Customer Reviews

Night of the Stormrider

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Night Of The Stormrider(1992). Iced Earth's second studio album.

Ever since the 90s emerged, many of the great 80s heavy metal bands who managed to put out a perfect streak of flawless albums began to grow tired and started waning into obscurity. I'm talking about Metallica and Iron Maiden specifically (though it could be said about most any heavy metal band of the era), the former selling out quality music to corporate greed and MTV exposure, and the latter growing tired as a band while key members quit on them. But around this time, a little known band called Iced Earth emerged out of the USA and began tearing up the heavy metal scene. General interest in heavy metal music was dying in the early 90s in favor of the alternative grunge rock scene, but IE pressed on combining a sound which was reminiscent of both Metallica's sheer thrash heaviness and Iron Maiden's melodious song structures. IE merged both qualities into their own fresh sound. The key band members of the original lineup included rhythm guitarist/band creator Jon Schaffer, lead guitarist Randy Shawver, and vocalist Gene Adams. The five young IE musicians spent a short time re-recording songs from their earlier demos and created their self titled 1990 debut album. While it was a great album from an instrumental standpoint, singer Gene Adams sported poor vocals and could not realize Schaffer's vision for IE, so he was dismissed. However, the album did get the band noticed, so the future was looking bright.

Now we arrive at IE's sophomore effort, Night Of The Stormrider, a concept album about a warrior who turns toward the dark side and goes on a crusade to fight for evil and then gets sent to hell in the end. This album was a great milestone for them, managing to become a HUGE hit over in Japan and Europe at the time. In fact, NOTSR was the best selling IE album until the masterpiece Something Wicked This Way Comes(1997) dwarfed it later on. Overall, this second album improves upon the debut's style in most every way, with a new drummer and vocalist onboard, resulting in a more consistent and refined musicianship. Enter the second IE vocalist Jon Greely, a MUCH BETTER vocalist than his predecessor. Though he's not as good as the later Matt Barlow (or even the new Time Owens), his vocals do get the job done well and are thankfully more refined for this style of heavy metal, eliminating all the distasteful cheeziness that Gene Adams previously demonstrated. He doesn't really stand out in my mind, though at times he can sing melodically like Bruce Dickinson or belt out shouts and screams like Rob Halford. Drummer Richey Secchiari also joins for a short time. Of course Randy Shawver delivers some amazing solos once again, and Schaffer earns his rightful title in NOTSR as "heavy metal's most talented rhythm guitar shredder". Why? Let's face it, the guy plays with the most precise riffing that manages to beat out the likes of Metallica and Anthrax. Plus given the fact that he's still playing flawlessly today, Schaffer definitely deserves the title.

Since NOTSR is a full-fledged concept album, each track smoothly segues right into the next, keeping the album's flow intact. The album starts off with an orchestral BANG in the incredible opener `Angels Holocaust' and continuing right into the fierce `Stormrider'. The band took the melodic orchestra overtones used sparsely in the debut album and brought them more into the full here. `The Path I Chose' starts off much like the previous tracks, but indicates the direction taken later on in the album, coinciding with the warrior's path to evil in the story. `Before The Vision' and `Reaching The End' are both simply short acoustic guitar/dialogue sequences that progress the story along. While the first track is excellent, to me `Mystical End' and `Desert Rain' are the album's high points because each of them display a successful fusion of melody and heaviness, something the band concentrated on with its later albums. Schaffer controls his dexteritous shredding in `Mystical End' so that his guitar can serve as more of a background texture, as opposed to his "up front" rhythm presence that dominates most every other song. `Desert Rain' starts off light and moody with some awesome guitar effects, then developing into a steady rocker. Afterwards, it ends in an incredible melodic chorus which brings Iron Maiden to mind in its sound. `Pure Evil' continues to push the melody and riffing, and builds the story towards its conclusion in the album closer `Travel In Stygian'.

With NOTSR, IE turned out their first five-star album. The band was sure to rule the world of heavy metal in the early 90s, but their record company decided to cheat IE out of the money they earned, and so a major label dispute prevented the band from touring and making more albums for another three years. Also, vocalist Jon Greely, while much more talented than Gene Adams, ended up getting kicked out of the band because he was very difficult to work with. IE was going to disband, but thankfully they reemerged in 1995 with vocalist Matt Barlow in their third album Burnt Offerings. Unfortunately, NOTSR's production quality was poor, and after a while the album became out of print, but thankfully IE remastered, remixed, and re-released their first three albums recently. Honestly, I think it sounds MUCH better than it originally did. Only the drums and rhythm guitar parts were remixed, enabling for maximum guitar crunch and clear drumming. If you're a fan of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, or any good heavy metal band for that matter, I HIGHLY recommend picking up NOTSR. It belongs in any true metalhead's collection.

Other albums which sound like Night Of The Stormrider:
-`Burnt Offerings' by Iced Earth
-`Something Wicked This Way Comes' by Iced Earth
-`The Glorious Burden' by Iced Earth
-`Master Of Puppets' by Metallica
-`Powerslave' by Iron Maiden

I've been listening to Iced Earth for a number of months now. And I'd have to say my favorite CD was probably Something Wicked This Way Comes...

...until I heard Night of the Stormrider.

Holy cow! This CD blew me away from the very first track. I LOVE the vocalist! This guy has a style that ranges from growling metal-esque to soaring and very clean. The guitars are powerful and riff-heavy in classic Jon Schaffer style, but they're more focused than punchy than on the first (self titled) album.

The first Iced Earth album was competent, but on this -- their sophomore effort (released in 1992) -- they vaulted to whole new level. This is amazing music. Night of the Stormrider rocks, but with an incredible sense of melody and composition and drama that I find captivating. And the vocals -- oh, my word. I was expected another dose of Gene Adam (their first vocalist), but was immediately (and pleasantly) surprised to hear John Greely belt it out. He has the growl of Matthew Barlow (IE's current vocalist), but -- to my ears -- with a much more pleasing sound and range. (No "ahh" tacked onto the back end of every word.)

Standout tracks for me are "Angel's Holocaust"..."Before the Vision" (excellent acoustic guitar intro and soaring vocals!)..."Mystical End"..."Desert Rain"...and "Pure Evil." All of these songs offer creative arrangements, killer riffs, soaring vocals, and amazing musicianship from all concerned. (I just noticed I picked five of the album's nine tracks...which goes to show you how much I like this album. There's not a bad track on the album!)

If you'd like to hear American metal at its best, you need to be listening to Iced Earth's Night of the Stormrider!

This, Iced Earth's second album, is in my opinion the best American metal album produced in the 1990's. That's right, not only is it American, it's power/thrash metal, something most people probably think died here in the 80's. That said, it compares favorably with the best of this decade's European power metal scene, bands such as Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, etc. About the music: Jon Schaffer is an amazing rhythm guitar player, and Randy Shawver's leads are technically proficient without being self-indulgent. While most Iced Earth fans consider Matthew Barlow (who sings on all their albums released after this one) to be the best Iced Earth vocalist, I actually prefer John Greely's higher-pitched, more traditional metal-ish singing found here--I think it fits the framework of this album better. About the lyrics: this is a concept album, about some guy named the Stormrider, and it describes a quest he makes, until, in the final song, he dies. It's a little hard to explain here, but the lyrics are excellent. You won't find any lyrical clunkers (a la Priest's "Hot Rockin'" or most of Helloween's Keeper part II album) here.

The bottom line: if you consider yourself a fan of heavy metal, this is a CD you need to hear. Iced Earth is one of the top metal acts around nowadays, and this album epitomizes their sound.

Night of the Stormrider, Iced Earth's sophomore album, is a huge forward leap in songwriting over the debut. The music here is much more progressive and dynamic. While the debut was a predominantly straightforward metal beast, this is a multi-dimensional work that carries the listener through sophisticated tracks that easily fuse heavy guitars and acoustic passages. It requires several listens to put it all together. Keyboards -- used for pianos and strings -- are used to create an "epic" feel. It is an ambitious concept album to boot. The lyrics to each song read like chapters in a book, and the songs flow smoothly into each other to immerse the listener in the experience. The story follows a character called the Stormrider, who loses faith in God. Then, chaotic and dark powers consume him, and he unleashes unholy terror upon the land. For his actions, he is sent to Hell, but his indignant and proud spirit feels no penitence. In the final song, "Travel in Stygian," he resigns himself to the evil being he has become. Is guitarist/songwriter Jon Schaffer trying to show us the error of the Stormrider's ways, or perhaps enjoining us to partake in some of the sorrow the character could not feel himself? He seems to be doing both with this great metal album, which possesses a great deal of power.

Other than the intensification and diversification of their songwriting, Iced Earth's biggest improvement here is the addition of vocalist John Greely. Gene Adam, from the debut, wasn't a very good singer. Greely, while puny in the face of IE's current singer Matt Barlow, still has decent range and power. Unlike Barlow's deep voice, Greely's singing is more of a traditional metal scream that sometimes reminds one of Halford. I think the big problem with Greely is not his lack of skill, but his lack of personality. He doesn't have anywhere near the vocal presence of Barlow. He's not bad though. Interestingly, Schaffer himself sings "Stormrider."

"Fight on...grab on...Stormrider! Stormrider!" <-- that's my favorite line in any song, by the way. Well, sort of.

The band has come a long way since recording this album, but it retains some of their finest moments. The album begins very different from most of their stuff, with the orchestral bells, symphonic synths, and acoustic melodies of "Angels Holocaust." Many of the heavier riffs throughout are underscored by choral bursts. "Stormrider" and "The Path I Choose" are mostly fast, galloping riffs, but they remain very melodic because of the prevalent guitar harmonies. "Travel in Stygian" is a 9-minute piece that demonstrates Schaffer's inventive songwriting at its best, with driving riffs, melodic harmonies, and excellent atmosphere. "Mystical Eyes" is awesomely melodic with those tight harmonies. All throughout, the riffing is insatiably chuggin' and heavy and infectious, and the solos are some of Randall Shawyer's best ever. My only complaint with this entire CD is the goofy keyboard sounds on "Pure Evil." Incredible song though. The piano-only outro of the album is the perfect coda for this ominous, fantasy story, with its unforgettable, haunting melody.

One thing you have to admire is that Schaffer was brave to release this album in 1992, when alterna-rock and grunge bands were rapidly dismantling the ubiquity of heavy metal. For Schaffer to release such a deep, ambitious metal album in these times was very daring, and it attests to his uncompromising integrity for the sake of his music. Don't let his risk be in vain...it may be 10 years later, but better late than never. Buying this out of deference is a perfect ancillary reason to buying it for the awesome music.

Iced Earth are easily one of the best bands to debut on a record label in the 90s. If I wouldn't of known any better, I'd think this was an 80s classic/thrash metal album. They really capture that 80s heavy metal feel on this album. In my opinion it sounds like a mixture of Slayer, Metallica, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden most of the way through. But all the way, they have a very unique sound that is their own. Believe me when I say they are no imitators of the above bands. They have a style all their own influenced by the classic, great metal bands. The guitar easily stands out the most here. Jon Schaffer writes extraordinary music and riffs on NOTSR. He has some of the fastest hands I've ever heard on guitar, especially for a rhythm guitarist. He is definitely one of the most talented, underrated rhythm guitarists out there. There are so many classics on this album that will be stuck in your head after just a listen or two.

My favorite track on the album is the epic album closer- Travel In Stygian. It is so fast and the tempo and riffs keep changing the whole way through. The chorus is easily one of the best, if not the best on the album. My favorite riff on the entire album comes at 4:40 on this song when Schaffer just shreds on guitar. Other favorites of mine also include Stormrider(which I was surprised at how awesome Schaffer's voice was, as he sings on this one),Angels Holocaust, and Mystical End. There are two short acoustic songs which act kind of as intros for the song afterwards. Those two songs are Reaching The End and Before The Vision. Both are excellent, but the later of the two is better I personally think. Greely's vocals really shine on these two. John Greely does an amazing job on vocals for this album. His vocals are very dynamic, going from a nice, smooth, clean voice to an extremely heavy metal voice. He can also hit those high notes. He was an excellent choice by Schaffer. Is he as good as Matt Barlow? Probably not, but he's very close in my opinion.

This is an epic, dark, concept album. Whats not to like about that? To tell you the truth, I really can't find any problems with NOTSR whatsoever. Everything is just solid in all aspects. I was expecting a good album, but what I found was that this exceeded my greatest expectations. So that makes for an easy 5 star album.

Yeah I knew, everyone has said it already but I'm at the computer and bored so I will say it to. This album is the pinnacle of early Iced Earth, I think there's a big difference between pre Dark Saga and post Dark Saga Iced Earth, but neither of those two periods are better or worse. Because of this I would have to say this and Something Wicked This Way Comes are tied for two greatest Iced Earth albums (although I'm looking forward to The Glorious Burden, Tim Owens is the man). Night of the Stormrider is an epic thrash-concept Metal album with some inspired writing and musicianship from all members of the band. Rock on Iced Earth!

The confused and vulnerable soul of a man who feels spiritually betrayed and bankrupt is called upon and tempted by forces unknown to him. As he soon finds out, the evil forces of nature have chosen him to become their physical vessel and manifestation upon the world - the Stormrider. As a demonic knight fed with his immense hatred of religion and mankind, he turns against his own Earth, bringing death and destruction to the entire world. Eventually, he begins to question his motives and finally tries to grasp what he's done, although it's too late to save himself. By the end of his time as the Stormrider, he realizes that he's been just a disposable pawn for evil itself. He thus accepts his inevitable fate - an eternity in the bowels of Hell.
Thus is the story behind "Night Of The Stormrider", the brilliant conceptual second album by Iced Earth. As usual, Jon Schaffer must be commended on his desire, dedication, and drive to create unrelenting Heavy Metal when it was likely the most unpopular thing to do in his home country. Not only was he determined to take traditional Metal seriously, he was inspired to write a concept album in a time when such things were met with hostility in the music world.
First off, it must be said that "Night Of The Stormrider" is one of the most convincing concept albums I've ever heard. Usually, records of this nature seem little more than a string of barely related songs arranged with an ineffective story buried somewhere within the lyrics. "Stormrider", on the other hand, is successful in creating lyrical arrangements and musical compositions that create a convincing concept album. The various musical passages fit the moods, actions, settings and atmosphere. There are elements that tell the majority of the tale which we'd typically call "songs", but there are other interludes, as well, that offer as transitions from one part of the story to another. Unfortunately, those who aren't familiar with concept albums would probably blow off these interludes as filler, there only to take up space and time. Obviously, there are no fillers here, rather a genuinely captivating narrative that travels through the experiences of our main character from his time of spiritual betrayal to his inevitably doomed trip to Hell. In short, it takes a work like this to prove that these writers (especially Jon, of course) are not only great musical performers, but great storytellers, as well. Whether by design or by pure coincidence, this is a very convincing tale, since it contains the defined elements of a great plot: an introduction, a set of complications, a tense climax, and denouement (falling action) - all meticulously arranged.
Musically, I personally believe that it's difficult to compare this album to Iced Earth's self-titled debut. Reason being, this is a concept album while the debut was not, therefore, the compositions were created for entirely different reasons. Even though "Stormrider" is boiling over with tracks that can be listened to individually as songs, some of them simply were not meant for that purpose - especially lyrically. But alas, if I were to choose between them, I'd say this album would have my vote. John Greely's vocals are far superior to Gene Adam's work on the debut, (although there was still an even greater improvement in style, personality, and attitude when Barlow came aboard with the next album). Plus, the maturity, sophistication, and self-confidence found on the debut were definitely more abundant here. It's not often that a Metal band feels bold enough to tackle a concept album as a sophomore effort... and do it convincingly.
The dynamics found on the first album return in multitudes here, and with greater effect. Speaking specifically as a concept album, sprinklings of acoustic strings accentuate various compositions to add emotional depth and intensity, as do the keyboards, which also add orchestral depth on many of the tracks. Basically, when there is a shift in mood or a development in the plot, the music is there to accentuate that change. It doesn't just simply add background noise while a story is told, as you typically hear with other Metal concept albums. In fact, if you'd take away the lyrics and vocals, the album's musical arrangements would still sound epic in nature, just waiting for a tale to tell in its entirety. Likewise, since this is a morbid tale of evil and violence, the music is still there to sustain and represent those feelings and actions when the story takes a violent turn. As such, there are tons of portions within the album that are pure thrashing madness, which is suitable since the theme requires such grim compositions.
In conclusion, Iced Earth's "Night Of The Stormrider" is a definite an underground Heavy Metal masterpiece. As a concept album, however, it transgresses even that realm and would actually be comfortable next to Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son...", Queensryche's and "Operation: Mindcrime". Nevertheless, it should have received its due rewards if American Heavy Metal would have been taken seriously at the time. Fortunately, there was a Metal underground for Iced Earth to foster and develop its talents while America was oblivious to the band in its early days. Other countries were placing a cult-like status upon them, which eventually developed into true Metal stardom, where they are regarded as highly as Metal's most significant artists. Obviously, they were given such respect and admiration for definitive works such as this one.

Iced Earth's Second Album

This is classic Iced Earth. This album gets alot of unjust criticism for its lead singer. People overlook this album because Matt Barlow (Iced Earth's lead singer from Burnt Offerings to Horror Show) is not on this. Its actually thier loss however because this album brings alot to the table. The guitar work is fantastic and the vocals are certainly not bad by any means. If your into to Trash Metal then fans of that genre will be pleasantly surprised with this gem. Hightlights Include; Angels Holocaust, Stormrider and Travel In Stygian

...Man, am I sorry.

I know that's one heck of a bizarre way to begin a review, but I feel an apology must be said, right off the bat. What exactly am I apologizing about, most of you are (no doubt) asking? Simply this. I'm so sorry that up till now, it's taken me my FIFTH review to write about an Iced Earth album; it's practically shameful. The band deserves much more respect than that. Anyways, with that out of the way, I'll begin with what most of you no doubt really want to read about, the review!

I first heard of Iced Earth in about 9th grade by means of an advertisement inside of a music magazine, Hit Parader I think it was. I really didn't think much of it, until about a year later, in Sophmore year, when my friend starting ranting and raving about this amazing (American!)band called Iced Earth and how they'd quickly became his favorite band. Recalling the magazine ad of last year, I decided to give the band a shot and went down to my local Sam Goody to pick up my first Iced Earth cd. I happened upon Night of the Stormrider (which I discovered, later on, I was more than lucky to find, considering how rare that cd was to find in conventional record stores in those days.) I didn't really know it was a concept album. I didn't really know what Iced Earth sounded like. All I knew was that I was about to take one of the biggest musical risks of my life (at the time, anyways) and I bought the cd and took it home to have a listen.

It's difficult to go on at this point. You see, it's really rather hard to put into precise words what happened next, when I really can't tell you exactly when it was that the true brilliance of these heavy hitting and intricate guitar riffs shone through to me, or where I was when I realized that I freakin' LOVED this band, or how I felt when I realized that my whole perception of music as I knew it was about to be changed. All I can tell you is just how good this album is.

Jon Schaffer is a mastermind. He really is just what rock n' roll needs these days. It was really only a guy like this that could make a heavy metal album that so deeply reflected the spirit of rock n roll while showing the world his own new and incedibly powerful style. It is this style that entrances you into the story the Stormrider and the dark world he lives in, brought to vivid life through deadly guitar riffs, pounding drums, thoughtful lyrics, and fantastic melody. The band was young at the time, and the idea of creating a concept album after only one previus album in their catalgue was an ambitious one, a move few bands, if any, would ever dare to do. But Schaffer's confidence in his band was strong, and Iced Earth emerged in the year 1992 with a sophomore effort of a quality most bands couldn't achieve after decades in the game.

Night of the Stormrider is an album of power, and album of vigor, and an album of glorious music. From the epic opening of Angel's Holocaust to the closing chaos of Travel in Stygian, this album takes you on one hell of a ride and doesn't let go. After more and more listens the power of the music really shines though and you can get the full impact of this heavy metal tour de force.

I could seriously go on forever about this band and this album, but I'm going to wrap it up here. Iced Earth is a fatastic band, one of the saving graces of new 90's bands, and this is their best album. Though Schaffer's songwiting matures by leaps and bounds in later albums, (and most importantly, in their vocal deptartment) this is the guys at their fastest, their most powerful, their most dramatic, and their most important. All I can tell you from here is to buy this album, you'd be denying yourself a huge chapter in the history of musical greatness if you didn't. And that's something you can't afford to miss.

Me, being an essential night fan, and a true Iced Earth maniac, deided to give this a try. EXCELLENT! Lots of great songs, and of course, the NIGHT songs! Stormrider, Pure Evil, Desert Rain, and Travel In Stygian. All of them mention NIGHT. Jon Schaffer's riffs are grat, and John's singing is really good (I really love the scream in "Mystical End"). The only song that i can't stand is "Mystical End." It takes place in the day. Eck. Also, the long interlude thing annoys me. Still, great singing though. Perfect album.