Iced Earth News

[Mean Machine]

ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Again I have to apologize for the delay in updates. I've been extremely busy with writing and preproduction for the new ICED EARTH CDs.

"I also lost the one person that was my true mentor and inspiration throughout my life, which was very difficult. My father, Tom Schaffer, died unexpectedly of a massive stroke in October. He was 67, and died two weeks before his 68th birthday. It's hard to imagine what my life would have been like without my Dad's influence. I would not be who I am today, that's for sure. Fortunately, he was able to travel with the band a few times, and he really enjoyed meeting and talking with the fans. He was there for the 'Alive in Athens' recording and was dubbed Papa Earth by some of the fans in Greece. I will miss him very much.

"Obviously, this had a huge impact on me and brought the writing to a halt for about a month.

"I'm back on track and we are going to start recording on February 1st. We will be releasing a single/EP in June '07 that will feature the 'Something Wicked' trilogy re-recorded and a track that will be an alternate edit of a song that will be on 'Something Wicked Part 2' that now has a working title of 'Come What May'. The label was wanting me to do something with the original trilogy to reintroduce the story. So, what we have in store for you is very cool. You will hear 'Prophecy', 'Birth of the Wicked', and 'The Coming Curse' in a new way that will be a very killer way to kick off this massive epic.

"I don't want to give you any details to spoil the surprise, but trust me, it's going to be awesome.

"'Something Wicked (Part 1)' will be released in the September/October '07 time frame and Part 2 will follow in January/February '08.

"This is by far the most epic task I've ever taken on as a songwriter and I really feel like it will be worth all the sacrifice when it's finished. I've been working nonstop for over a year now and it's coming together in a very special way. I've just about finished all the musical arrangements and am now focusing on writing the lyrics/vocal melodies. I'm in the final stretch now...

"Tim Mills has contributed a few really cool pieces of music and has shown a real interest in the whole 'Something Wicked' story, and a real passion for being involved with the band. All this while owning and operating his own company (Bare Knuckle Pickups). I'm impressed, it's a rare quality, believe me.

"Also, the bass player on the next record is a local boy from Indianapolis whose name is James 'Bo' Wallace. Bo is a killer player and a great personality. I went to see him perform several months ago and was impressed with his abilities, energy and passion. He played with MA KELLEY for many years and released several records on a few different independent labels. Without a doubt, Bo is a great bass player and I'm happy to have him working with ICED EARTH.

"Here's a list of working titles for the upcoming epic. There will likely be changes but this gives you an idea of where things are going."

"Something Wicked - Part 1"

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. Ghost Dance Ritual
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution From the Shadows
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. The Division of Religion (Man Needs God)
17. Novo Ordo Seclorum (Cycle Of A New Age)

"Something Wicked - Part 2"

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift Or A Curse?
05. I Walk Among You
06. My Burden, My Honor
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat
09. Time Marches On
10. Sacrificial Kingdoms
11. Something Wicked (Part 3)
12. Divide Devour
13. Conspiracy / A Charge to Keep
14. Come What May (Mankind Is Lost)

[Mean Machine]

I don't know about anyone else but I am F**king excited.

I thought Rippers vocals were lacking a bit in some songs on The Glorious Burden (of course there were also songs he was incredible on) but that album was written with Matt Barlow in mind for vocals so I believe thats the reason. Ripper will shine on the new albums considering they are written to suit his vocal style, I have very high expectations.

Also, Jon Schaffer easily writes his best stuff when there is a story behind it. Take Horror Show for example, bloody brilliant album and that's theme/story based. Same goes for Something Wicked This Way Comes. And the Gettysburg trilogy is easily the standout on The Glorious Burden.... and what a surprise, they are the songs with a continous theme/story behind them. His concept writing is superb.

I don't know whether there are many other Iced Earth fans here, but if you're not then get some of their stuff because it's absolutely mindblowing.

[skrabsta]

meanmachine said:

I don't know about anyone else but I am f**king excited.

I thought Rippers vocals were lacking a bit in some songs on The Glorious Burden (of course there were also songs he was incredible on) but that album was written with Matt Barlow in mind for vocals so I believe thats the reason. Ripper will shine on the new albums considering they are written to suit his vocal style, I have very high expectations.

Also, Jon Schaffer easily writes his best stuff when there is a story behind it. Take Horror Show for example, bloody brilliant album and that's theme/story based. Same goes for Something Wicked This Way Comes. And the Gettysburg trilogy is easily the standout on The Glorious Burden.... and what a surprise, they are the songs with a continous theme/story behind them. His concept writing is superb.

I don't know whether there are many other Iced Earth fans here, but if you're not then get some of their stuff because it's absolutely mindblowing.

sounds interesting. i like rippers voice so i might check their last album out.

[Wrathchild]

Fantastic, IE are aweseome.


I saw Ripper when they came with JP a few years back he was fab! anyway bring this on, thanks Mitch great info here.

[Mean Machine]

admin said:

sounds interesting. i like rippers voice so i might check their last album out.

"Red Baron/Blue Max" is easily Rippers best song on the album, he is absolutely incredibly in it. He does a fantastic job on the last three songs on the album too (the Gettysburg trilogy".

The album is some of Iced Earths weaker material though.... not that they have any weak material, but its weakER than the others.

They had better tour here!

[=Arise=]

Iced Earth

Wooo!...can't wait for this one
I saw Ripper with JP too....... and he was the shit!!

[stormster]

I used to be into IE heaps when the only bands i knew were iced earth, metlalica and megadeth. But for the past 2 years ive been into power metal cause it makes me feel happy, as well as energised. I remember seeing the Glorious burden as a let down, sure it had awesome songs but i remmeber thinking it was as good as other albums. Declaration Day and The Reckoning are STANDOUTS for me off The Glorious Burden and absolutely kick ass.

[demonizer]

Definitely looking forward to it. Basically anything Schaffer touches turns to gold IMO.

[Sands Of Time]

Excellent, i loved The Glorious Burden. I only bought it because of the artwork but when i put it on it blew me away.
Will definatley be buying this

[demonizer]

meanmachine said:

I don't know about anyone else but I am f**king excited.

I thought Rippers vocals were lacking a bit in some songs on The Glorious Burden (of course there were also songs he was incredible on) but that album was written with Matt Barlow in mind for vocals so I believe thats the reason. Ripper will shine on the new albums considering they are written to suit his vocal style, I have very high expectations.

Also, Jon Schaffer easily writes his best stuff when there is a story behind it. Take Horror Show for example, bloody brilliant album and that's theme/story based. Same goes for Something Wicked This Way Comes. And the Gettysburg trilogy is easily the standout on The Glorious Burden.... and what a surprise, they are the songs with a continous theme/story behind them. His concept writing is superb.

I don't know whether there are many other Iced Earth fans here, but if you're not then get some of their stuff because it's absolutely mindblowing.

night of the stormrider - brilliant story, even better music

[ironbrother]

Wow these albums sound like they're going to be awesome!! I'm even wearing my Iced Earth t-shirt as I read this. Haha it's a sign! Can't wait!

[=Arise=]

Iced Earth are playing WACKEN!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mean Machine]

I heard. and you have no idea how jealous I am.

I bloody hope they are playing there again in 2009. Because i'll be there then!

[Mean Machine]

ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer has sent the following update to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"I just wanted to give you an update of what's happening in ICED EARTH world.

"We just finished mixing and mastering the [new] single, which will be titled 'Overture of the Wicked' and should be released in late May or early June. The four songs that will be featured on this are as follows:

01. Ten Thousand Strong
02. Prophecy
03. Birth of the Wicked
04. The Coming Curse

"'Ten Thousand Strong' will be the song that we will be filming a video for in the following months, most likely in June right around the Sweden Rock festival.

"I'm very happy with the results of our efforts. We've been really working hard on delivering something special to you guys and this single is just a hint of things to come, and it's freakin' awesome.

"We will be finishing the rest of production for Part 1 over the course of the next few weeks, with plans to mix in the early part of May. The title of the full release is 'Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1)' and should be out in the late August/September time frame. The 'Framing Armageddon' tracklist will appear as follows:

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. A Charge to Keep
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution Through the Ages
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. Framing Armageddon
17. When Stars Collide (Born is He)
18. The Awakening

"The working title of Part 2 is 'Revelation Abomination Something Wicked (Part 2)' and the tracklist is as follows:

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift or a Curse
05. I Walk Among You
06. Harbinger of Fate
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat / Time Marches On
09. Sacrificial Kingdoms
10. Something Wicked (Part 3)
11. Divide Devour
12. Conspiracy / Pilgrimage In Guile
13. Come What May

"The final tracking and mixing for Part 2 will take place between the festivals and world tour and will have a targeted release in February/March of 2008.

"Due to family health issues, Bo Wallace will not be able to be involved with ICED EARTH. I played the bass guitar parts on the single and we will be bringing Dennis Hayes, who worked with Tim [Owens, vocals] on his BEYOND FEAR side project, in to play on parts of the remainder of the recording. He will be doing the live shows as well.

[stormster]

Geez, alot of songs, sounds like maybe an album with alot of crappy stuff in the middle of actual songs.