In hindsight 'The Glorious Burden' was a patchy affair especially by their normal standards, but here 'Iced Earth' come right back with the first part of their 'Something Wicked' saga 'Framing Armageddon'. I was a bit surprised to see the album is structured over 19 tracks, as it brought back memories of 'Manowar's' drawn-out 'Gods of War' conception, thankfully this is a much more thoughtfully crafted album which flows seamlessly throughout. '“The Ripper” Owens' is still onboard fronting the band and in all honesty this is the finest I have heard him, that said I still have slight doubts when he sings the slower material, as he takes a somewhat droning approach. Musically this isn't quiet as uncompromising as a lot of their previous work, but rest assured the classic 'Iced Earth' sound is prevalent throughout, while the concept unravels the rich story centred around the band's mascot “Set Abominae”.

The album unfolds with an atmospheric instrumental intro simply titled 'Overture', this mystical winding piece acts a apt introduction for the first track proper. 'Something Wicked (Pt1)' immediately displays that classic 'Iced Earth' signature galloping rhythm and whilst not as heavy as you might expect, it's superbly executed with precision vocals from 'Owens'. The short warlike sound effects laden piece 'Invasion' breaks the album up, before the snarling 'Motivation of Man', which in turn makes way for the blazing 'Setian Massacre', a true dose of old school Power Metal, that includes fine solo work from guest guitarist 'Troy Seele'. The momentum falls for the mid-tempo plodder 'A Charge to Keep' which nicely balances a refined grandiose melody with punchy vocals sections compliments of an in-form 'Owens'. The harmonious, semi acoustic 'Reflections' follows and acts as an offsetting intro for the thundering 'Ten Thousand Strong', a more aggressive rhythm driven blazer which strongly maintains the classic 'Iced Earth' sound. Taking in a little Eastern influence is the mainly instrumental 'Execution', this gives way to 'Order of the Rose', a solid if slightly ordinary mid-tempo rocker, that's mercifully given a little more edge thanks to a splendid guitar solo. After a brief sound effects piece titled 'Cataclysm', the momentum falls for the 'The Clouding', the longest track on the album clocking in at over nine minutes and to be honest the majority is filled with fairly tedious vocal work from 'Owens', fortunately the song finishes as a pure adrenaline rocker and in my view the vocalist does redeem himself. The tempo is maintained with 'Infiltrate and Assimilate', which sweetly balances mid and brisk tempo passages, while 'Retribution Through the Ages' is nicely penned and energetically executed. Eastern / Moroccan influences are heavily but shrewdly used on the purely instrumental 'Something Wicked (Pt 2)', before the sublime 'The Domino Decree' manages to maintain a classy Metal approach but with power and energy- nice keyboard use here too. The splendid run continues with the title track which is a classic piece of 'Iced Earth' Power Metal, coming complete with soaring vocals on quality lyrics and relentless rhythm work. Ensuing nearly as strongly is 'When Stars Collide (Born is He)' a powerful mid-tempo chugging piece which is offset by 'The Awakening' which closes the concept in mystical fashion with eerie haunting female vocals and strong Eastern undertones.

Very good stuff from 'Iced Earth', in my opinion there is a tad unevenness mid album, but this doesn't stop 'Framing Armageddon' from being one of the strongest releases of the year, roll on 'Revelation Abomination'!