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In 2008 The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 of Iced Earth was released and the band been on tour. Now Iced Earth mastermind Jon Schaffer has a little surprise for his fans - Sons Of Liberty. The album Brush-fires Of The Mind is his first solo work and Jon isn't just playing guitar he also sings on this one. The album is a statement, a statement of someone fighting for his believes. And he want people to hear his message, so the album is available as a free download (low resolution) and for just a few bucks you can get a high resolution version. So there is no reason not to listen to Brush-fires Of The Mind!
Slowly he starts into Jeckyll Island, but soon the song explodes! The riffing is typical for Jon Schaffer and vocally he offers everything from whispered words to raspy powerful vocal passages. The song is quite catchy and will soon drag you into the sonic world of Sons Of Liberty! At the website are some books, documentaries and websites listed which are recommended and which obviously influenced Mr. Schaffer, so you'll find the book The Creature From Jeckyll Island - A Second Look at the Federal Reserve listed. Musically it isn't differing much from Iced Earth, kinda expands the Iced Earth sound. But I think it's a good move to release this album not as the next Iced Earth album, coz it's quite personal. So Jon is reciting Thomas Jefferson at the beginning of Don't Tread On Me, a song which has an aggressive side and a melodic one - exactly what made Iced Earth famous. Okay, Jon Schaffer vocals can't match the vocals of Matt Barlow, but he has a strong voice and is more then just a decent singer. Even if Matt Barlow might have been able to add some intensity... The song ends with the sound of marching feet and some police announcement. At False Flag some vocal lines remind me of Nick Holmes which might sound strange, but it's also just one facet of the song. One of my favorites is Our Dying Republic which is opened up with some words of Abraham Lincoln. A slower, more melodic tune - but very intense. At Indentured Servitude Mr. Schaffer included pieces of political speeches to transport the message, but the heavy riffs and angry words are smoothed by some great guitar leads. Tree Of Liberty would have fit any Iced Earth album, perhaps it would have been a bit heavier... But lyrically this isn't a lightweight! With acoustic guitar and vocals the songs ends, it's like you listen to some street musician due to the background noises. Cool idea. At Feeling Helpless? Jon Schaffer encourages everybody fight for his / her believes and that we aren't alone in our fights. A slow, almost balladesque one is The Cleansing Wind, it shows a different side of Jon Schaffer. With We The People the album ends... Another request to unite and fight against the ones who limits our liberty. At the closer the typical riffing is back, another song which could have been taken off an Iced Earth album. A hymn which calls you to join the resistance against the leaders who make us their slaves - on or the other way.
From the topic this one isn't easy to digest, but it's worth to spend time listening and reading the lyrics (on the website)! As Jon Schaffer is the brain of Iced Earth let me compare the Sons Of Liberty release with Iced Earth. My favorite studio album of Iced Earth is still Dark Saga, coz it's still magic for me. But Brush-fires Of The Mind is close to it, the album is fascinating, but due to the recitations and different sound elements more demanding. And some will miss the fast tunes... But you should spend time listening to Brush-fires Of The Mind!
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