Iced Earth News!

[$heriff Tom]

This is a band that has quite a few fans in and around our group. A lot of us hopped on board with the release of "The Glorious Burden." I myself had been a listener for a while, and I think the new one is a grand metal slab.

Well, big changes, vocalist switch. The fans pretty much demanded original vocalist Matt Barlow back in the band, and they got it....Ripper Owens, a free-agent again. And apparently only worthy of one sentence in John Schaffer's statement below.

I am going to listen to the Ripper stuff now, but I am also happy to see Barlow back. If you missed him first time around, you'll enjoy.

This is from blabbermouth.net - there are almost 200 responses to the story, a number I have rarely seen in my 6 or so years checking it daily.

Vocalist MATT BARLOW Rejoins ICED EARTH - Dec. 11, 2007

ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has issued the following statement:

"Hello, dear friends!

"Once again the winds of change are upon us, and this time I can say that I am very happy about the result.

"While out on the European tour I had several in depth discussions with many loyal ICED EARTH fans. A common theme of these discussions was how much Matt is missed. I agreed with the fans that things were not the same and that it was a very special period in ICED EARTH's history.

"When I heard several months ago that Matt [Barlow] was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn't act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn't seem realistic.

"Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to ICED EARTH and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon.

"Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the 'Something Wicked' concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of ICED EARTH shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we’ve all been waiting for.

"I want you all to know that it was you who made this a reality. I have missed Matt's presence onstage and in my personal life in a big way over the past few years, so I appreciate your honesty in our discussions. It did help me realize the decision to move forward with pursuing this. The fans have spoken and we have delivered!

"You true fans know that I'm a straight shooter, I say what I mean and mean what I say. And though I value your opinions greatly, you must believe that this is a decision that comes completely from the heart and is not motivated by anything other than what feels the best for ICED EARTH. This is the way that things have always been dealt with, for better or for worse, but always honestly and from the heart.

"Tim Owens is a great and talented singer and I wish the best for him and his future on a personal and professional level.

"There will be more news soon as to further developments and plans. This will push back the release of Part 2 a bit. Not because we couldn't be ready to record in time, but because of a new addition to Matt's family in early 2008!

"I am very happy to announce that ICED EARTH is truly BACK!"

[jwmcc]

I wonder if this will delay any plans for the US tour..

[$heriff Tom]

There is already rumors that it will delay the next release.

Its funny to see the Ripper/Barlow camps going at it in the Blabbermouth story. Some Iced Earth fans are doing cartwheels, some are ready to burn Schaffer in effigy.

[$heriff Tom]

Ok, Walkman John especially....I know some of us were waiting for this. Who is in? Keep in mind a possible playoff baseball conflict....

Oct 16th. Expect a packed house.

ICED EARTH: North American Tour Dates Announced - June 12, 2008

ICED EARTH has confirmed sixteen North American tour dates for the fall of 2008 that will take the band to all corners of the United States, including New York, Florida, Oregon, and California. Joining the band as special guests are INTO ETERNITY and SAVIOURS.

For the dates listed below, ICED EARTH will be offering a very limited number of fans the opportunity to attend the show as the band’s guest VIPs.

Fans who purchase a "Child of the Wicked" VIP package with www.icedearth.com will receive the following:

* A ticket to an ICED EARTH concert
* VIP meet-and-greet with ICED EARTH
* Autographed item from ICED EARTH
* Limited-edition ICED EARTH t-shirt
*- VIP commemorative laminate

The VIP packages are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis via the ICED EARTH web site. The VIP package cost is $65, including the concert ticket. VIP packages and ticket sales via www.icedearth.com will be available starting June 13. Regular tickets sales via Ticketmaster and all other outlets will not begin until June 20 and will be subject to local service fees.

To learn more about the tour and how to purchase the VIP package and tickets for the shows below, visit the official ICED EARTH website at www.icedearth.com.

The dates are as follows:

Sep. 21 - Harpo's - Detroit, MI
Sep. 22 - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, Ontario, CAN
Sep. 23 - Le Medley - Montreal, Quebec, CAN
Sep. 24 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Sep. 25 - 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
Sep. 26 – Amos' Southbend - Charlotte, NC
Sep. 27 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA IX. Atlanta, GA**
Sep. 28 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Sep. 29 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Sep. 30 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Oct. 14 - The Norva - Norfolk, VA
Oct. 15 - The Palladium - Worchester, MA
Oct. 16 - Nokia Theater - New York, NY
Oct. 22 - Hawthrone Theater - Portland, OR
Oct. 23 - Regency Center at The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Oct. 24 - The Avalon - Los Angeles, CA

**VIP package not available at ProgPower USA. The festival is sold out.

ICED EARTH's official web site. IcedEarth.com, has posted the cover art (see below) for the band's forthcoming full-length studio album, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", which continues where their 2007 release, "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)" left off. "The Crucible of Man" features the return of frontman Matt Barlow who was mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer's original voice of choice to introduce the "Something Wicked" saga back in 1998 as a trio of songs which concluded their album, "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

While the 1998 album provided a general overview of the story Schaffer has been conceptualizing for well over a decade, the saga is being fully brought to life with the release of the back-to-back conceptual albums "Framing Armageddon" and "The Crucible of Man". While both albums provide answers to mysteries the previous releases would create, the timeliness of the story in today's world is guaranteed to keep people thinking and guessing. Schaffer's ability to convey the central themes and events of the story without always revealing exactly "why" characters' decisions are made and "how" events come to pass, will keep fans of the saga coming back as future mediums for the "Something Wicked" storyline are revealed.

A finalized tracklisting for "The Crucible of Man" and audio interview with Jon Schaffer covering the new material will be featured at IcedEarth.com later this month. The band will begin rehearsals next week for a run of dates in June as direct support for JUDAS PRIEST in Europe, as well as the Hellfest, Bang Your Head!!!, Graspop and Gods of Metal European festivals.

"The Crucible of Man" is due for a late August or early September release on Steamhammer/SPV. The release will then be followed by a North American tour that kicks off in September and features an appearance as headliner for the ProgPower USA IX festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 27. The North American dates will be announced at IcedEarth.com when they are confirmed.

The single from the new album is titled "I Walk Among You" and is being released worldwide this week by Steamhammer/SPV and features the new track "I Walk Alone" as well as three additional songs from "Framing Armageddon" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. All tracks can be listened to in their entirety at both the band's official web site and MySpace pages with exception of the track "A Charge to Keep" which is an iTunes exclusive.

[$heriff Tom]

ICED EARTH: 'The Crucible Of Man' Release Dates Announced - June 18, 2008

ICED EARTH's new full-length studio album, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", will be released through SPV Records on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: September 5
Rest of Europe: September 8
USA, Canada: September 9

"The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)" continues where ICED EARTH's 2007 release, "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)" left off. "The Crucible of Man" features the return of frontman Matt Barlow who was mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer's original voice of choice to introduce the "Something Wicked" saga back in 1998 as a trio of songs which concluded their album, "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

While the 1998 album provided a general overview of the story Schaffer has been conceptualizing for well over a decade, the saga is being fully brought to life with the release of the back-to-back conceptual albums "Framing Armageddon" and "The Crucible of Man". While both albums provide answers to mysteries the previous releases would create, the timeliness of the story in today's world is guaranteed to keep people thinking and guessing. Schaffer's ability to convey the central themes and events of the story without always revealing exactly "why" characters' decisions are made and "how" events come to pass, will keep fans of the saga coming back as future mediums for the "Something Wicked" storyline are revealed.

A finalized tracklisting for "The Crucible of Man" and audio interview with Jon Schaffer covering the new material will be featured at IcedEarth.com later this month. The band has begun rehearsals for a run of dates in June as direct support for JUDAS PRIEST in Europe, as well as the Hellfest, Bang Your Head!!!, Graspop and Gods of Metal European festivals.

"The Crucible of Man"'s release will be followed by a North American tour that kicks off in September and features an appearance as headliner for the ProgPower USA IX festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 27.

The single from the new album is titled "I Walk Among You" and was released worldwide earlier this month by Steamhammer/SPV and features the new track "I Walk Alone" as well as three additional songs from "Framing Armageddon" with new vocal performances by Matt Barlow. All tracks can be listened to in their entirety at both the band's official web site and MySpace pages with exception of the track "A Charge to Keep" which is an iTunes exclusive.

[$heriff Tom]

New Iced Earth out today! Review posted below, reviewer gave it a solid 8 of 10, but listeners are ranking it under a 7. Not as sold on it. It will be in my mailbox at home when I get there today.

This is off of Blabbermouth.net

To say that ICED EARTH fans were anxiously awaiting the second part of Jon Schaffer's "Something Wicked" saga would be a gross understatement, considering that "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part 2)" also marks the return of singer Matt Barlow. Reading the debates over whether Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-JUDAS PRIEST, BEYOND FEAR) capably filled Barlow's shoes on "The Glorious Burden" and "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked, Part 1)" or paled in comparison has been amusing, to say the least. The debate certainly became more intense after Schaeffer proclaimed that it was Ripper's voice that he had always heard in his head when it came to the music of ICED EARTH. As such, it must have been at least a tad awkward to bring Barlow back to sing for "The Crucible of Man". Be that as it may, Parts 1 and 2 are both terrific albums, even though I happen to prefer Ripper's vocals. Yet I've no problem with Barlow's performance on the new album. But on to the review.

I'm a big fan of "Framing Armageddon" and think it is a stellar piece of metalwork, and this is coming from someone who never had a strong opinion one way or the other about ICED EARTH prior to the release of that album. I also think that "The Crucible of Man" is a very good album. My initial impressions were not nearly as positive about it, but that sucker really grew on me after multiple listens. So make sure to spend some time with it before passing judgment. While it does not boast a grand-slam anthem like "Ten Thousand Strong", it features several tracks, including the "I Walk Alone" single, that come close. Even though the standout tracks aren't as obvious, "The Crucible of Man" may actually have a better overall flow and perhaps a bit more consistency from one track to the next. I don't find the complaints many have uttered about the dearth of fast songs and guitar solos to be valid necessarily either, as forward momentum is maintained for the entire 59 minutes. As for the sparse amount of soloing, the one on "A Gift or a Curse" — the ballad-esque tune that is kind of this album's equivalent to "A Charge to Keep" — is extremely well done and provides a bright splash of color to the composition. Beyond that, I can hear where a few more solos might have a similar impact, but I don't see the lack thereof as being especially problematic. Each song is composed with care and rarely gives one the feeling that something is missing, which is what matters in the end.

Strings and non-traditional percussion are present here too, but not to the same extent as on "Framing Armageddon", which some felt cluttered the affair (I had no issue with it). Aside from the intro "In Sacred Flames" and outro "Epilogue", texture and atmospherics are heard right where needed, including, for example, a brief female vocal on the metallically intense "Behold the Wicked Child" and the operatic touches on "Divide and Devour".

On the whole, Schaffer's riffs and melodies are strong throughout and, given time, most every song stands as tall on its own as it does as one piece of the larger puzzle. Barlow sounds as good as ever and while he may not possess the same range as Ripper (though he shatters glass at one point on "Come What May"), his voice is a splendid fit for these songs. There are several song highlights and gripping moments, most notably on "Crucify the King" (featuring great alternating vocals on the verse and a triumphant chorus), "Crown the Fallen" (the other tune with a guitar solo and a sugary sweet chorus), "Harbinger of Fate", and the aggressive "Divide and Devour". In short, Schaffer knows how to write a good song and does so without sounding like every other trad-metal band out there.

So the debates will continue to rage and those that have supported ICED EARTH from the very beginning will be most vociferous. What I believe is most important to remember is that "The Crucible of Man" is a finely crafted heavy metal concept album chock-full of good songs. That should be enough, but nostalgia will deafen some to the merits of the new release.


- Scott Alisoglu