ICED EARTH NAMES NEW VOCALIST, ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN LEG OF MASSIVE WORLD TOUR

[PurpleCrayonWriter]

Hi guys!

Jon just named the new lead singer for Iced Earth. The band has also released the dates for the European leg of their upcoming world tour. The tour is huge, the largest the band has ever undertaken -- including a gig in Moscow!

Here's the news...



GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (USA) – In the wake of vocalist Matt Barlow’s retirement, dozens of demos and resumes flooded Iced Earth’s management team. But one name kept popping up – Into Eternity vocalist Stu Block, who has been named the new lead singer for Iced Earth.

According to Schaffer, Robert Kampf, CEO of Century Media, early on suggested Block, whose band Into Eternity was previously on the CM label. That reminded Schaffer of one night in September, 2008, when Into Eternity opened for Iced Earth.

“Iced Earth was backstage waiting to go on,” said Schaffer. “We heard one of Stu’s incredible wails. I remember turning to Matt and saying, ‘Damn, that dude has serious range.’”

So while Iced Earth’s management team sifted through the growing number of prospective vocalists, Schaffer got in touch with Block.

After several phone conversations with the then-prospective Iced Earth vocalist, Schaffer asked his manager to e-mail Block several key Iced Earth songs, with the vocals stripped. Block went into his studio and recorded himself singing, then sent the files back to the team.

The result landed Block an intense two days at Schaffer’s studio where the two musicians hit it off.

“I felt a lot of chemistry between us, we knocked out a couple of great original pieces of music in no time” said Schaffer. “He’s very good at coming up with catchy melodies, and will help with lyrical duties as well. There’s no doubt Stu has an amazing vocal range and a lot of energy, but he also has the touring experience, which is a big plus for our plans of performing in all corners of the world.”

In addition, Schaffer said Block has what Iced Earth needs in a front man: “stage presence that includes high energy, passion, and focused rage.”

“Stu is charismatic and understands the depth and varying emotions in Iced Earth’s music,” said Schaffer. “So he will embody not only the emotion of our songs, but he will be able to perform them in a dynamic way. I believe fans are in for some incredible records and live shows in the coming years.”

New Iced Earth vocalist Stu Block concurs: “Iced Earth fans are wonderful, wonderful people,” he said. “The music is so passionate. So they’re passionate, and very loyal to the band. I am, too. I’m a huge fan of Iced Earth myself. So I share that same passion, and I will show it on stage. I think the fans are really going to dig it.”

Block continues: “It’s a huge honor to be doing this, to be part of this team,” he said. “It’s a dream come true, for sure.”

Schaffer is totally stoked. “This is a new beginning,” he said. “It’s game-on time. Iced Earth is going to record and tour like it never has before. The band is really amped-up and ready to hit the ground running in November.”

And to prove it, Iced Earth has released the European leg of a world tour that will take the band to countries it has never previously played. All told, the 2011-2012 Iced Earth world tour will be the largest the band has undertaken since its inception.



ICED EARTH 2011 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES


01.11.2011 NL Amsterdam Melkweg
02.11.2011 NL Uden De Pul
03.11.2011 BEL Antwerp Trix
04.11.2011 GBR London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
05.11.2011 GBR Birmingham O2 Academy
06.11.2011 GBR Bristol O2 Academy
07.11.2011 day off
08.11.2011 FRA Paris Elysée Montmartre
09.11.2011 FRA Lyon Transbordeur
10.11.2011 ESP Barcelona Salamandra 1
11.11.2011 ESP Madrid Sala Heineken
12.11.2011 ESP Bilbao Rock Star Live
13.11.2011 day off
14.11.2011 ITA Milano Alcatraz
15.11.2011 ITA Rome Alpheus
16.11.2011 day off
17.11.2011 day off
18.11.2011 GRE Athens Gagarin 205
19.11.2011 GRE Athens Gagarin 205
20.11.2011 GRE Thessaloniki Principal Club
21.11.2011 BUL Sofia Yubileina Hall
22.11.2011 ROM Bucarest The Silver Church
23.11.2011 SER Belgrade SKC
24.11.2011 HUN Budapest Club 202
25.11.2011 SVK Bratislava Majestic Music Club
26.11.2011 POL Warsaw Stodola
27.11.2011 LTU Vilnius Forum Palace
28.11.2011 day off
29.11.2011 RUS Moscow Milk
30.11.2011 day off
01.12.2011 FIN Helsinki Nosturi
02.12.2011 day off
03.12.2011 DEN Copenhagen The Rock
04.12.2011 GER Hamburg Markthalle
05.12.2011 day off
06.12.2011 GER Herford X
07.12.2011 GER Köln Essigfabrik
08.12.2011 GER München Backstage Werk
09.12.2011 GER Geiselwind Christmas Metal Festival
10.12.2011 SWI Pratteln Z7
11.12.2011 GER Ludwigsburg Rockfabrik

For all of these dates, Iced Earth will be offering a very limited number of fans the opportunity to attend the show as the band’s guest VIPs.

Fans who purchase a VIP package from www.icedearth.com will receive the following:

A General Admission Ticket
VIP Meet And Greet with Iced Earth
Autographed Tour Poster
Limited Edition Iced Earth Sticker Set
Limited Edition Iced Earth T-Shirt
VIP Commemorative Laminate

The VIP packages are very limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis via the Iced Earth website.

VIP package sales via www.icedearth.com will be available starting March 21.

Regular tickets sales via all outlets will begin on March 21 and will be subject to local service fees.

To learn more about the tour and how to purchase the VIP package and tickets for the shows below, visit the official Iced Earth website at www.icedearth.com.

Additional dates will be announced on the official Iced Earth web site, as well as on all official social media.

The band recently announced a new summer festival date: Dong Open Air in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany, on July 15th.

With the Dong Open Air date confirmed, Iced Earth will play a total of six summer festivals, including: Wacken, Graspop, Rock am Härtsfeldsee, Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland on July 16th, and the Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th in Sölvesborg, Sweden.

NOTE: Retired Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow will perform with the band on all summer festival dates. New vocalist Stu Block will take over from there, starting with the European leg of Iced Earth’s world tour.

The band’s long-awaited 6-hour, three-concert live DVD Festivals of the Wicked is scheduled for release this spring.

 

[Cheiron]

Well they got a guy who certainly is used to touring a lot. I don't recall much about the singer though, I haven't listened to Into Eternity in a while...

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

I can definitely see this working. His vocals should work very well with Jon's writing.

However..... I really hope Jon finds some fresh inspiration, as I thought both SWtWC albums were rather weak all considered. If the new blood brings out another "Glorious Burden" form his system I'll be thrilled!

 

[Mardoch]

Hmm. Not what I was thinking at all. I guess I'll have to see how it all sounds together before I can say anything.

 

[Narcosynthesys68]

This just might work... Let's hope!

 

[AngraRULES]

Holy fucking shit!!!!! Stu in Iced Earth!!

 

[Yippee38]

I don't remember his vocals at all either (mostly because I could never sit through very many of their songs). However, it sounds like Jon is excited. That's good. Maybe Stu will bring some inspiration to Jon and the new music will be better than the most recent stuff.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

I'm not quite hearing it in my head .. not sure how this is going to work out. I only know of Stu's work from Into Eternity and it doesn't seem like a match for Iced Earth material. I take the guy has a little chameleon in him.



Britt

 

[randomnumber46]

Looking forward to seeing how Stu's vocal style is gonna fit with Iced earth, he certainly can handle the high notes! I think he will fit in great with the new album if it is 'back to basics' as Jon says it wll be

 

[Corsair]

I could see this working if they play a lot Stormrider material, and if they record new material with him, return to that style somewhat.

I wouldn't complain at all.

 

[General Zod]

I always though Stu was a bit amateurish as a front man. Perhaps he's grown since I've seen him last. I enjoy his studio work. I'm taking a wait and see approach.

 

[Iced Earth 2012]

HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stu has a lot of clean vocal range and he is going to add a whole new dimension to Iced Earth. This new album is going to absolutely kick ass!!! From this moment on the metal world is on notice ICED EARTH IS COMING!!!

 

[Dustro25]

Woah! Go for it Stu! Should be interesting..

 

[Stingray11214]

I always though Stu was a bit amateurish as a front man. Perhaps he's grown since I've seen him last. I enjoy his studio work. I'm taking a wait and see approach.

Live he is not the greatest, but Jon will give him the discipline that he needs in fronting the band, something one feels he never had in Into Eternity. This is going to be a very nice partnership.

 

[Jasonic]

HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stu has a lot of clean vocal range and he is going to add a whole new dimension to Iced Earth. This new album is going to absolutely kick ass!!! From this moment on the metal world is on notice ICED EARTH IS COMING!!!

Wow, can someone say "street team" member....

 

[General Zod]

Live he is not the greatest, but Jon will give him the discipline that he needs in fronting the band, something one feels he never had in Into Eternity. This is going to be a very nice partnership.

You ma be right. There's something about him that would suggest he's a diamond in the rough. Seems that he has a world of talent. Still, replacing Barlow AND Ripper... and needing to handle both eras? I'm not sure any singer has ever had a tougher task in front of them.

 

[Justin G]

Wow, can someone say "street team" member....

Yep, I'm surprised there's only one so far. When the OP posted the last press release we saw at least 4-5.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

I love this combination!

 

[AMBR]

Well, well, well. WTG Stu!

Live he is not the greatest, but Jon will give him the discipline that he needs in fronting the band, something one feels he never had in Into Eternity. This is going to be a very nice partnership.

I was impressed with his range right off the bat, but have to agree he definitely seemed rough around the edges and kind of all over the place in IE. Wasn't happy with their last couple of performances though that had more to do with a very fractured sound and performance than the vocals. He seemed to be working too hard to pull it all together.

I agree, with the discipline of a strongly established and mature band, he could really shine. Looking forward to seeing how this works out.

 

[ZaneF2010]

I am definantely excited about this! I think Stu will nail the older songs very well.