The Glorious Burden

The Glorious Burden
Studio album by Iced Earth
Released	January 12, 2004
Recorded	Morrisound Studios Tampa, Florida
Genre	Power metal, thrash metal
Length	Disc 1: 46:51 Disc 2: 31:56
Label	SPV
Producer	Jim Morris Jon Schaffer
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link RockReview link
Iced Earth chronology
The Reckoning (2003) The Glorious Burden (2004) The Blessed and The Damned (2004)

The Glorious Burden is the eighth studio album by the American heavy metal band Iced Earth. It is a concept album, which explores various moments in American military history, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolutionary War, and American Civil War. It also pays tribute to world events such as World War I, the World Trade Center attacks and the ravages of Attila the Hun. The album's centerpiece is the last three songs which together form a trilogy entitled Gettysburg (1863). Each song represents one day in the Battle of Gettysburg, which is the largest battle ever conducted in the Western Hemisphere and considered the turning point in the American Civil War. ^[1] This album features the debut of lead singer Tim 'Ripper' Owens, formerly of Judas Priest. The album was first recorded with Matt Barlow on vocals, but band leader Jon Schaffer was not satisfied with his performance. Due to the events of September 11th, Barlow became more interested in law enforcement than the music business, and according to Schaffer "Matt's heart was not in it and it showed in his performance."^[2] As a result, Matt left the band and the album was shelved until a new vocalist could be found. However, some of Barlow's initial recordings remain on the record as backing vocals. Tim Owens, who at that time was still in Judas Priest, was asked to do the vocals as a side project. However, he joined the band full time after Judas Priest reunited with Rob Halford. This record is the only Iced Earth album to feature Ralph Santolla on lead guitars. This was the last studio album for bassist James MacDonough and drummer Richard Christy. The album was released in 3 different formats: a limited edition 2-CD version in digipak format, an American version and a European version. ^[3] See the tracklist for the differences. "The Reckoning (Don't Tread on Me)", "Declaration Day", and the acoustic version of "When the Eagle Cries (Unplugged)" were all released as music videos.

Track listing

Disc 1

1. "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Francis Scott Key) – 1:14
2. "Declaration Day" – 4:59
3. "When the Eagle Cries" – 4:06
4. "The Reckoning (Don't Tread on Me)" – 4:57
5. "Greenface" – 3:03
6. "Attila" – 5:36
7. "Red Baron/Blue Max" – 4:05
8. "Hollow Man" – 4:25
9. "Valley Forge" – 4:46
10. "Waterloo" – 5:50
11. "When the Eagle Cries (Unplugged)" – 3:35

Disc 2: Gettysburg (1863)

1. "The Devil to Pay" – 12:13 (references When Johnny Comes Marching Home)
2. "Hold At All Costs" – 7:06
3. "High Water Mark" – 12:36

American Version It was released as a single disc that did not contain "Waterloo" or the unplugged version of "When the Eagle Cries." European Version It was also released as a single disc. It featured "Waterloo," but did not contain the "Star-Spangled Banner," "Greenface" or the unplugged version of "When the Eagle Cries."

Criticism

Though the metal press hailed The Glorious Burden, many Iced Earth fans cite it as the band's worst album to date. This is primarily due to the switch from Matt Barlow to Tim Owens on vocals, so it is considered by many to be a transition album. Many also claim the lyrics are propaganda rather then true patriotism, though Schaffer has stated again and again that the album is not to glorify American military might but to show his love for American history.

Personnel

• Jon Schaffer - Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals
• Tim 'Ripper' Owens - Lead Vocals
• Ralph Santolla - Lead Guitar
• James MacDonough - Bass Guitar
• Richard Christy - Drums

with:

• Jim Morris - Guitar solos on "When The Eagle Cries" and "When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged)"
• Matt Barlow - Backing Vocals
• Sam King - Backing Vocals
• Jeff Day - Backing Vocals
• Howard Helm - Piano
• Susan McQuinn - Flute & Piccolo
• Michael LoBue - Bagpipe
• Prague Philharmonic Orchestra - Gettysburg (1863) Trilogy

Cover art by Leo Hao.

Notes

1. ^ Thinkquest.org page about Battle of Gettysburg [1]
2. ^ Jon Schaffer explanation of Matt Barlow's departure.[2]
3. ^ Metal-Rules interview with Tim Owens. Jan. 26, 2004 [3]