Iced Earth - (1998) Something Wicked This Way Comes

I haven't really taken to Iced Earth thus far, but I have found myself quite enjoying this one. It doesn't seem to have much to do with the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name, but there's much to like with such songs as "Melancholy (Holy Martyr)", "Watching Over Me", "Consequences" and "Blessed Are You", while the concluding trilogy, "Something Wicked This Way Comes", is still certainly about something wicked coming this way, that being the chap on the album cover.
It's more of a steady and, at times, slow listen than a fast one, but the melodies are better than in the past, and the record a satisfying listen overall.

***1/2