The Dark Saga

The Dark Saga
Studio album by Iced Earth
Released	July 23, 1996
Recorded	Morrisound Studios, Tampa, Florida, 1996
Genre	Thrash metal, power metal
Length	43:54
Label	Century Media
Producer	Jim Morris Jon Schaffer
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Iced Earth chronology
Burnt Offerings (1995) The Dark Saga (1996) Days of Purgatory (1997)

The Dark Saga is the fourth album by the American heavy metal band Iced Earth. It is a concept album based upon the comic book character Spawn created by Todd McFarlane, who also provided the album artwork.

Concept

The Dark Saga tells the story of a man who sells his soul to the devil in order to return to his true love on Earth, but he soon discovers that she is married to his own best friend. He is left completely alone in the world, and although he has good inside, he is influenced by dark forces. Everything that he desires is denied, even his own death.

Album information

The majority of the songs on the album feature a relatively short running time (under four minutes), with the final four tracks being of longer duration. The song structure is more simple and straightforward than on previous Iced Earth albums. Many fans note the improved vocal range of lead singer Matt Barlow, who had taken singing lessons after the release of Burnt Offerings. This is also the first Iced Earth album featuring drummer Mark Prator, and also the last album to feature bassist Dave Abell and guitarist Randall Shawver. There was also a limited edition digipak version in Europe, limited to 10,000 hand-numbered copies, that included a cover of "The Ripper" by Judas Priest as a bonus track. That track was originally recorded for the Judas Priest tribute album A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal Vol. 2, and also later appears on the reissue of The Melancholy EP.

Track listing

European Limited Digipak Bonus Track

2008 Slave to the Dark Bonus Tracks

Credits

• Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, vocals
• Matt Barlow – lead vocals
• Randall Shawver – lead guitar
• Dave Abell – bass guitar
• Mark Prator – drums