Artist: ICED EARTH
Album: OVERTURE OF THE WICKED (CDS DIGI)

Year: 2007
Media type: CD

Iced Earth mastermind Jon Schaffer has embarked on what could be the most epic-proportioned metal release so far in the new century. Taking the band’s classic “Something Wicked” trilogy, re-recording it, and then recording two albums telling the story in its’ entirety.

The single OVERTURE OF THE WICKED will be followed by some exclusive European festival performances leading up to the release of the first of two studio albums called FRAMING ARMAGEDDON (SOMETHING WICKED PART 1) which will be released in September. The second album concluding the SOMETHING WICKED story will be released in early 2008. Schaffer agrees that, “It’s a bit Star Wars - with multiple parts and a long timeframe. The original trilogy is just an overview of the story that begins 12,000 years ago and leads us to modern day. You should look at the trilogy as an introduction to this whole epic. What is coming next in the two album parts is a far more in depth look into this very tragic, heavy and apocalyptic sci-fi/fantasy story.”

The OVERTURE OF THE WICKED single is the re-recorded version of that trilogy and the first single 'Ten Thousand Strong' which will appear on FRAMING ARMAGEDDON (SOMETHING WICKED PART 1) “albeit a bit different than the single version” says Shaffer. "For those of you that aren't familiar with the old version or the 'Something Wicked' story at all, you should check it out.” says Schaffer. “From the ground up this is a more vicious and more atmospheric version of the epic piece. I played all of the guitar tracks with a baritone guitar and Brent [Smedley, drums] and I are locked up like a machine gun with the double kicks following many of the detailed picking patterns. This makes for a more intense- and wicked-sounding rhythm section. All of the vocals have been redone, obviously by Tim Owens, who did a masterful job at retaining the passion and honesty of the original, and still put his stamp on it and made it his own. We also put in some teaser atmospheric things that will give you a hint of things to come on PART 1. But just a hint... we don't want to spoil any surprises.”

TRACKLIST:

1) Ten Thousand Strong
2) Prophecy
3) Birth of the Wicked
4) The Coming Curse

Total running time: 22:26min.