Metal super act, DEMONS & WIZARDS will release their highly anticipated new studio album, “III”, on February 21st, 2020 via Century Media Records. The band has just released a new single ‘Midas Disease’, which can be listened below:
Hansi Kürsch states: “Meanwhile, you all should have heard the epic ‘Diabolic’ and as second impression of “III” we offer you the complete opposite now: The four and a half minutes of ‘Midas Disease’! The song reminds me of one of these good old hard rock bands, playing on and on for more than 40 years, I guess you’ll know whom I refer to once you hear it. ‘Midas Disease’ has a cunning vibe, which I absolutely love. It is pure honesty.”
Jon Schaffer adds: “I had a working title of ‘Unbroken’ for this song, and when I sent it to Hansi, he instantly liked it. We both feel it added a totally different dimension to an already very diverse album. It’s straight-up fists in the air hard rock/heavy metal song, which was certainly inspired by the riffing and rhythmic abilities of Malcolm Young and I personally dedicate it to his memory. You are missed Sir Malcolm!”
DEMONS & WIZARDS is one of the most legendary collaborations in the history of heavy metal, uniting the talents of Jon Schaffer(Iced Earth) and Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) who are friends for nearly three decades.
DEMONS & WIZARDS musically embodies both musician’s stylistic trademarks and has resulted so far in two hugely celebrated studio albums, “Demons & Wizards” and “Touched by the Crimson King”. Both records have been reissued in 2019 on time with the group’s extremely successful return to the world’s stages. Throughout the year, DEMONS & WIZARDS presented an impressive stage production and intense sets, toured North America for the first time, performed at renowned festivals such as Wacken Open Air (DE), Hellfest (F), Sweden Rock (SE), GMM (BE), Barcelona Rock Fest (ES), Copenhell (DK), Chania Rock (GR), Metaldays (SI), and played shows in Moscow, London and many more.
On December 6th, 2019, American heavy metal group ICED EARTH will finally release the classic 1999 live opus “Alive in Athens” as its first proper vinyl edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this monumental recording.
Originally released as a 2CD, 3CD and picture LP set, “Alive in Athens” came out slightly flawed two decades ago yet turned into a gigantic success for ICED EARTH and was certified Gold in Greece, where the more than thirty different songs spanning set had been recorded on two nights at Athens’ Rodon Club in January 1999.
The original release lacked the live version of ‘Colors’ and the picture LP was a fairly careless CD to vinyl transfer interrupting Matt Barlow’s stage banter several times and split up tracks that had been performed back to back (for example the “Something Wicked (Trilogy)”). Together with Jon Schaffer, this anniversary edition was created, offering a partially revised sequencing and fully dynamic vinyl mastering by Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony as well as many additional extras, Jon Schaffer states:
“Alive In Athens” has been called one of the greatest heavy metal live albums of all time. Forme, it was one of the high points in a long and eventful journey that carries on to this day. I’ve experienced some of the best memories of my musical and personal life in Greece and these two nights in Athens are certainly no exception. I am honored and humbled by the passion of ICED EARTH fans in Greece and all over the worldand hope you will all enjoy this ultimate edition of “Alive in Athens”!
“Alive in Athens (20th Anniversary Edition)” includes five 180gram LPs, a 12-page LP-sized booklet with liner notes by Jon Schaffer and Matt Barlow as well as Hakos Pervanidis (Metal Hammer Greece) who also contributed additional visual content, and 60x60cm poster.
Black and various coloured vinyl editions can be ordered now!
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voicerecently spoke to former Judas Priest, Iced Earth singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. Owens spoke about the November 3 2019 K.K. Downing Steel Mill show in Wolverhampton U.K. along with former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks and Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson. He also spoke about his upcoming new solo album package and the new Three Tremors (Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, Sean ‘The Hell Destroyer’ Peck, Harry ‘The Tyrant’ Conklin) ‘THE SOLO VERSIONS’ Release + US TOUR Nov. 15 2019 through Steel Cartel Records.
Watch the interview below.
When asked about the upcoming show with former Judas Priest member K.K. Downing and how that all got put together
“I had gotten a call from some mutual friends of all of us of K.K. and Dave Ellefson. He was like listen I think it’s a good idea to do a show David’s coming to the UK doing his book thing, he’s doing a tour and I’m trying to see if maybe K.K. wanted to join in because it’s his hometown and are you interested? I’m like yeah, I mean I really I had to squeeze it in though as I am booked with shows that month. Right After that gig I got to fly right home because I got a drive to Quebec City, Canada and start doing a short Canadian tour there with Glen and Shawn Drover. So when they ask me I was like absolutely, I definitely want to do it and it’ll be a fun time and I am looking forward to it . The plan is to make it a great set of music, it’s going to be a great night, you also got Blaze Bayley opening up the show.”
When asked of he would consider a tour with K.K. Downing, David Ellefson and Les Binks in the future
“Right now this is it, this is what we’re doing, we’re doing this one off. This is just a one-off special show. Right now that’s the only plan. I would love to do it. It would be great to do a tour but it’s just a matter of working it out with everybody schedules. As an example I’m booked up with an upcoming Three Tremors tour and my solo touring, I’m booked up pretty solid that’s not even throwing in a hologram tour if we end up doing another one.”
When asked about the new Three Tremors SOLO album re-release
“I recorded my version, I recorded all of of the songs complete. I didn’t attack the songs in parts, we sang the whole record which made it harder to mix because then they had to go how we gonna mix this thing we have to figure out who’s singing what and where. Sean Peck heard my version and goes his version is actually different than my version. I did that on purpose because when he sent me the template to sing the songs I sang it layered because I wanted to be different. For these solo albums we didn’t go back and rethink things or redo things. I think the solo versions are a brilliant idea. The solo albums are gonna be released as a three-disc set that won’t be much more of a cost to buy than a regular disc, so that’s pretty cool.”
When asked about the musical direction of the next Three tremors album
“Sean Peck is already working on the next Three Tremors record. I think the next record we’re gonna probably tame it down, at least that was my request. The first Three Tremors album was perfect it needed to come out and hit people in the face with power metal. We’re not getting three singers together to make that a mellow record or commercial record it’s gonna slam you in the face. The next one will as well but I think we’ll probably bring it back a little bit on all us just attacking it all three of us all the time. Sean is gonna start sending parts to us so we can add our two cents. In terms of a timeline Sean is thinking I’m going to get this album out.
Here’s the issue we got a ton of touring coming up, so I think Sean’s trying to get a lot of it written music-wise and any ideas now. ”
When asked about Ripper’s upcoming solo album
“I’m actually working on my own solo record now. I just kind of started. I’ve had Beyond Fear tunes and stuff lying around that we had written back in the day and I might use one or two songs from Beyond Fear. I want this album to be a little different. I really like how the ‘ A New Revenge’ record (Enemies & Lovers) came out. Maybe make my solo album in that vein but a little bit more heavier. Maybe use a little more of a different angle on my vocals, add some of my low real heavy stuff and a few more highs. Not aiming to have many guests on the album I don’t know who I am going to have play yet but I would love to get Simon Wright (ex AC.DC) on the drums. For writing my solo album I called guitarist Keri Kelli who we wrote together on the ‘A New Revenge’ album and told him, I know we’re both swamped but I’d like to start working on a new solo record. I mean could make it heavier because that’s the way my voice is or I could do it Beyond Fear heavier record but I want to save that if I do a Beyond Fear record. I also called John Capri from Beyond Fear and I said John I want you to write on my solo album too so we have that old-school hardcore influence. I just like all those influences into it to making a heavy metal hard rock record. I had one song title that I’d like I said that we had written for the second Beyond Fear record that I wrote with John Capri, called Judgment Day, (we were going to name the album Judgment Day) it was one song that I thought fit really well with my Sabbath like kind style. So I think it would fit really well with my solo record, I might even make that the title of the album ‘Judgment Day’, so you got an exclusive with that one. For my Solo record I’m actually gonna look for a label, I know it’s a hard thing to do in this day and age but I’m so busy that I am probably going to look for a label shop my solo record and put it out. ”
When asked about his mini Canadian tour called ‘A Night of Metal’ with Glen and Shawn Drover
“It’s a perfect name for us because we’re just jamming metal songs, we’re having fun, probably have a beer and get on stage. We always seem to do it through Canada and it’s usually just the three shows but this this time for some reason the last minute we added more dates like Windsor and Ottawa.”
A Night of Metal in Canada Dates
W/ Ripper Owens, Shawn Drover, Glen Drover, Adrian Robichaud
•Nov 6th L’anti Bar & spectacles, Quebec City
•Nov 7th Piranha Bar, Montreal
•Nov 8th The Brass Monkey, Ottawa
•Nov 9th The Rockpile, W. Toronto
•Nov 10th The Backstage, Windsor
TOUR DATES: The Three Tremors
Jan 27 Mon Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
Jan 28 Tues Dallas, TX – Trees
Jan 29 Wed Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Jan 30 Thurs Ybor City, FL – Crowbar
Jan 31 Fri West Palm Beach, FL – Respectables
Feb 1 Sat Orlando, FL – Soundbar
Mar 28 Sat Denver, CO – Herman’s Hideaway
Mar 29 Sun Santa Ana, CA – Malones
Mar 30 Mon San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
Apr 1 Wed Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
Apr 2 Thurs Waterford, NY – Chrome
Apr 3 Fri New Bedford, MA – The Vault Music Hall
Apr 5 Sun Elmhurst, NY – Blackthorn 51
On April 12th, 1989 US metal institution ICED EARTH entered the worldwide metal scene by storm with the release of their first and only demo, “Enter the Realm”. Now, on April 12th , 2019, exactly 30 years after its original release, ICED EARTH re-issues this very fine example of real and uncompromising US metal on CD, digitally and – most importantly – on vinyl for the very first time!
Mastered from original sound sources, “Enter the Realm” is an essential release for every real metal fan. A historical document that highlights the importance of ICED EARTH for the worldwide metal scene.
The “Enter The Realm – EP” will be available in the following formats:
Ltd. Digipak CD
Black and colored vinyl (with 180 gram vinyl, etching, inlay and poster)
Digitally
The vinyl version will be available in the following colours:
Black vinyl: unlimited
Transparent sun yellow: Limited to 100 copies, exclusively available at CM Distro EU
Red vinyl: Limited to 300 copies, exclusively available at various mailorder stores
Lilac vinyl: Limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at Nuclear Blast
White vinyl: Limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at EMP
Transparent blue vinyl: Limited to 200 copies, exclusively sold by the band *
* this version includes a copy of the original demo tape inlay from 1989, signed by Jon Schaffer, Gene Adam and Greg Seymour
Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Greg Seymour – drums
Gene Adam – vocals
Dave Abell – bass guitar
Randy Shawver – lead guitar
ICED EARTH Line-Up 2019
Jon Schaffer – Rhythm, Lead Guitars, Vocals
Stu Block – Lead Vocals
Brent Smedley – Drums, Percussion
Luke Appleton – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Jake Dreyer – Lead Guitar
Century Media Records is proud to announce a very special release: ICED EARTH’s mastermind Jon Schaffer has teamed up with his old pals in PURGATORY, the band that he originally founded in 1985, then later became ICED EARTH, to record five tracks that were written between 1985 and 1987, now to be released as the “Purgatory” EP on December 21st as limited Digipak CD, limited LP (with 180 gram vinyl, 4-page inlay and etching) and digitally. Produced and mixed by Jon Schaffer and Jim Morris and mastered by Zeuss this very fine release showcases the foundation of the invincible metal monster known as ICED EARTH. All five tracks featured on the EP offer real US metal and perfectly capture the spirit of the mid 1980’s with a powerful production, rounded up by liner notes or comments of Jon Schaffer, Gene Adam, Greg Seymour and Bill Owen and a fitting cover artwork by David Newman Stump and Roy Young, known from their excellent work on ICED EARTH’s latest album “Incorruptible”. The greatest surprise might be Gene Adam, ICED EARTH’s original singer who sang on the band’s self-titled debut album from 1990, who delivers his best vocal performance ever. The song “Dracula” can be checked out as of now. Enjoy!
Jon Schaffer’s PURGATORY is for all ICED EARTH maniacs out there, for all fans of real US metal in the vein of Omen, Liege Lord or Savage Grace, and for all metal fans in general – young and old.
“Purgatory” is dedicated to Richard Bateman, the band’s original bass player, who passed away right before the EP went into production. Rest in peace, Richard.
The vinyl version is available in the following colours:
Black vinyl: Unlimited
Transparent-blue vinyl: limited to 100 copies, exclusively available at CM Distro Europe
Transparent-orange vinyl: limited to 200 copies, available at CM Distro Europa *
Clear vinyl: limited to 200 copies, exclusively available at Nuclear Blast
Lilac vinyl: limited to 300 copies, exclusively available in the USA
* a limited amount of 50 copies will be signed by the band and sold through band channels
“Purgatory” tracklist:
In Your Dreams (4:55)
Dracula (6:08)
In Jason’s Mind (5:03)
Jack (4:00)
Burning Oasis (5:38)
Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice spoke to former singer of Iced EarthMatt Barlow, current singer of Ashes of Ares in a video Skype. Matt Barlow is set to release his new Ashes or Ares album called Well of Souls on November 9 2018 on Road Records. Barlow spoke about his musical history with Iced Earth, the reasons from him exiting the band twice, his thoughts on the re-recordings of the old Iced Earth albums with Stu Block on vocals and the musical direction on the upcoming album Well of Souls.
Watch the interview here:
When asked about the musical direction of the new Ashes of Ares album Well of Souls compared to the debut
“The new album is a bit different from the last album, some ideas were established throughout several songs so we have a trilogy type set up with this and Well of Souls is a kind of concept within that idea and story line. Without giving too much away, in a big picture aspect it’s our connection as living beings with our living earth. It’s sort of a horror sci -fi kind of concept. The whole album does not have a theme but there are some elements that are in parallels. We have a song called Sun Dragon, that is kind of like an earth ending story. A lot of these ideas are about a grander scale, our place in the Universe and then there are some personnel songs as well. Also I threw in another vampire tune which is kind of an ode to novelist Ann Rice which is our only ballad on the album. I would say overall with this record there is a lot more darkness than in the last one. Another song is the God of War which is kind of an Hommage to our band name.”
When asked about his thoughts on Jon Schaffers plans on re-recording his first five or six Iced Earth albums with Stu Block on vocals
“Whatever I contributed to the writing of the songs I will still receive payment, from a financial aspect. If people want to buy the record again that’s great for me financially because I still get writing credit for it. In regards to performance rights I signed away my performance rights in the past. I got paid for my performance I don’t have a problem with it because if they re-do the record it doesn’t hurt my feeling at all and the original records will always be out there. ”
“It is so hard for musicians to make a living, so if Jon Schaffer can make some more money to keep Iced Earth going more power to him, it is his livelihood, it’s his company. Just like I hope that the original singer Gene Adam was not offended when i re-did his vocals on Days of Purgatory.”
