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)
Jekyll & Hyde
Iced Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm lying on the floor
I've broken through some door
I don't know how I came to this
There is blood lust in my eyes
And someone in my mind saying
I have forced you here
Trapped in here so long
You'll find me growing in every man
Who is this that speaks to me?
Tearing down my mind
My reality
This must certainly be the one
What will I pay for this?
This evil synthesis!
I'm out of control
Evil takes my soul
I can feel you inside me
You're not stronger than me
I won't let you
No, you can't have me!
I won't let you destroy me
You took away my life
With your wicked seed
If you're able to take control
You'll bring damnation upon my soul
The song "Jeckyl & Hyde" by Iced Earth tells the story of a character who is struggling with his inner demons. The lyrics start with the character questioning the reason for his behavior and finding himself on the floor with bloodlust in his eyes. He hears a voice in his head which he realizes is a part of him that has been hidden for too long. This part has been trapped within him for so long that it has grown in every man. This suggests that the character is not alone in his struggle with his inner demons.
The voice in the character's head tears down his mind and reality and he is consumed by evil. The character feels like he is out of control and that his soul has been taken over by the evil side of his personality. However, he refuses to let the evil side destroy him and takes a stand against it. He acknowledges that the evil side has taken over his life and he will be damned if he lets it take control of his soul. The song's overall message is that we all have a good side and a bad side; it is up to us to decide which one to let control our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the reason for me to be this way?
Why am I feeling this way and what is causing this behavior?
I'm lying on the floor
I am physically and emotionally defeated.
I've broken through some door
I have crossed a mental or emotional limit that I can't return from.
I don't know how I came to this
I am unsure of how I ended up in this state.
There is blood lust in my eyes
I have an intense desire for violence and bloodshed.
And someone in my mind saying
There is a voice in my head that is speaking to me.
I have forced you here
I have taken control of your thoughts and emotions, and led you to this place.
I'm hiding, right here inside you
I am living inside you, controlling your every move.
Trapped in here so long
I have been a part of you for a long time, and you are held captive by me.
You'll find me growing in every man
Others have also been controlled by me, and I am able to grow within people.
Who is this that speaks to me?
I am questioning the identity of the voice in my head.
Tearing down my mind
The voice is influencing my thoughts and breaking down my mental state.
My reality
The things I have believed to be true are being challenged by the voice.
This must certainly be the one
The voice must be the source of my uncontrollable behavior.
What will I pay for this?
What will be the price for my actions and the influence of the voice?
This evil synthesis!
The combination of the voice and my own thoughts has created a dangerous and evil state of mind.
I'm out of control
I am unable to control my own thoughts and actions.
Evil takes my soul
I am consumed by evil thoughts and emotions.
I can feel you inside me
I am aware of the voice's presence within me.
You're not stronger than me
I am stronger and will not let the voice take full control.
I won't let you
I will fight against the voice and refuse to submit to its control.
No, you can't have me!
I will not allow the voice to take complete possession of me.
I won't let you destroy me
I will not let the voice take me to a place of destruction and darkness.
You took away my life
The voice has stolen my normal life and replaced it with chaos and violence.
With your wicked seed
The voice's influence and presence within me is like a seed that has grown and taken over my mind.
If you're able to take control
If I let the voice take over completely...
You'll bring damnation upon my soul
I will be eternally lost and damned if the voice is able to fully possess me.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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