Iced Earth Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked, Pt. 1 (2-CD)

Personnel: Jon Schaffer (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar); Tim Owens (vocals); Tim Mills (guitar, guitars); Jim Morris (guitar, background vocals); Troy Seele (guitar); Steve Rogowski (cello); Howard Helm (keyboards, background vocals); Dennis Hayes (bass guitar, fretless bass); Brent Smedley (drums); Patina Ripkey, Debbie Harrell, Jason Blackerby, Todd Plant, Kathy Helm (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jim Morris .

Recording information: Soaring Eagle Sound (02/2007-04/2007).

With 2007's FRAMING ARMAGEDDON: SOMETHING WICKED PT. 1, the Floridian power-metal ensemble Iced Earth unveils one of its most ambitious outings. A concept album about an epic world-shaping struggle between humans and beings called "Setians," FRAMING ARMAGEDDON finds vocalist Tim Owens, formerly of Judas Priest, fully in synch with guitarist and group mastermind Jon Schaffer as they spin fantastic tales with operatic energy, as exemplified by the fierce anthem "Ten Thousand Strong." Headbangers, take heed--it's hard to get more "metal" than this.