Guest Captian Linger Report post Posted May 11, 2002 I don't see many posts about 'true metal' here so I don't know if anyone here will find this informative... I suppose *anyone* that frequents their back catalouge of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest albums will find this to be a welcome post. If anyone is in the same boat I was, listening to all the metal I could but really only finding it in 80's material and not really knowing if bands, you know, actually still played their instruments and had decent vocal ability were still around these days. I say: Look no further than Iced Earth. A band that formed in the late 80's really started to make a bigger dent in the underground metal world in the mid 90's, I think they might have even been accused to of possesing talent, something almost foreign in the "Nu Metal" generation. Having only gotten into the band recently, I'll mull through what I can recommend. "Days of Purgatory" According to most, the group really hit their stride when Matt Barlow took the helm of lead vocalist after their first two left the band. This albums is a re-issue of pre-Barlow material, re-done with Barlow signing, increased production and an overall better sound than the originals (or so I hear). The early days were like Iron Maiden on speed, but with less originality, skill and precision than their legendary influences, which also included Judas Priest. Arrangements were like 80's Metallica and Slayer respectively. A few true gems on this disc but I don't feel that the band really came into their own until a few years later (for song writing). Still a fun look back at what was. But don't expect anything too orginal. "Dark Saga" This is really where the majority of my praise for the band lies. A concept album based on the "Spawn" comic book which details his origin and takes you through several storylines. Sounds like a goofy concept but it really works. It starts out kind of slow and moody with somber overtones to establish the storyline, then it kicks it up about 1,000 notches and really starts burning through until slowing down again to represent transitions in the story. My words can't really do it justice here. Just listen in amazement to songs like "the Hunter" and "A Question of Heaven" and you'll have at least admit that the band is very talented and creative, even if you deplore the style of music. "Something Wicked this Way Comes" This was one of the their more 'acclaimed' albums are has some real shiners, including "Burning Times", "Disiples of the Lie" and "The Triology" which is a three song storyline that spans 20mins. Some songs meander a bit and seem out of place and the overall sound of the album isn't as moody and awe-inspiring as "Dark Saga" but I'm sure there are some that would tear out my throat for saying such. "Horror Show" Everytime I see a negative comment about this one just makes me think that it's the most underrated disc ever, even if lots of people loved it as I did. Every song deals with a classic horror story, with one song departing from the main theme in an emotional tribute to those fallen in war time for the USA. Some really complex work here. Some of the vocals are over-done and needlessly heavy-handed but everything else works. -Prognosis: Iced Earth is a extremely talented band, mainly thanks to its founder and brain-child, Jon Schaffer. They take the blue-prints of New Wave of British Heavy-Metal, leave in the awesome musicianship of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and add anything but "modern" updates. A lot of the style here derives from non-metal influences, take the comic book and horror story themes for example. Schaffer artisitically recreates the mood and atmosphere of the subject matter he's writing about. And better yet, it gives the dark themes and harsh lyrics CONTEXT and meaning. The arrangments in some songs are reministent of Opera pieces and Classical Music, far cries from anything that's "hip" with the kiddies. Anyone that appreciates bands that can actually play their instruments or just likes that kick-ass, oldschool power stuff, you need to check out this band *yesterday*. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted May 11, 2002 Preech on brother. Iced Earth is an amazing band, and who said Horrow Show sucked? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted May 11, 2002 \m/ is all I have to say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AzkulKazul Report post Posted May 12, 2002 \m/ One of my Favorite bands. I'm listening to Burnt Offerings at this very moment. \m/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest swan Report post Posted May 14, 2002 Finally caught them live w/ Megadeth last year. Been a fan for years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
