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Popularity Not Enough Data Iced Earth
Biography [show full bio] Iced Earth are one of the biggest heavy metal bands in America. They are also among Deep Purple and Black Sabbath as having some of the most lineup changes than any other band with guitarist Jon Schaffer being the only original and constant member as he also writes most of the music and lyrics. Originally playing clubs in Florida, which at the time was littered with death metal outfits, Iced Earth stood out from the pack <How?>. In 1988 they released their first demo Enter the Realm with...>>
Iced Earth are one of the biggest heavy metal bands in America. They are also among Deep Purple and Black Sabbath as having some of the most lineup changes than any other band with guitarist Jon Schaffer being the only original and constant member as he also writes most of the music and lyrics. Originally playing clubs in Florida, which at the time was littered with death metal outfits, Iced Earth stood out from the pack <How?>. In 1988 they released their first demo Enter the Realm with the very first lineup, consisting of vocalist Gene Adam, guitarists John Schaffer & Randall Shawver, bassist Dave Abell & drummer Greg Seymour, which became a popular item in the underground metal scene.
Shortly after, the group signed with Century Media and the label issued their 1990 self-titled album, featuring new drummer Mike McGill (who would only star on that album). While writing 1991's Night of the Stormrider, Schaffer was concerned with whether or not Gene could handle the vocals on the album. He asked him to take singing lessons, but he refused. He was then replaced by John Greely who sang on the album as well as drummer Richey Secchiari, who both would only play on that album. While touring with Blind Guardian, John supposedly<?> made anti-semitic comments. Schaffer attempted to change his attitude by both visiting a concentration camp, but he made anti-semitic comments to a Jewish man who was praying there. Not only that, he believed that the lead singer in a band should be paid the most. After attempting to steal money from bassist Dave Abell, he was fired. The group recruited vocalist Matthew Barlow and drummer Rodney Beasley to record 1995's Burnt Offerings after a 4 year wait. The group toured until 1996's The Dark Saga, which had drummer Rodney Beasley replaced with drummer Mark Prator. After the recording of The Dark Saga, bassist Dave Abell left the band, so Keith Menser was recruited. This lead to Century Media forcing the band to mention Keith in the place of Dave in the liner notes so it showed the touring lineup. Keith however was fired after it came apparent that he didn't learn any of the songs when the rehearsals began, so Dave Abbell was called back. He'd leave again after the release of Days of Purgatory, with James MacDonough stepping in. The group at the time was so happy with the current lineup they rerecorded pre-Matt Barlow tunes and issued 1997's Days of Purgatory. After Schaffer wanted to relocate the band to Indiana, Randall Shawver departed from the group and was replaced with Larry Tarnowski, just in time for 1998's Something Wicked This Way Comes. Mark Prator would only play drums on the album and was replaced by Brent Smedley live. 1999 saw the release of the critically acclaimed live album Alive in Athens as well the ultra-rare The Melancholy E.P. EP, which somehow featured Mark Prator on drums. The group issued Horror Show in 2001, which was the only album to feature bassist Steve DiGiorgio and the first to feature drummer Richard Christy, and the Dark Genesis (5 CD Collection) box set in 2002, which contained the group's first three albums, the now rare Enter the Realm demo and the Tribute to the Gods covers album. In 2003 the group parted ways with Century Media and signed with SPV/Steamhammer Records. But prior to the preparations for recording their upcoming album The Glorious Burden, longtime vocalist Matt Barlow announced his departure from the group to pursue a career doing administrative work for the Department of Homeland Security. Schaffer asked him to reconsider and they recorded The Glorious Burden with him, but according to Schaffer, "Matt's heart was not in it and it showed in his performance", so the album was scrapped until a new singer could be found. Shortly after, the group recruited vocalist Tim Owens, fresh from Judas Priest after Rob Halford rejoined the group. Lead guitarist Ralph Santolla was also recruited to play on the album. Despite featuring Tim Owens, some of Barlow's vocals were used as backing vocals on several tracks. The album was orignally slated for an October 2003 release but was delayed. A 4 song EP called The Reckoning which contained tracks from the album, was used to tide fans over. The Glorious Burden was issued finally in January 2004. After the tour, bassist James MacDonough left to join Megadeth's touring lineup (he has since departed from them), and drummer Richard Christy left to get a job on The Howard Stern show, and he was replaced by Bobby Jarzombek. Jon Schaffer announced that the next album will be a concept album based on the Something Wicked This Way Comes storyline, which will be released in early 2007. In June 2006 Jon Schaffer announced that lead guitarist Ernie Carletti from Slik Helvetika joined the band. However in September, Carletti was apprehended for rape charges and Schaffer would then need to continue searching for new band mates. First, former drummer Brent Smedley rejoined the band after Bobby Jarzombek parted ways with the group for unspecified reasons; and then it was announced that the group had recruited new lead guitarist Tim Mills. The band has not yet recruited a new bassist to replace the long-departed James MacDonough. discography
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