ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer has issued
the following update:

"I hope at this point you've had a chance to absorb
the single/EP 'Overture Of The Wicked', and are
enjoying it. So far the reaction has been
overwhelming. We've charted in several countries
around the world, which is quite unusual for a metal
band to do with a single. MADONNA, MICHAEL JACKSON and
the 'pop stars,' yes, it happens all the time,
independent heavy metal bands — not so much. We have
you amazingly loyal fans to thank for that.

"The ICED EARTH legion grows stronger and stronger all
the time. When I think about the simple fact that ICED
EARTH has only opened for two bands in the last 17
years, BLIND GUARDIAN and MEGADETH, it really makes me
wonder what could happen if we had an opportunity to
open for some of the big guys here in the States. It's
the belief that if we get a fair shot, we can do some
great things. The incredible loyalty exhibited by all
of you has and will continue to keep me in the
trenches fighting the good fight. We're going to get
one of those shots in November when we open for HEAVEN
AND HELL (BLACK SABBATH) in the UK. I'm absolutely
fired up about it. ICED EARTH is finally going to be
heard in the UK, and believe me, we're going to be so
freakin' pumped, everyone's going to remember that we
were there!

"I'd like to thank the Swedish fans for their awesome
response to our first appearance at Sweden Rock a few
weeks ago. It was a great festival, very professional
and very fun for us all. I personally had a great
time, the chemistry of the live band is the best it's
ever been and even though this was our first show
together, we played like we'd been together for years.
It's been quite sometime since I've had as much fun
onstage, and we're just getting started.

"I'm very sorry about the confusion on our set length
at Sweden Rock. We were told that we were to have a
50-minute set, and that's what we played. When I
arrived on the festival grounds and saw the festival
program, and the fact that they had us listed as
playing for 90 minutes, I was a bit concerned and knew
that we were going to have some disappointed fans out
there. All I can say is that we will do our level best
at making it up to you guys on the headline tour, and
it will not happen again.

"The day after the festival we filmed the video for
'Ten Thousand Strong' in Gothenburg, Sweden with
director Roger Johansson. Roger did the 'Terror Train'
video for Hansi and I, and I was very happy with his
integrity and dedication to the project. Because of
this, he was my first choice for the new IE video.
This will be a very special video with many hours of
work being done in post-production to help tell the
early stages of the 'Something Wicked' story, focusing
on the struggle of the 10,000. If all goes as planned
this will be the first in a line of videos that will
be filmed through Parts I and II that will reveal key
points of the saga.

"At this point I'm wrapping up preparations for our
show in Athens next week with HEAVEN AND HELL. I must
say it is an absolute honor for us to be able to play
with these guys and I can't wait until the UK dates in
November. We will start the headline tour of Europe in
October and jump on with HEAVEN AND HELL in the UK
after that. I've met Ronnie James Dio several times
over the years and I have to say he is hands down, the
most genuine, inspirational and real person that I've
met in this industry. It's so refreshing when one of
your idols is a wonderful person, and Ronnie James Dio
is all of that and more. There are some very cool
things to look forward to for sure, for you the fans,
and for myself as well.

"Just before Sweden Rock we finished mixing and
mastering 'Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part
I)' and I'm very happy with the end result. I'm
totally pumped about wrapping up Part II now, and will
be doing that in between the festivals and promo tours
this summer. Part I's timeline runs from the human
invasion of Setia Earte, or Earth as we know it, and
ends shortly before the birth of Set Abominae. Part II
will start with his birth and continue on 'til present
day. Remember, 'Revelation Abomination (Something
Wicked Part II)' is a working title only and I'm
certain I will change it as I finish the writing of
Part II.

"Stay tuned, stay true, and we will see you all soon.
The 'burning times' of man will be soon upon you!"

Check out the "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked
Part I)" cover artwork at
http://icedearth.com/discography/c_fa_400.jpg



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