Back when I was in high school I bought one of my best friends Iced Earth's album Dark Saga, and although I thought it was pretty cool it didn't leave enough of an impression on me to make me much of a fan. Iced Earth were the perfect hybrid of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and as I was, at the time not much a fan of more than one CD in either band's entire catalogue, I felt no reason to research them further.

I have since come to love and respect all bands listed above, a few years later I would find myself the proud owner of Iced Earth's album Horror Show and Judas Priest's Jugulator, Horror Show's subject matter was interesting but seemed to lack something, Judas Priest's post Halford album Jugulator was a great album and singer Tim Owens was a nice fit it the planetary size shoes Rob Halford left to be filled. But let's face it, Rob Halford is Judas Priest and no matter who you use to fill the void without him it's just not the same! With the reunion of Priest and the exit of Iced Earth's frontman, where does that leave us?

Enter Iced Earth's new album The Glorious Burden which is an epic collection of songs based on historical events. One thing I think has been the strong point of this band is Guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer's rarely matched ability to tell a story and do it justice. But all that aside everything works here, Tim Owens has filled the frontman position and the resulting vocals have breathed new life into an already great band. The Guitars sing like a choir throughout the entire record and even fit nicely into these various patriotic anthems while the drums reflect the intensity of the battles chronicled.

If this line up stays in tact I think Iced Earth have a great future ahead of them and I look forward to the next time they record and album, This is definitely one CD you will not regret buying!