Iced Earth - New Album Details Revealed, Tour Dates Announced

Iced Earth - New Album Details Revealed, Tour Dates Announced

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July 29, 2011
US heavy/power metal act Iced Earth has revealed the artwork and tracklist for its upcoming album, Dystopia.

Dystopia is scheduled for release in Europe on October 17th, and in the U.S. on October 18th both via Century Media.



Frontman Jon Schaffer says: "I've always been fascinated by the darker side of life. Movies like Metropolis, Brazil, and The Matrix resonate with me. The same for albums like 2112, The Wall, and of course Operation:Mindcrime. Their images of a soulless, repressive society stuck with me over the years. It must be the sci-fi fan in me.

The opening song is a step back timeline-wise from the "Come What May" track. "Come What May" [the last track on Crucible] sets the scenario that it's up to us and the decisions we make that will determine the future of the human race. These two songs [on Dystopia] take place at a time when people are in highly controlled prison-like city states, and their eventual emancipation in the closer, "Tragedy And Triumph".

I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks in '97, the whole Something Wicked story did. I thought, "Man, this is going to be so cool." Many years later, we were on tour for Crucible and we were doing an interview over in Eastern Europe. A buddy of mine said, "You know, Jon, this whole Something Wicked thing could be true." I thought about it a moment and said, "Well, I don't know about that. But there are some creepy parallels in contemporary life."

So as I was thinking about all of the great movies, albums, and books with dystopian themes, I remembered that conversation and it occurred to me that the Something Wicked story could continue in a few tracks here very nicely.

You just can't ask for a better attitude. Stu is so excited to be here. He brings a youthful exuberance to the band, which is a lot of fun. And he's a real dude. He's down to earth, and willing to try anything that Jim [Morris, co-producer, engineer] or I throw at him. He's stepping into the shoes in a very natural way.

We're opening up a part of his voice and a style of singing that he didn't even really know he had. We're exploring this whole new range. And we're just getting started. I believe Stu will continue to grow - and has the potential to grow - into one of the greats, one of the guys that will go down in metal history. If he stays on this course, with the attitude that he has, his willingness to learn, and his passion, he's destined for really great things. I firmly believe that."

Dystopia tracklist:

01. Dystopia
02. Anthem
03. Days Of Rage
04. Soylent Green
05. V
06. Boiling Point
07. Anguish Of Youth
08. Iron Will
09. Dark City
10. End Of Innocence
11. Equilibrium
12. Tragedy And Triumph



In other news, Iced Earth will embark on a world tour taking off by the end of October through 2012. Get the tour dates below.

Tickets can be bought on their official page.

Dystopia World Tour 2011-2012 (More dates to be announced)

30.10 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
01.11 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Melkweg
02.11 - Uden, The Netherlands - De Pul
03.11 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
04.11 - London, UK - O2 Islington Academy
05.11 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Birmingham Academy
06.11 - Bristol, UK - O2 Bristol Academy
08.11 - Paris, France - Alhambra
09.11 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur
10.11 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1
11.11 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Heineken
12.11 - Bilbao, Spain - Rock Star Live
14.11 - Milano, Italy - Alcatraz
15.11 - Rome, Italy - Alpheus
18.11 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
19.11 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
20.11 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Principal Club
21.11 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Yubileina Hall
22.11 - Bucarest, Romania - The Silver Church
23.11 - Belgrade, Serbia - SKC
24.11 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
25.11 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Majestic Music Club
26.11 - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola
27.11 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
29.11 - Moscow, Russia - Tochka Club
01.12 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
03.12 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
04.12 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
06.12 - Herford, Germany - X
07.12 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik
08.12 - München, Germany - Backstage Wek
09.12 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Metal Festival
10.12 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
11.12 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
13.12 - Istanbul, Turkey - Refresh - The Venue

Comments

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Comments: 27 Visited by 255 users
JÄY
Metal slave

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29.07.2011 - 07:16
JÄY
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Haha still laughin at soylent green.....
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Fat & Sassy!
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29.07.2011 - 07:33
Fat & Sassy!
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I think I can safely say that almost EVERY track name on this one has probably been used by another band(s) before.
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29.07.2011 - 08:43

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Hmm, following Symphony X's cyberpunk/dystopian future theme?
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AXA

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29.07.2011 - 08:52
AXA

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Very very nice art work ... i like it
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Valentin B
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29.07.2011 - 08:58
Valentin B
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Going to buy my ticket just today. can't wait
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29.07.2011 - 09:01

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As always a good album cover
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psykometal
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29.07.2011 - 09:05
psykometal
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Cant wait to hear what they' have done with Stu Block holding the mic. I've been a huge fan of him ever since he joined Into Eternity and I have been excessively excited to hear him sing with Iced earth...
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Daniell
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29.07.2011 - 09:17
Daniell
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Assuming the general theme of the album, I'm sure some titles aren't accidental. Here's a few associations at first glance:

Soylent Green - probably based on a novel by Harry Harrison, or the movie that was made based on it.
V - V for Vendetta?
Equilibrium - the movie starring Christian Bale?
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Fat & Sassy!
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29.07.2011 - 09:41
Fat & Sassy!
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Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

Equilibrium - the movie starring Christian Bale?

OR WHAT THEY COULD HAVE DONE is base a song off Bale's best performance, American Psycho, and just, uh... cover Huey Lewis and The News' song, "Hip To Be Square". *grabs axe* Because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends; it's also a personal statement about the band itself! :3
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Daniell
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29.07.2011 - 09:50
Daniell
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Nice job, but I was pointing out song titles that suggest movies with a futuristic/totalitarian theme
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Fat & Sassy!
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29.07.2011 - 09:56
Fat & Sassy!
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Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:50

Nice job, but I was pointing out song titles that suggest movies with a futuristic/totalitarian theme

I know. Just being a goof! :F
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Daniell
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29.07.2011 - 10:14
Daniell
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Besides, "American Psycho" is a bad movie

Oh, the cover, like all IE covers is pure shitty kitsch. Bands release such abominations for a cover and then are surprised that they're not taken seriously. Puerile pictures from comic books for kindergarten kids can really be offputting. Luckily, I don't give a damn about album covers
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Fat & Sassy!
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29.07.2011 - 10:35
Fat & Sassy!
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HEY NOW. I love American Psycho. D:<

But yes, this album cover does blow balls. A lot of Iced Earth's album covers seem to try and look like classic Maiden covers but totally miss the mark in the end.
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29.07.2011 - 13:40

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THe Cover art looks inspired as always...!!! very coool...
as for the tracklist, well its familiar but still I have really High hopes for this one...
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Auntie Sahar
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29.07.2011 - 14:59
Auntie Sahar
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American tour please?
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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Enemy of Reality
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29.07.2011 - 16:36
Enemy of Reality
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Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

Assuming the general theme of the album, I'm sure some titles aren't accidental. Here's a few associations at first glance:

Soylent Green - probably based on a novel by Harry Harrison, or the movie that was made based on it.
V - V for Vendetta?
Equilibrium - the movie starring Christian Bale?

Theres also Dark City, directed by Alex Proyas.

I hope that 13/11 will be a date in Lisbon.
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29.07.2011 - 18:32

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Oh snap. That album art is so ugly it's not even funny. Hope the tunes still rock.
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Marcel Hubregtse
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29.07.2011 - 20:32
Marcel Hubregtse
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Written by Fat & Sassy! on 29.07.2011 at 10:35

HEY NOW. I love American Psycho. D:<

But yes, this album cover does blow balls. A lot of Iced Earth's album covers seem to try and look like classic Maiden covers but totally miss the mark in the end.

American Psycho is indeed a great movie, not as great as the book and not as dark but great nonetheless.
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29.07.2011 - 21:08

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Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

V - V for Vendetta?

V was a sci-fi series from the 80s(?) with reptilian aliens that took over the world.
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Marcel Hubregtse
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29.07.2011 - 21:13
Marcel Hubregtse
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Written by Ankläger on 29.07.2011 at 21:08

Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

V - V for Vendetta?

V was a sci-fi series from the 80s(?) with reptilian aliens that took over the world.

Yeah 80s, remember watching it religiously when it was on tv back in the day. The aliens took over the world and had power over all the water.
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Tage Westerlund

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29.07.2011 - 21:26
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Tage Westerlund

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Atenas 2 times .... no Sweden
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29.07.2011 - 21:53
Fat & Sassy!
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Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 29.07.2011 at 20:32

American Psycho is indeed a great movie, not as great as the book and not as dark but great nonetheless.

Not to drag things into off-topicness even more, but yeah. The book could have easily been turned into a mediocre slasher film, but wasn't. It was very tastefully done, which is why I like it so much.
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Daniell
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29.07.2011 - 22:52
Daniell
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Written by Ankläger on 29.07.2011 at 21:08

Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

V - V for Vendetta?

V was a sci-fi series from the 80s(?) with reptilian aliens that took over the world.

I meant the movie with Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. An anti-utopian vision of the near future.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/
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Marcel Hubregtse
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29.07.2011 - 23:28
Marcel Hubregtse
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Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 22:52

Written by Ankläger on 29.07.2011 at 21:08

Written by Daniell on 29.07.2011 at 09:17

V - V for Vendetta?

V was a sci-fi series from the 80s(?) with reptilian aliens that took over the world.

I meant the movie with Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. An anti-utopian vision of the near future.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/

I think the guy you posted is right and it is V as in the tv series from the 80s.
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Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
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Angelic Storm
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29.07.2011 - 23:41
Angelic Storm
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I dunno, but I'd rather it be about the 80's tv series V, and hope it is! I watched that show all the time when it was on, and Robert Englund (AKA Freddy Krueger) was the friendly, cute alien in it. lol Would be awesome if Jon has written a song about it. xD
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30.07.2011 - 06:34

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I like Iced Earth but their last few released haven't done it for me. I get the feeling like Jon is clinging to Something Wicked because it's recognized as one of their best, if not the very best, albums. The reception to him doing something different via The Glorious Burden was lukewarm so now he's just going back. You're not going to make another Something Wicked, Jon.

But I'm curious to how they'll sound with a new vocalist. Could be something they need.
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Marcel Hubregtse
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30.07.2011 - 13:28
Marcel Hubregtse
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Written by Angelic Storm on 29.07.2011 at 23:41

and Robert Englund (AKA Freddy Krueger) was the friendly, cute alien in it. lol Would be awesome if Jon has written a song about it. xD

Oh yeah he was, I had forgot all about that
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Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
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