The Dark Saga

by Iced Earth

Overview

As the cover artwork would suggest, Iced Earth's fourth album, 1996's The Dark Saga, is a concept album based on the popular Todd MacFarlane comic book series Spawn. Though most of the album poses the band in an uncommonly laid-back, non-thrashy mood, the songwriting of leader and guitarist Jon Schaffer is at an all-time inspirational high. In fact the band knocks out both the title track and the excellent "I Died for You" before the furious "Violate" provides the first taste of a double kick drum. Versatile singer Matthew Barlow is impressive throughout but the remarkable interplay between Schaffer and lead guitarist Randall Shawver is the album's true highlight, most notably on the dual harmonies of "The Hunter." Some of the momentum is lost with "The Suffering," a three-song suite that tends to plod along at times, but overall this is a strong album, and one of the band's best. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Product Details

Release Date:	07/11/2025
Label:	The Circle Music
UPC:	0617669420911

Tracks

1. Dark Saga
2. I Died for You
3. Violate
4. The Hunter
5. The Last Laugh
6. Depths of Hell
7. Vengeance Is Mine
8. Scarred
9. Slave to the Dark
10. A Question of Heaven

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Iced Earth   Primary Artist
Mark Prator   Vocals (Background),Drums
Matthew Barlow   Vocals
Randall Shawver   Guitar
Dave Abell   Guitar (Bass)
Jon Schaffer   Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Vocals (Background)
Jim Morris   Vocals (Background)
Keith Menser   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Matthew Barlow   Composer
Randall Shawver   Composer
Jon Schaffer   Composer,Producer
Jim Morris   Engineer,Producer
Mike Haines   Photography
Todd McFarlane   Artwork,Art Direction
Carsten Drescher   Artwork