Iced Earth's follow-up album to their 2007 release "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)" features the much anticipated return of singer Matt Barlow. While I always enjoyed Tim "Ripper" Owens' performances, I have to admit Barlow's voice lends the material the same feeling of nostalgia as did Bruce Dickinson's return to Iron Maiden on Brave New World. With regard to material, the album is a concept record that flows well between harder rocking power metal epics and mellower ballads. Regardless, it suffers from having some songs on the bland side, and the album as a whole doesn't have many memorable moments.

Barlow does mainly a good job throughout the whole record with his versatile singing style, yet it is not enough to save this album from the stamp of mediocrity. Somehow Iced Earth is starting to seem uninspired with recycled song ideas and unremarkable lyrical concepts. However, the album does have its moments and the production on this record has been done well as the sounds are clear and balanced.

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- MAGE (October 31st, 2008)

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LINE-UP:
Barlow, Matt: Vocals Schaffer, Jon: Guitar Seele, Troy: Guitar Vidales, Freddie: Bass Smedley, Brent: Drums
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. In Sacred Flames 02. Behold the Wicked Child 03. Minions of the Watch 04. The Revealing 05. A Gift or a Curse 06. Crown of the Fallen 07. The Dimensional Gauntlet 08. I Walk Alone 09. Harbinger of Fate 10. Crucify the King 11. Sacrificial Kingdoms 11. Something Wicked (Part 3) 12. Divide and Devour 14. Come What May 15. Epilogue Length: 59:16