I was truly gutted that 'Matt Barlow' decided to leave 'Iced Earth' and follow a career in another field, as I truly believed he was one of the best if not the finest Power Metal vocalist around today. Fortunately 'Tim Owens' was on hand to join 'Schaffer's' ranks after 'Rob Halford' rejoined 'Priest', in all honesty I was never that impressed with the 'Rippers' work on 'Jugulator' and 'Demolition', but there's no denying he has a superb voice. Thankfully his contribution to this album cannot be overlooked and while he doesn't surpass 'Matt Barlow's' talents (who's ungodly vocals transformed 'Iced Earth') he turns in a magnificent display that far betters anything he did with 'Priest'. 'Tim Owens' isn't the only new face as bassist 'Larry Tarnowski' is replaced with 'James MacDonough'. How does it all stack up you ask? Well personally 'The Glorious Burden' doesn't quite grab me like 'Horror Show' did, but that aside it's business as usual as the boys blaze through some more stunning tracks. The overall theme is based upon warfare through the ages and while a tad American bias, there's still a good depth of material that should please any Power Metal fans.

The album opens up with an electric working of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and although this is well executed it might be a little over-indulgent for non Americans. This flows nicely into the first track proper 'Declaration Day' which is typical 'Iced Earth' with heavy pummelling rhythm, ear shattering vocals and 'Schaffer's' quality guitaring which matches his splendid penmanship. The pace drops for the passionately executed ballad 'When the Eagle Cries', a respectful tribute dedicated to "September the 11th", overall a tad repetitive for my liking despite some steadfast vocals, not half as good as the comparable song 'Ghost of Freedom' from 'Horror Show'. The tempo goes through the roof with 'The Reckoning' a brisk blazer with trademark galloping rhythm and strafing axe work, the chorus could perhaps be a little better but all said a quality track with superb backing vocals which add an extra dimension. Continuing in fine form is 'Greenface' a hard hitting thumper laced with 'Tim Owens' best screaming, heavy 'Schaffer' riffs and a thunderous rhythm, lyrically not one of their best but it still gets the thumbs up. Shades of 'Iron Maiden' are felt on 'Attila' especially that of the intro, but as the track proceeds 'Iced Earth' put their stamp on it with a hard pulsating rhythm, sinister chanting backing vocals and more strong riffs that combine with superb lyrics which are cleanly delivered. Continuing in fine form is 'Red Baron / Blue Max' the first song co. written by 'Schaffer' and 'Owens', a very good effort it is too, despite borrowing from 'Maiden' a little too heavily, 'The Ripper' engraves his name onto this track with a magnificent all round display and combines with fine instrumentation to make for a great cut. The pace softens for the balladsy 'Hollow Man' a subtle number that doesn't really suit 'Tim Owens' vocals, I can't help feeling 'Matt Barlow' would have made this work a lot better. Next up is 'Forge Valley' and after a slow start picks up into a pulsating rocker which in turn drops back to more balladsy sections, not the strongest on the album but 'Schaffer's' solo is very solid. Last up is 'Waterloo' a more straight forward 'Iced Earth' number, set well within the Power Metal vein and encompasses a hard, fast rhythm, superb lyrics of which 'Matt Barlow' had a hand in and more excellent vocals which close the album nicely. A bonus track included on the copy I own is an acoustic rendition of 'When the Eagle Cries' and while a very good rendition, it doesn't alter the fact this is way too repetitive.

Disc II is comprised of "Gettysburg (1863)" a masterfully penned 'Schaffer' epic trilogy based upon the famous battle. Split into three tales "The Devil to Pay", "Hold at all Costs" and "High Water Mark", these expansive tracks are enhanced by vast orchestration from "The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra". Altogether a magnificent trilogy and while not totally indicative of 'Iced Earth' is well worth the extra for the two CD set.

Despite the loss of 'Matt Barlow' and a little less consistency than usual, it's still business as usual for 'Iced Earth' who have found a very capable replacement in 'Tim Owens'.