich in your band, eh?) has not only carried Iced Earth through the harsh environments of the 90s (I can name you at least 10 Metal bands who haven’t gotten through the 90s without changing their musical style) but has in fact allowed his band to flourish with his iron grip dictatorship. Maybe that is the best way to run and lead a band; after all he has given countless band mates the boot for not being up to his standards. James, on the other hand, allows a whiny, trash-talking Dane to step all over his head. See the difference now? I thought so.
It’s impossible, at least to me, to not compare these two giants. After all, they have so many similarities - being rhythm guitarists and chief songwriters of their respective bands, being exemplary front men and leaders, and both trying to climb up the ladder of Metal Stardom in flourishing Metal hotbeds (Hetfield in California: home of thrash giants Slayer and Exodus, among others - while Jon and his working prototype Iced Earth - with now-defunct band members - jammed in warehouse complexes in Tampa Bay alongside the likes of Obituary and Overkill).
Strangely, Jon looks up to James and Metallica, even though he has obviously proved to be the better leader. One would have to admit that James wasn’t as strong as many in the Metal scene would have wanted him to be after seeing him self-destruct due to alcoholism and the stereotypical rock ‘n roll lifestyle, among other things (Get the Some Kind Of Monster documentary - it somehow gives you a fresh perspective on the abomination which was St. Anger) that led to Metallica’s slow demise.
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