Plagues of Babylon

Released in 2014, Plagues of Babylon is the eleventh studio album by Iced Earth and the second to feature vocalist Stu Block. It represents a stylistic continuation of the 'back to basics' approach started on Dystopia, but with a significantly darker and more mid-tempo focus. The album is notable for its split structure: the first half continues the 'Something Wicked' saga, while the second half consists of standalone tracks and covers. It features guest appearances from Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and Michael Poulsen (Volbeat), adding a collaborative depth to the vocal textures. Despite lineup shifts, including guest drummer Raphael Saini, the album is anchored by Jon Schaffer's signature galloping rhythm guitar style. Critics often noted the album's consistency and its successful blend of power metal melody with thrash metal aggression, though some pointed to the long running times of certain tracks as a challenge for casual listeners.