Live Performance Reviews - Show Review: Iced Earth & Symphony X

After a decent, but unremarkable opening performance in Warbringer, Iced Earth takes the stage. The lights go out, and tensions are high. As expected, the band sticks to songs from their newest album Dystopia, and while the band most eagerly anticipates the classic songs, there is just as great a force to the new offerings.

In the weeks following up to the show, the biggest question in my mind was in regards to the new singer, Stu Block, and his replacement of the most canonical Iced Earth vocalist, Matt Barlow. Although I was already well aware of his talent and range through Into Eternity, his vocal style there did not seem to fit Iced Earth, but I was pleasantly amazed by how Stu was able to tweak his style to fit the band. Although certainly distinguishable from each other, Stu Block sounds plenty like Barlow, and there was no disappointment. Although Barlow does have a stronger 'mid range' to his voice, Block easily competes with some insane falsettos that are bound to give concertgoers chills.

Iced Earth's performance was very strong, with 'Damien' being my arguable highlight of their set. A single ballad track the band plays towards the dusk of their set felt a bit out of place and even formulaic to the 'power ballad' structure, and I found that while Iced Earth did not have a great variety to the music they played during the night, most of the songs were distinguishable and memorable unto their own.

Despite a longer-than-desirable intermission, Symphony X came on to massive cheers, and even those viewers who came to see Iced Earth seemed brought into the excitement by the end of Symphony X's first song. Michael Romeo absolutely amazed with his guitar work, and although I have rarely been a fan of Russell Allen's voice on record, he changed my impression seeing him perform live.

Like Iced Earth, they played mostly material from their new album 'Iconoclast' (as well as the preceding work 'Paradise Lost'). However, unlike Iced Earth, I felt a little disappointed by this move. Although Symphony X's more to-the-point recent style was very exciting for the first few songs, I did feel a sense of deja vu by the fourth and fifth. Symphony X played only a smattering of their more technical, 'progressive' riffs, and for what little I heard of that side, I was blown away. I can't say it happens much, but I ultimately felt both impressed and disappointed with Symphony X's performance. Although they sported excellent musicianship and showmanship, I was left wanting to hear even one more of their more classic tunes. The eruption of cheers that ensued when 'Inferno' started playing makes me think I am not the only one who wanted this.

Regardless, a great show from both acts. A very memorable night!