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Very good review, Dylan, to emphasize your views on this. Of course, as apparent from the quotes, I value the whole disc much much higher than you but to each his n' her own.

Even though Im not really a comic nerd (more of a televised, cartoon-one) I really dig the storyline of Spawn (not to mention how much I dig concept albums as a rule), so Im impartial when listening to this disc. The emotions and trials of Al Simmons are conveyed with such conviction and power by Barlow from the ultra-madness of Violate to the desperate confusion of A Question Of Heaven (those bells in the middle melding into the mournful acoustic guitar still give me unearthly chills every single listen) that its just something else.
Although Burnt Offerings was my first and I guess still favourite IE album, a lot to do with Barlows awesomness on the mic, I think he really found his "soul" as a singer on The Dark Saga, if you allow me to be cheesy. He refined his rough snarls in perfectly with the emotional croons. I'd say when hearing Barlow on this album, I wasn't just impressed with his pipes anymore, he became much more the target of hero-worship.
Seriously, while Id still say Warrel Dane is my favourite all around-singer in metal, I still haven't heard anyone nail a heavy ballad like Barlow on AQOHeaven or I Died For You. The keyword to seal it all in my mind would be passion. Such motherluvin, earth-shattering Passion in a voice, that I have yet to hear anything quite matching it.

I also think that the more compact format worked very well with Schaffers song craft. With the slightly mediocre exceptions of Depths Of Hell and Scarred, I think the entire album is magnificent. The Hunter, Violate, Vengeance Is Mine and especially SLAVE TO THE DARK!! can mosh it up with the best of what IE had made and did make since this one.

The production values on this one are stellar as well, just crushing on every level.

Just wanted to get that out of my system, think this is an awesome record but can also see Dylan's arguments. I'll be very interested to see how many of my fellow IE-fan boys go total WTF?!? with this review's viewpoint

This album is good not the best of the Barlow era stuff and not thrashier though than NOTSR,Burnt Offerings or the 2 other Barlow IE albums to follow but a decent work nonetheless.

I would list the best Barlow stuff as follows:

1.Something Wicked This Way Comes
2.Burnt Offerings
3.The Dark Saga
4.Horror Show

I disagree....Good review and all..And I see what ya mean how the album is more sad/simple. And alot of my fellow Iced Earth Fans would agree with you...IMO TDS was and always will be my favorite IE album. I like the review though.

This is my Order

The Dark Saga
Night of the Stormrider
Burnt Offerings and
Framing Armageddon
Horror Show
Something OVERRATED this way comes
The Glorius Burden
Iced Earth

Yeah, I know that a lot of people feel very strongly about this album, but I just had to get my views on it out there.

Now I think the only Iced Earth album left to be reviewed is the debut.

Aleksie, feel free to review that one.

The ones you haven't reviewed are:

Night Of The Stormrider
Iced Earth
Burnt Offerings

Hire me I'll do them

Hmmm, I've been thinking about that for a while, but there is the classic problem that many IE fans that I know have. When listening to the original version of the debut, its just flat. And not on its own, of course not. The songs kick ass. But when I can pick up Days Of Purgatory and hear most of the same great songs bellowed that much more monstrously by Barlow, its just not up to par when Gene Adam wheezes the stuff. Its the same with the original Night Of The Stormrider, although not that bad because while no Barlow, John Greely had some pipes and was definitely better then Adam.

But Burnt Offerings, which indeed is also missing from this site as of now...whooo, don't get me started. I've been wanting to review that for so long but still been looking for an opening to make something that would become so devoid of any type of criticism and just pure fanboy-fellatio. I'll probably get to it pretty soon now that you brought it up

Hmmm, now how to make this post on topic......The Dark Saga RULEZ!1!1!

Not really sure I agree with the rather low rating, but great review Dylan. I'm happy that the two songs you cited as the standouts also happen to be my two favorite songs on the album.

Apart from those two songs this is the closest Iced Earth ever got to being average.

I would give this about a 95/100 (I'm a huge Iced Earth fanboy , plus this album has a special place in my heart since it was the first Iced Earth album I ever heard). Seriously though, the only song on this album that I don't love is Depths of Hell (I think it's an OK song, it just doesn't measure up to the rest of the album). Oh yeah, even if A Question Of Heaven was the only song on the album that didn't suck the album would still be worth full price . A Question Of Heaven = BEST SONG EVER ( To this day I still get huge chills every time I listen to it)

I have to agree for the most part with this review. Some songs in there just aren't up to par with the rest of the Iced Earth catalog. Those that are (for me: I Died For You, The Hunter, Slave to Dark, A Question of Heaven) are still some of my favorite Iced Earth Songs, period.

The Hunter is among the best tracks? Geez. I heard that track and it seemed pretty average to me. Seeing that many times I belong in the minority, I might find some other track appealing. This is a band I really want to check out since I have read many good things about their albums.

The Dark Saga is the best IE album, bar none.

75 out of 100 ??? That is just ridiculous. This album deserves at least 40 points more!!

lol, this album is far from beyond perfect.

I know I share the minority opinion on this one, but my review speaks for itself (at least I hope it did... )

Dont start with this one, go with Night Of The Stormrider or Burnt Offerings, Dark Saga isnt a bad album by any means but in terms of songwritting even their s/t debut is better, but i must say that The Hunter is indeed a kick ass track so if you didnt like that one there is a chance that you arent gonna like Iced Earth at all.

I'm part of that minority.

Thanks for the recommendation. My like/dislike of a song usually depends on how catchy/melodic or just hummable it is . The Hunter wasn't any of them. I dunno how to put it, but, like, I wouldn't call Slayer's War Ensemble or Raining Blood catchy or melodic, but that song just sticks in my head. It's just powerful. I will try to get a hold of those couple of IE albums or atleast listen to a few tracks off them.

OK Dylan I agree that its not a perfect album, since Depths of Hell is weaker than the rest, so I give it 95/100 And it seems some people find the riffs and the song structures on this album a bit dull, but I think everything about this album fits perfectly and helps to create that certain mood of sadness and despair.

Fair enough.