Days of Purgatory

Iced Earth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 22, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B000005HNO
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,258 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Enter The Realm

2. Colors

3. Angels Holocaust

4. Stormrider

5. Winter Nights

6. Nightmares

7. Pure Evil

8. Solitude

9. When The Night Falls

10. Desert Rain

11. The Funeral

12. Cast In Stone

13. Reaching The End

14. Travel In Stygian

15. Iced Earth

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Iced Earth fans will want this., December 14, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days of Purgatory (Audio CD)

Days of Purgatory breathes new life into older Iced Earth songs from the self-titled debut and concept album Night of the Stormrider. Vocalist Matt Barlow adds his killer voice to the music, and one can't help but lament the fact that he wasn't with the band all along. All the songs here are re-mixed and in some cases the drums and bass have been re-recorded. Also included are three songs from the band original six-track demo, Enter the Realm. These songs are: "Enter the Realm," a brief electric/acoustic instrumental piece; "Winter Nights," a thrashy metal cut with dynamic changes; and "Nightmares," which is melodic and aggressive. "Cast to Stone" takes 98% of the music from "Written on the Walls" and replaces Adam's old lyrics with sociological/mythical ones by Barlow. The transition into the acoustic section slays me.

This is a great compilation, best suited to established Iced Earth fans. Even if there was no remix, just being able to hear Barlow's take on old songs in stunning. Listen to the added viciousness his voice gives "Pure Evil" -- that'll make my case. The epic "Travel in Stygian" gets the vocal treatment it deserves, and the chorus sounds fookin' incredible with Barlow. I am slain by his singing on "When the Night Falls" -- it gives me chills. On "Angels Holocaust," he's (***) intense, baby. The chorus of "Desert Rain" sounds like it's from a different song altogether, and it's grand. What am I trying to say? Matt Barlow is a god. His massive, dynamic voice destroys the puny Gene Adam and John Greely and...well, nearly every metal vocalist alive.

You're going to think I'm crazy, but I prefer the original version of the song "Iced Earth" to one in this set. It's nuts, I know, but Gene Adam's terrible singing on the original are part of why it's so good.

The audio remix makes for good improvements, especially on the Stormrider songs. My biggest problem with Stormrider is that the drums sound absolutely terrible, but they've definitely got more punch here. The drums from the debut still sound like the drummer is hitting a cheese grater instead of a snare, but ah well.

Note: If you get the 2CD version of Days of Purgatory, you get additional songs. Added to the bunch are "Before the Vision," and "Life and Death." Additionally, you get four re-mixed cuts from Burnt Offerings ("Burnt Offerings," "Creator Failure," "Brainwashed," and "Dante's Inferno"). The Burnt Offerings songs sound great with bigger drums and bass, and the guitars sound a bit clearer. "Burnt Offerings" itself is a bit different, because it starts with anthemic guitar lines instead of the piano.

All fans should definitely want this, but I strongly recommend that newer Iced Earth fans hear the original versions of the songs first. Otherwise, hearing Barlow's awesome iterations of the same tunes will spoil your appreciation for the originals.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, yes, yes!, April 7, 2004

By 

D. Knouse (vancouver, washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Days of Purgatory (Audio CD)

Matthew Barlow sings all the songs from the first two albums with inspired power, oftentimes sounding like an amalgamation of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Geoff Tate of Queensryche, and Rob Halford of Judas Priest. Yes, he has an amazing voice! I own the 2-disc version, which has 21 tracks, and I think it is the ideal first purchase for the beginner. For those who came in late, like me, the 2-disc version of "Days of Purgatory" is truly magnificent. But for those who already own "Burnt Offerings" this single disc is the way to go; or if you have the first two albums and are reluctant to buy this one, that's your loss. The music here is excellent, principle songwriter Jon Shaffer shining the most brilliant and riffing like a madman. If you are interested in superb Heavy Metal you should own this. If you are a new fan, get the 2-disc version. Some reviewers here have even suggested buying the 3-disc version of Iced Earth's live album "Alive in Athens" as a first purchase. That's not a bad idea, either. They sound fantastic live. Anyway, I'm hooked on Iced Earth now. If you love Iron Maiden with touches of Queensryche and Judas Priest, then you should get to know these guys real soon. Later.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winding-Down, December 16, 2004

By 

Tonya L. Campbell "Strifae" (Hazard, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days of Purgatory (Audio CD)

This is a great album for those who are into metal but not the metal that you can't understand. This cd is great for winding down in the afternoon or when you are thoroughly angry. There is just something hypnotic about the words and melodies. If you like Iced Earth I would also suggest Nightwish and Iron Maiden for you. Iced Earth has a unique sound all their own and I plan to acquire many more cd's by them soon. My fiancee got me to listen to Days of Purgatory and I loved it. This comes from a woman who listens to Hank Williams Jr., Reba, Garth Brooks, Mozart and Jessica Simpson. This cd was so out of my normal listening range and I love it. You should by or at least sample the songs. Check out Glorious Burden while you're at it.