South Carolina death metal/metalcore band Graves of Valor is breaking up. Vocalist Damon Welch sent the following statement to Lambgoat earlier this evening:
"After 6 years, Graves of Valor is at its end. This isn't a decision reached overnight. It has been coming for a while. We all feel like it's a lot better to end now and focus more on our other bands. Thanks to everyone who has come out to shows, bought our shit, let us sleep on your floor, or got us trashed on tour. It's been a blast."
Formed in 2005, the group put out releases with Relapse Records and Tragic Hero Records.
I've been lost in endless seas
My heart died long ago
I curse my failures as I fall from you
Yo Britt, Doesnt it seem like this guy is bashing IE the entire time and then at the end is like this album is good? The conclusion doesnt match the actual review at all.
Iced Earth - Dystopia (Century Media Records)
By: David E. Gehlke
[7.5/10] About as overrated of a band as there is in the underground, Iced Earth (more specifically, Jon Schaffer) have produced possibly three new ideas in the past decade. They’ve basically run triplet riffs and chest-beating vocals into the ground since 1996’s minor hit The Dark Saga, essentially basing their career off one album. When combined with Schaffer’s outspoken nature, Iced Earth are a polarizing figure in the same way Manowar is, minus the whole loincloth and swords thing. The two should challenge each other to a dual.
Dystopia, though, finds the band reinvigorated and fresh, the product of new singer Stu Block (Into Eternity) and his versatile, convincing pipes. Schaffer has mostly kept the reins on Block, writing material suited for the singer’s mid-range, something that wasn’t always explored to the fullest in Into Eternity. Nevertheless, Block is responsible for the album’s elite moments, including the quick falsetto portions of “Boiling Point” (old singer Matt Barlow is channeled here) and the bombastic chorus of “Dystopia.” He’s definitely more suited for IE than Ripper Owens ever was, that’s for sure.
One can spot an Iced Earth song from a mile away, and such familiarity gives headway as to where certain songs are going to head, like the mid-paced romp of “Anthem” and the galloping “Equilibrium” and “Days of Rage” both of which boast pretty much the same triplet-gallop IE has used for the past 15 years. Still, hard to knock the ballad “End of Innocence” (Block gets very tender) and European-flavored “Tragedy and Triumph.”
The American metal scene is ripe for Iced Earth’s taking with Dystopia. With Nevermore currently sidelined, Jag Panzer disbanded, and few, if any worthy newcomers, Schaffer’s well-known (and commendable) determination might finally reap the rewards he’s always deserved. It’s easy to knock the man’s songwriting and creative acumen; very difficult to rag on a guy who has gotten up from the mat more than anyone ever should. Dystopia is a winner.
I've been lost in endless seas
My heart died long ago
I curse my failures as I fall from you
no i have not if it is completely different from anything they have done in the past maybe i would give it a very small listen
Id give it a listen since they have Stu from Into Eternity on vocals his range is awesome. I honestly like it more than anything they have put out before. Ive never been a die hard IE fan the only other album i actually like all the way through was Something Wicked This Way Comes. Im not big John Schaffer fan beside when hes with Demons and Wizards.
I've been lost in endless seas
My heart died long ago
I curse my failures as I fall from you
Comments
Deep Purple or AC/DC instead of Iron Maiden
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South Carolina death metal/metalcore band Graves of Valor is breaking up. Vocalist Damon Welch sent the following statement to Lambgoat earlier this evening:
"After 6 years, Graves of Valor is at its end. This isn't a decision reached overnight. It has been coming for a while. We all feel like it's a lot better to end now and focus more on our other bands. Thanks to everyone who has come out to shows, bought our shit, let us sleep on your floor, or got us trashed on tour. It's been a blast."
Formed in 2005, the group put out releases with Relapse Records and Tragic Hero Records.
Iced Earth - Dystopia (Century Media Records)
By: David E. Gehlke
[7.5/10] About as overrated of a band as there is in the underground, Iced Earth (more specifically, Jon Schaffer) have produced possibly three new ideas in the past decade. They’ve basically run triplet riffs and chest-beating vocals into the ground since 1996’s minor hit The Dark Saga, essentially basing their career off one album. When combined with Schaffer’s outspoken nature, Iced Earth are a polarizing figure in the same way Manowar is, minus the whole loincloth and swords thing. The two should challenge each other to a dual.
Dystopia, though, finds the band reinvigorated and fresh, the product of new singer Stu Block (Into Eternity) and his versatile, convincing pipes. Schaffer has mostly kept the reins on Block, writing material suited for the singer’s mid-range, something that wasn’t always explored to the fullest in Into Eternity. Nevertheless, Block is responsible for the album’s elite moments, including the quick falsetto portions of “Boiling Point” (old singer Matt Barlow is channeled here) and the bombastic chorus of “Dystopia.” He’s definitely more suited for IE than Ripper Owens ever was, that’s for sure.
One can spot an Iced Earth song from a mile away, and such familiarity gives headway as to where certain songs are going to head, like the mid-paced romp of “Anthem” and the galloping “Equilibrium” and “Days of Rage” both of which boast pretty much the same triplet-gallop IE has used for the past 15 years. Still, hard to knock the ballad “End of Innocence” (Block gets very tender) and European-flavored “Tragedy and Triumph.”
The American metal scene is ripe for Iced Earth’s taking with Dystopia. With Nevermore currently sidelined, Jag Panzer disbanded, and few, if any worthy newcomers, Schaffer’s well-known (and commendable) determination might finally reap the rewards he’s always deserved. It’s easy to knock the man’s songwriting and creative acumen; very difficult to rag on a guy who has gotten up from the mat more than anyone ever should. Dystopia is a winner.