Customer Reviews

Days of Purgatory

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is truly a great album, though it is a bit long. I've only heard a few of the original songs, but they are definitely improved on this recording. "Colors", "Angels Holocaust", and "Desert Rain" seem to stand out the most for now, but every song is great. Randy's solos are awesome, but the new guy, Larry Tarnowski is better. I rank this album second, behind "Something Wicked", mainly because of the addition of Larry, and the improvement of songwriting. Of course, I can't accurately say this, because I haven't heard all of their albums, but I can tell this beats the first two (it's the same songs, just re-recorded), and it blows "The Dark Saga" away (as great as that album is). I haven't heard "Burnt Offerings", it may be better, but either way this is an excellent display of Iced Earth's talent. And, I diagree that it's derivitive, maybe just influenced, but either way it doesn't matter, as they are the greatest band there is, and any similarities to other stuff doesn't hold them back a bit. Besides, how many different individual sounds could each band make? Inevitably, something will sound like something else. So, if you're looking for great thrash metal with melody mixed in, this is the album for you. Buy it and get ready to rock!

Days of Purgatory, by Iced Earth is a great collection of some of their best songs from earlier releases by the band, re-worked with their newer and better Vocalist. This is a great pick, and you can't go wrong with this one.

A great set of tunes here for the true Iced Earth fan.'Days Of Purgatory' reportedly was the band's original name.What you get here are some unreleased demos as well as newly-recorded versions of tracks from their first two albums.The nucleus of guitarist Jon Schaffer and vocalist Mathew Barlow have systematically gotten Iced Earth's sound down to an exact science.Turns out that I like this CD better than I had expected.Nice cover to boot,no?

It is great to hear the old Iced Earth songs given new life by Matt Barlow. Barlow is unreal, his voice is perfect for these and all of Iced Erath's songs. I don't understand how a fan of Iced Earth could "talk bad" Barlow. The guy is awesome! The only thing cooler than his voice, is his hair. When he headbangs, it is like a massive wall of hair being flung all around. If you haven't seen these guys live, you don't know what you are missing. They put on an awesome show.

To the uninitiated Iced Earth is one of the foremost modern US metal bands. It is one of the proud American bands that never stopped flying the metal flag. The Days of Purgatory CD is collection composed of tracks from various demos, the self-titled debut album and the second CD Night of the Stormrider. The European version has a second CD that includes tracks from the third Iced Earth CD Burnt Offerings.

Gene Adams and John Greely were the vocalist on the Iced Earth CD and Night of the Stormriders CD respectively. Matt Barlow the current and best Iced Earth lead singer first appeared on the Burnt Offering CD. The tracks included in this CD from the Iced Earth and Night of the Stormriders CD's have the original lead vocals replaced by Matt Barlow's vocals. Gene Adams was an average lead singer at best and John Greely was certainly capable enough but Matt Barlow's performance blows both out of the water. His vocals are powerful, smooth and emotional. He adds texture and a depth to some already great songs.

Some of the drums and guitar parts have been re-recorded but they don't add as much as the re-recorded vocals and the remixing of the songs do. The remixing of the songs gives them a renewed vigor and power.

Although there is not one bad song on the album my favourites are the semi-symphonic Angels Holocaust, the trashy Stormrider, Colors, Pure Evil with its great riff and the mini epic's Cast In Stone and Travel In Stygian. Angels Holocaust has a very grandiose opening and excellent layered guitar work. Matthew Barlow's vocals adds an extra dimension to it. Stormrider starts of with a bang and never lets up. Colors has excellent guitar work along with catchy riffs that easily gets your head banging. Pure Evil has some nice tempo changes and is a constant pleasure and surprise. The opening riff is attention grabbing and it never lets down from there. Cast in Stone has some great riff's and some interesting changes in tempo. Matthew Barlow's vocals really shines on this one and Brent Smedley's drumming is particularly effective in this song. One of Iced Earth most underated song in my opinion. Travel in Stygian starts with a terrific churing guitar riff that instantly hooks you. The song has several minor change of paces that help create a dark atmosphere. Matt Barlow's vocals are powerful and down right evil sounding in portions of the song.

As I mentioned above the European version has an extra Cd that includes 5 songs from the Burnt Offerings CD. ...The production on the Burnt Offerings songs are an improvement on the original CD. The extra songs includes the masterpiece called Dante's Inferno. One of the greatest metal songs ever. Everything is top notched in that song. The question is is it worth the extra money? I would say an unqualified yes. You see they also re-recorded Matt Barlow's vocals . They are cleaner and more powerful and even improve on a excellent song such as Dante's Inferno. Which before I heard the re-recorded version I would NOT of thought possible.

In closing a terrific Cd. Essential to any Iced Earth fan. Should a novice fan start with this CD you ask? Yes, its a great place to start its essentially a greatest hits of Iced Earth first 3 studio CD and as such is a must have. Although I also own the orginal CD's from which the material was culled because there are some terrific songs leftout Day of Purgatory.
Either start with this CD or Alive in Athen(the 3CD version if you can get your hands on it) or Horror Show.

Days of Purgatory rating: one CD version 5 stars 2 CD version 5 stars

I thought these songs were absolutely incredible before Barlow sang them, but now I cannot put them into words! Amazing. If your lucky enough to get the two CD set, you get songs from "Burnt Offerings" and rearranged versions of the title song and "Dante's Inferno". A must have for any fan of Iced Earth, or metal in general.

I know very little of iced earth but this album is great!
I read somewhere that its some older songs re-done with new vocals, I'm not really sure about it. But I must say I was impressed with both the songwriting, and the cool guitar sound (someone once described it to me as a 'galloping' sound). I knew the guitarist was good from Demons&Wizards but he really shines here on Iced Earth. But the vocals were what I really really loved about this album; especially on the song Winter's Night...it works out so well.

Iced Earth is great...they really remind me of Iron Maiden, but a little more 'metal.' I'd highly recommend this album.