Attention all Iced Earth fans!

Matt Barlow's final show with Iced Earth is going to be streamed live tomorrow from the Wacken festival, at this location: http://www.ndr.de/unterhaltung/musik_konzerte/wacken/livestream/index.html

Can't wait for this! It will be a bit sad too though...

Holy shit. I have to watch that show. I'm too lazy to look up which time they'll go on stage.. anyone? ^^

17:30 CET it seems.

Just finished watching Matt's last show, and I was in tears when Jon announced before "Iced Earth" that it would be his final show. lol Matt signed off in style though! xD

Now we need to wait and see what the new Iced Earth will be like... xD

Written by Angelic Storm on 06.08.2011 at 19:47

Just finished watching Matt's last show, and I was in tears when Jon announced before "Iced Earth" that it would be his final show. lol Matt signed off in style though! xD

Now we need to wait and see what the new Iced Earth will be like... xD

That must have been quite a moment and show in general...knowing it was Matt's last.

Written by MetalSpider on 06.08.2011 at 23:35
That must have been quite a moment and show in general...knowing it was Matt's last.

It definitely was one of those unforgettable live moments... Jon said a speech, and thanked Matt for all the years they'd shared in the band together. Then he got the whole crowd to chant "Barlow! Barlow!", and you could see that Matt was struggling to hold back the tears. lol Freddie Vidales put on a "Matt F***ing Barlow!" t-shirt, and then Matt sang "Iced Earth" for the final time as good as I've ever heard him sing it! \m/ Then at the end, he hugged the whole band, while practically the whole crowd was chanting for him and they kept doing it as he walked off stage. It was a very moving moment, and I definitely got caught up in the emotion of it all. xD

Written by Angelic Storm on 07.08.2011 at 00:14

Written by MetalSpider on 06.08.2011 at 23:35
That must have been quite a moment and show in general...knowing it was Matt's last.

It definitely was one of those unforgettable live moments... Jon said a speech, and thanked Matt for all the years they'd shared in the band together. Then he got the whole crowd to chant "Barlow! Barlow!", and you could see that Matt was struggling to hold back the tears. lol Freddie Vidales put on a "Matt F***ing Barlow!" t-shirt, and then Matt sang "Iced Earth" for the final time as good as I've ever heard him sing it! \m/ Then at the end, he hugged the whole band, while practically the whole crowd was chanting for him and they kept doing it as he walked off stage. It was a very moving moment, and I definitely got caught up in the emotion of it all. xD

Damn! I wish I was there! lol.

Written by MetalSpider on 07.08.2011 at 00:54
Damn! I wish I was there! lol.

Hehe, me too! Im glad I got to see it at all though, cos I only realised about the stream 3 days ago!

Saw like 20 minutes of the wacken show on streamed channel and I havn't really heard much of them before but I must say that the music had some really great tunes. So which album should I start with? Since I saw that their earlier works has good rating here. Maybe start with "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ? I'm thinking of getting their latest live-dvd also. Has anyone here watch it yet?

Written by FeskarN on 07.08.2011 at 13:28

Saw like 20 minutes of the wacken show on streamed channel and I havn't really heard much of them before but I must say that the music had some really great tunes. So which album should I start with? Since I saw that their earlier works has good rating here. Maybe start with "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ? I'm thinking of getting their latest live-dvd also. Has anyone here watch it yet?

I haven't got the latest DVD yet, no.. The first Iced Earth album I heard and bought was actually the 3 cd live album "Alive In Athens", which would be a great starting point. xD If you're going to start with a studio album though, Something Wicked is a very good choice! It's a great album with no filler, and is a bit more accessible than older albums like "Night Of The Stormrider" and "Burnt Offerings". (which are both amazing by the way!)

Written by Angelic Storm on 07.08.2011 at 13:36

Written by FeskarN on 07.08.2011 at 13:28

Saw like 20 minutes of the wacken show on streamed channel and I havn't really heard much of them before but I must say that the music had some really great tunes. So which album should I start with? Since I saw that their earlier works has good rating here. Maybe start with "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ? I'm thinking of getting their latest live-dvd also. Has anyone here watch it yet?

I haven't got the latest DVD yet, no.. The first Iced Earth album I heard and bought was actually the 3 cd live album "Alive In Athens", which would be a great starting point. xD If you're going to start with a studio album though, Something Wicked is a very good choice! It's a great album with no filler, and is a bit more accessible than older albums like "Night Of The Stormrider" and "Burnt Offerings". (which are both amazing by the way!)

Thx for the info!

Written by Angelic Storm on 07.08.2011 at 13:36

Written by FeskarN on 07.08.2011 at 13:28

Saw like 20 minutes of the wacken show on streamed channel and I havn't really heard much of them before but I must say that the music had some really great tunes. So which album should I start with? Since I saw that their earlier works has good rating here. Maybe start with "Something Wicked This Way Comes" ? I'm thinking of getting their latest live-dvd also. Has anyone here watch it yet?

The first Iced Earth album I heard and bought was actually the 3 cd live album "Alive In Athens", which would be a great starting point.

I second the recommendation.

The show was also broadcasted on German TV. Some guy recorded it and put the entire thing on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z90wWEOmp_A

I think they played here a few days ago and I missed them...

Definitely gonna watch the recording of the live stream. i also saw the bit where he bids his final farewell, it really shows how emotional the whole moment was when an ex metal singer / cop can cry like that with at least 40.000 fans screaming your name.

i'm pretty sure they'll reunite in the future though. you've seen it with every other band that lost an iconic member, like Scorpions (Michael Schenker), Sabbath (Ozzy), etc.


edit: watched the recording, imo it's a really good concert, the performance (especially by Barlow, obviously) is spectacular, but the setlist was criminally lacking (no "Watching Over Me"? one of Iced Earth's most well-known songs and certainly their best sing-along by far), and the whole feel was kinda anti-climactic: instead of headlining and closing the festival as they deserved to, they played a one hour set during the day. and that deserved place was taken by none other than the boring, flowery Avantasia instead of real heavy metal.

I second the 'Alive in Athens' and 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' as starting points. SWTWC is, as been said, their most accessible album that has a good balance between heavy and the softer style. From that album you can tell what you like/dislike more and get an idea of what albums to check out next. AiA has a varied set of material up to that time and is a fantastic performance. Again it will give an idea of what to check out next. Anything released after those two albums however I kind of see as an acquired taste, but I do recommend 'Horror Show' for those into 'Thrashy' Power Metal.

I'm incredibly excited for the upcoming album with new vocalist Stu Block. Barlow is one of my favorite vocalists of all time but from what I've heard of Block he seems quite competent at not only Barlows style but also Rippers, along with having his own style to bring something new to the band. My real concern is the music as I'm not a huge fan of anything they've done since Horror Show...

Written by Silent Jay on 24.08.2011 at 15:48



I'm incredibly excited for the upcoming album with new vocalist Stu Block. My real concern is the music as I'm not a huge fan of anything they've done since Horror Show...

put me down for that, too

Written by Valentin B on 18.08.2011 at 17:51
edit: watched the recording, imo it's a really good concert, the performance (especially by Barlow, obviously) is spectacular, but the setlist was criminally lacking (no "Watching Over Me"? one of Iced Earth's most well-known songs and certainly their best sing-along by far), and the whole feel was kinda anti-climactic: instead of headlining and closing the festival as they deserved to, they played a one hour set during the day. and that deserved place was taken by none other than the boring, flowery Avantasia instead of real heavy metal.

I do completely agree that Iced Earth should have headlined and closed the show... which would have meant a longer show, (a headlining show surely would have included "Watching Over Me") and a more fitting send off for Matt. It was a very special, emotional moment when Jon announced Matt's exit, and it deserved a more special atmosphere...

Without Barlow, Iced Earth better get the Ripper back, because I quite honestly won't accept any other substitute.

To be completely honest, The Glourious Burden was the last album Iced Earth put out that didn't seem just messy or sub-par, and even THAT album was far from what Iced Earth was truly capable of.

And what the fuck is with Stu Block taking his place? His clean crap and growling works... decently... with Into Eternity, but neither sounds even close to Iced Earth. I'm worried for where the band is heading now.

Finally got around to playing Declaration Day (one of my favorite IE songs, and by far one of the easiest) on guitar

This band should split, or at least change name. I don't see the reason why Schaffer keeps the band ongoing under unchanged flag. The spirit would be doubtfully untouched, therefore there will be no Iced Earth as we know, there will be another Schaffer "ooo ooo ooo" band with some none wide recognalizable vocalist.

Written by KMR on 06.09.2011 at 00:15

This band should split, or at least change name. I don't see the reason why Schaffer keeps the band ongoing under unchanged flag. The spirit would be doubtfully untouched, therefore there will be no Iced Earth as we know, there will be another Schaffer "ooo ooo ooo" band with some none wide recognalizable vocalist.

What do you mean? Schaffer is the heart of the band. The band has had line up changes throughout it's entire history.

The only Iced Earth albums i really never got into have been the last two. They were just too damn boring compared to anything else - there were great songs, but i could never listen to an album through. I know most people would include The Glorious Burden too as being a weak album, but i love it. The only really weak songs i find on it are When the Eagle Cries and Hollow Man.

If i were to suggest an album to listen to if getting into the band it would be Horror Show. Something Wicked is a good choice too. I also recommend the first album BUT i am one of the few who actually love Adams sucky vocals!

Holy goddamned monkeys masturbating on the roof! the guys have re-recorded Dante's Inferno and will play it live in every concert on the next tour!!

Written by Valentin B on 07.09.2011 at 20:09

Holy goddamned monkeys masturbating on the roof! the guys have re-recorded Dante's Inferno and will play it live in every concert on the next tour!!

Woah! Thanx for the info Vali! Just starting to listen to it now! Now we'll finally find out if Stu's vocals will fit with Iced Earth! xD

Written by Valentin B on 07.09.2011 at 20:09

Holy goddamned monkeys masturbating on the roof! the guys have re-recorded Dante's Inferno and will play it live in every concert on the next tour!!

Another way to see it would be: they are trying to cash in on their old glory.

I really hope the new album will be decent.

Okies, I've just finished listening to it... the first thing is, I'm glad Jon this time decided to re-record the song in it's original tuning, and play all the riffs properly. Unlike when he re-recorded the Something Wicked trilogy, which sounded awful! (and not because of Ripper's vocals)

As for Stu Block... I feel his cleans lack the character of Matt at his best, they're missing that little bit of soul that made Matt's performance on the original so magical. His harsher vocals fit quite well, without descending into death vocals, which might not have fitted. I think I will listen to the new album in full before delivering my final verdict on his vocals with Iced Earth... Jon could certainly have made a far worse choice for vocalist, that's for sure. I'll leave it at that for now... lol xD

Written by Daniell on 07.09.2011 at 20:49

Another way to see it would be: they are trying to cash in their old glory.

I really hope the new album will be decent.

That recording is free of charge though

There's a reviewer on a big Finnish metal site saying "Dystopia" is the best Iced Earth album... sounds like it won't be terrible

Written by Risto on 07.09.2011 at 21:24
There's a reviewer on a big Finnish metal site saying "Dystopia" is the best Iced Earth album... sounds like it won't be terrible

I would be absolutely amazed if "Dystopia" turns out to be the best Iced Earth album... Especially when the last album wasn't very good at all. Then again, Anthrax far surpassed my expectations with their latest album, so we'll see... lol

Written by Angelic Storm on 07.09.2011 at 21:36

I would be absolutely amazed if "Dystopia" turns out to be the best Iced Earth album... Especially when the last album wasn't very good at all. Then again, Anthrax far surpassed my expectations with their latest album, so we'll see... lol

I don't doubt Schaffer's ability to churn out mindblowing and very catchy and heavy, complex songs, but i doubt this can top Night of the Stormrider or Burnt Offerings. I also find the new Anthrax (at least the songs i've listened to so far) way too fluffy and "safe".