Goed nieuws voor de oldschool Iced Earth fans:


Matt Barlow keert terug bij Iced Earth

Iced Earth-fans hebben, na enkele magere jaren waarbij de kritiek op zanger Tim Owens niet van de lucht was, op vijf december wel een heel bijzonder Sinterklaas-cadeautje in de gemeenschappelijke metal-schoen gekregen. Opperhoofd, componist en gitarist Jon Schaffer wist namelijk te melden dat de smeekbedes van de fans uiteindelijk verhoord zijn en dat zanger Matth Barlow toch weer terugkeert bij de Amerikaanse power metalformatie.

Schaffer meldt dat Barlow de volgende Something Wicked-plaat van zijn zang zal voorzien en dat de band aansluitend weer op tournee zal gaan. Welke plannen Tim Owens (die na de terugkeer van Rob Halford bij Judas Priest nu voor de tweede maal zijn positie moet afstaan ten faveure van een terugkerend bandlid) voor de nabije toekomst heeft is op dit moment niet bekend. (bron: www.zwaremetalen.com)

Tim Owens heeft ook nog zijn eigen band Beyond Fear, dus daar zal hij zich waarschijnlijk nu volledig op gaan richten.

Painkiller met 'Ripper' Owens
Painkiller met Halford

Burning Timesmet Owens
Burning Times met Matt Barlow


Het is geen slechte vocalist (integendeel zelf, een zeer goede).
Maar vergelijk eens de video's.

Ie heeft gewoon nood aan een goede band. Een eigen band. Een goed persoon vervangen in een band gaat niet. (Is niet allen zo bij Judas Priest en Iced Earth, Kijk maar naar Clif Burton, Lombardo, ...)

Dat geldt wat mij betreft alleen voor bepalende factoren in een band. Voornamelijk de songwriters dus en in enkele gevallen de zanger. Dus in het geval van Lombardo ben ik het niet met je eens. Bostaph is een geweldige drummer, en klinkt geweldig op de albums waar hij de originele drummer vervangt (niet alleen bij Slayer, maar ook bij Testament en Exodus). Ook zangers kunnen vervangen worden, kijk weer naar Exodus, waar het twee keer lukt. Kijk naar Iron Maiden (Dickinson voor Di'Anno en Blaze op The X-Factor).
Het is vaak niet zo dat de muziek minder wordt, maar juist dat de fans teveel de neiging hebben om in het verleden te blijven hangen en niet openstaan voor frisse winden.

It was announced on June 10, 2008 that the final title for the upcoming studio album is "The Crucible of Man". it has also been announced that the album will be released in late August or Early September of 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crucible_of_Man_%28Something_Wicked_Part_2%29

Hij is een stuk opgeschoven maar er is eindelijk wat duidelijkheid.

Wel een mooie hoes, dat wel. Doet me aan Ram it down van Judas Priest denken.

Van hun website geplukt;

ICED EARTH has confirmed the release dates for their forthcoming full-length studio album, "The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part II" to be released on the Steamhammer/SPV record labels:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: SEP 5. United Kingdom and Europe: SEP 8.
USA and Canada: SEP 9.

Duurt nog wel even. Raar ook dat hij in duitsland enz. eerder uitomt.

Zie ook: http://www.musicmeter.nl/album/129067

ICED EARTH Vocalist Matt Barlow Retires From The Band, Releases Emotional Statement
Hot Flashes
Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 15:41:49 EST

Long-time vocalist Matt Barlow has retired from ICED EARTH.

In his heartfelt statement, Barlow cites his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as the reasons for his retirement; however, he has committed to perform with Iced Earth on all 2011 European festival dates, which will be his last with the band.



Matt Barlow’s official statement is as follows:

“Brothers and Sisters,

Let me begin by saying how much of an honor it has been to share my time in Iced Earth with Jon and the guys…and with all of you! Since my return to the band in 2007, it has truly been extraordinary. I have had the opportunity to travel the world and see old friends and meet new ones. Though we had originally thought that the Iced Earth touring schedule would be very limited, we were able to play our fair share of concerts.

During that time we were also able to have a live DVD produced (the forthcoming Festivals of the Wicked). However, due to the rapidly changing music industry, it has become increasingly clear to recording artists that the only way to keep a band viable and to truly reach its potential is through live performances. That means that a band must reach out to new regions of the globe and become pioneers for their own livelihood. Since 2007, Jon and I have always had the best intentions for the future of Iced Earth, and we still do. However, given the band’s projected touring schedule, Iced Earth’s future and mine must now take separate paths.

On my departure from Iced Earth in 2003, I made a commitment to my wife and to the idea that we would start, and raise, our family together. Two years later, my first child was born and two years after that, my second. My youngest son was born about a week before Jon asked me to return to Iced Earth. It was a very exciting and emotional time for all of us, but we were all clear on our intentions. It is apparent to us now that regardless of our belief at that time, time can change an intended outcome. In this instance, I hope that change will not be regarded as a bad thing, but rather as a necessary part of evolution.

Jon and the band must venture into new realms to continue to grow Iced Earth. I commend him for his ideals and wish nothing but to share in his vision. I know that this is not the last time Jon and I will work together, but it will be my last endeavor with Iced Earth. Iced Earth is a name and force of its own. It has been very good to me and has allowed me to live a dream that others would give most anything for. I have been truly blessed to share this experience with everyone. I will continue to support Jon and Iced Earth in every way. I will also continue to create and perform in my own capacity.

These next months will prove to be a very emotional time for me. I am extremely happy to be able to share the experience with Jon, Brent, Freddie, Troy and the Iced Earth family. I am proud to know them and honored that they consider me their friend. It is going to be phenomenal to share the love of this music during several summer festivals and I know that it will be a time we will never forget.

Please consider all that I have brought forth and all of Jon’s offerings before passing judgment on the future of Iced Earth. This band has always strived to give its listeners the very best and I know that Jon, as always, will continue to lead that charge.

“To Iced Earth and all of you…I wish you the very best!!!

Band founder and leader Jon Schaffer reacted to his friend’s decision with equal parts sadness and praise.

“I knew Matt wrestled with this for a long, long time,” said Schaffer. “It wasn’t an easy decision for him. But I love him dearly and I can’t fault his reasons.”

Schaffer continued: “Matt is one of the most sincere people I know, and one of the most talented. His departure deeply saddens me, but I hope all fans of Iced Earth will cut him some slack. I wish Matt well, respect him greatly, and I ask everyone else to do the same.”

With a new album in the works, and a world tour pending, Schaffer has already begun the search for a new vocalist.

“I have a few guys in mind,” said Schaffer. “And as you can imagine, it is a very important decision. One thing is for certain: we are not looking for a Matt Barlow ‘clone’ – we are looking for a front man that brings power and character of his own to the table. There’s only one Matt, and that era of the band’s history will always hold a special place in my heart.”

The band’s long-awaited six-hour, three-concert live DVD Festivals of the Wicked is scheduled for release this spring.

The band recently announced a new summer festival date: Dong Open Air in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany, on July 15th.

With the Dong Open Air date confirmed, Iced Earth will play a total of six summer festivals, including: Wacken, Graspop, Rock am Härtsfeldsee, Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland on July 16th, and the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

More festival dates will be announced soon on the band’s official web site, MySpace, and Facebook pages.

Announcement of a new vocalist will be made through all social media outlets as soon as a decision is made.

For more info visit Icedearth.com.

In the wake of vocalist Matt Barlow's retirement, dozens of demos and resumes flooded ICED EARTH's management team. But one name kept popping up — INTO ETERNITY vocalist Stu Block (pictured below), who has been named the new lead singer for ICED EARTH.

According to Schaffer, Robert Kampf, CEO of Century Media, early on suggested Block, whose band INTO ETERNITY was previously on the CM label. That reminded Schaffer of one night in September 2008 when INTO ETERNITY opened for ICED EARTH.

"ICED EARTH was backstage waiting to go on," said Schaffer. "We heard one of Stu's incredible wails. I remember turning to Matt and saying, 'Damn, that dude has serious range.'"

So while ICED EARTH's management team sifted through the growing number of prospective vocalists, Schaffer got in touch with Block.

After several phone conversations with the then-prospective ICED EARTH vocalist, Schaffer asked his manager to e-mail Block several key ICED EARTH songs, with the vocals stripped. Block went into his studio and recorded himself singing, then sent the files back to the team.

The result landed Block an intense two days at Schaffer's studio where the two musicians hit it off.

"I felt a lot of chemistry between us, we knocked out a couple of great original pieces of music in no time," said Schaffer. "He's very good at coming up with catchy melodies, and will help with lyrical duties as well. There's no doubt Stu has an amazing vocal range and a lot of energy, but he also has the touring experience, which is a big plus for our plans of performing in all corners of the world."

In addition, Schaffer said Block has what ICED EARTH needs in a front man: "stage presence that includes high energy, passion, and focused rage."

Schaffer added, "Stu is charismatic and understands the depth and varying emotions in ICED EARTH's music. So he will embody not only the emotion of our songs, but he will be able to perform them in a dynamic way. I believe fans are in for some incredible records and live shows in the coming years."

New ICED EARTH vocalist Stu Block concurred: "ICED EARTH fans are wonderful, wonderful people," he said. "The music is so passionate. So they're passionate, and very loyal to the band. I am, too. I'm a huge fan of ICED EARTH myself. So I share that same passion, and I will show it on stage. I think the fans are really going to dig it."

Block continued: "It's a huge honor to be doing this, to be part of this team. It's a dream come true, for sure.”

Schaffer is totally stoked. "This is a new beginning," he said. "It's game-on time. ICED EARTH is going to record and tour like it never has before. The band is really amped-up and ready to hit the ground running in November."

Ja de heren zijn wel erg snel.

Mooi zinnetje: Schaffer is totally stoked. "This is a new beginning," he said. "It's game-on time. ICED EARTH is going to record and tour like it never has before. The band is really amped-up and ready to hit the ground running in November."

klink allemaal alsof Stu Block helemaal de man is, en ik ben na dat knallende persbericht ook erg benieuwd! zal hij beter zijn dan Barlow? of mischien wel beter als Owens? jammer dat ze dan die festivals nog even doen met Barlow erbij.

Stu alvast horen op een oude Iced Earth klassieker?

Dante's Inferno is "re-recorded" en gratis te downloaden > ICED EARTH RE-RECORDS EPIC ?DANTE?S INFERNO,? GIVES IT AWAY FREE | The Official Iced Earth Website - icedearth.com

met een zegje erbij: YouTube - Jon and Stu Talk Dante

En Dante's Inferno gaat live gespeeld worden deze winter!

Mooi zo, ik ben zeer benieuwd hoe Stu Block dat doet. Dadelijk eens beluisteren.

Dat klinkt heel erg goed!

Stu Block is van de band Into Eternity en daar is hij juist bekend om zijn extreem hoge uithalen. Sowieso een man met echt een extreem groot stembereik. Hier houdt hij het vooral in de lagere regionen.

Hij blijft vrij dicht bij Matt Barlow maar weet er toch iets eigen aan te geven. Nu nog geweldig nieuw materiaal en Dystopia wordt een topper!

Hier nog een positieve stem! Klinkt mij ook erg goed in de oren. Laat de nieuwe plaat maar komen!

Damn, wat een onwijs tof concert gister! Veel songs van de nieuwe plaat gespeeld, maar ook aardig wat klassiekers, waaronder (zoals gezegd) Dante's Inferno. Ergens in het midden van de set zakte het optreden iets in, maar werd weer goed herpakt om naar een climax te komen. Stu is een topzanger, Iced Earth is een top live band.

Heel jammer dit: Jon Schaffer is een van de leden van de bende die eerder deze week het Capitool binnenviel.

Jakkes.

Bij Iced Earth - Incorruptible:

Toch wel opmerkelijk.

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Ja, hij is een complotdenker, al jaren. Sons of Liberty was zijn coming out, bij Alex Jones in show, etc....

Hij slaapt zelfs al jaren met een pistool onder zijn kussen, in het geval ze hem komen halen. Nu helemaal actueel natuurlijk.