Spevák Matt Barlow znova opúšta kapelu, dôvodom sú rodinné záväzky. Plánované európske turné by malo byť jeho posledné po boku ICED EARTH.
"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."
Band founder and leader Jon Schaffer reacted to his friend's decision with equal parts sadness and praise. Commented Schaffer: "I knew Matt wrestled with this for a long, long time. It wasn't an easy decision for him. But I love him dearly and I can't fault his reasons.
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 Schaffer 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."
Tagy:
PESTILENCE
MOHLO BY VÁS ZAJÍMAT
ICED EARTH - Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Pt. 1
- Louis
- 30. srpna 2007
DEMONS & WIZARDS - Touched By The Crimson King
- Louža
- 7. června 2005
ICED EARTH - Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Louis
- 30. března 2004
THE CURE: Songs Of A Lost World
Je to úplne posledný album THE CURE? Dôstojnejší odchod si neviem predstaviť. Spočiatku nenápadný album si ma postupne omotal melancholickou atmosférou. Hustý oblak hmly, z ktorej sa mi nechce hľadať cestu von. ,,Disintegration" pre toto desaťročie.
- Radicalcut
- před 4 hodinami
OPETH - The Last Will And Testament
Návrat niekam k "Ghost Reveries" so zvukom posledných albumov. Stávka na istotu, ktorá však za vrcholmi tvorby zaostáva. Navyše, mňa osobne rozprávač pri sústredenejšom posluchu tohto koncepčného albumu irituje.
- Radicalcut
- včera
DEFEATED SANITY - Chronicles Of Lunacy
V jisté BDM RPG hře vytváříte ultimátní postavu a její charakteristiky definujete následovně: Násilí: 100%, Technické skills: 100%, Skladatelská inteligence: 100%, Šarm: 100%, Oddanost 100%, Laskavost: 0%. Do kolonky "Jméno" pak vyplníte: DEFEATED SANITY.
- Reaper
- před 2 dny
LEPROUS - Melodies Of Atonement
Už poněkolikáté zní otázka stejně: Zničil Einar Solberg další desku jinak velice talentované kapely? Odpověď zní: Zase to zvládl. Jeho hlasový projev je jak chilli. Koření. Měl by se používat citem. Když se tam toho najebe hodně, nedá se to žrát.
- Shnoff
- před 2 dny
NACHTMYSTIUM - Blight Privilege
Hele, Blake Judd ještě žije. Enfant terrible (ale současně i schopný skladatel) US blacku je (znovu) zpět a tentokráte doručuje tradičněji pojatou kolekci. Šlape mu to dobře, tělo už má sice životem zhuntované, mysl však zůstává stále čerstvá.
- Reaper
- před 3 dny
THE CURE - Songs Of A Lost World
Návrat po šestnácti letech. Navíc víceméně autorská deska Roberta Smitha. Navazují na nejlepší kousky své diskografie a současně se zbytečně neopakují. Poslouchám to poslední dva týdny a moje dojmy stále rostou.
- RIP
- před 3 dny
BODY COUNT - Merciless
Bilanční a v rámci možností i moderní album zároveň. Typičtí BODY COUNT místy výrazně oživení působením hostů. Album sotva překvapí něčím neotřelým, ale dá se mu odolávat jen do prvního výkřiku "madafaká". Pak už je to zase všechno zpátky v 90's.
- Dalas
- před 3 dny
DISKUSE A HODNOCENÍ
SPIDER GOD - Possess the Devil
- kannibal28
- včera
TIME LURKER - Emprise
- kannibal28
- včera
EMPIRES OF EDEN - Guardians Of Time
- kannibal28
- včera
SYNTHWAILER - Cruciform
- kannibal28
- včera
GLADIATOR II - Když nostalgie nestačí
- dzuso
- včera
MONOLITHE - Black Hole District
- kannibal28
- včera
THE MOSAIC WINDOW - Hemasanctum
- kannibal28
- včera