Iced Earth’s latest offering ‘Incorruptible’ tops my list to the age old question of what music would you take to a stranded island. This exceptional album is on Century Media Records and while not a concept album, all the songs come together to create a unique combination. The songwriting, lyrics and vocals are brilliant, with spectacular guitar work. The rhythmic drums and bass are hypnotic, technically perfect and trance like providing a supportive black bone for band. This music is heavy and melodic. The vocals are so wide ranged that you’d swear they have several lead singers.
IE toured the US to support Incorruptible and I caught the LA and San Diego shows. I was thrilled beyond belief to see them in theatre sized venues. They played the Belasco on March 8th and House of Blues on March 9th. Both shows were outstanding, a true energy exchange between the band and the fans many who knew the lyrics by heart. Lots of chemistry between band members Luke Appleton (bass), Brent Smedly (drums), Jake Dreyer (lead guitar), Jon Schaffer (guitar) and Stu Block (lead Vocals). This is music you can feel.
The shows and the album open with ‘Great Heathen Army’ a killer song that starts with a pagan like chant that sent the crowd into an excited cheer as the band took to the stage. Stu Block’s a tremendous vocalist with a serious vocal range. Shaffer writes most of the music and lyrics for the band, but GHA vocals are written by Stu, and it’s the perfect opener. There is a certain magic when a singer sings their own lyrics and you’ll find that in this song. I hope that Stu will continue to contribute to the lyrics and melodies in the future. I’ll add that he nails the vocals on all songs, even the ones he wasn’t involved in the writing of. He is fully able to handle the duties of previous IE vocalists Matt Barlow and Ripper Owens.
He’s capable of sounding like just about any metal singer you can imagine. You’ll hear bits of Halford, King Diamond, Maiden, Tate among others as well as the two previously mentioned former IE singers. He’s an outstanding front man who makes the crowd feel like family. He sings with deep emotion, growls and the sound of his voice carries so much feeling. The tone of the guitars is flawless and the instruments played with passion. Lead guitarist Jake Dreyer who previously played with White Wizard and Witherfall plays Jackson guitars is a great addition to the band. We heard some awesome lead guitar from Jake.
2018 marks the 30th Anniversary of IE, and they are still going strong despite all the changes the music industry has gone through the past three decades. The band itself has had many lineup changes d but one member has remained through it all. Founder Jon Schaffer drives this entity known as Iced Earth, he refers to it as his vehicle for getting his songs out.
Jon connected with music early in life. His first memories are of listening to Black Sabbath and watching Alice Cooper on TV when he was just three to four years old. His first concert was Kiss at age 11 and that’s when his vision to play music began. He immediately wanted a guitar, but didn’t get one until he was 14.
At 16 Jon, left his home state of Indiana and headed to Florida after the hard hitting death of a close friend and frustration with the abusive pastors at his Lutheran High School took their toll and turned him angry. Florida was the chosen spot because it was warm and he didn’t have enough gas money to make it to California. He left with a minimal amount of money, no job lined up and lived in his car. I’d say this venture could be likened to a modern day vision quest, the ancient Native American coming of age tradition. During this time he was also in a life threating car accident which makes one wonder if he might have experienced a near death experience and a trip to the other side and back given he appears to have a supernatural sense.
Initially, the band was called Purgatory but then another band released an album with the same name so the band became Iced Earth in 1988. Two years later in 1990 the first album was released. Now 30 years later the band has 12 studio releases. Stand out past releases include ‘The Dark Saga’ {1996}, Something Wicked This Way Comes’ {1998}, and ‘Dystopia’ {2011}.
After 30 years you might think this would be a farewell tour, but that’s not the case. In fact, the band is stronger than ever especially the bond that has formed between Block and Schaffer. They have remarkable chemistry that you’ll detect when listening to the song ‘Brothers’. Schaffer has come full circle and set up an Iced Earth Headquarters in Indiana where recording, writing, business and all things Iced Earth will take place. There is even talk of rerecording some of the older material with this current lineup. ‘Horror Show’ with Block on vocals will be especially awesome given he’s a huge lover of horror.
Not one to be deterred or derailed by change, you might wonder what drives Schaffer. It’s not money, nor do I believe it’s his ego. Based on his level of self-awareness and a mission he’s proven dedication to, I’d guess he’s driven by spirit, his true or higher self which allows him to connect with the Universal Intelligence. The music he writes contains an energy that I find both powerful and healing. I highly recommend listening to the album in its entirety with headphones. Relax and give these songs you full attention. The drums are hypnotic and put me in a trance like state. The vibrational frequencies of the music and the vocals are medicinal. If indeed music is medicine then Schaffer is a modern day medicine man.
Also performed off of Incorruptible was Black Flag a pirate themed song that is catchy and fun to sing along to. Here’s a link to the video:
The heaviest fastest song of the night was ‘7 headed Whore’, what a killer song! Starts off with a Slayer vibe and Stu really shows his versatility. This song is fast in speed and is only three minutes long but packed with potent lyrics and hefty yet rapid sound. It’s an awesome part of the show and the album.
Raven Wing is a stand out song that is so strong and beautiful. A magical song about the raven that lets you know you are never alone. The raven is your guide, by your side, stripping you of your doubt. An entremely powerful song but in a very different way than 7HW. Raven live was amazing!
Stormrider is song from the 90’s that features Schaffer on vocals and lead guitar. It shows how talented Jon is. He is fully capable of being the singer and lead guitar player for a band. Jon’s vocal range is no where near as wide as Stu’s and many of the songs he writes require someone with a wider range so in order to deliver the best IE possible he has always brought the best vocalist on board. Jon’s a loyal Gibson guitarist and played a Les Paul both nights.
Other songs played were Clear the Way about the Battle of Fredericksberg and Watching Over Me. The band also paid tribute to Warrel Dane, singer for Sanctuary who passed away in December 2017. Block led the crowd in chanting Warrel Dane, Warrel Dane, Warrel Dane. I’m sure Warrel Dane’s presence was there watching over us. Sanctuary opened the show both nights with Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael filling in.
Many of the shows on this tour sold out. There’s a certain loyalty for the band that forms among the fans that’s solid and unbreakable. I’d say, once an IE fan, always an IE fan. I know I’m looking forward to getting showered with sound next time they come to town.