By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 16/06/2017
Label: Century Media Records
This is the kind of album
that Judas Priest should be making- and used to make. “Incorruptible” is a
great metal album, it delivers on every level, with every band member excelling
in their field. Time for me to get hold of the back catalogue as well, as “Incorruptible”
has converted me to being a fan of the band. After nearly thirty years of
albums, Iced Earth are deadlier than ever.
“Incorruptible” CD//DD//LP track listing:
01. “Great Heathen Army”
02. “Black Flag”
03. “Raven Wing”
04. “The Veil”
05. “Seven Headed Whore”
06. “The Relic (Part 1)”
07. “Ghost Dance (Awaken The Ancestors)”
08. “Brothers”
09. “Defiance”
10. “Clear The Way (December 13th, 1862)
02. “Black Flag”
03. “Raven Wing”
04. “The Veil”
05. “Seven Headed Whore”
06. “The Relic (Part 1)”
07. “Ghost Dance (Awaken The Ancestors)”
08. “Brothers”
09. “Defiance”
10. “Clear The Way (December 13th, 1862)
The Review:
Back
with their twelfth album, Iced Earth are
something of an American metal institution. Yes, the line up album to album
often changed, but with Jon Schaffer at the helm the band has been viewed as
perhaps akin to the US version of Iron Maiden in terms of
scope and ambition. I have to be honest here, I have never really got into the
band until now. I bought “Something
Wicked This Way Comes” some years ago but could not get into it. On the
strength of Tim “Ripper” Owens involvement, I got hold of the deluxe edition of
“The Glorious Burden...” same thing.
Maybe I didn't persevere enough, maybe I was expecting something different;
whatever the reasons I didn't get it. Until now.
“Incorruptible”
is
a hugely enjoyable record. It is uncategorisable, other than to say that this
is metal. Proper metal. Screaming vocals. Shredding guitars. Massive drums.
Rumbling bass. Songs about heathen hordes, piracy, history, brotherhood,
nature... they are all here.
The
opener “Great Heathen Army” is epic
in sound and delivery, but equally is straight to the point in that it goes for
the throat and does not let go. Stirring stuff, for sure, as is “Black Flag” (nowt to do with the
hardcore punk band- Rollins fronted or
otherwise). Changing pace, “Raven Wing”
is sublime- it has some undefinable quality that makes for a classic track.
It's not a hard rocker or a ballad, but is perhaps a distant cousin to a track
like Accept's “Princess of the Dawn”. Have a listen and you may understand where I
am coming from.
There
are vicious head bangers such as “Seven
Headed Whore” and “Defiance” epic
trad metal like “The Relic (Part 1”), an
instrumental (“Ghost Dance..”.), trad power balladry with a metal heart (“Brothers”) and a suitably epic closer in
the form of “Clear The Way (December 13th
1862)”. The production is never less than state of the art, the
musicianship superlative. More important is that the songs deliver as well.
This
is the kind of album that Judas Priest should be
making- and used to make. “Incorruptible”
is a great metal album, it delivers on every level, with every band member
excelling in their field. Time for me to get hold of the back catalogue as
well, as “Incorruptible” has
converted me to being a fan of the band. After nearly thirty years of albums, Iced Earth are deadlier than ever.
“Incorruptible” is available
everywhere now
FFO:
Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, Nevermore
Band
info: facebook
