Blessed & Damned

Iced Earth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B0002IQAUY
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,289 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

First-ever greatest hits collection from the leaders of the metal resurgence in North America. Over 2 hours of music on two CDs, 23 tracks, carefully remastered. 20- page booklet with foil-stamped cover with liner notes for each song from Iced Earth mastermind Jon Schaffer and a complete discography. An excellent retrospective for newly introduced fans as well as must-have for collectors and rabid fans. Take note this album has an alternate cover not pictured here.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A greatest hits album..., August 10, 2004

By 

Bilbo Baggins "mighty hobbit" (Land of Dwarves and Hobbits) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blessed & Damned (Audio CD)

This is a 'greatest hits' album so it doesn't really offer anything new. It is, of course, a good way for new fans to get a good look at the band for relatively little money. However there is not much to offer the hardcore fan except for the booklet which offers an interesting discography of the various albums and a brief history of Jon Schaffer, IE's main man as he comments on the various albums of his career. As with most 'best of' records there are some good tracks and ones that at first glance don't seem quite worthy, but isn't that always the way? I could go over a list of songs that I thought should have been on the album but I don't really see the point in it.

Anyway, I'm giving this a five star rating just based on the quality of the songs but there is no reason for someone who has all or even most of the Iced Earth catalouge to buy this. Just go ahead and buy all the records and make your own "Blessed & Damned" album.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not new, but well done., August 27, 2004

By 

Jon M. Call - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blessed & Damned (Audio CD)

I'm deeply loyal to a select few power metal bands, Iced Earth being one of those few. So when I found this on Amazon I ordered it without reading anything about it at all. Just clicked and spent $20 bucks without thinking, because it's Iced Earth for god's sake!

So a little curious, I found I had just bought a compilation of songs from all the other albums I already owned. DAMMIT!

Anyway the little money I had spent was not missed when I found it in my mailbox. The included album artwork and booklet are top quality. A problem with many 'best hits' albums is the exclusion of the lyrics (*cough* Helloween's treasure chest *cough*); But Iced Earth was keen and included them. Also, several of the older songs have been remixed / so when comparing the remixes to the older albums I'm deeply satisfied with the new mixed versions: They sound much better.

Overall, if you are new to Iced Earth this would be a good buy to get a good mix of their history. If you are a fan of Iced Earth - you'll probably end up buying it regardless. Hail Iced Earth!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazin', September 22, 2004

By 

HeadbangerDuh (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blessed & Damned (Audio CD)

Iced Earth will never acheive the success of their idols, like KISS or Iron Maiden, but they will always have a strong and faithful following among the headbangers of the world. Their epic good vs. bad lyrical content has always amazed me, ever since I purchased their debut album on that day in 1991. Although this collection should have included some songs from 'The Glorious Burden', my favorite of their albums, this career retrospective showcases the best of their 1990's work. Another standout is the booklet, over 20 pages long, with a biography of metal-god guitarist Jon Schaffer and commentary, as well as lyrics. Long live Viking metal!!