After releasing the demo EP Enter the Realm (1989) and signing to Century Media Records, the band released two full-length studio albums – Iced Earth (1990) and Night of the Stormrider (1991) – before taking a two-year hiatus from 1992 to 1994, after which the band returned with new lead vocalist Matt Barlow. Iced Earth went on to release four studio albums with him in over half a decade: Burnt Offerings (1995), The Dark Saga (1996), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998) and Horror Show (2001).
After Horror Show, Barlow quit the band and joined the police force, while Iced Earth continued on with Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Judas Priest, on vocals. With Owens, the band released two studio albums (2004's The Glorious Burden and 2007's Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1). In late 2007, Barlow rejoined the band, and they recorded one more album with him: The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 (2008). In 2011, Barlow once again left Iced Earth, and was replaced by Into Eternity frontman Stu Block. Dystopia, Block's first album with the group, was released that October; the album received a positive response, while some critics called it one of Iced Earth's best albums. The group recorded two more albums with Block: Plagues of Babylon (2014) and Incorruptible (2017).
Before arriving at their current lineup, Iced Earth has had numerous line-up changes, with founder Jon Schaffer as the only founding member remaining. As of 2021, there have been over thirty musicians in and out of Iced Earth since its formation in 1984.
The band is composed solely of Schaffer and drummer Brent Smedley, with all other band members having departed following Schaffer's January 2021 arrest by the FBI for his involvement in the Capitol riots. Schaffer is in FBI custody on felony charges, which has generated new publicity for Iced Earth and has resulted in the band being dropped from their longtime label Century Media.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iced_Earth
Studio albums
Iced Earth (1990)
Night of the Stormrider (1991)
Burnt Offerings (1995)
The Dark Saga (1996)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998)
Horror Show (2001)
The Glorious Burden (2004)
Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 (2007)
The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 (2008)
Dystopia (2011)
Plagues of Babylon (2014)
Incorruptible (2017)
A Narrative Soundscape (2022)
Dracula
Iced Earth Lyrics
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Do you believe in destiny?
True love may come only once in a thousand lifetimes...
I too have loved... they took her from me.
I prayed for her soul... I prayed for her peace
When I close my eyes
I see her face, it comforts me
Memories cut like a knife
The blood is the life, and Christ I defy.
My sworn enemy... birth of a new creed.
Is this my reward for serving God's own war?
The blood I've spilled for faith fulfilled.
To damn her, a disgrace, you spit back in my face.
I served you loyally, and you spew blasphemy.
I avenge with darkness, the blood is the life
The Order of the Dragon, I feed on human life
There are far worse things awaiting man than death
Come taste what I have seen
I'm spreading my disease
I will feed upon His precious child
The human race will bleed, they will serve my need.
I avenge with darkness, the blood is the life
The Order of the Dragon, I feed on human life
[Chorus]
I am the Dragon of blood, a relentless prince of pain
Renouncing God on His throne
My blood is forever stained
For true love I shall avenge
I defy the creed that damned her
The lyrics of Iced Earth's song Dracula explore the theme of love, loss, and revenge. The opening lines reflect the singer's feelings about destiny and love, suggesting that true love may come only once in a thousand lifetimes. The singer goes on to state that they too have loved, but their loved one was taken from them. They prayed for their soul and peace but are haunted by memories of their lost love, which cut like a knife.
The lyrics then take a dark turn, with the singer questioning the rewards of serving God's own war. He is angry with God's betrayal and blasphemy when faced with his heartache. He swears to avenge his lost love, seeing himself as a relentless prince of pain, renouncing God on his throne. He declares himself as the dragon of blood and will take his revenge on the human race. The song ends with the singer's desire to avenge his lost love and defying the creed that damned her, suggesting they will continue their battle with darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you believe in love?
Do you have faith in the existence of true love?
Do you believe in destiny?
Do you believe that fate controls our lives?
True love may come only once in a thousand lifetimes...
Finding genuine love is an elusive and rare experience.
I too have loved... they took her from me.
I have also experienced love, but it was stripped from me by someone or something.
I prayed for her soul... I prayed for her peace
I offered prayers for her soul to rest in peace.
When I close my eyes
During introspection
I see her face, it comforts me
I see her face in my mind and it brings me solace and serenity.
Memories cut like a knife
Recalling the past hurts and causes emotional pain.
The blood is the life, and Christ I defy.
Blood signifies sustenance and vitality, yet I reject Christ and his beliefs.
My sworn enemy... birth of a new creed.
Someone I am bound by oath to oppose... the start of a different system of beliefs.
Is this my reward for serving God's own war?
Is this what I receive for assisting in the battles of God?
The blood I've spilled for faith fulfilled.
The bloodshed I have caused was to meet my religious obligations.
To damn her, a disgrace, you spit back in my face.
To curse her, a shameful act and you throw my actions back at me.
I served you loyally, and you spew blasphemy.
Despite serving God with devotion, he admonishes me.
I avenge with darkness, the blood is the life
I retaliate with evil forces, blood symbolizes vitality and existence.
The Order of the Dragon, I feed on human life
I am part of a secret society that thrives on consuming humans.
There are far worse things awaiting man than death
There are more heinous consequences for humans than death.
Come taste what I have seen
Try it and see how it feels.
I'm spreading my disease
I'm leading others astray with my corrupt actions.
I will feed upon His precious child
I will consume the sacred offspring of God.
The human race will bleed, they will serve my need.
Humans will bleed at my hand and their existence will be for my gain.
I am the Dragon of blood, a relentless prince of pain
I am the fierce and merciless leader of those who feed on blood, causing others anguish.
Renouncing God on His throne
Rejecting the supremacy of God on his throne.
My blood is forever stained
My actions and principles are perpetually immoral and reprehensible.
For true love I shall avenge
To right the wrongs done to true love, I shall retaliate.
I defy the creed that damned her
I oppose the beliefs that brought about her condemnation.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JON SCHAFFER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind