ICED EARTH - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 2-LP (Black Vinyl)

Whether you’re a fan of Iced Earth or not, you can probably concur on one obvious statement: “The Glorious Burden” was way too average for John Schaffer’s usual genius, especially after acquiring Tim “Ripper” Owens into the realm when longtime vocalist Matt Barlow left in 2003. Furthermore, the pessimistic aftermath of the not-so-glorious burden shadowed this new era in their timeless legacy, even when Schaffer manufactured a monumental feature entitled “Something Wicked,” which was divided into two separate parts; however, each section had a different vocalist as Ripper took control of the first part (“Framing Armageddon”) while Barlow returned thereafter on the second chapter. Barlow fanboys have had a wild time slinging mud at “Framing Armageddon,” and why? In my studies, I’ve concluded the reasoning: they are all stupid as shit. Unfortunately for those pompous goons, Iced Earth’s ninth full-length outperforms, maximizes, and reinvents everything America’s legendary kin has ever represented.