Track Listing

1. Overture
2. Something Wicked
3. Invasion
4. Motivation Of Man
5. Setian Massacre
6. Charge To Keep
7. Reflections
8. Ten Thousand Strong
9. Execution
10. Order Of The Rose
11. Cataclysm
12. Clouding
13. Infiltrate And Assimilate
14. Retribution Through The Ages
15. Something Wicked
16. Domino Decree
17. Framing Armageddon
18. When Stars Collide (Born Is He)
19. Awakening

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59727 in Music
• Released on: 2007-09-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
'Framing Armageddon' is a concept album from the renowned metal band Iced Earth. A story that encompasses religion, alien invasions and the impending apocalypse, the album's dark subject matter is complimented by a suitably heavy sound, reminiscent of Iron Maiden. Includes the tracks 'Setian Massacre', 'The Domino Decree' and 'When Stars Collide (Born Is He)'.

Customer Reviews

Their best since Burnt Offerings.
This album is definitely a grower. At first I found it to be nothing too incredible, but I've came to hold it in extremely high regard. Ripper proves himself once and for all here, and the music is of generally a very high, and extremely well written standard.

Stand-out tracks are the Clouding, a Charge to Keep, Framing Armageddon. Hopefully the slower, more brooding themes of this album will explode in full, classic IE pace on part 2.

Bravo Iced Earth.

Part I - The beast has awaken!
Iced Earth are here to slay mankind with this top slice of metal greatness. Having been an avid follower of I.E. for many years I will confess to being slightly disappointed with their last effort; The Glorious Burden (despite the breathtaking Gettysburg trilogy). Thankfully however this is a true return to form for Jon, who riffs with the menace and intensity we come to expect from him. His latest masterpiece is more consistent (no filler) and heavier than The Glorious B, and for once Ripper finally starts to feel like part of the music. Yes Matt Barlow was THE voice of I.E. but that era has gone and born from it a new age. Tim 'Ripper' Owens puts on a fantastic vocal performance, his screams reek emotion and are perfectly suited to the epic choruses which are often multi-layered to add depth and passion ala Blind Guardian.

Like most concept albums this is something to be enjoyed through a whole sitting rather than skipping to certain points. Most songs are interspersed with interludes which flow nicely and maintain the steady pace of the story and dark moody atmosphere, up until 'Domino Decree' and the title track when all hell breaks loose. The former having a brilliant mid-section where an organ and guitar dual it out for 2-3 minutes to a great climax, and the title song ending on a riff what can only be described as a monster that will grab you and rip your head off! That's not to say before this the music is non-aggressive; 'Ten thousand strong' and 'Setian massacre' are good up-tempo head-bangers. However it is the mid-tempo songs that work best to the story such as' Infiltrate and Assimilate' and 'Charge to Keep'. A special mention to the epic 'Clouding', a highly memorable song due to its superb atmospheric ending.

This is by no means the perfect album but I'm struggling to think of a stand out weak track, they all fit well in their own way to give a solid listen. Well recommended to all open-minded metal fans. Bring on Part II!

Something Wicked it certainly is.
Having had a not unreasonable level of anticipation for this release, given the subject matter and my desire for vindication for 'Ripper' Owens, I am extemely glad to say that 'Framing Armageddon' more than exceeded my expectations. The opening track 'Overture' is a beautiful percussion/cello instrumental that segues perfectly into brutal riffing, smooth lead lines, the best drumming I've ever heard from Brent Smedley, and (everyone's favourite), ear-splitting vocals from the aforementioned Tim Owens. Stand-out tracks include 'The Clouding', a ballad-esque epic detailing the awakening of man after their collective mind-wipe from the Setian race that concludes with one of the most vicious, bitter lyrics and music that I've heard from this (or for that matter, any other) band - 'Never trust in the motives of man/ They failed to evolve in Mother Nature's plan / And though they seem safe in this newly clouded state/ The nature of their heresy has proven quite innate' - as well as my personal favourite 'When Stars Collide (Born is He)', the multi-layered vocals of which show the influence of Jon Schaffer's some-time collaborator Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian.
What is most notable about this album is how free Schaffer sounds, embracing the epic bombast of European power metal that he used to such great effect on the Gettysburg trilogy from 2004's 'The Glorious Burden', while his narrative lyrics prove to be his best yet. My only real gripe is that the final track, 'The Awakening', feels as though it would be better suited as the introduction to the second album, and that 'When Stars Collide' is the logical endpoint. This is all purely speculative, however, until next January.
So, in conclusion... thank you, Iced Earth, for proving the nay-sayers wrong and bringing new life to a band who consistently bring fantastic material to an increasingly dull and lacklustre music industry. Armageddon is truly here - roll on January and 'Revelation Abomination'!