This album marks Iced Earth‘s third live release, and the first with current vocalist Stu Block. It also marks the farewell performance of longtime drummer Brent Smedly with the band. While we’re at it, this is also the debut of new bassist Luke Appleton. So much change up would have most other bands hold off on putting out a live album at this point. Not Iced Earth! They march forward like true veterans and never look back. If anyone had any issues or concerns with Stu on the older material, Live in Ancient Kourion (Century Media) should ease your mind and ears.
Showcasing the their ten album career, the set list for this massive bad boy consists mainly of Matt Barlow and Tim Owens era highlights, sprinkled in with some John Greely and Gene Adams tunes for good measure. From the intro to the finale, the production on here is top notch. Everything sounds crisp, clear and powerful. All you need is a surround sound system, and you could almost imagine being there. Starting off with songs from the last album, Stu shows you why he’s the man for the job now. He tears through ‘Burning Times’ and ‘Angels Holocaust’ so flawlessly, you would think he was the only one who sang them. I was happy to hear some of my favorite songs ‘Dracula’, ‘Ten Thousand Strong’ and ‘Damien’ in the mix. Even though Luke is the new guy, you can’t tell. He lays down some fine bass lines and fits nicely in the pocket with Brent’s drumming on songs like ‘Watching Over Me’ This bands longest running guitar team of Jon Schaffer and Troy Seele is sonic bliss. They complement each other so very well, especially on the epic ‘Dante’s Inferno’.
Not only is this a great “best of”, it also a good introduction to the band for anyone unfamiliar with them. With two discs spanning close to two and a half hours, not too mention the concert, plus a ton of behind the scenes extras on the DVD, this is a pretty good way to spend an afternoon.
9/10
Omar Cordy