Freddie Vidales

Legendary Heavy Metal duo ASHES OF ARES, featuring Matt Barlow, announces the release of their third studio album “Emperors and Fools”!

Nine years after forming ASHES OF ARES, Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales return with their third full-length album “Emperors and Fools”. This album sees the duo take the darkness and aggression from their previous album “Well of Souls” to a higher echelon. The writing process began almost immediately after “Well of Souls” was released. As usual, it was a true collaborative effort between the two, with ideas originating from one or the other, then evolving and being refined to what is presented on “Emperors and Fools.” The album flow is designed to keep the listeners on edge while bringing them from fast, heavy, pounding anthems to somber, melancholic, emotional pieces. The album ends with the eleven-minute long epic “Monster’s Lament” which features the long-imagined joining of forces between Matt Barlow and Tim Ripper Owens.

“Emperors and Fools” will be released on January 21, 2022 as digipak CD, limited Turquoise/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide), limited Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide) and digital streaming and download format.

• Produced by Ashes of Ares
• Mixed and mastered by Byron Filson at Villain Recording, Phoenix, Arizona
• Drums recorded by Ed Warrin of LCS Productions
• Artwork by Kamil Pietruczynik

TRACK LIST:
1. A City in Decay (Intro)
2. I Am the Night
3. Our Last Sunrise
4. Primed
5. Where God Fears to Go
6. Emperors and Fools
7. By My Blade
8. What Tomorrow Will Bring
9. The Iron Throne
10. Gone
11. Throne of Iniquity (CD Exclusive Track)
12. Monster’s Lament

Ashes Of Ares:
Matt Barlow – Vocals
Freddie Vidales – Guitars, Bass

Guests:
Drums on all tracks by Van Williams
Keyboard intro composed by Jonah Weingarten
1st solo “The Iron Throne” by Wiley Arnett of Sacred Reich
2nd solo “The Iron Throne” by Charlie Mark
2nd solo “Monster’s Lament” by Bill Hudson
Guest vocals “Monster’s Lament” by Tim Ripper Owens
Keyboards “Monster’s Lament” by Brian Trainor

ICED EARTH Freddie Vidales has posted the first installment of his ongoing Road Report series. Webisode #1 covers the first few dates on the North American leg of Iced Earth’s World Dystopia Tour. Click here to check it out.

As previously reported, Iced Earth will take part in a meet & greet at Vancouver’s Scrape Records, located at 323 East Broadway, on Tuesday, February 14th. The session will take place from 4:00pm – 4:45pm. Further details at this location.

Go to this location for Iced Earth’s complete 2012 tour schedule.

The band recently confirmed two live dates in China, in April:

“The World Dystopia Tour has taken Iced Earth to places the band has never been before,” Schaffer remarked. “We are about to open yet another exciting chapter in touring by announcing our first-ever shows in China. Playing Beijing and Shanghai is something we have been looking forward to for a long time. Chinese metal heads: get ready to rage with us!!”

Dates include:

April
11 – Shanghai, China – Mao Live House
13 – Beijing, China – Star Live

Iced Earth recently released their new video for ‘Anthem’, shot in Cologne, Germany during the European leg of the band’s world tour.

“We had a blast making that video,” said Schaffer. “I think the fans can see it on our faces. ‘Anthem’ captures the energy of our live shows, as well as the fun we’re having together as a band.”

Produced and directed by Kosch Fabian Film, ‘Anthem’ is the second music video released from Iced Earth’s 10th studio album, Dystopia. Check it out below: