Pyramaze - Statement from Matt and Michael

[PyramazeGuitar]

Brothers and Sisters,

In light of recent events, it is rather apparent that I need to address what's going on in my life as it pertains to Pyramaze and Iced Earth. As I'm sure you're aware, last week, my wife gave birth to our second son. We are all doing well, but it has taken a little time to get my thoughts together following that and the announcement of my return to Iced Earth. After Michael's statement, it became very clear to me that I must come to terms with the fact that I can not be in all places at all times. Obviously, there are some of you who had the same concerns. It just took me a little longer to figure that out. Well, the point is, I contacted Michael and let him know that I very much wanted to perform on the record, but that I would not be able to continue on with the band in a full time position as planned. I pointed out to Michael that I was extremely grateful to him and the rest of the guys for bringing me on board and I felt obligated to be up front with him on this. I did not want to do the record and then back out, leaving things on bad terms. Understandably, Michael was disappointed but ultimately understanding of the situation. Pyramaze is an extremely talented group of musicians, who's work is well known in the progressive metal community and will be in high demand in a short time. I am happy to say that I will be working with them, if only in a limited term. The music that Michael has written is going to make for a kick ass heavy metal record (KAHMR) and I give you my word that I will give everything that I've got to insure that. Thanks for your time...you'll hear from us soon!

Matt Barlow


Hello friends,

As you can all read in Matt's statement, the term of our cooperation has changed due to the fact that he's back in Iced Earth. When Matt approached me with his thoughts and decisions, we had the choice of A. Letting Matt go and finding another singer right away, or B. record this album as planned and with the singer for whom the music was written. Matt let us know that he was still very hooked on recording this album with us, but that he would understand and respect our final decision, should we wish to terminate our cooperation right away. After discussing this with my band brothers we came to the conclusion that we've started the journey of recording our new album together with Matt, and we will finish this album together with him. After we have completed this new album Matt is going to be concentrating solely on Iced Earth again. So this will be a onetime cooperation between Pyramaze and Matt, and this album will be one for the books. We all understand and respect Matt's decision, and there's no bad blood here at all. Matt is a genuinely nice guy with a honest heart, and we are proud to be working with him. I will also encourage you to read Matt's other statement at www.icedearth.com to give you some more insight in the situation. I guess now is a good time to reveal the cover for our new album which is called IMMORTAL. Let me also take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and a rocking new year. We thank you all for your support.
(See the cover at www.pyramaze.com - news)

Michael Kammeyer and PYRAMAZE

 

[J-Dubya 777]

Looking forward to this!
Thanks for an update from the source(s)!

 

[General Zod]

This should come as a surprise to no one. Clearly Matt isn't the type of guy who would just walk away. However, given their respective places in the Metal universe and Matt's limited schedule, it was obvious Matt would eventually have to focus solely on Iced Earth. As an unabashed Barlow fan boy and a huge Pyramaze fan, I couldn't be happier that Matt's recording this Pyramaze disc. Even though Matt's not sticking around, hopefully his participation will help to speed Pyramaze's rise.

All that said, it's a shame Pyramaze and Lance couldn't make things work. They were a perfect fit.

And a quick note to the Pyramaze guys... good luck finding a singer who can handle both Lance and Matt's vocal lines. Will any band ever engage in a vocalist search with greater demands? They might as well run an add that concludes, "Vocalists who are not at least part deity, need not apply."

Zod

 

[VenomGA]

This is sad to hear for sure. Good luck to the guys in Pyramaze in finding a new singer who may stick around longer than one album as it seems to be their misfortune right now.
On a positive note, I LOVE the artwork for the new cd!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cheiron]

Well Lance was there for two albums before he was booted for undisclosed reasons =p

And Zod I agree. Not sure how they can find somebody to replace Matt and Lance.

 

[BlindPanzer]

Album Cover

 

[Yippee38]

You know how Glenn always produces near "miracle" special performances? . . . .

 

[Kimavir]

Sad to hear it, but excited about the album none the less. I'm sure you guys won't disappoint. Good luck finding another vocalist! Ripper's free, lol.

 

[Dolamite S. Biffle]

Album Cover

Consider one album cover shirt sold!!

 

[Ascension]

Ironic abum title considering the union that is creating it will die with it...lol.

 

[The Fiddler]

As an unabashed Barlow fan boy and a huge Pyramaze fan, I couldn't be happier that Matt's recording this Pyramaze disc. Even though Matt's not sticking around, hopefully his participation will help to speed Pyramaze's rise. Zod

+1

 

[Jasonic]

Me thinks that there will be demand for BOTH Pyramaze and IE to appear at the SAME festival in 2008, where Barlow can front both bands, but maybe on different days.

 

[BlindPanzer]

Me thinks that there will be demand for BOTH Pyramaze and IE to appear at the SAME festival in 2008, where Barlow can front both bands, but maybe on different days.

Maybe the showcase and a headlining spot during the regular festival?

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

I really applaud the decision to continue recording the album with Matt. It is never an easy process to find a fitting singer, and when an album is written for one voice and another steps in at the last minute, it often shows in the quality of the material..... Even as a one-time release, I think this will be a great release!!!!

 

[General Zod]

I really applaud the decision to continue recording the album with Matt.

I'm sure it was an easy decision. For starters, they'd hard pressed to replace him. Talent aside, let's not ignore the almighty dollar. Pyramaze will no doubt sell more copies of a CD with Barlow than without. And will no doubt sell more CDs in the future, because of the Barlow fans who get turned on to Pyramaze because of this one time alliance.

Zod

 

[WarriorOfMetal]

that is some badass cover art

 

[Jasonic]

I'm sure it was an easy decision. For starters, they'd hard pressed to replace him. Talent aside, let's not ignore the almighty dollar. Pyramaze will no doubt sell more copies of a CD with Barlow than without. And will no doubt sell more CDs in the future, because of the Barlow fans who get turned on to Pyramaze because of this one time alliance.

Zod

Exactly. I am sure the discussion lasted less than one minute.
After making such an announcement, and building hype for the next release, why would they consider NOT going with Matt?

I think the question now to consider, is this.

Going forward, does Pyramaze seek a known vocalist (IE - Ripper, James Rivera, etc, etc), or go for an unknown?

 

[MetalOperaChick]

Sad to hear it, but excited about the album none the less. I'm sure you guys won't disappoint. Good luck finding another vocalist! Ripper's free, lol.

LOL! Yeah! Get Ripper! haha

Ironic abum title considering the union that is creating it will die with it...lol.

Yeah that's true.

"After Michael's statement, it became very clear to me that I must come to terms with the fact that I can not be in all places at all times. Obviously, there are some of you who had the same concerns. It just took me a little longer to figure that out." - You mean it didn't occur to him BEFORE he made the decision to join IE again? Did he just make a rash decision and THEN realise he couldn't do both? That's kinda crappy. I like Barlow and all, but come on man..

I'm actually quite peeved about all this. Sure, Pyramaze will sell albums from the Barlow fans but they will also be veiwed as unstable because this is the second singer they've had to let go. No band that does that is able to make it big and/or get signed by a reputable label... Honestly, I believe Pyramaze deserves more lime light than Iced Earth, a band that's probably gotten about as far as it's going to over the past years. Don't get me wrong, I like Iced Earth and the prospect of Barlow back in is quite good news...but not at the expense of Pyramaze losing a singer and being thrown back to square one after the album is done.

 

[longshot9]

Personally i think it's a bad idea to record it with Barlow, if he's not staying on as the singer. Shelve the cd until you find a permanent singer in the band, then record with that person. A singer is the most identifiable part of a band, why record with one that will never be in the band to perform it live? Whoever they get will forever hear "he can't sing it as good as barlow or lance did"... like ripper, blah. Sick of the rotating singers in this business, and the willingness of bands to just grab whatever famous-singer-for-hire to record for them instead of actually looking for a new talent. Adagio and Into Eternity did it right, find some good fresh unknown hungry blood that will stick around instead of hiring someone else's singer. I know that Pyramaze could not predict that this was going to happen... I just fail to see the logic of hiring a singer that is WAY to well known for another band... yeah you got a great singer, but you aren't and will never be Iced Earth, or Balance Of Power for that matter. Find your own voice and sound. My $.02, take it or leave it.

 

[Daybreaker]

I think it's funny how some people who are miffed about Matt staying on and saying things about unstable lineups are some of the people who nutted over him coming back to Iced Earth when Iced Earth is the biggest revolving door band since Yngwie. I do agree however that when it comes to finding singer number three, hopefullly it will be a Billy Bad Ass with a clear voice and someone who will be with the band for the long run. And I dont think they need to limit themselves to someone already well known either.

Another question that comes to mind is that since Matt is only doing Immortal as a one off, will this mean that because no live shows will probably take place that Pyramaze will start album four rather quickly? I know that the guys have a cycle where they come together every two years to record but this changes things a little bit. I personally hope they start a singer search relatively soon and start thinking about round four for a mid to late 09, early 10 release.

Another thing too: Does anyone else really see this as one last hurrah from Iced Earth? Or is it just me who thinks the gears are winding down and this is how to go out with a bang? Complete the concept that began ten years ago on the bands landmark album with the singer that everybody loved? As much as I liked Iced Earth and still do, I think that they are reaching the end of their path.