ICED EARTH
CD in Luxurious Triple 7 Inch Vinyl Gatefold Editions!
ICED EARTH - ICED EARTH (1990)
ICED EARTH - NIGHT OF THE STORMRIDER (1991)
ICED EARTH - BURNT OFFERINGS (1995)
ICED EARTH - THE DARK SAGA (1996)
I personally have ever been the most enthusiastic fan of Iced Earth, early on they had vocalist that didn't strike me from the get-go which was always a deal-breaker for me, and they had multiple line-up changes that made it hard for me to give to follow them. The music itself was always pretty solid, galloping riffs from John Schaffer, tasty leads from Randall Shawver, offering a mix of thrash and power metal, and some fairly sophisticated song structures. That debut self-titled album was marred by less than stellar vocals from Gene Adam, who only lasted one album with the band. Regardless the galloping riffs and songwriting are notable, beginning with the opening track "Iced earth", which is a beast, as are "Colors' and "Curse the Sky". John Greely took over vocals on the band's second album, Night of the Stormrider (1991), certainly an improvement there, but still not to my taste. Singers are like artwork n comics for me, the story might be awesome, but if I cannot get into the artwork I just have trouble enjoying the comic, that's how am with vocalists. The production is tighter this time around, some of the more delicate acoustic intros and interludes like on "Before I fall" and "Reaching the End" add textures and break-up the harder-edge stuff, and "Desert Rain" brings the melodic touch with some searing leads, but I still prefer the tighter thrashier songs like "The Path I Choose" and the album closer "Travel in Stygian".
The third album Burnt Offering (1995) saw yet another vocalist, this time it was Matthew Barlow, the album is heavier and more downbeat for the most part, the riffs are heavy but I feel the leadwork suffers a bit, sacrificing the tasty leadwork for a beefier, heavier vibe. The opening title track having some horror film keyboards and a menacing riffs, great opener. Again, the vocals don't do it for me, which has always been my issue with Iced Earth, that, and the fact that I am just not a huge power metal guy to be fair, so I enjoy the thrashier riffs for sure, but it's hard for me to "get into it" properly. The fourth album, Dark Saga (1996), again with Matthew Barlow on vocals, was a concept album based on the Spawn comic, is my least favorite of the four. While the previous album was heavier this one seems to me going more for a melodic mid-paced, I missed the galloping staccato rhythms and thrashier moments. This was the album I sort of signed off on Iced Earth back in the day, I never listened to another record after it.
ICED EARTH - ICED EARTH (1990)CD in Luxurious Triple 7 Inch Vinyl Gatefold
Synopsis: The guitar work, driven by Schaffer's signature galloping riffs, is the undisputed heart of the record. Songs like "Colors" and "Funeral" are pure adrenaline, showcasing the band's ability to shift between pummeling aggression and intricate harmonies. Meanwhile, vocalist Gene Adam delivers a raw, unpolished performance that, while divisive among fans, adds an urgent, primal energy to the mix. One standout track, "When the Night Falls" hints at the epic storytelling and compositional ambition that would define Iced Earth's later works. Clocking in at over nine minutes, it's a sprawling journey of haunting melodies, relentless rhythms, and dynamic shifts that keeps listeners enthralled from start to finish. The production, while not as polished as future releases, perfectly captures the gritty essence of the early '90s underground metal scene. It's an unfiltered window into the band's burgeoning talent and ambition, making the album feel as much like a historical artifact as a sonic powerhouse. For fans of thrash metal, power metal, or anyone craving unrelenting energy with a touch of dark drama, Iced Earth is an essential listen. It's not just the start of a band's career; it's the birth of a legend.
Track Listing:
1. Iced Earth
2. Written On The Walls
3. Colors
4. Curse The Sky
5. Life And Death
6. Solitude
7. Funeral
8. When The Night Falls
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ICED EARTH - NIGHT OF THE STORMRIDER (1991)
CD in Luxurious Triple 7 inch Vinyl Gatefold
Synopsis: The album chronicles the spiritual descent of a betrayed protagonist who makes a Faustian pact, becoming a vessel of vengeance and destruction. It's epic, dark, and laced with an emotional intensity that rivals Greek tragedy. The band's signature mix of intricate thrash riffs, galloping rhythms, and soaring melodies is on full display. Tracks like "Angels Holocaust" and "Travel in Stygian" are as thunderous and technically dazzling as ever, while the melodic grandeur of "Desert Rain" reveals Jon Schaffer's knack for crafting haunting atmospheres. Vocally, John Greely's fiery performance delivers the apocalyptic drama with raw power and theatrical flair.
Track Listing:
1. Angels Holocaust
2. Stormrider
3. The Path I Choose
4. Before The Vision
5. Mystical End
6. Desert Rain
7. Pure Evil
8. Reaching The End
9. Travel In Stygian
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ICED EARTH - BURNT OFFERINGS (1995)
CD in Luxurious Triple 7 Inch Vinyl Gatefold
Label: The Circle Music/Seven Mater
This reissue preserves the raw energy of the original recording while offering a soundscape that feels more expansive and polished.
Track Listing:
1. Burnt Offerings
2. Last December
3. Diary
4. Brainwashed
5. Burning Oasis
6. Creator Failure
7. The Pierced Spirit
8. Dante’s Inferno
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ICED EARTH - THE DARK SAGA (1996)
CD in Luxurious Triple 7 Inch Vinyl Gatefold
Synopsis: Tracks like "I Died for You" and "The Hunter" highlight Iced Earth's knack for blending storytelling with unforgettable choruses, while the galloping rhythms of "Vengeance is Mine" and "Scarred" remind us why Schaffer's rhythm guitar work is legendary in the power metal world. This deluxe reissue takes the experience of The Dark Saga to new heights. The lavish packaging is a visual and tactile delight, with stunning artwork that pays homage to McFarlane's iconic Spawn imagery. The tri-fold design features additional liner notes and alternate artwork, enhancing the immersion into Iced Earth's dark and fantastical world. The sound remastering is crisp and dynamic, bringing out new layers of depth in tracks you thought you already knew by heart.
Track Listing:
1. Dark Saga
2. I Died For You
3. Violate
4. The Hunter
5. The Last Laugh
6. Depths Of Hell
7. Vengeance Is Mine
8. Scarred
9. Slave To The Dark
10. A Question Of Heaven
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