The Dark Saga (1996)
Balage 2004.08.31. 09:11
Iced Earth continues to mature and evolve with their fourth release. "The Dark Saga" is a concept album based on the popular Spawn comic book series. It tells the story of a man who sells his soul 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. Fans of earlier Iced Earth albums might notice the change in the musical style to fit with this dark love story. The focus is less on technical musicianship (although the playing is still as impeccable as ever), and more on creating a complete story through sound and words. Thus, the music is generally more dark, emotional, melodic, and simple than other Iced Earth albums. This is not to say that the songs are uninteresting; to the contrary, some of the most amazing Iced Earth songs appear on this album. The crushing heaviness and power remains, but it is entwined with beauty and grace, creating Iced Earth's most thoughtful and emotional work to date.
Dark Saga Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
The deal was rigged There's darkness in my soul I want to die again
An empty soul shrouded in darkness Alone and confused what am I? Images flash memories jaded He took my life God damn his lies
Fight son of the damned, bring down the heavens Smash in the gates, burn 'em down You must accept the fate that you've chosen You will obey your destiny
Chorus I cheated myself for love Love unconditional Now just to see her face I've lost it all
Bridge I know there's goodness in me Though I'm not the same I will defy the master I will refuse to be his slave
No, I was betrayed I can't accept this My future's unclear, it's a lie I'll follow my heart stand and be counted The curse will lift I will survive
I Died for You Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
I can't belive this now This isn't what I planned I lived and died and now I just can't understand With all the love I feel I could never leave her No matter what the cost My soulds the price to see her
Chorus Oh how I love you The pain won't go away Oh when I need you You're always so far away I cry for you Leaving myself to blame I died for you I gave up everything
The pain was just to much When I finally saw her She's happy and in love In love with my best friend What makes it hurt so bad Is that I love them both And they will never know For love I sold my soul
Violate Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
Enter now the fiendish one Twisted little man Vile wretch disgusting mess Perverted little man Born of hell and in disease Hate festers in his veins Demonic clown and shapeshifter Little man gone insane
Enter now Enter now And violate
AI'll beat you with your spinal cord Split your skull in two I'll feast on your intestines There's nothing I can't do I'll rip your heart out of your chest Watch it beat as you cry I revel in your agony I violate and make you die
Enter now Enter now And violate
The Hunter Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
A force of light an angel Sent through time to destroy Avenging the dark ones Descending angelic force
Heaven sent the hunter Her mission to crucify Slay the hellborn His offspring demonic force
Chorus Descending from heaven The angel sworn to bring him down The hunter the thunder The wrath of heavens comin' down
She swore an oath, an allegiance Armageddon is in sight To be the thorn in the devils back To make him weak, the final fight
The Last Laugh Music : Schaffer, Shawver / Lyrics : Barlow
My personal quest is to make your life hell Yes dear friend listen up well The power I've given I can take as well
Prechorus I am your father destroyer of the light I've taken your soul and have given you life You are the damned condemned by my hand My son creature of the night
Chorus Extending, now you rise Tormented, soul of fire Deception in my eyes Your life, your life is mine
Bridge My new born son burn now with anger I command and you must follow Fly now and do battle The heavens fall, mankinds disaster
In your hour of darkness You warm my soul God won't save you Your souls been sold
Prechorus
Depths of Hell Music: Schaffer, Shawver / Lyrics: Simmons
Angels coming from above Take the essence of his love Challengers call him from al around Demons coming from the ground
Battles won and nothing gained Feel the pain Feel the shock From the depths of hell
Darkness dwelling in his soul True damnation no control Shattered pieces of his past Broken dreams among the dead
When the smoke clears he will arise Feel the pain Feel the shock From the depths of hell
Scarred Music: Schaffer, Shawver / Lyrics: Schaffer
Darkness calls down to me Sweat pours from my body like rain Growing wiser with each touch A pawn in lucifers game, am I?
It attacks me in the black abyss The entity formless yet full of rage The mark of the beast my body Scarring me for eternal life
Chorus I brought this all upon myself Sold my soul to change my life It's up to me and no one else The beast in me can't control my life
Bridge And so it's begun, the end of me The seed was sewn now it's growing inside My fate in control, not mine He lied
Slave to the Dark Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
A twisted state of mind, torn between two worlds One of which the new me hates and the one that's coming true The power is unleashed, they perish at my gaze But am I really in control or am I just a slave
I called upon this god to deliver unto me To grant what I desire he brought me to my knees He turned his back on me and filled me with his lies Ask and I received damnation was the price
I signed my name in blood, didn't read the fine print Now I'm just a puppet god for the devils own descent Bound and shackled here forever damned a slave Fallen bloody tears can't wash the pain away
Chorus All at once it's clear to me Damnation and destiny A slave to darkness shall I be Damnation and destiny
And so I must repent or will I be destroyed Will the one that lives in me release me from this lie And will the wrath of god have mercy on my soul Or humilate me, desecrate me, like his only son
A Question of Heaven Music: Schaffer / Lyrics: Schaffer
The time is close now, the end is near My walk through the valley, trails of fear I feel empty, my penance overdue, I guess it's too late now To be with you I'm extremely frightened of what will surely be I sold myself, the death of me I know you can't forgive me I know I'm on my own, I've betrayed you I walk alone
What exactly is the meaning of this Just pawns in your twisted game Severe pain for the lie I'm livin' For a love I never could betray
Bridge Question me not say the lord unto thee You have chosen your own fate and your own destiny Denied of this life is what you are to be You have chosen your own fate and your own destiny
Lord I pound my fists at you Won't you just let me die Would I not suffer enough No inner peace no after life
Repeat Bridge
I did what I thought was right All for the love of my life I know it's sad but true Something is very wrong Condemned to suffer so long For a love so true
The question that lies within Is so hard to understand It still tears at me And in my dying breath My heart holds no regrets I wouldn't change a thing
My spirit begins to rise into the heavenly skies Just to be shunned away by you Now all I want is to die, no streets of gold in the sky And I wash my hands of you
Bridge Rising to the heavens light Just to plea for death Just to be denied-
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