Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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Limited to 3000 copies. Contains remixed/remastered versions of their first 3 albums, the cover album "Tribute To The Gods", and their old demo for the first time on CD.

With each new album released, Iced Earth's fan base grows significantly. But because these fans are drawn in by the new albums, Iced Earth's early history may remain relatively unknown to them. In steps "Dark Genesis", a 5-CD box set that uncovers the band's inspirations, recalls their infancy, and exhibits their innovations, in all providing a complete history lesson with a single low-priced package. This box set will also be sought after by long-time fans, as it is far more than a simple repackaging of older albums; none of the material has been presented in this form before. The core of the set consists of Iced Earth's first three classic studio albums, "Iced Earth", "Night of the Stormrider", and "Burnt Offerings". Each album has not only been remastered, but they have also been expertly remixed by Jim Morris from the original multi-track recordings. Taking advantage of technology and equipment unavailable a decade ago, as well as Jim Morris's skills (which have become an integral part of Iced Earth's current sound), the remixes offer a significant sonic improvement over the originals. New artwork has also been created, which evokes the themes of the original artwork while adopting the style of the band's more recent output. Next is "Tribute to the Gods", an album full of cover songs. Iced Earth pays homage to the bands they grew up listening to and the bands that inspired them by recording new versions of some hard rock and metal classics. Recorded in Jon Schaffer's basement studio, the sound is raw and fresh, which reflects the spirit of the original songs while also infusing them with Iced Earth's recognizable touch. Included are songs from Kiss, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, and Black Sabbath. Finally, "Enter the Realm", the six-track demo responsible for getting Iced Earth's first record deal, is being made available for the first time on CD. The original demo tape has been sought after for years by die-hard fans, so the CD version will give a wider audience a chance to hear the music that started it all more than a decade ago. Throw in a 32-page hardcover book, package it all in a deluxe slipcase, and "Dark Genesis" becomes a perfect gift for all die-hard Iced Earth fans, old and new.

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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Iced Earth's first demo is an awesome example of the band's talent presented in a more energetic, raw form. The production isn't as refined as on their self-titled debut, so the demo just plain reeks of metalness. The guitar tone is powerful, the solos are brilliant, the drumming is masterful and the vocals sound just as vicious as they do on the debut (for those that like the band's singer). Two songs on this demo didn't go on to be included on the debut, the intro track "Enter the Realm" and "Nightmares." The former is just a brief acoustic instrumental, nice but forgettable. The latter is a thrash classic with a sweet intro solo. The Days of Purgatory version with Barlow isn't even close to as glorious as this demo's version of it. It doesn't offer much more if you already own the first album, but it's an interesting look at the band's early material if you're an Iced Earth fan. Plus "Nightmares" is a cool ass song. Certainly worth obtaining if you get the chance.

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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I'm going to review the remastered version of this album because obviously everything has been improved without making ammendments to the songs themselves. Iced Earth is a brilliant opener, very energetic with some great riffs. Very fast and sets the blistering pace for the rest of the album. Obviously Gene Adams isn't perfect as a vocalist, but in some sections the vocals do sound good. Colors has a superb riff that really sticks in the memory over anything else in the song, and is a good ride. Curse the sky and Life and Death are two great melodic/fast tracks that are looked over quite often, but there is great atmosphere in both. Funeral is a superb Instrumental, it flows really well and the riffs are again, biting. The intro into When the night falls sets the atmosphere for the rest of the song, and I prefer this version over the DOP and AIA version, even with Gene Adams on vocals. A great debut album from a truly great metal band, a solid basis for a great collection of albums, although they will improve over time.

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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Night of the Stormrider is a good album from beginning to end, starting out slow and melodic, then going to a more thrash type style, then ending out with what I consider Iced Earth's second best song, not far behind my first, Dante's Inferno. The first two songs start you out in the mood…you can tell it's going to be an epic album. The opera-like beginning in Angel's Holocaust sets a dark theme, and it's kept up throughout the entire album. The lyrics really set you up for what's to come, very dark and after the intro, very heavy. Then there's Night of the Stormrider. While not quite as heavy as the others, it's still important to the storyline, and the lyrics are the beginning of the story, so very important. The first two, though heavy, are mild compared to The Path That I Choose. Following up two more melodic songs by a dark, fast song I feel was a very good choice. The Path That I Choose is a kick in the face when you listen to it first, and a very strong kick at that. Again, it continues the storyline of the Stormrider, talking about how all that he did was his choice. Nice, fast riff to go along with the dark theme. Before the Vision, Mystical End, and Desert Rain create a more melodic tune in between the two very brutal songs on this CD, The Path That I Choose and Pure Evil. Greely pulls out some nice, high melodic vocals for these, especially in Mystical End. Mystical End even gives the story line from a different point of view, talking about the doomsday falling upon the land. Then Desert Rain begins to get more brutal, and the lyrics are especially well-written in this one. Pure Evil. The song of when the Apocalypse finally comes. When I first heard this, I had to check outside to make sure if the Apocalypse actually WASN'T going on. I love this song, one of Iced Earth's most brutal, something that can almost compete with death metal lyrics. Epic and extremely dark, we have almost reached the end, though it's not quite here… Reaching the End, and finally, we get to Travel in Stygian. One of my favorite songs of all time, excellent lyrics with excellent guitar, especially the solo. He doesn't regret a thing he did, and for that, we salute him. He tells his tragic tale so vividly, you feel as if you were there. Like the song Dante's Inferno for Burnt Offerings, this song caps the entire album off, ending it with a finality that is almost frightening to think about. From the Storm to Hell, Night of the Stormrider keeps you listening and active, giving you an orgy for the ears. I definitely suggest you getting it. Whether or not you've listened to Iced Earth before, I guarantee if you like pure metal, you'll at least enjoy this album.

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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When one thinks of thrash metal, fans immediately think of the big four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeath, and Anthrax (maybe to a lesser extent Testament as well), and upon thinking of those bands, fans will most likely remember cornerstone albums such as Master of Puppets, Peace Sells…, Reign in Blood, Rust in Peace, Ride the Lightning, etc. But the success and influences of those albums often overshadow another important, yet underrated thrash band: Iced Earth. True, they're often thought more of as a power metal band, but mixing elements of both thrash and power metal is their claim to fame, and they did so almost perfectly with Burnt Offerings. As the scary looking album art and title Burnt Offerings would suggest, the music is very dark, often with doom-inspired lyrics which would make one question: this is a power metal album? Not quite. The riffs and drumming are speedy, heavy, dark, and intense, making this more of a thrash metal album, but instead of relying on aggressive hardcore punk-inspired power chords, the guitars have a cleaner and more polished sound rather than being overly crunchy or grinding. The band also throws in a few dashes of keyboards to give it a bit of melody to its overall dark and brooding sound. Then-debuting lead singer Matt Barlow also avoids relying on aggressive rasps and barks like James Hetfield or Tom Araya, rather using a majestic sounding baritone often more traditional in power and progressive metal mixed with high shrieks reminiscent of Rob Halford along with dark and evil-sounding growls. A good number of the songs also often offer soft, brief moments of ambiance and tranquility, most notable in Dante's Inferno, the power ballad The Pierced Spirit, Last December, and the title track. However, these soft moments are dark and brooding, foreshadowing the eventual blistering riffs and fierce double bass pedaling. It is these moments as well as more melodic singing by Matt Barlow that really sets this album apart from other thrash metal outfits. Instead of over-relying on fierce power chords and aggressive vocals, the action is split up into periods of power and tranquility and presents surprising creativity through progressive-like changes in melody and tempo midway through songs. This is what prevents the album from peaking halfway through or ever sounding repetitive, which is unfortunately a trap many thrash bands fall into. If one needs proof, this style is most evident in the final song, the sixteen minute-and-a-half epic Dante's Inferno. By utilizing the soft/loud technique with suspenseful ambiance followed by relentless aggression and gradual changes in tempo and in melody as well as the vivid descriptions of the circles of Hell, one truly feels as if they are traveling with Dante and Virgil. While metal fans will always look to Metallica and Slayer as the kings of thrash metal and their early releases as the epitome of the genre, Burnt Offerings will always remain an underrated, yet rightful candidate for one of the best thrash albums of all time. Excellent rapid-fire instrumentation with flares of melody, majestic and dark vocals, and masterful storytelling make this album an unrecognized classic.

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Iced Earth - Dark Genesis (2002) (5CD Box Set)

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This album is dedicated to the bands that influenced Iced Earth the most. It is a compulation of classic rock and metal acts that Jon Schaffer listened to growing up. I have never been a big fan of these bands, except for Iron Maiden and a bit of Judas Priest, but I love this album. Barlow destroys on vocals in every song and makes a song that I have always hated into a song that I love. AC/DC Highway to Hell sucked, I don't know how anyone in their right mind could like that song. It is one of the most annoying songs I have ever heard. Iced Earth came in and ripped it up and made it a great song. I never had the desire to sing along with the lyrics "I'm on the highway to hell" until I heard this amazing cover. Highlights of the CD are Screaming For Vengeance (Judas Priest) and Dead Babies (Alice Cooper). Halford is a good vocalist but he has nothing on Barlow. Screaming For Vengeance never affected me until Iced Earth covered it. With Barlow singing it I just smile cause I am enjoying it until it is over. I have never actually heard Alice Cooper sing Dead Babies, but with Iced Earth doing it it is a masterpiece. Coopers lyrics and Barlows vocals make something that you cannot forget. Tribute to the Gods is the best Tribute album I have ever herd. Iced Earth are a very talented. Not many bands can take classic songs and make them better than the first time they were recorded. After listening to this my respect for Schaffer, Barlow, and the rest of Iced Earth has gone up a great amount.

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