Back with their third full-length release, Californian act Witherfall return with prog guns blazing on Curse of Autumn (Century Media). Formed in 2013 by former White Wizzard frontman Joseph Michael, former White Wizzard and former Iced Earth guitarist Jake Dreyer, and the incredibly talented, but former, er… Justin Timberlake bassist Anthony Crawford, the band has produced another seriously heavy record that delivers riffs, hooks, and dazzling technicality. Continue reading
(Since we ran this article Blabbermouth.net is reporting that lead guitarist Jake Dryer is focusing on Witherfall going forward.) Iced Earth singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton have announced their effective departure from the band. Block, who joined Iced Earth in 2011 after fronting Into Eternity, issued the following statement via his social media: “Hey All, Well, there are times and events when you have to take stock and re evaluate your life, work, and trajectory for the future. That being said I have informed Jon [Schaffer, Iced Earth guitarist and leader] and his current management that I must announce my resignation from Iced Earth with immediate effect.
Iced Earth leader Jon Schaffer, who has been on The FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list, has been arrested for his role in the riot and insurrection at The US Capitol, on January 6th, 2021. According to a report by Metal Sucks, Schaffer turned himself into authorities around 3 p.m. Sunday (January 17), Chris Bavender, public affairs specialist for the FBI Indianapolis Field Office, said. He resides in Columbus, Indiana. The FBI Indianapolis Field Office released the following statement regarding Schaffer’s arrest:
Iced Earth’s Stu Block, Luke Appleton, Brent Smedley, and Jake Dreyer collectively issued the following statement today regarding band founder and mastermind Jon Schaeffer’s actions during the domestic terrorism event in Washington DC on January 6th.
According to a published report by Blabbermouth.net and German newspaper Die Welt, Iced Earth mastermind and Demons and Wizards leader Jon Schaffer was among the protesters who breached the U.S. Capitol earlier today (Wednesday, January 6) as lawmakers counted the Electoral College votes certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Photographs of Jon circulated on NBC News, causing wild speculation online in the media and among fans on Reddit, before being confirmed.
Iced Earth founder and guitarist Jon Schaffer and former Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow have shared a new lyric video for the Christmas classic “Silent Night.” The video was released supporting their new holiday EP Winter Nights out now. The new video follows their recently released video for “We Three Kings”. Check it out!
Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer will reunite with the band’s former singer, Matt Barlow, under the name Schaffer/Barlow Project to record Christmas classics on a new record called Winter Nights. The project has a Kickstarter that you can contribute to and has surpassed the $15k goal in a brief run with $19k funded so far in less than a day. Watch the trailer and see the tracklisting now. Barlow played his last official show with Iced Earth in 2011 Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. He joined Demons & Wizards on stage in New York City for a cover of Iced Earth’s “I Died for You”, which is on this Winter Nights album. Continue reading
It’s hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since power metal supergroup Demons and Wizards released their last album. A collaborative effort between Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian and Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth, the two frontmen finally found the time amid their busy schedules to work together once again, returning to the project so widely anticipated by their legion of devoted fans.Continue reading
Ghost Cult’s Keefy caught up with Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth) to talk all about about his supergroup Demons and Wizards, with his long time friend and collaborator Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian)! Their new album III releases on February 21st, 2020 via Century Media Records. Jon talked candidly about the project, the genesis of how he and Hansi first joined forces 30 years ago as friends, his process for composing,the differences between this project and their main bands, why time off and family time are so important to him, Jon’s busy plans for 2020, including creating new Iced Earth music, and more.
