| The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Iced Earth | ||||
| Released | September 5, 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2008 | |||
| Genre | Power metal, thrash metal, heavy metal | |||
| Length | 59:09 | |||
| Label | SPV GmbH | |||
| Iced Earth chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [1] |
| Jukebox:Metal | [2] |
| Sputnikmusic | [3] |
The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Iced Earth, and the third album of three in Iced Earth's concept of the Something Wicked Saga. The second part of the Something Wicked Saga, Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1), was released in September 2007, with the first being Something Wicked This Way Comes, released in July 1998.
On March 17, 2007, Iced Earth founder and rhythm guitarist Jon Schaffer announced to Blabbermouth.net information about the album's new name, the final tracklist, and a tentative release date.[4] The album was initially titled 'Revelation Abomination: Something Wicked Part 2'. In an update posted on the Iced Earth website in late June 2007, Schaffer said that "'Revelation Abomination (Something Wicked Part II)' is a working title only and I'm certain I will change it as I finish the writing of Part II."[5]
It was made known in December 2007 that due high demand from European fans, ex-singer Matt Barlow would return to the fold and do the lead vocals on the second part of the saga, as opposed to Tim Owens on the first.[6] The band said that the release date for the album was expected to be pushed back due to an addition to Matt's family; however, once the album was out the band planned to tour and release a live DVD from the tour. While current bassist Freddie Vidales is featured in the booklet, he does not actually play on the album. Former bassist Dennis Hayes plays bass on five tracks, while Schaffer plays bass on the rest.
It was revealed that Jon Schaffer intends to release both of the Something Wicked albums in one boxed set, with Matt Barlow contributing the vocals on both albums for the sake of continuity. He intends to add at least four songs to The Crucible of Man and remix Framing Armageddon. Schaffer initially intended for this boxed set to be available around Christmas 2008; however it has been delayed to later in 2009 or 2010.[7]
Contents |
The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 continues the story where Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 left off.
The album tells the story of the Antichrist, Set Abominae starting with his birth on the sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month (666) (In Sacred Flames, Behold the Wicked Child). He grows up within the Setian community, rigorously taught about the death of his ancestors, as well as how his birth shall herald the salvation of the Setian race and their revenge upon the Humans (Minions of the Watch, The Revealing). His mind and body are both tested to their limits, causing him to wonder if his "importance" in the history of his people is truly the gift they all tell him it is, or if it will be a curse, consuming him (A Gift or a Curse). After a grueling process, Set is bestowed with the Crown of the Fallen (Crown of the Fallen, The Dimension Gauntlet) and is instructed to begin his only task - destroy Humanity (I Walk Alone, Harbinger of Fate).
His first target is none other than Jesus Christ, whom he identifies as having the power of second sight and moves on to other great leaders, foreseers and kingdoms throughout history, his influence causing them to fall prey to the natural weaknesses of humanity, such as greed or gluttony (Crucify the King). Over the course of the next two thousand years, he crushes kingdoms under their own greed and thirst for conquest, controls the weak through the manipulation of religion, and declares his own godhood, appealing to the lies and self deceit in every human being (Sacrificial Kingdoms, Something Wicked Pt. 3, Divide and Devour).
As the ages pass, Set watches mankind grow as a race, and realizes that they have much potential within them. As a result, he decides to spare them the annihilation he was bred to carry out, though he warns Humanity that they must overcome their own flaws, lest they face destruction (Come What May).
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In Sacred Flames" | Jon Schaffer | Schaffer | 1:29 |
| 2. | "Behold the Wicked Child" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 5:38 |
| 3. | "Minions of the Watch" | Matt Barlow | Schaffer | 2:06 |
| 4. | "The Revealing" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 2:40 |
| 5. | "A Gift or a Curse?" | Schaffer | Schaffer, Jim Morris | 5:34 |
| 6. | "Crown of the Fallen" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 2:49 |
| 7. | "The Dimension Gauntlet" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 3:12 |
| 8. | "I Walk Alone" | Schaffer | Tim Mills, Schaffer | 4:00 |
| 9. | "Harbinger of Fate" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 4:43 |
| 10. | "Crucify the King" | Barlow | Schaffer | 5:36 |
| 11. | "Sacrificial Kingdoms" | Barlow | Schaffer | 3:58 |
| 12. | "Something Wicked (Part 3)" | Barlow | Schaffer | 4:32 |
| 13. | "Divide Devour" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 3:15 |
| 14. | "Come What May" | Schaffer | Schaffer | 7:24 |
| 15. | "Epilogue" | (instrumental) | Schaffer | 2:21 |
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Total length:
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59:09 | |||
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