Iced Earth - Birth of the wicked

[baTonkaTruck]

Awesome song, but man the mastering engineer really effed this track up. Way over-compressed, the guitars are pumping waaaay too much there. Kinda blows the track imo.

[Metalwilly1]

maan Matt have more power vocals than Ripper Owens so i prefer the older version of this song

[MegaRollerblade]

its so sad he left!:(

[XtraXtable]

bleh. Ripper is an awesome singer but he dosnt come close to Barlow. Alot of bands do this mistake. When they get a new singer they should just let the old stuff go, Instead of remaking something that already was amazing.

[MrFIREWIND13]

\m/ 

[Kurgan420]

i like the barlow version much better

[Lathander28]

@Kurgan420 barlow realy owns on that album

[Zion83n6]

Why the hell did i miss out on listening to this band. Good music.

[TheLegionsOfMetal]

have only one thing to say. I like ripper, but They should have left the Something Wicked Trilogy ALONE!!! Only Matt made the trilogy UNTOUCHABLE!!

[DeathRaiderMMT]

@TheLegionsOfMetal I thought the same with stormrider, the 1993 remaster is nothing compared to the original 1992.

[rtsoldat]

i prefer the other version =D watch?v=I1nx1KLIWZQ

[dragonofblood]

Oh, I see it's the super gay version of Birth of the Wicked. My mistake.

[WhiskyZuluTango]

the coming curse and dante's inferno are way better

[bloodguiser]

Framing Armageddon is my fave Iced Earth song, but this comes close.

[pukedragon]

I had this big CD folder full of burnt CD's that i burnt back when Napster was free, and i had all this stuff i had never even listened to much, just downloaded and burned as quick as i could, and i found this "iced earth" cd, and i was like "iced earth? what the crap is that" and then i played it and i was like "HOLY SHIT THIS IS GREAT!"

[bloodguiser]

@pukedragon You were reintroduced to heavy metal heaven my friend =D!!!

[DemonicSoul7]

I love their songs Curse the Sky, Dracula, Melancholy, Watching Over Me, and I Died For You. But now I'm trying to listen to more of their music to see if I like those songs too and I like this one but it's not my favorite.

[Lugaidvandroyj]

@DemonicSoul7 You really should man! There are many great songs of this incredible band! I recommend you "Travel in Stygian", "A question of heaven", "Dante's Inferno", "Stormrider", "Prophecy" and many others

[shinryu1285]

Is Framing Armageddon the only album they've made where they played the typical heavy power metal stuff? :l all I've heard is long, slow and boring songs til I got to this album.

[xxxblackvenomxxx]

one of the few songs from iced earth where i like the old version better. much crispier, hell yeah!

jon schaffer is pure awesomeness, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!­!

don't this music make you want to grab your guitar and play along with it? gets me every time and when i get home i sometimes play iced earth until i'm all tired.. ^^

[Tuscopa]

@xxxblackvenomxxx Yep, yes it does (make me wanna pick p the guitar). Johns an amazing rhythm player! One of the VERY best! And...damn!, can he play FAST!!! Amazing.

[Asixtirids]

@xxxblackvenomxxx I never get tired of playing ICED EARTH!~!!!!!!!!!

[JelloFluoride]

That lead in the beginning totally doesn't fit John's riffage. Original is exponentially better.

[AxDarkxTyrannyx]

Tim is an amazing singer and a great fit but I vote Barlow

[MrCoolguy6273]

@AxDarkxTyrannyx tim owens isn't pad for filling in for barlow and halford

[bloodtsaf]

matt barlow gets my vote i tottaly agree with vondaminator he fits better matt is iced earth!!

[vandaminator5000]

Matt Barlow is a better fit for the band.

A singer comparison though - Tim sounds a lot like Ronnie James Dio and Matt sounds a lot like Paul Stanley.

[grimwhitescar]

POWER HELL YA!!!!!!!!

[JudasMan92]

I like both versions very much. both singers are very talented but barlow will always be what iced earth is known for. i dont think crucible of man wouldve been as good without barlow

[angelofdeth66]

barlow owns ripper all the way

[MrMethadrine]

y the fuck they rerecord it?.it was already awesome with Barlow.

[JesusPrototype]

This comic albums is very amazing.

[gibsongitars]

@HorrorAngel666 Agreed!

[HorrorAngel666]

fuck this fruitcake just fucking destroyed this song. He needs to go sing for the spice girls

[MultipleScrotum]

@HorrorAngel666 You need to die in a hole with filled with fags like yourself.

[0oIronMaideno0]

Larry's solo isnt as shreddy as this, but is a far better solo.

[MultipleScrotum]

@0oIronMaideno0 I don't know, I think this solo is more badass.

[0oIronMaideno0]

@MultipleScrotum Like i said, this one is technically superior, but tim mills does these pentatonic licks that dont really fit the phrygian/diminished feel to the backing riff. Larry plays slower, but better phrased, thought-out passages that fit that riff really well.

[MultipleScrotum]

@0oIronMaideno0 I still disagree with your comparison. I've always had a big problem with Larry's playing. I just don't think he is too good at soloing, period. He never seemed to do what was right for the songs, in my opinion.

[0oIronMaideno0]

@MultipleScrotum No i agree with you there, he isnt a great lead player, i just thought he did well in this particular song.

[MultipleScrotum]

@0oIronMaideno0 Fare enough.

[KingTrueBaby]

Ugh. No offense intended to Owens, because on the Glorious Burden he ruled ass, but this is just awful. Barlow set a bar that no one could ever hope to reach, and re-introducing the songs with another singer was a bad mistake.

[GregoP2008]

reminds me of JUDAS!!!!!!!!!!

[megtaladeth]

reminds me of iron maiden

[YoGurtDale]

awesoem lyrics

[benjamoe]

Wicked riff changes!!!! \M/

[IcedEarth426]

Jon Schaffer has a new project called Sons of Liberty. Anyone who is an Iced Earth fan should check it out, it's awesome!!

[captainkoros]

Iced Earth consistently has some of the best Album art in music

[TheAmeader]

@captainkoros Sure do, also the best vocals

[ViolenceAndForce]

I love Iced Earth, but I hate how they do this. When they got Matt, they redid a grip of songs by Gene and John off the previous albums. Then they got Ripper ( boo) and redid songs with Matt and put it on this album.

Stop it!

[elbuengaspar]

god, this kind of music reminds me a lot when i was 13 and i was just getting into this fabulous metal world

[dmh091]

@elbuengaspar

;)

[RisingForce1990]

I vote Barlow on lead vox, and let Ripper stay and do the harmonies. Barlow obviously has him beat on vocal range, but you all have to admit, Owens is a badass as well.

[BrutalEpicMetal]

I mean the framing  armageddon album kicked ass.

[BrutalEpicMetal]

I don't care what anyone says, ripper is a great singer, and this album kicked ass, not saying I enjoy his vocals more though, barlow is one beast son of a bitch.

[trashstop]

I like the guitars in this version better, but barlow's singing fits better with this song.

[hergosth]

NO NO NO NO NO NO

[Resavult]

Matt Barlows version was better, but this ones good too. Don't like the ripper in Iced Earth but if he were to start his own band I'd give it a listen.

[gnrcr]

Whoa, I gotta be honest, I didn't like these guys, but these may change some opinions.

[Tanegashima452]

"Cause in this day, in this hour, it's coming true..."

That should be their slogan for shows IMO.

[666danielclark666]

well tbh i think who is singing does come into it at some point?

[Arlexecutor1]

Iced earth!!!! Live in Bogotá Colombia!!!!!!!Feb  14 2010.

[Fluffypopcicle]

this is my first time actually giving these guys a listen and HOLY CRAP!! words cant describe how epic this band is. i havent heard a band this epic since kamelot (excluding their old singer, he was terrible).this is the best thing to happen since iron maiden.

[moviemaker3000]

Man your comment is SPOT ON, so many words of truth it makes my ears bleed almost as much as this song!

[666danielclark666]

Since Iron Maiden....You And Me Are Clearly on the same level

[kishk91]

@Fluffypopcicle i agree!!!! at first i didnt listen to them so. but after couple of songs, like this one, they hooked me.! one of the best bands these days

[Hazelminker]

@Fluffypopcicle Try Rhapsody of fire  and get ready to Faint

[Georgeous129]

@Fluffypopcicle check out the song by them called Question of Heaven. in my opinion, that is their most epic song ever

[MultipleScrotum]

@Fluffypopcicle Fuckin oath! Pure fuckin sweetness.

[Mustakrakiish]

@Fluffypopcicle ur a moron this recording fucking sucks listen to the original all the real iced earth fans stopped listening when this fag started singing

[Fluffypopcicle]

@Mustakrakiish

jeez,, it was the first time i heard the song and i wasn't aware of the other version. stop bitching. this recording is good too, stop being such a dick.

[Mustakrakiish]

@Fluffypopcicle lol my apologies

[elstormo]

@Mustakrakiish Both Matt Barlow and Tim Owens are some of the best singers in metal today. Don't call Owens a fag because he had the near-impossible task of measuring up to Barlow, you fucking nigger.

[Mustakrakiish]

@elstormo owens sucks dick lol ur calling me a nigger? nice fucking insult boy do i feel burned

[elstormo]

@Mustakrakiish I adapted to the level of your "fag" and "sucks dick"-insults.

[Drake45100]

@Fluffypopcicle amen

[megadethandbloodd]

@Fluffypopcicle this is nothing listen to the band when they had barlow (check out the original tracks too)

[Fluffypopcicle]

@megadethandbloodd

i like both of them equally. they both fit in the band imo.

[megadethandbloodd]

@Fluffypopcicle ik ripper is a great singer but i can never respect him as a vocalist

i like the stuff off framing armageddon but i think it would be better with barlow

i hate the albums from judas priest with ripper tho

[SweetOdinsRavens]

@Fluffypopcicle This song is better with the original version. Matt fits Iced Earth a lot better.

[smarty358]

i have that shirt in the begininig!

[myvidutube]

in general i prefer Matt but i think this version is better then Barlow's

[Resavult]

I think Matts version was better, new vocalist is pretty good but i can't really appreciate his work the same way i could Matt Barlows.

[LEDjunior91]

the version with mat barlow is much better than with ripper! please don' t destroy this great song :(

[666ThrashSlayer]

Matt's version is pretty good too :)

[Chrisde26]

I believe its the best song ever!!!!

[memmori1]

Who is singing here, Ripper Owens? Certainly not Matt Barlow!

[Metal4Life007]

its ripper

[Imsuperapplepie]

ripper

[zeroxcrusher]

probably their best song

[brendanb1236]

the prophecy is better... as is most of their first 3 albums...

[Xzibit1256]

@zeroxcrusher yea i always say that too but when i check more songs i think they all are the best xD

[WhiskyZuluTango]

@zeroxcrusher coming curse and dante's inferno are a bit better

[Fordragon]

If there was such a girl, she would be marriage material for sure.

[Fordragon]

What if s/he is? Have you never heard of those before? Do girls not exist where you live? Anyways, great song.

[tzkcrimson]

Ripper is great in priest, but seriously halford is better, but yeah i love ripper's vocals in both bands and enjoy barlow just as much in iced earth even more maybe but i love all of tim's albums so i'm not sure lol

[tulkasainur]

Tom Ripper is a great singer, too bad the two times he entered a great band it was only temporal (well replacing gods like Halford and Barlow is not easy), little injust situacion for an excellent performer

[xDoctorKlockx]

very true Tim does well in both bands but i prefer Tim in Judas Priest i actually like him better then Halford but i prefer Barlow in Iced Earth

[Elysey333]

Such talent. I'm having an orgasm right now!

[Sirat1205]

Me too :))))

[arv919]

You said it all mate. You said it all

[PriestOfFilm]

Prefer Barlows version of this trilogy but Owens gives a great performance, great vocalist and its nice to here this played with a different style.

[hnimisawesome]

I can totally hear the Maiden inspiration in here.

[doctor0096]

PErfect they are perfect

[CallingCrowe]

They're definitive of American Power metal.... I don't see what the argument is all about. Progressive? This is 4/4, written in common scales. This could be a Maiden song... It's a great song, and a great band, don't get me wrong, but stop trying to make them something their not.

[JesusTehNinja]

I could so see Maiden covering this, in fact it would be an instant hit......Maiden fans all over the world would jizz their pants if these guys were more well known, hell Barlow's return deserved a riot

[xLegendaryZx]

I would say that Iced Earth invented Epic Metal

[exnihilo0]

Fuck you.

[captnncrunnchh]

I call them progressive metal because they range from so many other types of metal its really the only that fits them

[Metal4Life007]

they are american power metal. because they have alot of power metal elements. and american power metal doesnt use keyboards only european does.but iced earth as thrash elements too. but they are not progressive metal. progressive metal is symphony x and dream theater.

[captnncrunnchh]

that depends on your view of the words. since many different versions of "progressive metal" have sprung up id say no one really has the true idea of what it is and it is left to interpretation. i call them progressive because they can add variety in their albums, hell, they add variety into their songs, and thats how i view it, not thrash (hate that description of them)and not ballads but somewhere in an undefinable middle ground

[Metal4Life007]

i think we can all just agree and but them into just the heavy metal catagory. because they are like 5 sub genres of metal in 1 band.

[80sNMusic]

Hey can anyone let me know what type of metal these guys are? They're fucking sick!

[MelodusDethicus]

They're not really any one type. If you listen to their other stuff you can hear elements of thrash, power, and prog metal among others.

[gmanhell94]

They sound a lot like a mix of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden

[darkvalen]

Power metal is the best way to describe the genre

[MelodusDethicus]

I agree. I'm just pointing out some of the other musical characteristics they exhibit, but a lot of power metal bands take inspiration elsewhere also so it's not uncommon.

[Metulmayneeak]

I agree nonetheless with all of you! But y'all should categorize them as AWESOME

[captnncrunnchh]

Only for some of their songs. You have to base the genre by all of their songs collectively, not just the power metal ones. They pull from many different styles of metal.

[Goryal]

They are Iced Earth metal.

[Solidsidious]

The leads are so fun and simple to play on this song. I do so on my bass when ever I play. XD

[Fanatical86]

Matt>Owens

[SpinningDisck]

well ya...

[Deimtime]

AWESOME!!!

[Torlof108]

ppl really need too stop dissing ripper especially knowing ripper can sing way fucking better than the noob(s) that say that shit and plus this is one of rippers best songs

[pocenha]

This version with ripper is pretty good

[Guyverhoeven]

I tought This was the end for Ripper however he totaly blowed me away with Beyond Fear.

but yeah still Barlow is the god of vocalists for me.

[Platinum1050]

2:31 really sounds Unidentified Flying Object (UFO).

That's one thing that makes this one better than than Barlow's.

!!!ICED EARTH!!!;)

[pocenha]

I don't get it ._.

[Igorswimmer]

the song is ruined without Matt...Riper is not the right guy for Iced Earth...but he is good singer thou...

[aladassa]

Yeah you mean matt barlow man bruce dickinson is the singer for IM.

[Buradorii2]

Bruce Dickinson? You mean Matt Barlow...

[Platinum1050]

Bruce Dickinson!?!

[DarkLaith]

Even though I think Matt is the better overall vocalist of the two... I have to say, I think Tim's version of this song is even better than the original. He really nailed it on this one.

[RaphKittyKat]

Guess Schaffer did'nt feel the way that you two guys do about Ripper's version. He did write the song you know.

[imortalsoul6211993]

this is...ruined...it was so much better on Something Wicked This Way Comes tims voice just isnt right now yes the solo MAY be better but im not talking about the music im talking about how the voice fits in with it Barlow just fits perfectly and if you havent noticed they changed some of the words around a bit

[priestofsatanx6]

Only Barlow can sing in the band. He is born for that song and the band...

ICED EARTH

ICED EARTH

ICED EARTH

[Guyverhoeven]

Matt Barlow is the perfect voice for iced earth.

Altough i just love they way ripper sings this song in his own way!

[priestofsatanx6]

I agree with you but i prefer Barlow i think his gives more power to his songs.

[Guyverhoeven]

Yes yes i absolutely aggree that barlow is better in this song.

Ripper just brings this one good to.

[Guyverhoeven]

the solo in this one is just so much better!

[Lordjebbs]

I thought he was great with Iced Earth as well.

[Buradorii2]

If you ask me, The ripper isn't a bad singer, he just isn't right for Iced Earth. But he did a pretty good job on this song though.

[Barlowned]

Brent Smedley, the IE drummer whom played in Alive in Athens, Framing Armageddon and The Crucible of Man (last album recently released)

[RunningWithin]

I thought this was going to be the original. It's pretty good with The Ripper, but Barlow fucking kicks ass on this song.

[ruudinho23]

I wonder if this band is possessed by a metal-devil, cause Iced Earth is awesome..!

[Bridge1961]

The song is fantastic, but the singing really sucks, too much echoing/resounding.

The singing along chorused in the period after Matt also annoyed me, I am afraid greatly caused as Germans like this a lot, hope this will change in the future now that Matt is back.

[SPY11MEX]

Not a bad version at all. I still prefer Barlow's

[krnr]

Tim Ripper Owens is one of the best singers in the world and his voice would blow the fuck out of Barlow anytime.

[ruudinho23]

Tim Owens IS one of the best singers in the world, but Matt Barlow is in my opinion better, and he fits Iced Earth better than Owens.. Barlow is like the one and only voice of Iced Earth..

[m3ta1h3ad145218]

omg his voice sux

[deityofall]

it was better back then with Matt... *sigh*, what has this world come of?

[Andr3w7]

awesome song!

[johnmarkstankowski45]

Tell you what check out my video of iced earth it's a bit out unfortuanatley but what the hay check it out any way