Critical Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metal Storm | 9.5/10 |
| Allmusic | |
| Chronicles of Chaos | 4/10 |
Since its release, Something Wicked This Way Comes has had a very polarized reaction from critics. Some have viewed the album as one of Iced Earth's strongest, while others have called it one of their weakest.
Demonic Tutor of Metal Storm, who gave the album a 9.5 out of 10, called it "the most important release of Iced Earth" and "a must have", while Paul Schwarz of Chronicles of Chaos called the album "tried, tested and tired". Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic felt somewhat similarly, feeling that the album was "virtually replicating their previous effort, The Dark Saga, but with somewhat less inspired results".
Several songs such as "Burning Times", "Stand Alone" and the "Something Wicked" trilogy received considerable praise. Demonic Tutor was impressed by the musicianship of "Stand Alone", and called the "Something Wicked" trilogy "the best piece of music that Iced Earth ever played". Eduardo Rivadivia also felt that the band seemed most at home during the "Something Wicked" trilogy. "Burning Times" and "Stand Alone" were also some of Allmusic's track picks.
Despite the criticism, the album is a fan favorite and is cited by many fans as the definitive Iced Earth album.
Read more about this topic: Something Wicked This Way Comes (Iced Earth Album)
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