During this year’s 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, PureGrainAudio spoke to ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer and singer Stu Block for episode 26 of “Tales Of Touring Terror”. Check it out below.
ICED EARTH’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” and “Horror Show” were recently released on double vinyl, whereas “Days Of Purgatory” was made available on triple vinyl. This new version of “Days Of Purgatory” includes the track “Iced Earth”, which was, unfortunately, omitted on the original 2LP version due to playing time issues. All three titles have been remastered for vinyl by Patrick Engel at the Temple Of Disharmony for optimal sound quality.
ICED EARTH took a break from touring in 2015, primarily due to founder, chief songwriter, and guitarist Jon Schaffer’s second cervical fusion surgery.
ICED EARTH fans can expect the next album, tentatively titled “The Judas Goat”, to be released later in the year.
Schaffer stated about the band’s new material: “The creative direction of the new album is rife with intense and heavy emotions, as one would expect from an ICED EARTH record, as well as a wide variety of lyrical inspirations and themes.
“I am 100 percent confident that the bond our band has forged in these last several years will shine through in the music. It’s a brotherhood in every way, and the fans will feel that.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these guys and everything we’ve achieved together.’
Longtime ICED EARTH drummer Brent Smedley will return to the band for the next recording and touring cycle. Smedley had to step down due to personal family reasons in 2013 shortly before the recording of “Plagues Of Babylon”.
“We are very pleased to have Brent joining us once again; he’s always been a brother and an important part of the ICED EARTH legacy,” said Schaffer.
“Plagues Of Babylon” sold around 6,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Source: Blabbermouth
