By the time they recorded their eponymous debut, heavy metal traditionalists Iced Earth were seasoned veterans, having gradually climbed their way to the surface of a Florida club scene swimming with hundreds of death metal bands. And it shows, for despite a few production kinks, their sound (combining a tremendous Iron Maiden influence with a few thrash metal tricks, namely double kick drums) was almost fully developed. Led by rhythm guitarist Jon Schaffer, the group storm their way through a series of galloping anthems filled with guitar harmonies, complex time changes, and admirable musical chops, especially from lead guitarist Randall Shawver. "Written on the Walls," "Colors," "The Funeral," and "When the Night Falls" are only a few of the highlights -- most of which were later re-recorded with new players for 1997's Days of Purgatory compilation. Purists may prefer the raw original versions. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Dave Abell (Guitar (Bass)), Rick Borstelman (Paintings), Jon Schaffer (Guitar (Rhythm)), Tom Morris (Engineer), Jon Schaffer (Vocals (Background)), Rick Borstelman (Artwork), Gene Adams (Vocals), Mike McGill (Drums), Terry Stevens (Photography), Tom Morris (Producer), Jon Schaffer (Producer), Jon Schaffer (Design), Randall Shawver (Guitar)
Iced Earth is the eponymous debut album by Americanheavy metal band Iced Earth. It was released in November 1990 internationally and February 1991 in North America. The original release of this album had three different covers (a worldwide cover, a European cover and a Japanese cover). This album was Mike McGill's only album with Iced Earth, as well as the last for singer Gene Adam. Like the album's 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 Earth would stick to the power metal formula until Barlow left the band, with his replacement Tim Owens singing in a style reminiscent of both genres.
Jon Schaffer − rhythm guitar, backing vocals, producer, design
Randall Shawver − lead guitar
Dave Abell − bass
Mike McGill − drums
Info
"Colors" is about the TV novel also named Colors. This novel is about gangsters.
Every song on this album except "Curse the Sky" was redone for 1997's Days of Purgatory. For that release, "Written on the Walls" was given new lyrics and renamed "Cast in Stone". Despite not being re-recorded, Iced Earth continued playing "Curse the Sky" in future concerts.
"The Funeral", though listed as an instrumental, includes a spoken passage, reading "Once again you have lain another loved one to rest. And as we fight the grief in our hearts, we must realize that the fate of death is inevitable. And thus we turn and find that through our trials and tribulations, death may be the only real peace of mind." The passage was cut for the Days of Purgatory release, but was retained when the album was remixed and remastered for the Dark Genesis box set in 2001.
![Iced Earth [Reissue]](http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/amg/pop_albums/cov200/dri700/i761/i76143l1y2q.jpg)
