from blabbermouth.net

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermo....aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86574


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!"

Thank god

and it's on icedearth.com as well.


holy shit...maybe they'll re-record the last record so we can hear the trilogy with good vocals

ehhh... i was actually really happy with Owens... the one thing Barlow lacks is a great high.

also tough luck for Owens AGAIN getting replaced by the original vocalist of the band he is in...

THANK GOD

Doesn't surprise me. Hopefully Owens will find a better band.

i_am_lazy said:

even if he does, they'll kick him out in 4 years when the previous vocalist wants to come back

thegreatspaldino said:

Barlow isn't the original vocalist.

Owens is far better than Barlow, but Iced Earth just isn't the band for him. Beyond Fear rules.

SOME QUEER said:

FAGGOT

SlavonicIdentity said:

obviously i know that... but pre-Barlow Iced Earth doesnt exist in my mind so, Barlow is the original one to me ;)

Night of the Stormrider is better than any of the Barlow albums. Learn to appreciate things that don't feature your favorite vocalists.

my favorite IE is newer IE... i like some of Barlow's stuff, and i didnt like the first couple albums.

Blue said:

x1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

This = a good thing.

Spectacular.

Who gives a shit? Apparently a bunch of fags on this board.

barlow was the only thing that kept that band interesting. his paul stanley-esque vocals gave the generic music some character. i think owens is a great singer, but he made iced earth sound more generic than ever. i like some iced earth stuff, but only because of barlow.

They should tour with the lineup that did Horror Show and play those songs. And other Barlow-era shit too.

horror show line up had Digiorgio and Christy... if i remember correctly, Digiorgio doesnt really care for Schaefer and Christy is too busy getting a brazillian wax and being a pervert on the Howard Stern Show...

horror_tang said:

I DO love the cock.

Fag!

thegreatspaldino said:

apparently what happened according to schaffer was that digiorgio originally signed on to do the album and the tour, but when it came time to tour, he flaked out on schaffer. which is why he's only listed as a guest musician and not a band member in the booklet, also the reason why they edited the band photo in the middle of the booklet to remove him, though his shadow is still in the picture; schaffer has since said he'll never work with him. shame, he was the only bass player to do interesting stuff in that band

oh well...i'd rather have barlow in the band

i would have stayed and watched them the year they played metalfest if barlow was in the band. fuck ripper.

cav nli said:

I stayed, it was underwhelming.

Best news all year.

NEVERPURIFIED NLI said:

Schaffer said in some recent interview that he has always ended up playing all bass tracks on all of their albums.

schaffer played bass on the intro and mid section to damien, as well as the intro to the phantom opera ghost; and as far as i know, steve played the rest of the bass on the album

NEVERPURIFIED NLI said:

And DiGiorgio's side is that he never signed on to tour, and Schaffer had just assumed the tour was implied without ever informing Steve.

Horror Show has Steve's signature fretless sound all over it, though. I don't think Schaffer did any bass work beyond the Damien intro on there.

Schaffer is a drama queen.

pam said:

TROOF

YAY for ICED TURD!!

i was a member of some metal forum a while back that had an official Digiorgio "forum" section and he posted there a lot. what i remember reading was that he thinks Schafer is a cocky, ego-centric prick and wouldnt work with him again anyway.

This makes me happy! I never got into Tim Owens. Barlow was made for Iced Earth.

bennyhillifier

pam said:

schaffer is a dickhead who writes extremely generic music. barlow is the only thing that makes that band listenable.

dreadkill said:

Fucking EXACTLY.

pam said:

You guys just need to listen to the newest Iced Earth CD. Although there are far too many filler tracks, the real ones are amazing. They finally wrote music that fits with tim owens, and now they dump him.

Wonder if Barlow is still in Pyramaze?

he just released a statement that said he would only be doing the next pyramaze album and then concentrate on Iced Earth...and keeping his job as a police officer

Y_Ddraig_Goch said:

I did listen to it, I thought it was boring as hell and I can't stand Ripper. There's a reason he's always the replacement for someone better.

My opinion anyway.