Iced Earth biography
The traditional, intense, no compromise style of overblown Metal purveyed by ICED EARTH
has seen the band rise from an obscure mid eighties indie band to legend status in Germany
and mainland Europe. Musically the band has developed from formative years delivering Power 
Thrash to more refined, yet still none the less heavy, melodically charged Heavy Metal.


The band began life 20.1.1985, titled PURGATORY with a teenage garage band line-up of vocalist
Gene Adam, guitarists Jon Schaffer and Bill Owen, bassist Dave Abell and drummer Greg Seymour. 
Another ex-PURGATORY man bassist Richard Bateman also made a fleeting appearance and he 
was later to find prominence in AGENT STEEL and NASTY SAVAGE. As PURGATORY a demo 
'Psychotic Dreams' was released.

As the transition from PURGATORY to ICED EARTH began the band were still very much a horror 
shock outfit wearing cassocks onstage and dousing their audience in liver and blood as part of 
the theatrics. Thankfully these tactics were soon resigned to the pasty as ICED EARTH 
concentrated more on the music.

The first ICED EARTH recordings proper came in the form of the 'Horror Show' demo featuring 
one new composition 'Dracula' allied with two reworks of PURGATORY tracks 'Jack' and 'In Jason's 
Mind', both from the 'Psychotic Dreams' demo. ICED EARTH's next effort was the tape that secured 
their career and landed them a deal with Germany's Century Media Records. The 'Enter The Realm' 
demo comprising of tracks 'Colors', 'Enter The Realm', 'Nightmares', To Curse The Sky', 'Solitude' 
and 'ICED EARTH'. ICED EARTH also made an appearance on the 'Metal Mercenaries' compilation 
album with a song produced by ex-SAVATAGE bassist Keith Collins.


Seymour was replaced by Mike McGill for a European tour, after which McGill was unceremoniously 
fired. The band also brought in drummer Richie Secharri, as ICED EARTH struggled to keep a tight 
rein on their drummers. On the second release 'Night Of The Stormrider', it was John Greeley, who 
took over the lead vocal role, although predictably his tenure was short.

1995's 'Burnt Offerings' saw Rodney Beasley on drums and the induction of new vocalist Matt Barlow,
a man who would lend ICED EARTH not only a degree of stability but an instantly recognisable vocal 
and visual presence. Prior to joining ICED EARTH Barlow had fronted the Florida act CAULDRON,
a band which included PESSIMIST guitarist Kelly McLauchlin. (Barlow is in fact a brother-in-law 
of Schaffer, as he married Schaffers's sister.) ICED EARTH impacted upon Germany in June of 1995 
as part of the 'Summer Metal meetings' festivals ranked alongside RUNNING WILD, GAMMA RAY, 
GRAVE DIGGER, RAGE and GLENMORE.


For the groundbreaking 1996 'Dark Saga' album ICED EARTH recorded without a permanent drummer 
employing the services of studio engineer Mark Prator. Abell quit soon after this release.

1997 release 'Days Of Purgatory' is a collection of re-worked tracks from the band's 'Enter The Realm' 
demo and cuts from the first two albums. Drums on this outing came courtesy of ORACLE's Brent 
Smedley.. Bass came from Keith Menser, who was swiftly replaced with James MacDonough. 1998 
had ICED EARTH relocating from Florida to Indiana and putting in an almost triumphant performance 
at the German Wacken open air festival as the 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' album cracked 
the German charts at number 19. For this album Mark Prator once again manned the drums and the 
19 year old Larry Tarnowski usurped Shawver. Follow up, the ambitious treble live album 'Live In 
Athens', recorded in front of 120'000 fans, gave ICED EARTH a Greek number one. Recording line up 
for this opus comprised Barlow, Schaffer, Tarnowski, OPPOSITE EARTH's Rick Risberg on keyboards 
and a returning Brent Smedley.

Quite spectacularly Schaffer's side project DEMONS & WIZARDS, a union with BLIND GUARDIAN's 
Hansi Kirsch blew the European charts wide open even scoring the guitarist a further number one 
in Greece. DEMONS & WIZARDS toured on the festival circuit with CONTROL DENIED / DEATH 
drummer Richard Christy.

By mid 2000, without a permanent drummer yet again as Smedley opted out to forge TEMPEST 
REIGN in Florida, ICED EARTH pulled in Christy for live commitments. Ever industrious Christy also
found time to commit to his side project band BURNING INSIDE with ACHERON's Michael Estes and 
BLACK WITCHERY's Steve Childers.


ICED EARTH's 'Horror Show' album found Christy being inducted into the ranks officially along with
former DEATH and SADUS bassist Steve DiGeorgio. The interim 'Melancholy' mini album included 
cover versions of BAD COMPANY's 'Shooting Star', BLACK SABBATH's 'Electric Funeral' and JUDAS 
PRIEST's 'The Ripper'.

James MacDonough, a Florida scene veteran of such acts as MAD AXE, DELTA 9, INVADER, ORACLE
and BRUTAL ASSAULT, joined the ICED EARTH clan as touring bassist for mid 2001. 'Horror Show' 
saw the band topping the Greek national charts yet again and with stronger than previous European 
chart positions in most territories. 

Touring in America was to have stepped up significantly for the band when they were announced 
as openers to the JUDAS PRIEST and ANTHRAX tour. However, the terrorist attacks on the United 
States on September 11th resulted in the cancellation of this entire tour.

Century Media weighed in with the gargantuan 'Dark Genesis' box set to close 2001. The lavish 
package comprised of remastered versions of early albums, the 'Enter The Realm' demo plus a bonus 
tribute disc 'Tribute To The Gods'. 


This latter disc would be released separately during 2002 and saw ICED EARTH taking on 'Creatures 
Of The Night' and 'God Of Thunder' by KISS, 'Number Of The Beast' and 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' by 
IRON MAIDEN, 'Highway To Hell' and 'It's A Long Way To The Top' by AC/DC, 'Burnin' For You' and 
'Cities On Flame (With Rock n' Roll)' from BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, 'Screaming For Vengeance' by JUDAS 
PRIEST, 'Dead Babies' by ALICE COOPER and BLACK SABBATH's 'Black Sabbath'. 

The band's headline 'Feel The Horror' European tour would commence in Hardenberg, Holland on the 
17th January 2002. It would then be back to their homeland for a run of headline dates kicking off 
on April 8th at the Everson Theater in Indianapolis. Strong support on these shows would come from
Colorado label mates JAG PANZER and Swedish Deathsters IN FLAMES. 

In late 2002 Richard Christy sessioned on demos for WYKKED WITCH. The drummer would also be 
revealed as a participant in a brand new band side venture billed as LEASH LAW, an alliance with 
WICKED WAYS and ROB ROCK musicians guitarist RICK RENSTROM and bassist Steve Eldar with 
CRIMSON GLORY and SEVEN WITCHES singer Wade Black. Meantime ICED EARTH, signing to the
SPV label, set 'The Glorious Burden' as the title of a forthcoming new studio album. Just upfront 
of the recording process the band severed ties with guitarist Larry Tarnowski. 

ICED EARTH fans would be shocked to learn that longstanding singer Matt Barlow had opted out 
of the band in June of 2003, a decision that had apparently been taken as far back as December 
the previous year. The vocalist left to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. 
Press statements revealed that Barlow's vocals on 'The Glorious Burden' were to be wiped and a 
new vocalist sought to complete the album. Meantime the prolific EYEWITNESS, MILLENNIUM and 
MONARCH guitarist RALPH SANTOLLA, having previously sessioned for the band, was announced 
as joining ICED EARTH as a new member.


By July it was apparently revealed that the new ICED EARTH singer was none other than former 
JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim 'Ripper' Owens. However, Jon Schaffer soon made it known that 
Owenshad been hired to record vocals for 'The Glorious Burden' album on a session basis and, 
indeed, even before he had lost his position with JUDAS PRIEST. Although Schaffer sounded 
caution in regard to Owens exact status with the band initially a subsequent official release 
confirmed the singer had joined the band. 'The Glorious Burden' broke into the Billboard charts 
at no. 145, selling 8,626 copies in its first week of release. 

In outside activity, RALPH SANTOLLA featured as guest soloist for the song 'Forgotten Demise' 
on Toronto Metal outfit WARMACHINE's 2004 debut 'The Beginning Of The End'. European 
mainland gigs for ICED EARTH in 2004 had the group uniting with high profile acts THUNDERSTONE 
and PRIMAL FEAR. However, these gigs would be postponed as Schaffer had to undergo surgery 
for a lower back problem. An extensive North American trek throughout April and May had the 
band partnered with Finns CHILDREN OF BODOM and Swedish Progressive Metal band EVERGREY. 
Richard Christy bailed out mid tour and ICED EARTH drafted Bobby Jarzombek of SAN ANTONIO, 
SLAYER, RIOT, SPASTIC INK and HALFORD repute as a quickfire replacement. Japanese dates 
were set to follow but shows scheduled for late May in Tokyo and Osaka were then pulled due 
to Christy's departure. The band returned for a second North American leg throughout the Summer
partnered with TRIVIUM and BEYOND THE EMBRACE.

In related news, the former ICED EARTH team of vocalist Gene Adam, bassist Dave Abell and Mark 
Prator on drums, along with guitarist Bill Owen of the pre-ICED EARTH group PURGATORY, forged 
a brand new band project tentatively (and wryly) dubbed UNEARTHED. The group soon cut a two 
song demo comprising 'Fire In The Sky' and 'Unearthed'. 

Ralph Santolla left ICED EARTH in June, promptly joining SEBASTIAN BACH's solo band alongside 
another erstwhile ICED EARTH man drummer Mark Prator. The ex-guitarist also revealed future 
plans for a concept album entitled 'Ex Cathedra', in a proposed alliance with in talks with bassist 
Steve DiGiorgio of TESTAMENT, SADUS, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, Gene Hoglan of 
STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL and DEATH together with Tom Englund from EVERGREY. 

ICED EARTH's August 2004 compilation set, 'The Blessed And The Damned', featured two discs of 
remastered tracks clad in an elaborate piece of artwork from Russian artist Leo Hao so constructed
as to allow the purchaser to choose angels or demons for the front cover. In September bassist 
James MacDonough opted out to join MEGADETH. Meantime the ex-ICED EARTH quota of 
SEBASTIAN BACH's band increased as Steve DiGiorgio joined the fold. Tim Owens used the ICED 
EARTH demos to cut solo demo tracks with producer Jim Morris at Morrisound Studios in Florida.


In November ex-ICED EARTH guitarist RALPH SANTOLLA made a public statement revealing that 
he was suffering from degenerative condition in the bones of his jaw. Costly treatment would 
include bone grafts and reconstructive surgery and to offset some of the medical bills a benefit 
concert in Tampa, headlined by SEBASTIAN BACH, would be scheduled for January of 2005. That 
same month Bobby Jarzombek laid down drums for a new DEMONS & WIZARDS album whilst
Tim Owens, also using Jarzombek's services, would be tracking solo material with 13 FACES 
and SPAWN guitarist John Comprix billed as BEYOND FEAR. The singer also lent vocals to a 
version of BLACK SABBATH's 'War Pigs' included on the MICHAEL SCHENKER 'Heavy Hitters' 
album. In May SEBASTIAN BACH's ties into ICED EARTH strengthened further when he recruited 
Bobby Jarzombek onto the drum stool. 

In mid 2005 Jon Schaffer was ready to reveal his ambitions for the next ICED EARTH opus. Once 
again featuring Tim Owens on vocals, the guitarist's vision called for a conclusion to the 'Something 
Wicked This Way Comes' saga. June 2006 brought news of another new entrant into the band, 
former SLIK HELVETIKA guitarist Ernie Carletti. Unfortunately the entrance of this latest musician 
threw the band into controversy when, on September 18th, Ernie Carletti was arrested in connection 
with kidnapping, weapons possession and the rape of a 19 year-old University of Delaware student 
on May 22nd 2003. The guitarist was held at Howard Young Prison on a $355,000-dollar cash bond.

On October 12th ICED EARTH announced they had drafted a new guitarist, Tim Mills from Devon 
in UK. Designer of the Bare Knuckle pick up range, Mills prior musical experience included 
membership of the ELKIE BROOKS band and OZZY OSBOURNE tribute band OZZMOSIS. 

Jon Schaffer revealed February 2007 recording plans included a complete re-recording of the 
Something Wicked trilogy, the first two installments entitled 'Framing Armageddon' (Something 
Wicked Part 1) and 'Revelation Abomination' (Something Wicked Part 2). MA KELLEY man Bo 
Wallace was announced as having supplied bass guitar but subsequently Jon Schaffer revealed 
this latest recruit had bowed out due to "family health issues" and that he had performed all bass 
parts. WINTER'S BANE, SEVEN WITCHES and BEYOND FEAR bass player Dennis Hayes then 
enrolled. Another change in the roster came in late March, when guitarist TIM MILLS bowed out. 
An opening single, 'Overture Of The Wicked', was set for May issue. TROY SEELE, Jon Schaffer's 
old friend from Indiana was brought to the band to play the lead guitar. 

Meantime, former ICED EARTH frontman MATT BARLOW joined Danish act PYRAMAZE in April 2007.

'Framing Armageddon' (Something Wicked Part 1) landed at number 78 on the US Billboard 
charts in September, selling over 7,800 copies in its first week of sale, and entered the German 
charts at 19. ICED EARTH headlined Europe in October supported by DARK TRANQUILLITY. 
The band was packaged with LAMB OF GOD and HEAVEN AND HELL for UK shows in major 
arenas during November 2007. 

In December 11, 2007, Schaffer announced that Barlow returns to the band. He revealed 
this would considerably push back the release date of Something Wicked Part 2, due to an 
addition in Matt's family; but that when the band released the album, they were planning 
to tour and make an appropriate DVD release of live footage from it. 

At the Christmas of 2007 TIM RIPPER OWENS was fired from the band along with DENNIS HEYES. 
As a new bass player was introduced FREDDIE VIDALES from band INFUSION. Something 
Wicked Part 2 album will be called 'The Crucible Of Man'. The release of the album was 
postponed due to lineup changes and it's expected to be out in August/September 2008. 
While Owens is a talented vocalist, many ICED EARTH fans did not embrace him as they had 
with MATT BARLOW. 

As a result of Barlow's return, ICED EARTH's live playing schedule has been drastically altered. 
Schaffer has stated that ICED EARTH will probably no longer do massive tours. Instead they will 
focus on large scale music festivals and small tours. Though many fans doubt this is the right 
course of action, Schaffer has stated that "these upcoming ICED EARTH shows will be the best 
in the band's history, and having the band's schedule like this is the best way for it done."
ICED EARTH headed two tours in 2008. Chicago Powerfest was the first show with returned 
vocalist MATT BARLOW. 

In several interviews, Schaffer has stated that ICED EARTH will re-record 2007's Framing Armageddon 
with Barlow on vocals and be packaged as a box set along with a slightly expanded 2008's The 
Crucible Of Man and a live CD/DVD of the upcoming 2008/2009 tour. It is assumed that the box set 
was initially planned for a late 2009 but has since been delayed due to Schaffer wishing to finish 
the DVD. In February 2009, the band announced, that they were cancelling the final three dates 
of their European co-headlining tour with SAXON, due to scheduling conflicts. DVD was released
in June 2011 (Europe) and July 2011 (USA). It was called Festivals Of The Wicked and it contains 
nearly 6 hours of video material from three festivals.

On March 3, ICED EARTH announced that MATT BARLOW retires from the band. On March 16 
ICED EARTH announced that the new chosen vocalist is STU BLOCK from the band INTO ETERNITY. 
A massive world tour is announced which brings ICED EARTH to places they have never been before.
On June 13, ICED EARTH announced, that the title of their upcoming album will be Dystopia.





Source of info:
The Official ICED EARTH site, The Iced Realm site, Rockdetector, Encyclopaedia Metallum, First State 
Force Band site, Wikipedia