- CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED METAL
- Reviews by Dr. Metal
- ICED EARTH – DARK GENESIS (Box Set)
- 2001 Century Media
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1. The Artwork and Packaging. Once again Axel Hermann and Travis Smith combine to produce some of the most awesome artwork and graphics. They even did new artwork for each of the first three albums and the ENTER THE REALM demo, so you have to appreciate the effort. They cut no corners on the design of the set; it has a killer layout and even comes with a slip case. You get notes, lyrics to every song and numerous photos. They also included an essay that tells the history of the band and extensive notes by Jon Schaffer.
2. The Music. Of course the most important part. There are 5 discs in the set, a total of 42 songs. You get the first three albums: ICED EARTH, NIGHT OF THE STORMRIDER and BURNT OFFERINGS presented here in their original form with the original lineups of each album. So, if you don't already have all the Iced Earth on CD yet, you can complete the collection by buying this set, or you can have fun comparing this to Matthew Barlow's versions on the DAYS OF PURGATORY compilation. In addition, you get the band's demo ENTER THE REALM, recorded when they were known as Purgatory in 1988.
3. Tribute To The Gods. The fifth CD features 11 cover songs in which Iced Earth pay tribute to their influences. I tell you this CD kicks major ass. I love it. If you've ever bought a tribute CD and thought it could have been better, then this is the one you were thinking of. The band picks perfect songs from some great bands to cover, including KISS, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath. Personally, I can't get enough of "Burnin' For You" and I think their version of "God Of Thunder" may be the best cover I've ever heard! You will realize how great the band is when they give these classics a kick in the ass. I finally realized how awesome a vocalist Matthew Barlow is–– he does it all from the highs of "Screaming For Vengeance" to the lows of "God Of Thunder." Amazing! One day Iced Earth will be the "Gods" and people will be paying homage to them as well.
Complaints: Not much! I should say a few things about the art. It is awesome, but they've been doing the cartoonish artwork thing for about 5 albums now and it may be getting a little old, especially the Set Abominae character. (The Egyptian Mummy guy from the Something Wicked cover.) I would like to see something different on their album covers, something either digital or photographic. I think it's time for a truly evil-looking album cover, not a cartoonish one. But that's just my opinion. No other complaints, but one question: Why is the band leaving Century Media? It seems to me CM has released everything the band could possibly ask for, including studio albums, double and triple live albums, vinyl and compilations. I guess the band wants to reach the next level in the Metal world and there's nothing wrong with that. Hopefully they will sign with a real Metal label and not with some big corporate one. I think the attention the band is getting by covering Iron Maiden songs will probably land them with Sanctuary. That would be a great combination for the bands and fans alike.
Bottom Line– Once you own this box set, you will fully understand Jon Schaffer's drive and determination, and then you will realize that Iced Earth WILL BE the biggest band in the world very soon. They will be the next Iron Maiden or Metallica. And they deserve it!!