Its late March and ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer originally planned to be putting the finishing touch on the second instalment of his Set Abominae saga. However, the much publicized return of singer Matt Barlow (already beholden to Danish prog metallers PYRAMAZE), finding a new bassist and a managerial restructuring have conspired to delay the project even further. So this visit to Tampas Morrisound studio results only in the final mix for the I Walk Alone single, backed by Barlows interpretation of three cuts from Framing Armageddon, the initial part of Schaffers Herculean effort.
In the wake of Schaffers single-minded vision, the body count has mounted, replacing every band position (at least once) since commencing the project. The ultimate prize remains a work in progress, the guitarist yet to complete lyrics to four songs. Might the whole situation be some sort of Ahab questing for the white whale scenario? Im staying the course, to use an old naval term, denying the comparison. Those things are (undoubtedly) a distraction. Of course it would be better not to have to deal with those things, but I havent gone mad yet, jests Schaffer.
In addition to the single, theres Setian Massacre, A Charge To Keep and The Clouding, undeniably the finest composition of Part 1. All retain the original musical performances but have been remixed, now featuring Barlow on vocals. That was Matts decision, says the mainman of which tracks were selected. I asked him which ones he felt comfortable tackling, given the short amount of time. He had the Pyramaze recording, besides his career and family, as well as starting work on (Revelation Abomination) Part Two. Matts already written a couple of songs, lyrically, for Part Two and hes going to do one more. Hes been busy. This is a single and it will help us get a jump on the next part. I dont have filler tracks. I dont have anything I can make exclusive to the single, that wont appear anywhere else.
Schaffer hints at the renewed importance Barlow will bring, not only to fans and the band, but the guitarist. It probably wont be that long before we start another record and Matt will be involved. This is our last record for the SPV deal. Well probably resign with them, but who knows. The reality is, Ive written a lot of songs and pretty much said what I have to say. Matts always been a great lyricist, whether it was my concept for a song, or ours together, once theres some direction, hes good at doing the research and getting it into form. Hell be more involved in writing lyrics in the future, after this, because this is sort of my lifes work. Ill still be involved with the music and lyrics, but probably only four or five songs a record, instead of 90%. I just dont see the need to do that anymore.
Dont think that Iced Earth is going into retirement. Were actually able to do more shows than people expect. When we announced this, people were like, Theyll do two or three festivals a year. That was never the plan. The cool thing about Matts schedule is that were able to do more, we just have to restructure how we do it. When we tour North America, it will have to be in sections. Im probably going to buy a mobile home and have local crew from Indy. That way we can just jump in it and go, do regions at a time. Instead of touring the States in seven or eight weeks, it might take four or five (sporadic) months. If its planned ahead, it will work. Even main markets in Europe, in pieces. Matts schedule is four days on-four days off and when he takes vacation time, it applies to his shift. So a couple of weeks can turn into a significant amount of time. For Australia, which is going to happen, we to use vacation time. We just have to plan it. I would rather end Iced Earth, rather than go on without Matt. Thats where I was at. It just didnt feel right. So for me, to work around Matts schedule is no big deal.
The rejuvenated Iced Earth will be unveiled May 2nd, at Powerfest, in Chicago. Well probably just play the new single (I Walk Alone), says Schaffer of newbies in the set. I dont like hitting the fans with too much new (unreleased) stuff. Its sort of kills the vibe of the show. Especially with Matt coming back, were focusing on a little bit of Stormrider (not much), The Dark Saga, Something Wicked and some Horrorshow stuff. Asked about Framing Armageddon tunes, he adds, Well have to kick it around in rehearsal. Setian Massacre was always killer to do live. 10,000 Strong, probably, but I dont know about Charge. Depends on the length of the show. Not that its a slow song, but its more ballad-like. I dont want to do too many of those songs if were doing 45 minutes. Well do Melancholy and Watching Over Me and the rest will be balls out! We have several shows throughout the summer and were booking two weeks of dates around the ProgPower festival. As of now, we have about 30 shows in the can.
Some of those dates will make their way onto the long talked about DVD. The DVD is part of our deal with SPV, confirms the guitarist. Were kicking around ideas. Well be compiling footage, filming some of the festivals throughout the summer. We might end up doing a one-off show, after Christmas, its all being discussed now, but the DVD will be filmed in this calendar year.
So what does the new single/material sound like? Based on one listen:
I Walk Alone: Interesting effect to start, with Barlow almost in spoken word delivery. A meandering, mid-tempo number ultimately unleashing short blasts of the Barlow baritone bellow. The recurrent Set theme, inherent throughout part one, is evident here as well. Mankinds dishonesty lays them to waste. I am the truth I walk alone.
Setian Massacre: Due to Matts lower register (and remix?) highlights different musical aspects than the version with Ripper. Barlows voice being closer to bass/drums, whereas Tim accents the guitar.
A Charge To Keep: No doubt a major overhaul. Matts emotion was always best on the slower ballady to mid-tempo numbers, where theres more room to breathe (see Melancholy/parts of I Died For You).
The Clouding: Will have to listen to this one again. As my favourite off part 1, the dichotomy within this song has a greater initial impact with Tims voice. As a higher voice, when it kicks in to the faster, heavier, more sinister second half, a starker difference. You can feel Matts emotion on the bluesy first half and he sounds positively diabolical towards the conclusion.
Cant wait to hear it all live!
In the wake of Schaffers single-minded vision, the body count has mounted, replacing every band position (at least once) since commencing the project. The ultimate prize remains a work in progress, the guitarist yet to complete lyrics to four songs. Might the whole situation be some sort of Ahab questing for the white whale scenario? Im staying the course, to use an old naval term, denying the comparison. Those things are (undoubtedly) a distraction. Of course it would be better not to have to deal with those things, but I havent gone mad yet, jests Schaffer.
In addition to the single, theres Setian Massacre, A Charge To Keep and The Clouding, undeniably the finest composition of Part 1. All retain the original musical performances but have been remixed, now featuring Barlow on vocals. That was Matts decision, says the mainman of which tracks were selected. I asked him which ones he felt comfortable tackling, given the short amount of time. He had the Pyramaze recording, besides his career and family, as well as starting work on (Revelation Abomination) Part Two. Matts already written a couple of songs, lyrically, for Part Two and hes going to do one more. Hes been busy. This is a single and it will help us get a jump on the next part. I dont have filler tracks. I dont have anything I can make exclusive to the single, that wont appear anywhere else.
Schaffer hints at the renewed importance Barlow will bring, not only to fans and the band, but the guitarist. It probably wont be that long before we start another record and Matt will be involved. This is our last record for the SPV deal. Well probably resign with them, but who knows. The reality is, Ive written a lot of songs and pretty much said what I have to say. Matts always been a great lyricist, whether it was my concept for a song, or ours together, once theres some direction, hes good at doing the research and getting it into form. Hell be more involved in writing lyrics in the future, after this, because this is sort of my lifes work. Ill still be involved with the music and lyrics, but probably only four or five songs a record, instead of 90%. I just dont see the need to do that anymore.
Dont think that Iced Earth is going into retirement. Were actually able to do more shows than people expect. When we announced this, people were like, Theyll do two or three festivals a year. That was never the plan. The cool thing about Matts schedule is that were able to do more, we just have to restructure how we do it. When we tour North America, it will have to be in sections. Im probably going to buy a mobile home and have local crew from Indy. That way we can just jump in it and go, do regions at a time. Instead of touring the States in seven or eight weeks, it might take four or five (sporadic) months. If its planned ahead, it will work. Even main markets in Europe, in pieces. Matts schedule is four days on-four days off and when he takes vacation time, it applies to his shift. So a couple of weeks can turn into a significant amount of time. For Australia, which is going to happen, we to use vacation time. We just have to plan it. I would rather end Iced Earth, rather than go on without Matt. Thats where I was at. It just didnt feel right. So for me, to work around Matts schedule is no big deal.
The rejuvenated Iced Earth will be unveiled May 2nd, at Powerfest, in Chicago. Well probably just play the new single (I Walk Alone), says Schaffer of newbies in the set. I dont like hitting the fans with too much new (unreleased) stuff. Its sort of kills the vibe of the show. Especially with Matt coming back, were focusing on a little bit of Stormrider (not much), The Dark Saga, Something Wicked and some Horrorshow stuff. Asked about Framing Armageddon tunes, he adds, Well have to kick it around in rehearsal. Setian Massacre was always killer to do live. 10,000 Strong, probably, but I dont know about Charge. Depends on the length of the show. Not that its a slow song, but its more ballad-like. I dont want to do too many of those songs if were doing 45 minutes. Well do Melancholy and Watching Over Me and the rest will be balls out! We have several shows throughout the summer and were booking two weeks of dates around the ProgPower festival. As of now, we have about 30 shows in the can.
Some of those dates will make their way onto the long talked about DVD. The DVD is part of our deal with SPV, confirms the guitarist. Were kicking around ideas. Well be compiling footage, filming some of the festivals throughout the summer. We might end up doing a one-off show, after Christmas, its all being discussed now, but the DVD will be filmed in this calendar year.
So what does the new single/material sound like? Based on one listen:
I Walk Alone: Interesting effect to start, with Barlow almost in spoken word delivery. A meandering, mid-tempo number ultimately unleashing short blasts of the Barlow baritone bellow. The recurrent Set theme, inherent throughout part one, is evident here as well. Mankinds dishonesty lays them to waste. I am the truth I walk alone.
Setian Massacre: Due to Matts lower register (and remix?) highlights different musical aspects than the version with Ripper. Barlows voice being closer to bass/drums, whereas Tim accents the guitar.
A Charge To Keep: No doubt a major overhaul. Matts emotion was always best on the slower ballady to mid-tempo numbers, where theres more room to breathe (see Melancholy/parts of I Died For You).
The Clouding: Will have to listen to this one again. As my favourite off part 1, the dichotomy within this song has a greater initial impact with Tims voice. As a higher voice, when it kicks in to the faster, heavier, more sinister second half, a starker difference. You can feel Matts emotion on the bluesy first half and he sounds positively diabolical towards the conclusion.
Cant wait to hear it all live!
