Something Wicked This Way Comes
Iced Earth · 1998
62 min · 13 tracks · heavy metal
A dark and complex blend of power metal and thrash, laced with haunting melodies and intricate storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Burning Times Start here — This opening track sets a powerful tone with its urgent rhythms and socially conscious lyrics that address historical injustice, capturing the album's thematic depth.
-
→
Melancholy (Holy Martyr) — A standout ballad that combines somber melodies with poignant lyrics about sacrifice and loss, showcasing the band's emotional range.
-
→
Something Wicked: Prophecy — This track initiates the concept trilogy of the album, weaving together intricate musical motifs that foreshadow the climax of the story.
-
→
1776 — A high-energy anthem that juxtaposes historical themes with powerful instrumentation, reflecting Iced Earth's ability to meld history with heavy metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate storytelling and varied tempos create a compelling heavy metal experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, moving from aggressive thrash sections to slower, melodic passages.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with climactic peaks
- thematic exploration of darkness
- wave-like pacing for deep engagement
- soaring vocals for emotional highs
Maybe skip if you
- dislike thematic complexity
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Iced Earth's narrative focus and complex sound, often cited as a high point.
- Themes
- historical injustice· sacrifice and loss· American Revolution· dark prophecy
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Something Wicked This Way Comes marked Iced Earth's fourth studio album and continued their exploration of narrative-driven metal. This album followed the critically acclaimed The Dark Saga and solidified their place in the heavy metal scene as leaders in conceptual storytelling. At this point, the band was establishing a signature sound characterized by epic themes and dynamic instrumentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Nevermore· Judas Priest
Tracklist
- 1 Burning Times Start here 3:45
- 2 Melancholy (Holy Martyr) 4:49
- 3 Disciples of the Lie 4:05
- 4 Watching Over Me 4:30
- 5 Stand Alone 2:46
- 6 Consequences 5:38
- 7 My Own Savior 3:41
- 8 Reaping Stone 4:04
- 9 1776 3:35
- 10 Blessed Are You 5:07
- 11 Something Wicked: Prophecy 6:20
- 12 Something Wicked: Birth of the Wicked 4:18
- 13 Something Wicked: The Coming Curse 9:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.