iced earth

Report: Iced Earth + Support Acts – Athens, Greece

It's Friday night in Athens and on this last night of January everybody was waiting for one of the Greek audiences' most beloved bands: Iced Earth with classic metal newcomers Elm Street and the already established Thrashers of the new breed, Warbringer. One hell of a package for a Heavy/Thrash fan! First one on the billing was Elm Street who seemed very energetic and whipped the Athenian crowd into a frenzy with their Heavy metal stuff influenced by Accept, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden (they were even playing "Metal Heart" during the soundcheck) and created even the first moshpit of the evening. They thanked Iced Earth for taking them on tour as well as the audience for being so intense from the very beginning of the show. They played some songs off their debut album "Barbed Wire Metal". A solid support act who are given the chance to make something better in the future. Coming up next we have the crazy Thrashers from California, Warbringer! With one of the genres' most passionate frontmen according to the writer, John Kevill, they hit the stage with stuff off their brand new kick ass record "IV: Empires Collapse" called "Scars Remain" opening up the first big moshpits of the night as well as with the next one called "Iron City". Things got out of hand with "Total War", "The Turning Of The Gears", "Living In A Whirlwind" and "Severed Reality" which set the pit on fire and caused the first crowd surfs as well (including one from the writer). The band was in an amazing mood and everyone could tell, on the final track "Hunter-Seeker", John even crowd surfed with the audience going nuts about it. He didn't forget to thank us all as well as feeling honoured to play "in the land of the ancient gods". We just got a glimpse of what this band is about during live shows. Let's hope they'll visit our country again as a headlining act so that we can enjoy more of them! Time now for the headliners of the evening, Iced Earth. In with the heavy title track off their latest strong album "Plagues Of Babylon" whipping the crowd into a headbanging frenzy, singing and chanting along with Stu Block and Jon Schaffers' riffage. Up next the fast track on "Plagues" called "Democide" brought back the moshpits in the show. We heard songs off the "Plagues Of Babylon" ("Cthulhu", "The End?", "If I Could See You", "Amongst The Living Dead") "Dystopia" (the ripping title track already a classic amongst fans and "V") "The Glorious Burden" ("Red Baron/Blue Max" never thought they'd play stuff off that record) "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ("Burning Times", "Watching Over Me" with a amazing sing along part towards the end, one of the most heartfelt ballads for Jon, "Disciples Of The Lie", "Blessed Are You" dedicated to us, "My Own Saviour") "Dark Saga" ("Dark Saga", "Vengeance Is Mine", "A Question Of Heaven"). Stu didn't forget to thank us for the amazing energy and passion towards the band that night and ended their show with "Iced Earth" off the self titled first record in cheering and applause from a crazy Greek audience, showing its unconditional love for the band. Jon Dette behind the skins was the best guy they could pick for the tour. After an hour and 40 minutes, everybody was happy and feeling full with pure Heavy metal. Wish them well on the tour as well as every contributor of the night and hope to see such well organized events in the future.

ICED EARTH’s ‘Plagues Of Babylon’ Cracks German Top 5

"Plagues Of Babylon", the new album from North American power metallers ICED EARTH, has entered the official German chart at position No. 5. Says the band: "We want to thank our German fans for the highest chart entry in the band's history. "Germany has always been special to us and it's a great feeling to know how much you continue to support the band." ICED EARTH is joining forces with record stores to release 500 limited-edition, hand-numbered vinyl "bootleg" copies of "Plagues Of Babylon". This extremely limited "bootleg" pressing, which is available only in record stores in North America, goes on sale today, January 14, and is sure to become an instant collector's item. Click here to find your nearest local participating retailer. ICED EARTH makes its triumphant return with the January 21, 2014 North American release of new "Plagues Of Babylon" on Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany. Guest vocals on "Highwayman" were laid down by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen and SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB singer Russell Allen. Guest vocals on "Plagues Of Babylon", "Among The Living Dead", "Democide", "Resistance" and "If I Could See You" are by BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch. The cover and additional artwork was created by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED). "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman Songs 1-6 form the "Plagues Of Babylon" story line, part of the ongoing "Something Wicked" Universe Exclusive "Plagues Of Babylon" pre-sale bundles are on-sale now at CM Distro. Album and merchandise packages include the following: "Plagues Of Babylon", the new album from North American power metallers ICED EARTH, has entered the official German chart at position No. 5. Says the band: "We want to thank our German fans for the highest chart entry in the band's history. "Germany has always been special to us and it's a great feeling to know how much you continue to support the band." ICED EARTH is joining forces with record stores to release 500 limited-edition, hand-numbered vinyl "bootleg" copies of "Plagues Of Babylon". This extremely limited "bootleg" pressing, which is available only in record stores in North America, goes on sale today, January 14, and is sure to become an instant collector's item. Click here to find your nearest local participating retailer. ICED EARTH makes its triumphant return with the January 21, 2014 North American release of new "Plagues Of Babylon" on Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany. Guest vocals on "Highwayman" were laid down by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen and SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB singer Russell Allen. Guest vocals on "Plagues Of Babylon", "Among The Living Dead", "Democide", "Resistance" and "If I Could See You" are by BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch. The cover and additional artwork was created by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED). "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman Songs 1-6 form the "Plagues Of Babylon" story line, part of the ongoing "Something Wicked" Universe Exclusive "Plagues Of Babylon" pre-sale bundles are on-sale now at CM Distro. Album and merchandise packages include the following:

ICED EARTH: New Video Teaser For Upcoming Album, Tour

Metal titans ICED EARTH make their triumphant return with the January 21, 2014 release of new studio album, "Plagues Of Babylon", on Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany. Guest vocals on "Highwayman" were laid down by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen and SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB singer Russell Allen. Guest vocals on "Plagues Of Babylon", "Among The Living Dead", "Democide", "Resistance" and "If I Could See You" are by BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch. The cover and additional artwork was created by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED). A new teaser for the "Plagues Of Babylon" album and "Worldwide Plagues Tour" can be seen below. "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman Songs 1-6 form the "Plagues Of Babylon" story line, part of the ongoing "Something Wicked" Universe ICED EARTH will promote the new CD in its North American homeland with the headlining "Worldwide Plagues Tour", which kicks off April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover," says ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer of "Plagues Of Babylon". "I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog. "We feel that the package with SABATON and REVAMP is very strong and we are very excited to tour the U.S. and Canada again and kick some major ass!" "Plagues Of Babylon" album/tour teaser:

JON DETTE Performs With ICED EARTH For First Time (Video)

For the remainder of ICED EARTH's European tour with VOLBEAT, Jon Dette (SLAYER,TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) is sitting behind the drums, taking over for Raphael Saini, who filled in during the summer festivals, the recording of ICED EARTH's new album, and the club leg of the VOLBEAT tour. Dette made his live debut with ICED EARTH last night (Wednesday, November 6) at O2 World in Berlin, Germany. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below. Commented ICED EARTH: "Raphael came in and helped us out of a tight spot this summer with a full schedule of festivals, a new album to finish, and no room for diversion on the schedule. He came in and delivered and we are very grateful for that. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours." Added Raphael: "When I had the chance to join ICED EARTH for their summer festivals and the new album, I couldn't say no: I was really excited even though I knew that it was going to be something temporary. "I am honored to be part of the band's history, an amazing album, and to have worked with some supremely talented musicians. My journey will continue, there's more to come." ICED EARTH earlier in the year parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." ICED EARTH will release its new album, "Plagues Of Babylon", in January 2014 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran

ICED EARTH Taps Former SLAYER/TESTAMENT Drummer JON DETTE

For the remainder of ICED EARTH's European tour with VOLBEAT, Jon Dette (SLAYER,TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) will sit behind the drums, taking over for Raphael Saini, who filled in during the summer festivals, the recording of ICED EARTH's new album, and the club leg of theVOLBEAT tour. "Raphael came in and helped us out of a tight spot this summer with a full schedule of festivals, a new album to finish, and no room for diversion on the schedule," said ICED EARTHin a statement. "He came in and delivered and we are very grateful for that. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours." Added Raphael: "When I had the chance to join ICED EARTH for their summer festivals and the new album, I couldn't say no: I was really excited even though I knew that it was going to be something temporary. "I am honored to be part of the band's history, an amazing album, and to have worked with some supremely talented musicians. My journey will continue, there's more to come." ICED EARTH earlier in the year parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." The second leg of ICED EARTH's tour with VOLBEAT kicks off at O2 World in Berlin, Germany, tomorrow, November 6, and wraps at Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark on December 1. ICED EARTH will release its new album, "Plagues Of Babylon", in January 2014 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran Kantor(TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS, GWAR).

Video: ICED EARTH Performs New Song ‘If I Could See You’ In Paris

Fan-filmed video footage of North American metallers ICED EARTH performing a brand new song, "If I Could See You", on October 25 at Bataclan in Paris, France as the support act for VOLBEAT can be seen below. ICED EARTH will release its new album, "Plagues Of Babylon", in January 2014 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS, GWAR). Says ICED EARTH vocalist/guitarist Jon Schaffer: "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover. I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog." "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman Speaking to Metal4 magazine at the Rockharz open-air festival in Germany in July, Schaffer said about the upcoming CD: "It's a bit of a different thing for us, because it's half of a concept and the other half is [standalone] tracks. Musically, I think it's just another step in the right direction. It's really heavy, it's very melodic. It has a really epic feeling. Even though there isn't, like, a monster, long epic track, the overall feel of the songs is very epic. I mean, there's no 'Dante's Inferno' or 'Gettysburg' or the 'Something Wicked' trilogy or something like that on here, but I'm really happy with it." ICED EARTH recently parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." He has since been replaced by Raphael Saini (CHAOSWAVE). ICED EARTH has been hitting it relentlessly, with the recent studio album, "Dystopia", being the most toured album in the band's illustrious history. One of the many highlights of the "World Dystopia Tour", a headline show at the historic Kourion Amphitheatre in Cyprus, was recently released on Blu-ray, DVD and in many other formats under the title "Live In Ancient Kourion". "Dystopia" was released in October 2011 via Century Media Records. The CD marked the band's recording debut with singer Stu Block (INTO ETERNITY), who joined ICED EARTH in March 2011 following the departure of Matt Barlow.

ICED EARTH: Lyric Video For ‘Plagues Of Babylon’ Title Track

North American metallers ICED EARTH will release their new album, "Plagues Of Babylon", for a January 2014 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS, GWAR). Says ICED EARTH vocalist/guitarist Jon Schaffer: "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover. I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog." "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman The official lyric video for the "Plagues Of Babylon" title track can be seen below. Speaking to Metal4 magazine at the Rockharz open-air festival in Germany in July, Schaffer said about the upcoming CD: "It's a bit of a different thing for us, because it's half of a concept and the other half is [standalone] tracks. Musically, I think it's just another step in the right direction. It's really heavy, it's very melodic. It has a really epic feeling. Even though there isn't, like, a monster, long epic track, the overall feel of the songs is very epic. I mean, there's no 'Dante's Inferno' or 'Gettysburg' or the 'Something Wicked' trilogy or something like that on here, but I'm really happy with it." ICED EARTH recently parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." He has since been replaced by Raphael Saini (CHAOSWAVE). ICED EARTH has been hitting it relentlessly, with the recent studio album, "Dystopia", being the most toured album in the band's illustrious history. One of the many highlights of the "World Dystopia Tour", a headline show at the historic Kour

ICED EARTH: ‘Plagues Of Babylon’ Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

North American metallers ICED EARTH will release their new album, "Plagues Of Babylon", for a January 2014 via Century Media Records. The cover artwork was created and illustrated by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, SIGH, ANACRUSIS, GWAR). Says ICED EARTH vocalist/guitarist Jon Schaffer: "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover. I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog." "Plagues Of Babylon" track listing: 01. Plagues Of Babylon 02. Democide 03. The Culling 04. Among The Living Dead 05. Resistance 06. The End? 07. If I Could See You 08. Cthulhu 09. Peacemaker 10. Parasite 11. Spirit Of The Times 12. Highwayman Speaking to Metal4 magazine at the Rockharz open-air festival in Germany in July, Schaffer said about the upcoming CD: "It's a bit of a different thing for us, because it's half of a concept and the other half is [standalone] tracks. Musically, I think it's just another step in the right direction. It's really heavy, it's very melodic. It has a really epic feeling. Even though there isn't, like, a monster, long epic track, the overall feel of the songs is very epic. I mean, there's no 'Dante's Inferno' or 'Gettysburg' or the 'Something Wicked' trilogy or something like that on here, but I'm really happy with it." ICED EARTH recently parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons." He has since been replaced by Raphael Saini (CHAOSWAVE). ICED EARTH has been hitting it relentlessly, with the recent studio album, "Dystopia", being the most toured album in the band's illustrious history.