Pure Evil--RealAudio   A Question of Heaven--RealAudio

A 2-CD set, unless you get the import (which is recommended), which includes a bonus third disc.
The band brings across a career-spanning selection of tracks with flawless live execution---a feat which few artists can do. Having personally seen the band live, the accuracy and precision is not due to overdubbing---the guys are skilled, and all business when up on stage. Furthermore, the accomplishments are even more awe-inspiring considering the intricacy of the songs which are being played. These aren't your standard metal, bar-chord tracks, y'know...
In all, this is quite possibly the most complete and impressive live metal performance on CD; definitely in the top five all time. And the best part of it, for IE fans? Studio albums chock-full of new material are next! Two of the last three albums have been compilations: the pseudo-greatest hits 'Days of Purgatory,' and now this live one... which means we have several studio masterpieces to look forward to in succession. Ah yes... the future of metal is bright, indeed.
Disc One has some of the top highlights, as the band begins its face-ripping performance. "Burning Times" opens the fest with a slightly faster pace than the 'Something Wicked' studio version. "Pure Evil" is a ripping top spot as far as the entire collection is concerned, as its screaming chorus sends chills. "Meloncholy" creates some great mood and atmosphere, and the crowd sings along word-for-word with the slower parts---similiar to the intro parts of "A Question of Heaven," which is another highlight.
"Travel in Stygian" is an early-career galloper, and "The Hunter" is thick and steady, and primes the crowd well. "Dante's Inferno" is simply majestic, as the band hits the 14+ minute opus note-for-note. Not much else can be said about this track, as it has to be heard to be fully appreciated.
Disc Two contains the intricate and slashing "Path I Choose," the tight and crowd-energetic "Stormrider," the great vocals of the smooth "I Died For You," and the ever-strong band moniker "Iced Earth."
Disc Three, the add-on for import buyers, has some great gems. For a few bucks more, you owe it to get the full package. "Desert Rain" is strong, and "When the Night Falls," another early catalog fave, is good and swift.
"Diary," a bit of a rarity from 'Burnt Offering', is fast, heavy, and crowd-pleasing. The closer is the brutal "Violate," complete with a wild and loud crowd response.
This is pure power metal at its peak... and it's from America! Living, breathing proof that sellouts aren't the rule in the USA; too bad more groups didn't stick to their own guns...

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TRACK LIST: Disc One: Burning Times/Vengeance is Mine/Pure Evil/My Own Savior/Melanchoy (Holy Martyr)/Dante's Inferno/ The Hunter/Travel in Stygian/Slave to the Dark/A Question of Heaven
Disc Two: Dark Saga/Last Laugh/Last December/Watching Over Me/Angels Holocaust/Stormrider/Path I Choose/I Died For You/Prophecy/Birth of the Wicked/The Coming Curse/Iced Earth
Disc Three: Stand Alone/Cast in Stone/Desert Rain/Brainwashed/Disciples of the Lie/When the Night Falls/Diary/Blessed Are You/Violate