I like them quite a bit better than martin. In fact, if I had to pick a favorite series that I've read so far, it would probably be this one. You have to be prepared to not know everything, and it helps if you go into it understanding that you'll be fairly confused for a good portion of the first book. Once you figure out what is going on however, which didn't take as long as it seemed like it would, the books take off. I had trouble getting into the first one, and the first half of the second one was slow. After that, I've just read them straight through.
Erikson is great with characters. Even when they die, it doesn't feel like a cheap plot resolution or a quick twist just to pull out emotional response from readers. Instead, it's usually satisfying, yet still sad. Based on the other books you've said you liked, I'd say try the first and second, and if you're not hooked, don't get the rest. If you don't like it by the end of the second, you probably won't like the rest, although the third is, in my opinion, the best book in the series so far. I'm kind of rambling, but basically what I'm saying is that you should try it. And if you get terribly confused, wikipedia can be your friend, although don't look too far because there are spoilers. I had to use wiki to figure out what the heck warrens were, but that was about the extent of my usage. Anyway....