Concertwire.com

Fashion trends may come and go, but Florida's Iced Earth has remained steadfastly committed to championing the cause of heavy metal through thick and thin. After years of laboring in obscurity and undergoing countless lineup changes, they have slowly emerged as one of the greatest hopes for classic metal in America. Iced Earth was originally formed by Jon Schaffer in 1984. Their current lineup includes lead guitarist Shaffer, vocalist Matt Barlow, Brent Smedley on Drums, Troy Seele on guitar, and Freddie Vidales on bass. Originally formed as Purgatory by guitarist Jon Schaffer in 1984, the band spent five years in a constant state of flux while paying their dues on the Florida live circuit. They slowly honed their sound by combining '80s thrash influences with the classic metal approach of Iron Maiden. In 1997 the band re-recorded the best of their early material, resulting in the appropriately titles Days of Purgatory collection. In December 2006, Jon announced information about the two upcoming Something Wicked albums as well as a Wicked European Tour. Iced Earth just recently released their new single, I Walk Among You, on June 17. They also stated that their new album, which is a follow up to Something Wicked part 1, will be released in the Fall of 2008.