Review of Iced Earth - Tribute to the Gods

Ah, the aptly titled "Tribute to the Gods". Actually, this album was actually recorded in Jon Schaffer's basement studio, giving it the raw sound they were looking for. I must admit, it is very weird to hear Iced Earth covering the Blue Oyster Cult (two songs nonetheless, "Cities on Flame" and "Burnin for You"). This disc is a fun change of pace, but as an album, it is kind of ridiculous. Obviously the production is going to be exceptional, it is an Iced Earth album (sort of). Only Jon Schaffer could make something recorded in his basement sound this good. Every song has a nice, tight sound. Believe it or not, I think this actually hurts the album! Let me explain before you go running out to grab the pitchfork and torch. Iced Earth is such an incredible band with such perfect musicians. This perfection exposes the original simplicities and, well, the mediocrity of some of these songs. Of course I'm not talking about their Iron Maiden covers, I'm speaking more of the AC/DC and Blue Oyster Cult covers. I happen to love the original songs, but Iced Earth just showed me how simple they really are. I never realized how repetitive that one riff from AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top" really is (and how can you leave out the bagpipes?). Some of the cooler tracks are Kiss's "God Of Thunder" and of course the two Maiden tracks, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "The Number of the Beast". After hearing this disc, I threw in my copy of Horror Show, as it left me craving the intricacies and stellar song writing of the mighty Iced Earth. "Tribute to the Gods" is a nice change of pace, so don't think I'm giving them hell for doing it. I am simply giving my take on it as an album, which I know is unfair. If it were sold as a separate album, I wouldn't buy it. Covers are cool, but in small doses, like once per hour in a radio show or something. However, since this disc was included with the "Dark Genesis" boxed set, I think it is a PERFECT addition to that set. Since Genesis is chronicling the early saga of Iced Earth, it is only right that they show the reasons why they got into metal in the first place. So when you take into account that it is simply a fun disc for a change of pace, then it is near impossible to criticize it. Believe me, nothing done by Iced Earth is unintentional, so the simplistic, raw sound was intended to be there. Kind of like Iced Earth's version of Metallica's "Garage Days Revisited". Two final things: Does anybody else see similarities between the songs "Black Sabbath" and "Iced Earth"? Both are the band's title tracks, and both have the same sort of riffage, I find that to be very cool-it had to have been done on purpose. And note to Iced Earth: YOU ARE THE GODS NOW!

Release Details

Iced Earth

Tribute to the Gods

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