Iced Earth - Box Of The Wicked (Ltd Box Set) (NEW CD) [Box set]

I should note this fact straight away, the music by Iced earth is mostly far and above 5 stars. But as usual the main problem and criticism I have with this sort of thing is it's purpose and reason of origin in the first place; ok, so what I'm really getting at here is do we really need this?.... I mean Iced earth are a great band with more than a handful of solid and formidable albums in there back catalogue, but this something wicked series I humbly feel has gracefully run it's course. Im not sure a box set is quite needed to tempt loyal fans into exchanging more of their hard-earned cash and a cash intensive associated trade-in of their individual album sets. It isn't particularly recommended in my opinion as primarily the quantity of extras on here is badly lacking, as are a few recordings with Matt Barlow on some of the tracks of the something wicked part 1 album and a few live numbers.

We also have the EP release issue which had been released to enhance and promote the something wicked part 1 album. Both albums on here arn't really of the greatest Iced earth calibre, and certainly not compared to the first five albums. The box set is a great idea but the timing of it's release is also questionable in my opinion as indeed coming on to the scene 3 years after the "crucible of man" hit the shops seems a little silly. The idea and the whole concept should in theory be a good one but it just isn't, I would at a first glance come to the conclusion that this budget release is a bit of a rushed out and ill prepared one. The low price is a bit of a consolation but I can't really see who this thing is aimed at. Ok, I more than like Iced earth a little bit and I certainly do enjoy some of these tracks of these albums but it's no match for the early "genesis" set. I'd personally much prefer my cash spent on that one me but this item's value is still really quite minimal it's retrospect. Hmm.... not really necessary.

Overall this is a good deal, musically the albums are good. My only disappointment is the cheap box that holds everything, it feels very thin and can tear easily, would not have mind to pay little more for a better box. Overall its a good deal from a kick ass band!!!

OK, first up, this box set contains arguably both Tim 'Ripper Owens and Matt 'Heart and Soul of Iced Earth' Barlow's finest work. I won't have any bashing of either man, because their contributions to the band have been fantastic. This is one such example, and the best example in my opinion.

This box is the Something Wicked concept saga, and begins with the Overture CD, which was recorded as a prelude to the Framing Armageddon CD. This contains the Thunderous 'Ten Thousand Strong' single, which is arguably the strongest hit of metal on the Album, but as part of this E.P. it is an appetiser to the Tim Owens re-record of Prophesy, Birth of the Wicked and The Coming Curse. The music is masterfully rejigged to the key that Ripper sings at, and proivides something that is unique in it's own right. Owens does an excellent job (As always.) of singing this trilogy, and while not surpassing the original work, is easily on par with it. That this EP is now ultra rare is even more incentive.

Then we have Framing Armageddon, which begins with an Egyptian inspired (No suprises there!) Introduction that refrences the introduction of 'Prophesy' before leading headlong into the technical inferno of Something Wicked Part 1. This opens with a spinechilling piece of Rhythm, followed by Ripper's first contribution to this excellent album. The best I can describe his performances from here on out are very much that he's in Judas Priest mode, belting out thunderous screams and high register bombardments along with low sections where he showcases his singing ability.

There are plenty of one minute filler tracks, that bridge the gaps in time between each song, Invasion is simply a sound byte of the attack depicted in 'Something Wicked,' followed by 'Motivation of Man' which is a Metal intro to 'Setian Massacre' depicting Mankind in general as the aggressor. When listened to together, they synergise excellently and Iced Earth as a whole have done a great job of conveying and establishing the themes of their album from the very start.

'A Charge to Keep' slows things down nicely, and is followed by a nice track called 'Reflections,' which serves as a slow, and nicely played foil for the track that it leads into- The sheer Thunder that is Ten Thousand Strong.

As much as I love 'Ten Thousand Strong,' 'The Clouding' is even better, starting as a sorrowful song of loss and longing and moving directly into a song full of hate anger and retribution, it's excellent, and Owens deserves alot of credit for this.

The rest is quite simply excellent, Infiltrate and Assimilate is another great vocal bit.....I have not a bad thing to say for this album, but I will say that I think 'Retribution Through the Ages' is maybe the low point of the album, and I'll be honest, that's being as unkind as I can be. The album closes the way it strated, Galloping, Charging, Blasting and vocally Driving the story- Something Wicked Part 2 slows the pace with it's Instrumental reference to the first track, before launching into the Domino Decree, which is reminiscant of early Blind Guardian for the Intro before launching back Sonically Screaming into Iced Earth's style. We come to the finale, and there's no finer starting point than the Album's Namesake; 'Framing Armageddon,' and the album closer, a Vocally driven Anthem called 'When Stars Collide.' which leads to 'The Awakening,' which serves as a bridge to the next album, 'The Crucible of Man.'

It is at this point that we say goodbye to Tim Owens, who was brilliant in Matt Barlow's absence, and welcome back Iced Earth's talisman Matt Barlow. Owens deserves alot of respect for the work he put into Iced Earth, and while the 'Glorious Burden' wasn't a particular high point for the band, his recording performance in just ten days was astounding. (Also, The Gettysberg 1863 EP was simply phenominal.)

So with Barlow Back, we then have the EP 'I Walk Among You' which is a few of the more well known songs from 'F.A;' 'I Walk Alone,' 'Setian Massacre,' 'The Clouding' and 'A Charge to Keep' re-recorded in fine fashion with Barlow on vocals. A very very solid effort that creates a new twist on the songs included- a particular highlight is The Clouding, which showcases what Barlow brings to the table.

The 'Crucible of Man' overall is alot more grounded and slower paced in its approach, and opens with an astonishing amount of epic scale and grandeur, with 'In Sacred Flames' heralding 'Behold the Wicked Child,' the birth of the storyline's Protagonist/Antagonist character and Iced Earth Mascot 'Set Abominae.' who is revealed to be the 'Anti-Christ.' Barlow immediately sets about making his presence felt, and in all honesty, fits like he never left at all. This album tells a much less Sci-Fi story, and suits Barlow's more grounded, lower range style as opposed to Owen's Ripping High range. As a result, the start of this album is alot slower, alot more methodically paced than 'F.A' which is especially good when played back to back.

By the time we're led to Track 6, 'Crown of the Fallen' the pace, tone and story begin to heighten, and leads into 'The Dimension Gauntlet' which the lyrics describe as the character's 'final test.' before his mission to destroy Humanity begins. This is the point in the album where not only does the music come back to the kind of pace and technicality it had during 'F.A' but where it hits its stride. 'I Walk Alone' is the signiature track of the album, and from here on the album takes on a more dramatic turn, mostly thematic on wether mankind is worth sparing, or wether they need to be Annihilated as per the plans put in place during 'F.A.'

I don't think much more needs to be said on this album, as it doesn't have the same dynamic shift from song to song that 'F.A.' has, which is not to say it isn't as good, it's just to say there's not alot more I can say about it. Iced Earth fans know what to expect from Barlow, and we certainly weren't disappointed.

This set also includes a Bonus E.P, containing 'Dark Saga' 'Iced Earth' and 'Pure Evil' along with the Barlow Re-record of 'A Charge to Keep' this is the part of this box I haven't heard yet unfortunately, however, I can say that they were recorded during the 2008 Graspop Festival where they had a full set on the main stage.

In short, this is an excellent, excellent box set, containing two essential albums and three CDs worth of treasure at a frankly ludicrously low price of £16- as much as I paid for the 'Framing Armageddon' album on it's own on this very site- I'm proud and happy to be buying it for a second time, and am really excited to have this as part of my collection. This is essential. I mean it. ESSENTIAL for any Iced Earth fan who doesn't already own the components