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The Dark Saga

Iced Earth - The Dark Saga Audio CD

A fair review of the Iced Earth "The Dark Saga" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Iced Earth reviews here, or go back to the Iced Earth tabs.

Band: Iced Earth
Title: The Dark Saga
Rating:

Release Date: 1996-07-23
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Dark Saga 2: I Died for You 3: Violate 4: Hunter 5: Last Laugh 6: Depths of Hell 7: Vengeance Is Mine 8: Suffering Scarred 9: Slave to the Dark 10: Question of Heaven

Iced Earth "the dark saga" really rocks
com, I have never heard of this band before. I have become an Iced Earth fan, thanks to metal blade records and pandora. They are a great band, here in the midwest. The Dark Saga, to me maybe they're best. I mean I have all of them I think. Dark Saga, go buy it, try it and you will like it.

Rick Muncy
Iced Earth Fan
Columbus Ohio.

But then comes ICED EARTH in the Dark Saga!
Iced Earth one of the greatest Metal bands of all-time, together as one. Spawn, one of the darkest comics to ever hit the shelves. What is the turnout? A thrashy, epic, metal, classic! The album has songs dedicated to even the villains of Spawn, such as "Violate" (Violator) and "The Hunter" (Angela), which give the album such a creative twist. Matt Barlow's voice can bleed the sores of pain like no one else on this classic! The song "A Question of Heaven" which contains some of the most emotional vocal melodies in a metal song ever, has the power to leave anyone in tears!

Any band can write about todays issues or love and have an audience easily relate to that but to use a fictional character and express the passion of his/her life so well is what truly defines a Musician from an artist!.

4 Stars because it's weaker than Burnt Offerings
Luckily, A Question of Heaven is my all time favourite song of Iced Earth and if you need to realize how talented they are, make this song your first listen. Unfortunately, though there are some great songs, the CD is let down by some weak songs and this CD isn't fully consistent. Kate Barlow's vocals are some overpowering! I felt like I was having sex when I heard her voice.

Okay, I'll start with the two tracks that are pretty boring. Luckily once you're past these two songs there aren't any real low points. Dark Saga and Depths of Hell.

Dark Saga is a rather bland song. It starts great but it's kind of ruined by the production. Vengeance is Mine suffers the same fate but it's a better song overall.

Depths of Hell is an experiment. And to be honest, I don't think it works. The song sounds very bland, failing to do anything. I have a soft spot for this tune because it's always good to try new things.

Now - the mediocre

The Last Laugh
Vengeance is Mine
Slave to the Dark

All three of these songs suffer badly from the production, but they sound better than Dark Saga. Luckily, all three songs can be found on Alive in Athens and they sound far better there (Just listen to the speed and ferocity of Vengeance is Mine)

Now the good -

I Died For You
Violate
The Hunter
Scarred

I Died For You is a ballad, and a rather good one. It kind of shows you the direction taken with Something Wicked though it was taken too extreme (4 ballads, 3 of which are not interesting)

Violate and The Hunter are both heavier tracks. Violate is the fastest song on the CD and though very simple, it feels real. One time I ran away in fright :( The Hunter is a bit more mid-tempo, but doesn't fall weak at all. Definitely a winner of the CD.

Onto the song Scarred. This is a song that everyone seems to dislike, which is understandable. Seriously this tune is very slow and actually does make Manowar's slower songs (songs like Secret of Steel, Dark Avenger and Hatred) look like Raining Blood. That's how slow it is.

But it is a very interesting song and though much like Depths of Hell, this time the experiment actually works. Second favourite song.

A Question of Heaven IS the definite Iced Earth song. Just listen to it.

Needs Time To Grow
I have to admit, except for a few tracks, the initial response from me was one of disappointment. I heard this album after my initial exposure to Horror Show, so I had some pretty high expectations of "Dark Saga". There was something lacking in the punch and impact of "Dark Saga" that "Horror Show" pounded away at you with. That is not to say that the CD was bad, there were decent tracks that were instant winners in my mind.

"Violate" struck me as an instant winner: punchy, staccato and violent, which is everything metal should be. Also, Matt Barlow's vocals are wildly good on this track. "The Hunter" is another powerful song, which savage power chords and vocals combining to create a massive sound punctuated with softer breaks througout. "The Last Laugh" shares in the machine-gun impact of solid chords in the choruses.

Songs that only grew on me over time include "I Died For You" and some of the cycle of songs in "The Suffering". I think this was more due to personal taste, especially after reading some of the reviews here.

As far as the whole "Spawn" theme goes, I have no idea, as I have never been one for graphic novels, and so have only a rudimentary knowledge of that character. However, "Dark Saga" is definitely in keeping with Iced Earth's penchant for dark fantasy and powerful metal sounds. If you are into that type of theme, then I would certainly suggest "Dark Saga" as a purchase for you.

Although not their best CD in my opinion, (Burnt Offerings was a bit better, in my honest opinion), I still think that fans of Iced Earth will not be disappointed in it. If you find that you are a bit let down on the first listening, give it time. As with me, I think the CD will grow on you and become on of your favourites.

I genuinely enjoy listening to this CD. Throughout the songs and the CD as a whole, there is a great range and variety of sound, from raging metal and fury to the much softer and melancholy end of things. It is an album that showcases Iced Earth's undoubted skills as a band and a premier heavy metal act. Fans, new and old alike, will enjoy this one.

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Iced Earth - The Dark Saga (4.5 Stars)
While Iced Earth have never experienced fame and glamour, they have managed to prove that they can write exceptional music and even stay on track after longtime vocalist Matt Barlow parted ways with the band in 2004. Iced Earth can proudly proclaim that they are one of the most well loved metal bands from the United States, particularly from the long-time metal fans who expanded their horizons from Metallica, Slayer, or even Judas Priest. Originally released in 1996, The Dark Saga was Iced Earth's fourth album, but was Barlow's second album after debuting with Burnt Offerings. The Dark Saga is a concept album on the comic book character, Spawn.

The title track is a great introduction to the album, and it is quickly followed by the emotional ballad, I Died For You. Violate, and The Hunter have become fan favorites for concerts and Vengeance of Mine is probably one of the most famous tracks from this album. Writer and lyricist, John Schaffer did a brilliant job in composing the `Suffering Trilogy,' which is comprised of the last three tracks, which are The Suffering Scarred, Slave to Dark, and A Question of Heaven. The last track is one of the best Iced Earth songs ever written and features some amazing vocal work by Barlow.

Iced Earth has had a very proud career and still makes great music today. While the band has not had luck with finding permanent drummers or guitarists, John Schaffer has been the true constant in the band. Many fans lamented the departure of Matt Barlow, and he was definitely one of the best vocalists within the heavy metal genre. Today, Iced Earth continues on with former Judas Priest front man, Tim `Ripper' Owens. The Dark Saga is one of Iced Earth's best albums, along with Burnt Offerings, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Horror Show. Schaffer & Co. still have many proud years ahead of them.
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You can see a complete list of all Iced Earth discography, or go back to the Iced Earth tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.