| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING In Your Dreams Dracula In Jason's Mind Jack Burning Oasis JON SCHAFFER'S PURGATORY IS: Jon Schaffer - Guitars & vocals Gene Adam - Vocals Bill Owen - Lead guitars Jim Morris - Lead guitars (Guest appearance) Ruben Drake - Bass (Guest appearance) Mark Prator - Drums (Guest appearance) Release Date: December 21, 2018 Label: Century Media Records |  |
Jon Schaffer has been a busy man this year. Aside from touring North America and Europe in support of the latest Iced Earth album Incorruptible, and celebrating the 30th anniversary of Iced Earth, he reunited with his former bandmates in Purgatory: vocalist Gene Adam (original Iced Earth vocalist too), and lead guitarist Bill Owen to record some songs that were originally written in between 1985 and 1987, and the result is the Purgatory EP. This announcement came out of nowhere one day and everyone was surprised, but in a good way. For everyone that wasn't too pleased with Gene's vocal performance on the first Iced Earth album, you'll be happy to know that his performance is outstanding on the EP.
Four of the songs: "In Jason's Mind", "Dracula", "Burning Oasis" and "Jack" all originally appeared on the Burning Oasis, Psychotic Dreams and Horror Show demos, with "In Your Dreams" being the only song that didn't appear on any of the demos. I'm sure the old-school fans from both the Purgatory days, who had the original demos, and the early days of Iced Earth, will get a huge sense of nostalgia when listening to this EP, although the songs are re-recorded, and it will give all the younger fans a glimpse of the past. It will also give the old fans a chance to hear the songs with more up-to-date production, and it will give the young fans who weren't able to hear, or can't find the original recordings, a chance to actually hear the songs.
The "Dracula" that appears on the EP isn't to be confused with the "Dracula" that appears on the Horror Show album from 2001. This is probably my favourite track on the EP. Jon has made it clear many times that Iron Maiden is one of his biggest influences, and the influence is most prominent on "Burning Oasis" and "Jack", with the mid-tempo gallop and triplet chugging pattern that Maiden have become known for. Whether you're a fan from the Purgatory days or early days of Iced Earth, a fan that came in halfway through Iced Earth's career, or just recently, there's no doubt that you'll enjoy this little collection of re-recorded rarities. The EP is also dedicated to original Purgatory bassist Richard Bateman, who sadly passed away a few months ago.
Highs: Young fans get a glimpse of the past with recordings of rare Purgatory material featuring original members, and old fans get a nice throwback with up-to-date production.
Lows: Not every old school fan might enjoy the re-recorded versions because they've gotten used to the original recordings, and that's fine.
Final Rating: 8/10
Four of the songs: "In Jason's Mind", "Dracula", "Burning Oasis" and "Jack" all originally appeared on the Burning Oasis, Psychotic Dreams and Horror Show demos, with "In Your Dreams" being the only song that didn't appear on any of the demos. I'm sure the old-school fans from both the Purgatory days, who had the original demos, and the early days of Iced Earth, will get a huge sense of nostalgia when listening to this EP, although the songs are re-recorded, and it will give all the younger fans a glimpse of the past. It will also give the old fans a chance to hear the songs with more up-to-date production, and it will give the young fans who weren't able to hear, or can't find the original recordings, a chance to actually hear the songs.
The "Dracula" that appears on the EP isn't to be confused with the "Dracula" that appears on the Horror Show album from 2001. This is probably my favourite track on the EP. Jon has made it clear many times that Iron Maiden is one of his biggest influences, and the influence is most prominent on "Burning Oasis" and "Jack", with the mid-tempo gallop and triplet chugging pattern that Maiden have become known for. Whether you're a fan from the Purgatory days or early days of Iced Earth, a fan that came in halfway through Iced Earth's career, or just recently, there's no doubt that you'll enjoy this little collection of re-recorded rarities. The EP is also dedicated to original Purgatory bassist Richard Bateman, who sadly passed away a few months ago.
Highs: Young fans get a glimpse of the past with recordings of rare Purgatory material featuring original members, and old fans get a nice throwback with up-to-date production.
Lows: Not every old school fan might enjoy the re-recorded versions because they've gotten used to the original recordings, and that's fine.
Final Rating: 8/10
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