For two decades, Jon Schaffer and his vehicle, ICED EARTH, have taken the long, high road of non-compromise to reach the rarified air breathed by those few who enjoy lasting commercial success writing and performing music in the Heavy Metal genre. While the journey to the top continues on, it certainly appears that the roughest roads of ICED EARTH’S journey are behind them. The dead end streets are now recognized for what they are and the open highway lies ahead for ICED EARTH. The vehicle's tank remains full of Jon's unique blend of high-octane passion and desire. Lessons learned over the past 20 years ("getting ripped off," and "getting had," not to mention "getting old," and "getting grey") have provided Jon with the ability to navigate through the fog and illusions of the music industry.
Always grounded by a gut instinct grown keener with each passing year, a work ethic framed by inner integrity, and an unwavering commitment to give ICED EARTH fans nothing less than 100% of what he is capable of, has in turn rewarded Jon and ICED EARTH with one of the most loyal fan bases that any band in any genre could hope to enjoy. A fact that they are extremely appreciative of everyday. In 2007, ICED EARTH released its eighth full-length studio release FRAMING ARMAGEDDON (Something Wicked Part 1), which expands the "Something Wicked" storyline first introduced in the trilogy of the same name appearing on the 1998 release, SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. The "Something Wicked" story is so expansive and timely that its follow-up, the ninth full-length studio release THE CRUCIBLE OF MAN (Something Wicked Part 2), quickly followed in 2008. The pair of releases form the pillars of a massive undertaking to tell one of the most complex and epic stories ever attempted in contemporary music.
Which brings us to 2011. The magical nexus of art and life – the knife’s edge where raw artistic passion meets focused creative expression – is the space all serious musicians seek…but few find. On DYSTOPIA, the most recent album from American metal icons ICED EARTH, Jon Schaffer found that space. And made it his own. In much the same way HORROW SHOW (ICED EARTH’s tribute to classic characters from literature and movies) was born, Schaffer’s interest in dystopian themes in literature and movies led him to try his hand at that genre as well – even paying homage on the new album to the movies Dark City, V For Vendetta, and Soylent Green. Add a pinch of Orwell (“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever”), a soupcon of Blade Runner, and a smattering of headlines from around the world and – voila! – you get DYSTOPIA…perhaps ICED EARTH’s heaviest and most menacing album to date.
A blistering 10-song tour-de-force that explores the nightmarish Orwellian world of the future (or is it the present?), DYSTOPIA runs the gamut of poignant ballads, bone-crushing riffs, stratospheric vocals, and chilling lyrics. It is a soul-searing album not for the faint of heart. Of special interest to long-time fans of the band are two songs on DYSTOPIA (the title track and “Tragedy and Triumph”) that feature the return of the “Something Wicked” storyline and “Set Abominae” – who, when last seen in THE CRUCIBLE OF MAN (2008), had taken his position as ruler of the world. Now armed with the dynamic vocal range of vocalist Stu Block (fresh from his success with prog-metal favorites INTO ETERNITY), and a renewed passion he hasn’t felt for many years, Schaffer forged an album that cannot be ignored.
