ICED EARTH To Enter Studio In February

ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Again I have to apologize for the delay in updates. I've been extremely busy with writing and preproduction for the new ICED EARTH CDs.

"I also lost the one person that was my true mentor and inspiration throughout my life, which was very difficult. My father, Tom Schaffer, died unexpectedly of a massive stroke in October. He was 67, and died two weeks before his 68th birthday. It's hard to imagine what my life would have been like without my Dad's influence. I would not be who I am today, that's for sure. Fortunately, he was able to travel with the band a few times, and he really enjoyed meeting and talking with the fans. He was there for the 'Alive in Athens' recording and was dubbed Papa Earth by some of the fans in Greece. I will miss him very much.

"Obviously, this had a huge impact on me and brought the writing to a halt for about a month.

"I'm back on track and we are going to start recording on February 1st. We will be releasing a single/EP in June '07 that will feature the 'Something Wicked' trilogy re-recorded and a track that will be an alternate edit of a song that will be on 'Something Wicked Part 2' that now has a working title of 'Come What May'. The label was wanting me to do something with the original trilogy to reintroduce the story. So, what we have in store for you is very cool. You will hear 'Prophecy', 'Birth of the Wicked', and 'The Coming Curse' in a new way that will be a very killer way to kick off this massive epic.

"I don't want to give you any details to spoil the surprise, but trust me, it's going to be awesome.

"'Something Wicked (Part 1)' will be released in the September/October '07 time frame and Part 2 will follow in January/February '08.

"This is by far the most epic task I've ever taken on as a songwriter and I really feel like it will be worth all the sacrifice when it's finished. I've been working nonstop for over a year now and it's coming together in a very special way. I've just about finished all the musical arrangements and am now focusing on writing the lyrics/vocal melodies. I'm in the final stretch now...

"Tim Mills has contributed a few really cool pieces of music and has shown a real interest in the whole 'Something Wicked' story, and a real passion for being involved with the band. All this while owning and operating his own company (Bare Knuckle Pickups). I'm impressed, it's a rare quality, believe me.

"Also, the bass player on the next record is a local boy from Indianapolis whose name is James 'Bo' Wallace. Bo is a killer player and a great personality. I went to see him perform several months ago and was impressed with his abilities, energy and passion. He played with MA KELLEY for many years and released several records on a few different independent labels. Without a doubt, Bo is a great bass player and I'm happy to have him working with ICED EARTH.

"Here's a list of working titles for the upcoming epic. There will likely be changes but this gives you an idea of where things are going."

"Something Wicked - Part 1"

01. Overture
02. Something Wicked (Part 1)
03. Invasion
04. Man's Motivation
05. The Setian Massacre
06. Ghost Dance Ritual
07. Reflections
08. Ten Thousand Strong
09. Execution
10. Order of the Rose
11. The Clouding
12. Infiltrate and Assimilate
13. Retribution From the Shadows
14. Something Wicked (Part 2)
15. The Domino Decree
16. The Division of Religion (Man Needs God)
17. Novo Ordo Seclorum (Cycle Of A New Age)

"Something Wicked - Part 2"

01. The Sacred Flames
02. Behold the Wicked Child
03. Minions of the Watch
04. A Gift Or A Curse?
05. I Walk Among You
06. My Burden, My Honor
07. Ancient Rage of the High Priest
08. A Gathering Threat
09. Time Marches On
10. Sacrificial Kingdoms
11. Something Wicked (Part 3)
12. Divide Devour
13. Conspiracy / A Charge to Keep
14. Come What May (Mankind Is Lost)