ICED EARTH – “Tribute to the Gods” is a fine Metal tribute indeed.
Iced Earth released the Metal cover song album – Tribute to the Gods in 2002. This album packs quite the Metal tribute, to some of the most revered bands in the history of Metal. A sampling of some of the songs covered, with their respective legendary Metal band: Kiss – Creatures of the Night & God of Thunder, Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath, Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance, AC/DC – Highway To Hell, Iron Maiden – Hallowed Be Thy Name & Number Of The Beast. There are 11 Metal cover songs in all, with Alice Cooper and Blue Oyster Cult rounding out the tribute list of Metal bands.
Jon Schaffer, founding member, plays rhythm, lead and acoustic guitar. Jon Schaffer is someone I hold in extremely high regard as a musician and song writer. Every song is covered with exceptional Metal brilliance on Tribute to the Gods, the musicianship that is heard here takes nothing away from the original songs. To put it plain and simple, this album is as fine a tribute as you will ever hear for these classic Metal tunes, giving nod of appreciation and a thunderous Metal thanks to all the legendary Metal bands listed earlier. Matthew Barlow on lead vocals is tremendous, I always look to him as the lead singer for Iced Earth. Matthew Barlow has his signature vocals that stand out, he never over reaches on any of these vintage Metal tracks. If you are new to Iced Earth, this is a great starting point for catching up on one of the Metal world’s most underrated bands to ever exist.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
February 3, 2010 at 10:49 pm
ah ha! going back and reading some of your older posts.
you have came a long “metal” way in my mind, now that I clearly see you are not limited to pissing off the neighbors via blasting old school RATT out tha’ windows (which is how I found your great blog)! ha ha
you obviously have great “metal” taste and a knack for selecting the “Metal” underdogs that need more support and or recognition. Case in point:
ICED EARTH & esp. main man/founding member Jon Schaffer.
Just another example of what I mean by “Midwest Metal” dominance as most of the bands and or band members are usually from this area and moved away. Jon of course, being a fellow Indiana “Hoosier” himself.
Indiana Music trivia….
who is this most (in)famous of all band members who are originally from Indiana?
Well, there are a couple of biggies….just guess – don’t ruin it and or “google it” for the easy answer!
Curt King
“Hoosier Metalhead and Proud of It”
February 4, 2010 at 12:36 am
I have to rest my Metal-head on this one and figure it out. I won’t use a resource either, albeit digital or book… I’m an honest dude.
Jon Schaffer is an American Heavy Metal icon. I don’t care if he never wins the “popularity” contest in the American music public… the man is loyal to Metal and his Metal/Iced Earth fans know that.
I always say… many of the best Metal Bands throughout Metal history are the “underdogs”, the “blue-collar” musicians… UNDERGROUND METAL! Plus a vast majority of the Metal Bands that are HUGE in Europe and not in the States.
In Metal –
Stone