Today in 1988 Iced Earth released there self titled debut album Tampa, Florida Power/Thrash Metal Status:Active Years active: 1985-1988 (as Purgatory), 1988-present Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band that combines power metal and speed metal/thrash metal genres in its music. The band was formed by Jon Schaffer, the lead songwriter and rhythm guitarist, in Tampa, Florida in 1984. The original name of the band was Purgatory but was then changed to Iced Earth. Iced Earth’s music is often described as the style of Iron Maiden combined with 80’s thrash metal. The most distinctive element of the band’s sound is the stuttering right-hand gallop of rhythm guitarist Jon Schaffer, which sounds something like the ‘eighth-note, two-sixteenth-notes’ gallop made famous by Iron Maiden’s bass player/songwriter Steve Harris (in such songs as “Run to the Hills”, “The Trooper”, and “Caught Somewhere in Time”), varied rhythmically. Overtop of this gallop are typically laid strong melodic hooks, sometimes doubled by two guitars playing in harmony. The vocals are often high-pitched, but express a full range, while the rhythm section uses thrash and power metal techniques such as double-bass-drumming to keep the speed and energy high. Iced Earth’s drummer is known for his frequent use of drags and flams on the bass drum. Today, Jon is the only original member in the band, having changed multiple guitarists, drummers, and vocalists. The two most recognized vocalists of the band are Matt Barlow and Tim ripper Owens, the former vocalist of Judas Priest. Matt Barlow ended up marrying Jons sister, making Matt the brother-in-law of Jon Schaffer. Iced Earth lyrics tend to deal with theological issues such as punishment and sin, destiny, heaven and hell, the Antichrist and the apocalypse. Many of the band’s recent albums have been concept albums written around a theme, e.g. the antihero Spawn (The Dark Saga), horror movies (Horror Show), historical wars (The Glorious Burden) and the double concept about the anti-christ (Something Wicked). Matt Barlow left Iced Earth for a second time in 2011, stating the need for the band to tour more as his reason for leaving. He will perform any remaining festival dates in 2011 however. On March 16th 2011 Iced Earth announced that Stu Block of the band Into Eternity would be the bands new lead singer. During the recording of the bands next album, Dystopia, the band re-recorded fan favourite Dantes Inferno with Stu Block. Century Media Records Gene Adam − lead vocals Randall Shawver − lead guitar Jon Schaffer − rhythm guitar, backing vocals Dave Abell − bass Mike McGill − drums Guest/Session Roger Huff Keyboards 1. Iced Earth (5:22) 2. Written on the Walls (6:06) 3. Colors (4:50) 4. Curse the Sky (4:41) 5. Life and Death (6:07) 6. Solitude (1:44) 7. Funeral (6:15) 8. When the Night Falls (9:01) Total Time: 44:10 European release date: November 1990 U.S. release date: March 26th, 1991 Remixed and remastered version from the Dark Genesis box set was released separately on July 22nd, 2002. Today, it has a different comic artwork cover compared to the original cover work. Iced Earth is the eponymous debut album by American heavy metal band Iced Earth. It was released in November 1990 internationally and February 1991 in North America. The album has three different covers (a European/Japanese cover, an American cover and a remastered cover). This album was Mike McGills only album with Iced Earth, as well as the last for singer Gene Adam. Like the albums successor Night of the Stormrider, Iced Earth follows a more traditional thrash metal sound, rather than the power metal direction the band would follow after Matt Barlow had joined. Iced Earths first three albums (this album, Night of the Stormrider, and Burnt Offerings) were remastered in 2001, and each had a new cover. youtube/watch?v=73YiLjOfL3g
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 15:18:47 +0000
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