Liberation

Ice Age | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Magna Carta
• ASIN: B00005A88G
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,504 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge a CD by it's cover, April 22, 2001

By 

eveoflove (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberation (Audio CD)

Made in USA in 2001, Serial# MA-9051-2, Playing Time 63:07

Lyrics enclosed. Sometimes, the picture on the cover of a disc is what will stimulate people's curiosity into buying an album: it's not so with this one!

Anyone familiar with the MAGNA CARTA record label knows the amount of talent it contains, regardless of musical direction. This is ICE AGE's second album, and represents a certain departure from their "The Great Divide" effort. This time, the disc contains 4 short (less than 2 minutes) but interesting instrumental pieces that somewhat interfere with the continuity of the album (hence the 1-star penalty.)

From the first minute of the Tibet-inspired opening track, we're treated with energy and sound textures that foretell we're in for a sonic treat: Josh Pincus' vocals are so reminiscent of STYX's Dennis De Young that you'll look at the picture of the band to check out if it's not a subterfuge.

This album is a lot more "developed" than their first one, and may seem at first like an avalanche of sounds without purpose; you'll discover after a few listens the complex thematic structures and you'll probably want to indulge into listening to it again (and again, and again...)

The sounds are crisp, rich and full, even in the quieter sections. Imagine mixing RUSH's "Hemispheres" with STYX's "The Grand Illusion" and DREAM THEATER's "Images And Words": a lot more rock than prog... A lot intricacies, but no out-of-control soloing: musicianship, not showmanship.

One of the best albums of the genre so far this year!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive symphonic prog, December 5, 2001

By 

"progmetalfan" (Frederick, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberation (Audio CD)

Creating an album capable of following an impressive debut like "The Great Divide" couldn't have been easy, but Ice Age almost makes it look like child's play.

Though not a true concept album, the album's eight tracks (plus four short instrumental interludes) all do, in some way, deal with topics of freedom and liberation -- "The Lhasa Road," for instance, is about Tibet. Song-wise, the album also includes "To Say Goodbye, Part III: Still Here," a continuation of the two-part song which appeared on "The Great Divide," and the hard-hitting "The Guardian of Forever," which features guest musician David Z on bass.

The album's crown jewel, however, is "When You're Ready," which starts off with acoustic guitar and orchestration, then kicks in during the choruses. It features a phenomenal vocal performance by Josh Pincus, as well as some incredible guitar acrobatics courtesy of Jimmy Pappas (who also created the album's artwork). It is by far the best Ice Age song to date, and leaves the listener anxious to hear what this incredible band will do next.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, March 29, 2004

By 

Alexander_TG (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberation (Audio CD)

This is prog metal of the highest order and over the year since I bought both of Ice Age's albums they have become my favourite prog metal band over Symphony X, Dream Theater and Andromeda. Ice Age are THE premier melodic prog metal band or should I say was.

Their sound is lush and colourful whilst maintaining the bridge between prog and metal with some great crunching guitar and some really superb keyboard sounds created by vocalist Josh Pincus. Their is some major talent in this band, Josh Pincus has a great operatic voice that somehow manages to be as colourful as his keyboards. Guitarist Jimmy Pappas is one of the best unknowns out there equally adept to shred and produce moments of melodic genius. Drummer Hal Aponte has a Neil Peart feel about him in his busyness and driving momentum behind the kit. All this and a lyrical content that blows nearly all prog metal bands out the water, Josh adopts a refreshing spiritual theme in his lyrics and as with the great divide their is some truly great poetic words of wisdom.

The music like all complex music doesn't sink on the first listen but with time you'll find it's brilliance. It is with a heavy heart I write this review as Ice Age appear to have changed a great deal since this album to a more straight forward dare I say NU-Metal sound, I hope you know what your doing Josh, I'll certainly miss the old Ice Age as will all your fans.