Matt Barlow is back in Iced Earth!

[Nuclear Vampire]

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!"




I feel sorry for Tim though. Great singer and that's twice he's been canned from big groups so a former singer who quit could get their old spot back.

[Spivonious]

Tim does get tossed around a bit, but IMO Barlow is Iced Earth. Fantastic news!

[NextInLine]

I wonder what Tim will do now, I'd like to see him back in Priest and Halford solo again..

[pott]

Fuck yeah!! I didn't mind Tim at all but Matt was there for what I think is the better stuff.

[MartinBarre]

How odd. Tim was clearly a better singer than Barlow (who says "uh" at the end of every line).
Good though, I don't like Iced Earth's albums with Tim, so maybe he can get working on Beyond Fear again.

[pagemalicious]

I heard about it this morning and I'm pretty excited about it. Jon and Matt ARE Iced Earth. Tim Owens was good, but he's no Matt Barlow.

[iced_earth]

This made my day.

[MartinBarre]

It doesn't unnerve you when you hear Matt Barlow saying "uh" or "ah" at the end of every line he sings? Put on "Burning Times", or, even worse, "Disciples of the Lie", the studio versions and tell me that's not silly. Great songs, but for fuck sake finish a sentence without saying "ah".

[Freyr]

Oh my fuck. This made my night for sure. Barlow is awesome

[horns666]

How odd. Tim was clearly a better singer than Barlow (who says "uh" at the end of every line).
Good though, I don't like Iced Earth's albums with Tim, so maybe he can get working on Beyond Fear again.

Well Tim is a cool dude and singer. In all honesty, he is a one trick pony IMO. He's a screamer..that's pretty much it. He can do that VERY well...but he screams more than Zakk pings.

Matt is a very dynamic and soulful singer with alot of power. Tim is "pitchy" and his range is somewhat limited. I've seen him on some very good and bad nights.

John C of Beyond Fear is also in Ringworm with my singer/bud's drummer. I know they are working on material as we speak. I went to visit him at work and he took time off to work on that. He'll prolly snag my singer in the process..I know he really wants to..

Tim is a good dude and I hope the best for him, he'll do well I'm sure. BUT, Matt Barlow is and always will be one half of Iced Earth..just as Dave is w/ VH..Rob in Preist ..Bruce in Maiden and so on.

Bill Z

[Inearthed]

It doesn't unnerve you when you hear Matt Barlow saying "uh" or "ah" at the end of every line he sings? Put on "Burning Times", or, even worse, "Disciples of the Lie", the studio versions and tell me that's not silly. Great songs, but for fuck sake finish a sentence without saying "ah".

Barlow throws that in there to get a bit more grit / aggression, I think.

You know what is truly unnerving? Hearing Owens butcher all the old material in a live setting. His performance on the material from the albums that he appeared on was very solid (but I don't like those songs). He had zero concept of dynamics in that sense. His Halford screams were great. But honestly, his work on the mellow Iced Earth parts was really disappointing. He just can't sing in a passionate fashion unless its the balls out aggressive type of passion. I remember when I saw them play "Dracula" with Owens and he sounded like Arnold Schwarzenegger for the first 1:40 of the song!

It'll also be nice to see someone with some stage presence fronting the band again. Owens did a lot of standing there / lifting the fist in the air / walking to the side of the stage to spray some vocal ease and not much else.

Owens needs to focus on a band that is created around HIM, as opposed to stepping into a the shoes of a previous vocalist. I've not heard Beyond Fear that much. I also heard that he was good on the Wintersbane debut, but I've not heard that either.

[NextInLine]

I think Beyond Fear is a mediocre band, nothing original or special

[lerxstcat]

I hope this didn't happen in a manner where Tim got harshly fucked. I know the IE fans are thrilled, but it will be interesting to see how long Barlow stays.

I'm sure Shaffer promised the moon, but will he try to dance around and renege on some promises? Remember that Shaffer was happy to let his own sister and her kid starve rather than pay her husband (Matt) a livable wage to be in the band, much less actually share real ownership of the band. Matt left hoping to join Homeland Security, but he also said outright that he couldn't live on what Jon paid him.

I guess we'll see what happens. I personally think Jon Shaffer lacks integrity, his statement really disses Owens with a backhand compliment. IE would not have survived the past couple of years without Tim.

However, I do hope that this gives Tim motivation to push his own career in his own right.

Someoine at Metal Sludge made a joke about $cott Ian tripping over his own feet running to the telephone - I assume to try and get Owens, and then to fire "Danthrax" who they just hired!

[Rsmacker]

Gary Barlow is back in Take That!!!!


Ken Barlow is still in Coronation St.!!!

[DarkSaga]

Fuck Yeah

My prayers have been answered. I was sooooo devastated when Barlow left ....... he is one of my favorite metal singers and has an absolutely killer voice IMO. I can't wait to catch them on tour so I can see them live for the first time and not have Owens butcher all of the older Iced Earth songs that I love. Man, I am now even more pumped up about the next IE album! It is going to own!