Days of Purgatory [2 Disc]

• Artist: Iced Earth
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 15, 2003
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album, Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

A somewhat controversial release, Days of Purgatory contains re-recorded versions of 15 songs originally featured on Iced Earth's unevenly produced early albums -- the sort of thing that drives musical purists up the wall. However, because it also unearths a few long lost demos for studio resurrection, it also arguably offered the best starting point for those first discovering Iced Earth, until the release of 2004's nearly flawless The Blessed and the Damned greatest-hits set, that is. Now, if that information doesn't already have you immediately checking out The Blessed and the Damned, the fact remains that Days of Purgatory still serves its primary purpose: revamping that quality-challenged material with superior sound quality and musicianship, most notably from vocalist Matthew Barlow. All aspects of Iced Earth's songwriting are presented herein: energetic staccato riffing, dual-guitar harmonies, melodic acoustic passages, complex arrangements, and plenty of double kick drums. These are combined most effectively on "Colors," "When the Night Falls," and "Angel's Holocaust," but it's probably the outstanding "Desert Rain," with its atmospheric guitar intro, and the epic nine-minute "Travel in Stygian" that show Iced Earth at their inventive best. [Days of Purgatory was also made available in a two-disc, 20-track edition.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Enter the Realm	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(0:54)
Colors	Tom Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(5:04)
Angels Holocaust	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(5:45)
Stormrider	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(3:55)
Winter Nights	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(3:55)
Nightmares	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(3:30)
Before the Vision	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver, Dave Abell	Iced Earth	(1:23)
Pure Evil	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(6:18)
Solitude	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(1:44)
The Funeral	Tom Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(6:16)
When the Night Falls	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(7:50)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Burnt Offerings	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(7:23)
Cast in Stone	Jon Schaffer, Matthew Barlow, Randall Shawver, Dave Abell	Iced Earth	(6:00)
Desert Rain	Jon Schaffer, Dave Abell	Iced Earth	(6:38)
Brainwashed	Jon Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(5:22)
Life and Death	Tom Schaffer, Randall Shawver	Iced Earth	(6:07)
Creator Failure	Jon Schaffer, Matthew Barlow, Randall Shawver, Dave Abell	Iced Earth	(6:05)
Reaching the End	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(1:10)
Travel in Stygian	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(9:27)
Dante's Inferno	Jon Schaffer	Iced Earth	(16:19)
Iced Earth	Tom Schaffer	Iced Earth	(5:29)

Credits

Iced Earth (Main Performer), Michael Haynes (Photography), Howard Helm (Keyboards), Tom Morris (Recording), Kent Smith (Keyboards), Mark Prator (Mastering), Jon Schaffer (Guitar (Rhythm)), Jon Schaffer (Vocals), Jon Schaffer (Lyricist), Jon Schaffer (Producer), Jon Schaffer (Recording), Matthew Barlow (Vocals), Matthew Barlow (Lyricist), Randall Shawver (Guitar), Roger "The Hammer" Huff (Keyboards), James Macdonough (Guitar (Bass)), Jim Ward Morris (Remixing), Jim Ward Morris (Mastering), Jim Ward Morris (Mixing), Jim Ward Morris (Re-Produced), Jim Balent (Artwork), Jason Jensen (Artwork), Brent Smedley (Drums), Philipp Schulte (Production Coordination)