It has finally arrived, the moment of truth. The moment many Iced Earth fans have been waiting for desperately. No, it’s not the full album yet, but a quick preview of what is to come, but most importantly the moment we all get to hear if Tim Owens can patch the gaping hole that the departure of Matt Barlow has left. The answer is an overwhelming yes! What a surprise is all I can say. Right from the very first second Tim opens his throat on “The Reckoning” it’s pretty clear that Jon Shaffer couldn’t have found a better replacement. The power that Tim might lack, compared to Matt, he makes up for with intensity and aggression.

“The Reckoning” is an excellent song featuring simply everything that made Iced Earth what they are today: powerful riffs and quality melodies. Tim’s vocals remind a lot of Barlow, but that’s mostly due to Jon’s melodies. Right, when I’m starting to get the feeling that this is going to be an excellent song, it fades away; right in the middle of an excellent interlude. What is up with that? This is the title song of the single, and it isn’t even the full version?

The second song on the single is an unplugged version of another track from the upcoming album: “When The Eagle Cries”. I hate unplugged and this track is unfortunately no exception; it sounds terribly corny. Unplugged songs are almost as annoying as hidden tracks. Oh well, onto the next one: “Valley Forge”.

This track is pretty laid back and dominated by Tim’s vocals. Pretty decent all in all, but not really Iced Earth and yet again the listener is being hit by a fade away halfway the song. Seriously, people aren’t going to buy a single only to hear half done versions. What a terrible let down.

The Reckoning ends with another ballad, “Hollow Man”. After listening to this single I’m filled with a pretty dissatisfied feeling. Where are the great powerful tracks that are so typical for Iced Earth? Three ballads or semi-ballads are hardly satisfying my need for the phenomena that is Iced Earth. Let alone if the only powerful song is being faded out when it starts to get interesting. Somehow The Reckoning leaves a bad taste in my mouth. A feeling of dread in my guts. A feeling I barely dare to voice out loud. Will the upcoming Iced Earth album not really be that what the fans have been expecting for so long?

Right now, I actually know the answer, but I will however not reveal it yet. For now all I can say is: forget about this terribly redundant single. It’s simply not worth your money, since all the songs are featured on the upcoming album The Glorious Burden and on top of that they are the full versions. The only track you will be missing is the unplugged version of “When The Eagle Cries” and I can assure you that you can live without that. Save your money for the real deal.