ICED EARTH: Why 'Live In Ancient Kourion' Blu-Ray Is Not Available Separately

ICED EARTH's first officially filmed headline show, "Live In Ancient Kourion", will hit stores on April 15 in Europe and April 16 in North America via Century Media. This incredibly powerful package will come to you in various configurations and, a first for Century Media Records, also on Blu-ray disc. The limited-edition deluxe book features the main show and a plethora of bonus content on DVD and a Blu-ray disc, as well as the entire concert on a 2CD set (4 discs in total). You can also enjoy the audio version of the full concert in a 3LP gatefold vinyl package or as a 2CD set. A standard DVD and digital audio download will also be available.

In a new posting on ICED EARTH's official Facebook page, the band writes:

"Dear ICED EARTH fans around the world:

"We have noticed comments about the Blu-ray for 'Live In Ancient Kourion' not being available separately and, in North America, the deluxe package that includes the Blu-ray, DVD and 2 CDs plus extended booklet as well as the 3-LP vinyl box set only being available from CM Distro.

"There is one thing to be said here:

"As a band, you deliver a product. You make it as good as humanly possible, you pour your blood, sweat and tears into it and at some point, you hand it over to the label.

"As a band, you only have limited input into whatever happens next.

"We would have loved to see a Blu-ray as a stand-alone format and for that format to be available worldwide, in as many stores as humanly possible.

"We would have loved to see the deluxe edition and 3-LP vinyl version to be available in record stores across the U.S., however few it may be that still exist.

"Ultimately, labels make these decisions. They base it on economics, what they think is the demand of the market and what will sell.

"Band and label live together and work together, but not always do they agree. But this is above our influence.

"In reality, the only way to influence for this to change and for the U.S. to offer the same packages Europe is getting, is if the orders for these configurations are large enough to make the label listen and see that there IS indeed a demand for it and change their outlook on this in the future.

"Again: we are sorry and we wish it was different.

"We just wanted you guys to know how things really work."

The setlist for ICED EARTH's August 19, 2012 concert was as follows:

01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angel Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. When The Night Falls
07. I Died For You
08. Invasion
09. Motivation Of Man
10. Setian Massacre
11. Stormrider
12. Pure Evil
13. Wolf
14. Dark City
15. End Of Innocence
16. Dracula
17. Ten Thousand Strong
18. End Of Innocence
19. Anthem
20. Decleration Day
21. Days Of Rage
22. Melancholy (Holy Martyr)

Encore 1:

23. In Sacred Flames
24. Boiling Point
25. Damien
26. Watching Over Me
27. Dantes Inferno
28. Iced Earth

Encore 2:

29. The Hunter

Since ICED EARTH's latest album, "Dystopia", was released in October 2011, the band has been on the attack in a big way, playing more shows in the past year than in the previous ten years... combined.

Comments ICED EARTH guitarist/mainman Jon Schaffer: "I feel this is a testament to a new beginning, a new energy and a rock solid determination that will see us taking the music of ICED EARTH to every corner of the globe; spreading the awareness of our brand of metal in a way that hasn't been done before. I've never been more proud of this band, our crew, and the people behind the scenes that are responsible for much of our success."

Early on in the world tour, the band decided that they wanted to capture this newfound energy and passion on film. The biggest question was deciding where to film. There were so many great shows and audiences around the world that it was very challenging to decide which city to choose for this special event. When the offer came in to film at the ancient Kourion Theater in Limassol, Cyprus, they were immediately attracted to that idea. The history and culture there, as well as the Cypriot audience, which the band experienced in December 2011, solidified the decision to film the DVD in Cyprus. Filming and recording a two-and-a-half-hour show in an amphitheater that is 6000 years old and is not set up for a rock concert, paired with 40-degree-Celsius heat, were just some of the obstacles to overcome. But the finished product makes up for any of the challenges that the band and crew faced on that special night.

"Stormrider" performance (video):

"I Died For You" performance (audio):

"Damien" performance (audio):

"Dystopia" performance (video):

"Live In Ancient Kourion" trailer: