Iced Earth
Dystopia

We last left them in 2008 with "The crucible of man" and Matt Barlow behind the microphone: in three years, things within the American band Iced Earth have changed again. The dear old Barlow decides to leave the band once again to focus more on his family: replacing him is Stu Block, already a singer with Into Eternity. His voice proves to be similar to Barlow's but without the theatricality of the latter, compensated for by a greater stylistic versatility. Ultimately, it can be said that the choice made by Jon Schaffer was more than good.

"Dystopia" is the tenth studio album of Iced Earth, a band that debuted back in 1990 with their self-titled work. Since then, countless interpreters have changed, but Jon Schaffer, the one true leader, has always remained faithful to the cause. Moreover, shadows over the band had thickened further because the previous two CDs, "Framing armageddon" and "The crucible of man," had not thrilled, but rather showed a band already on the ropes with a substantial lack of ideas. In this sense, "Dystopia" takes us back in time to the rides of albums like "Burnt offerings" and "Something wicked this way comes" as the title track testifies, placed at the opening: a flaming bullet that for almost six minutes leaves no room for digressions. Block's excellent vocal ability emerges right away, surprising for adaptation and versatility. Even "Anthem" confirms the positive impressions at the start of the CD, thanks to a perpetually dark atmosphere emphasized by the splendid initial arpeggio, while it returns to frantic pounding immediately with "Boiling point."

What is most surprising about Iced Earth's new album is a renewed compositional freshness, as if the band wanted to dive back into the splendor and glory of the past to bring out not just the usual "homework" but something modern yet still tied to Earth tradition. The shining example is "Anguish of youth," which contains everything Iced Earth aims to show their fans: a melancholic pace reminiscent of masterpieces like "Melancholy" and "Watching over me," with Block's atypical voice standing out, impressing with its tone far removed from the genre. In addition, there is renewed power, as evidenced by scorching bullets like "Days of rage" and "Tragedy and triumph."

Here and there, the album still lingers too much in slightly pointless instrumental noodling, overly linked to Maiden, of whom Schaffer is a known fan. In general, therefore, "Dystopia" is not without defects, but these are largely overshadowed by a once again varied and aggressive sound, as well as by a singer who has managed to adapt wonderfully in this new adventure. Thrash partitions can be heard again, the melody of power is not lacking, and the fiery air of speed, which seemed lost, is also felt. Have they returned definitively?

Rating: 3 and a half.

1. "Dystopia" (5:49)
2. "Anthem" (4:54)
3. "Boiling Point" (2:46)
4. "Anguish Of Youth" (4:41)
5. "V" (3:39)
6. "Dark City" (5:42)
7. "Equilibrium" (4:31)
8. "Days Of Rage" (2:17)
9. "End Of Innocence" (4:07)
10. "Tragedy And Triumph" (7:44)