Matt Barlow quits Iced Earth (again)

2011-03-09 by Trey STAFF | 37 Comments
Matt Barlow has quit Iced Earth for the second time. His official statement is as follows:


Quote:
“Brothers and Sisters,
“Let me begin by saying how much of an honor it has been to share my time in Iced Earth with Jon and the guys…and with all of you! Since my return to the band in 2007, it has truly been extraordinary. I have had the opportunity to travel the world and see old friends and meet new ones. Though we had originally thought that the Iced Earth touring schedule would be very limited, we were able to play our fair share of concerts.

“During that time we were also able to have a live DVD produced [the forthcoming Festivals of the Wicked]. However, due to the rapidly changing music industry, it has become increasingly clear to recording artists that the only way to keep a band viable and to truly reach its potential is through live performances. That means that a band must reach out to new regions of the globe and become pioneers for their own livelihood. Since 2007, Jon and I have always had the best intentions for the future of Iced Earth, and we still do. However, given the band’s projected touring schedule, Iced Earth’s future and mine must now take separate paths.

“On my departure from Iced Earth in 2003, I made a commitment to my wife and to the idea that we would start, and raise, our family together. Two years later, my first child was born and two years after that, my second. My youngest son was born about a week before Jon asked me to return to Iced Earth. It was a very exciting and emotional time for all of us, but we were all clear on our intentions. It is apparent to us now that regardless of our belief at that time, time can change an intended outcome. In this instance, I hope that change will not be regarded as a bad thing, but rather as a necessary part of evolution.

“Jon and the band must venture into new realms to continue to grow Iced Earth. I commend him for his ideals and wish nothing but to share in his vision. I know that this is not the last time Jon and I will work together, but it will be my last endeavor with Iced Earth. Iced Earth is a name and force of its own. It has been very good to me and has allowed me to live a dream that others would give most anything for. I have been truly blessed to share this experience with everyone. I will continue to support Jon and Iced Earth in every way. I will also continue to create and perform in my own capacity.

“These next months will prove to be a very emotional time for me. I am extremely happy to be able to share the experience with Jon, Brent, Freddie, Troy and the Iced Earth family. I am proud to know them and honored that they consider me their friend. It is going to be phenomenal to share the love of this music during several summer festivals and I know that it will be a time we will never forget.

“Please consider all that I have brought forth and all of Jon’s offerings before passing judgment on the future of Iced Earth. This band has always strived to give its listeners the very best and I know that Jon, as always, will continue to lead that charge.
“To Iced Earth and all of you…I wish you the very best!!!

- Matt”[/i]

Band founder and leader Jon Schaffer had this to say about Matt's departure:

Quote:
“I knew Matt wrestled with this for a long, long time. It wasn’t an easy decision for him. But I love him dearly and I can’t fault his reasons.”

“Matt is one of the most sincere people I know, and one of the most talented. His departure deeply saddens me, but I hope all fans of Iced Earth will cut him some slack. I wish Matt well, respect him greatly, and I ask everyone else to do the same.”

With a new album in the works, and a world tour pending, Schaffer has already begun the search for a new vocalist.

Quote:
“I have a few guys in mind, and as you can imagine, it is a very important decision. One thing is for certain: we are not looking for a Matt Barlow ‘clone’ – we are looking for a front man that brings power and character of his own to the table. There’s only one Matt, and that era of the band’s history will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Tagged: Iced Earth

Comments:Add a Comment 
TerraIncognita
March 10th 2011
42 Comments


*One thing is for certain: we are not looking for a Matt Barlow ‘clone’ *


haha. No, they're going to get another Rob Halford clone.

Erratic
March 10th 2011
1120 Comments


The crucible of man sucked anyways

Athom
Emeritus
March 10th 2011
17249 Comments


shit. i knew i should have seen them last year.

Dreamflight
March 10th 2011
2458 Comments


ohh cmoooooooooon bahh

What pisses me off is that T.C.o.M really sucked big time, and we won't have another IE album with Matt.

AgentYorkMorgan
March 10th 2011
173 Comments


Title made me lul

pedro70512
March 10th 2011
4171 Comments


I'mma go post an audition video on youtube sho I can be coor rike dat new Dragonforce guy m/

TheSpirit
Emeritus
March 10th 2011
30304 Comments


NOOO :[

krig9412
March 10th 2011
794 Comments


News title made me lol

myhigherpie
March 10th 2011
3029 Comments


they haven't been very relevant for a while, but their back catalog is the shit.

faithnomour
March 10th 2011
25 Comments


he can't stand john schaffer

AshleyRiot
March 10th 2011
32 Comments


Won't miss him.

AtomicWaste
Moderator
March 10th 2011
2929 Comments


Get Tim Owens back.

FearThyEvil
March 10th 2011
19466 Comments


Lol at this happening again.

austin888
March 10th 2011
346 Comments


Not again!

Yazz_Flute
March 10th 2011
19179 Comments


FOREVUH BEING STUNG BY WASPS AND DEMON'S BREAAATH

McP3000
March 10th 2011
4121 Comments


meh dont care

Ire
March 10th 2011
41944 Comments


the crucible of man was so terrible i threw it away after i stole it from walmart.


true story

jabberwockyGC
March 10th 2011
116 Comments


uggggg never got to see them live with matt. and now I never will

DetJohnKimble
March 10th 2011
82 Comments


I posted this news last week but it got deleted for some reason, strange. Ah well, massive blow for IE.

YHB
March 10th 2011
45 Comments


Get Ripper back. The Glorious Burden rules.

AshleyRiot
March 10th 2011
32 Comments


^ Very true.

fr33convict
March 10th 2011
11723 Comments


Get Rob Halford back!


Oh wait he was never in the band?

pedro70512
March 10th 2011
4171 Comments


Get Rob Halford back! Oh wait he was never in the band? [2]


ZippaThaRippa
March 10th 2011
10674 Comments


The ripper is so good and so bad at the same time

Steerpike
March 10th 2011
1861 Comments


Jon Schaffer forgot how to write a good song and seems to be out of ideas anyway. So at this point, what's the difference?

Tyrael
March 10th 2011
21108 Comments


Get Ripper back[2]

LepreCon
March 10th 2011
5482 Comments


Ripper can be their Bruce Dickinson

Spec
March 10th 2011
41477 Comments


They're pretty irrelevant now.

wakeupdead
March 10th 2011
2229 Comments


awwwwwwwwwwww lol I didnt mind a few songs off of Crucible, Divide Devour and I Walk Alone were decent

Dreamflight
March 10th 2011
2458 Comments


To me, only "Come what may" really stands out.

Get Ripper back[-1]

They need someone new, and besides, I doubt he'd come back again, after being kicked out of the band.

AgentYorkMorgan
March 11th 2011
173 Comments


They need Bruce Dickinson

Steerpike
March 11th 2011
1861 Comments


They need someone new, and besides, I doubt he'd come back again, after being kicked out of the band.


Especially considering the dick way he was fired.

Willie
Moderator
March 11th 2011
20690 Comments


If they got the vocalist from Flotsam and Jetsam I'd probably give these guys a chance again. Burnt Offerings is an asskicking album, by the way.

AnEpicDeath
March 11th 2011
354 Comments


These guys were always kind of meh imo anyway. They have songs that show that the band had/has a lot of potential ("Burnt Offerings", "Wolf", "Damien"), but most of their stuff forgoes melodic leads for really repetitive thrash riffs.

HylianNightmare
March 16th 2011
72 Comments


wasn't feelin him anyway

Vortex
March 16th 2011
10 Comments


They just announced new vocalist, it's that guy from Into Eternity, Stu Block.

I guess Schaffer demanded that the new vocal's previous band has the same initials as Iced Earth.

You can read more at Blabbermout: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=155364

Dreamflight
March 17th 2011
2458 Comments


Can't say I'm really Into Eternity, but from what I've heard the singer is versatile enough to fit in Iced Earth, although I seriously doubt he'd have enough depth to sing songs like the dark saga or last december.



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