Days of Purgatory
Encyclopedia
Days of Purgatory is an American
heavy metal
album by Iced Earth
. It is a collection of remixes and remakes from previous albums. Most of the songs from the Enter the Realm
EP
, Iced Earth
, and Night of the Stormrider
were re-sung by Matt Barlow
, and on some of the songs the drums
and bass
redone. The 2-cd version also has rough mixes of several songs from Burnt Offerings
with the opening to the titular track re-recorded. The album cover features artwork of the Chaos Comics character Purgatori
.
The reason for the album was to improve the original songs, create nostalgia
for older fans and introduce newer fans to Iced Earth's older work. The 2-CD limited edition was originally produced for European audiences but has since been released in the United States. Days of Purgatory was the last new release from the band featuring longtime guitarist Randall Shawver, and the first to feature bassist James MacDonough
and drummer Brent Smedley.
The song "Written on the Walls" from the band's self titled album
was given completely new lyrics and renamed "Cast in Stone". The only songs left unrecorded from the band's first albums were "Mystical End", "The Path I Choose", and "Curse the Sky", though the latter two were both performed live with Barlow on vocals. "Winter Nights" was recorded during early sessions for Night of the Stormrider
while Gene Adam
was still on vocals, but this was the track which prompted Schaffer to ask Adam to get singing lessons, as it was felt he could not handle the high notes. Therefore, the song was not used on the album due to its acrimonious history, though it would have fit in with the storyline of the album. Live performances of this song from that era (such as Wuppertal '91) show him struggling to sing it, probably contributing to his dismissal. Schaffer eventually dug the song out of the vaults to use on this album with Barlow providing vocals, but, as mentioned in the album's booklet, used a 1986 Purgatory demo for the backing track instead.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
album by Iced Earth
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
. It is a collection of remixes and remakes from previous albums. Most of the songs from the Enter the Realm
Enter the Realm
Enter the Realm is an independently-released EP cassette by Iced Earth. It was released in 1989 and re-released in 2001 as part of the Dark Genesis box set. It's the only Iced Earth release featuring drummer Greg Seymour....
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Iced Earth
Iced Earth (album)
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 original release of this album had three different covers . This album was Mike McGill's only album with Iced Earth, as well as...
, and Night of the Stormrider
Night of the Stormrider
-Personnel:*Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, producer*John Greely – vocals*Randall Shawver – lead guitar, solo*Dave Abell – bass guitar*Rick Secchiari – drumsAdditional personnel*Roger "The Hammer" Huff – keyboardsProduction...
were re-sung by Matt Barlow
Matt Barlow
Matthew Barlow is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He is the former lead singer for Iced Earth. He is Jon Schaffer's brother-in-law.-History:...
, and on some of the songs the drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
redone. The 2-cd version also has rough mixes of several songs from Burnt Offerings
Burnt Offerings (album)
Burnt Offerings is American heavy metal band Iced Earth's third album, released April 18, 1995, by Century Media Records. This album marked the introduction of vocalist Matt Barlow and was the only Iced Earth album featuring drummer Rodney Beasley...
with the opening to the titular track re-recorded. The album cover features artwork of the Chaos Comics character Purgatori
Purgatori
Purgatori is a fictional comic book character, created by writer Brian Pulido and artist Steven Hughes. A crimson-skinned, winged vampire goddess, she first appeared in Lady Death #3 , published by Chaos! Comics...
.
The reason for the album was to improve the original songs, create nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
for older fans and introduce newer fans to Iced Earth's older work. The 2-CD limited edition was originally produced for European audiences but has since been released in the United States. Days of Purgatory was the last new release from the band featuring longtime guitarist Randall Shawver, and the first to feature bassist James MacDonough
James MacDonough
James MacDonough born on April 3, 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida U.S.A. is a professional bass guitarist. He has played with Iced Earth, Nevermore, and most recently, Megadeth....
and drummer Brent Smedley.
The song "Written on the Walls" from the band's self titled album
Iced Earth (album)
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 original release of this album had three different covers . This album was Mike McGill's only album with Iced Earth, as well as...
was given completely new lyrics and renamed "Cast in Stone". The only songs left unrecorded from the band's first albums were "Mystical End", "The Path I Choose", and "Curse the Sky", though the latter two were both performed live with Barlow on vocals. "Winter Nights" was recorded during early sessions for Night of the Stormrider
Night of the Stormrider
-Personnel:*Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, producer*John Greely – vocals*Randall Shawver – lead guitar, solo*Dave Abell – bass guitar*Rick Secchiari – drumsAdditional personnel*Roger "The Hammer" Huff – keyboardsProduction...
while Gene Adam
Gene Adam
Gene Adam was the original singer of Iced Earth/Purgatory, he did not get to write most of the lyrics along with Jon Schaffer and Randall Shawver. Jon Schaffer was then introduced to John Greely through their mutual friend Tom Morris and after one short practice he was hired to replace Gene. Gene...
was still on vocals, but this was the track which prompted Schaffer to ask Adam to get singing lessons, as it was felt he could not handle the high notes. Therefore, the song was not used on the album due to its acrimonious history, though it would have fit in with the storyline of the album. Live performances of this song from that era (such as Wuppertal '91) show him struggling to sing it, probably contributing to his dismissal. Schaffer eventually dug the song out of the vaults to use on this album with Barlow providing vocals, but, as mentioned in the album's booklet, used a 1986 Purgatory demo for the backing track instead.
One CD edition
Disc one
Disc two
Personnel
- Jon SchafferJon SchafferJon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
- Rhythm Guitar, Vocals - Randall Shawver - Lead Guitar
- Matthew Barlow - Lead Vocals
- Brent Smedley - Drums on 1,2,5,6,9,21
- James MacDonoughJames MacDonoughJames MacDonough born on April 3, 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida U.S.A. is a professional bass guitarist. He has played with Iced Earth, Nevermore, and most recently, Megadeth....
- Bass Guitar on 1,2,5,6,9,21 - Dave Abell - Bass Guitar on 3,4,7,8,10-20
- Mike McGill - Drums on 10,11,13,16
- Richey Secchiari - Drums on 3,4,7,8,14,18,19
- Rodney Beasley - Drums on 12,15,17,20