Biografi The Offspring
The Offspring adalah sebuah band beraliran punk yang berasal dari Orange County, California bagian selatan. Band ini pernah mengukir sejarah di dunia musik underground ketika meluncurkan album Smash yang terjual 8 juta salinan
berkat hit-hitnya seperti "Come Out and Play," "Self Esteem," and "Gotta Get Away,".
The Offpsring beranggotakan Dexter Bryan Keith Holland, Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, Greg Kriesel atau lebih dikenal dengan Greg.K dan Atom Willard. Pertama kali dibentuk pada tahun 1984 oleh Dexter Holland dan Greg.K yang saat itu berusia 18 tahun setelah mereka ditolak untuk masuk menonton konser Social Distortion. Band ini memainkan musik-musik punk yang terpengaruh oleh ska, grunge dengan sound Seattle dan bahkan metal.Mulanya, band ini bernama Manic Subsidal. Sebuah band dengan format garage band yang cukup popular saat itu. Noodles yang berusia 21 tahun kemudian bergabung dan mulanya hanya dimanfaatkan oleh Dexter dan Greg karena mereka berdua masih dibawah umur untuk membeli rokok dan bir. Tak lama setelah itu, Marcus Parrish, teman satu sekolah Ron Welty-yang nantinya menjadi drummer band ini-bergabung.
Masih dengan nama band Manic Subsidal, band ini merilis EP pada tahun 1984 dalam sebuah kompilasi berjudul Party Animal : We Got Power II dengan lagunya, "Hopeless", dibawah bendera Mystic Records. Inilah saat dimana untuk pertama dan terakhir kalinya band ini merekam lagu dengan nama band Manic Subsidal. Di tengah pengerjaan EP ini, Marcus Parrish mengundurkan diri.
Pada tahun 1987, band Manic Subsidal berganti nama menjadi The Offspring. Dengan nama baru, The Offspring merilis sebuah single berjudul "I'll Be Waiting" dengan label Black Lable. Black Lable sebenarnya adalah lelucon (karena memang tidak pernah ada) yang dibuat oleh The Offspring karena mereka sangat sulit sekali menemukan label untuk memproduksi karya mereka. Maka mereka menamai label yang mereka buat sendiri dari merk bir murah yang biasa mereka beli sambil terus mencari label besar. Formasi band saat merilis single ini adalah Dexter Holland (vocal dan rhytm), Noodles (lead guitar), Greg.K (bass) dan James Lilja (drummer). James Lilja hanya bertahan di band ini dalam waktu yang cukup singkat, posisinya pun segera digantikan oleh Ron Welty yang waktu itu berumur 16 tahun dan menjadi anggota band termuda.
Biografi kumpulan XPDC .
XPDC lahir dari perpecahan kumpulan Tragedy yang dianggotai oleh Mael (Vokalis), Izo (Gitaris), Man Tobey (Bassis) dan Yazid (Drum). Kumpulan Tragedy hanya sempat menyiapkan 50% proses rakamannya apabila dua orang anggotanya iaitu Yazid dan Man Tobey telah menarik diri. Yazid dan Man Tobey telah digantikan dengan Lee Space dan Zuar. Nama kumpulan Tragedy kemudian ditukarkan kepada kumpulan XPDC di atas nasihat penerbitnya J.S.Kevin. Ketika mereka mula merangkak mencipta namanya, pemain drum mereka Lee Space mengambil keputusan untuk keluar dari kumpulan ini. Tempatnya telah diganti oleh Amy bekas anggota kumpulan HANDY BLACK. Lee Space kemudian menyertai kumpulan Def Gab C. Yazid ("wak kang") yang pernah menjadi drummer XPDC kemudian menggalas tugas sebagai Pengurus kumpulan XPDC secara tidak rasmi.
Kumpulan XPDC mula mencipta nama dengan lagu mengeja "C.I.N.T.A" ciptaan Z.N. Kevin dan lirik oleh J.S.Kevin. Lagu tersebut pernah ke final Juara Lagu 1990 dengan persembahan mantap XPDC.
Pengunduran Mael penyanyi utamanya telah mengundang kontroversi yang paling hebat. Rata-rata peminat dan pengiat seni menjangkakan kumpulan XPDC ini akan berkubur. Namun nama XPDC masih tetap lagi bertahan dan menjadi lebih popular. Lebih uniknya album Brutal (album terakhir Mael bersama XPDC) ini telah terjual melebihi 350,000 unit satu pencapaian jualan album yang terbaik XPDC.
Ketiadaan Mael memberi ruang kepada Ali (bekas penyanyi Terra Rossa). Amy yang mengalami kecelakaan jalanraya tidak berupaya memainkan lagu-lagu rancak lagi telah diganti sementara oleh Lola. Setahun selepas itu Lola secara rasmi menggangotai XPDC apabila Amy mengambil keputusan untuk menarik diri. XPDC dibawah pengurusan baru di bawah En Ahmad Nazri Hj Abdul Rahman bersama penyanyi utama mereka Ali,telah berjaya membina sebuah studio jamming dan latihan serta pejabat pengurusan XPDC di Taman Bukit Mewah, Kajang.
Namun, setelah beberapa lama Lola pula mengundur diri daripada XPDC untuk menyertai Search kerana kecewa dengan pengurusan XPDC dan tempatnya diambil alih oleh Pae (bekas pemain dram Barongan.) Namun Lola juga tidak lama dengan Search kerana akhirnya Yazid (drummer asal Search) kembali bermain untuk Search.
Pemain gitar bass XPDC Zua mengundur diri kerana ingin membawa haluannya sendiri dengan menubuhkan Viper. Percubaan ini juga tidak berjaya dan album gagal, walaupun hasrat Zua untuk merakamkan album dan menyumbangkan vokal tercapai. Yan Lefthanded menggantikan tempat Zua sebagai pemain bass bagi kumpulan XPDC. Beliau bukanlah orang baru bersama XPDC sebaliknya turut berperanan 'menghidupkan' XPDC di belakang tabir sejak album Kita Peng-Yu.
XPDC juga pernah muncul dalam filem 'Nadia' dan penampilan istimewa dalam filem 'Getaran.' Selain itu mereka membintangi telemovie berjudul Apa Nak Dikata dan Sakinah. Di dalam telemovie ini line-up XPDC terdiri daripada Ali, Izo, Yan, dan Lola.
Sehingga kini XPDC aktif mengadakan persembahan pentas di seluruh pelusuk tanah air. Mereka sememangnya sinonim dengan gelaran 'Raja Funfair' dimana ini merupakan satu cara bagi XPDC untuk mendekatkan diri dengan peminat-peminat di tapak-tapak ekspo seluruh negara.
2006
Pada tahun ini XPDC kembali bergabung dengan anggota asalnya iaitu Mael, Izo, Zua, dan Amy. Manakala Ali dan Pae membawa haluan sendiri dengan menubuhkan kumpulan Mpire. Percubaan kumpulan Mpire di persada seni tidak berapa membuahkan hasil kerana kesan kejatuhan industri muzik tanahair. Yan pula bergiat sebagai sessionist dan sekali sekala bersama dengan kumpulan Lefthanded. Ketika ini XPDC giat dengan konsert-konsert di seluruh pelusuk negara dengan lokasinya tertumpu di tapak-tapak ekspo.
2007
Penghujung tahun ini XPDC muncul dengan sebuah album khas berjudul Rock Union yang memuatkan 20 lagu-lagu hits XPDC, Real X, dan lagu-lagu dari album solo Mael sebelum ini dan juga bonus dua lagu baru berjudul "Curahan Rasa" dan "Menentang Arus". Kedua-dua lagu ini ciptaan allahyarham JS Kevin.
Album dwi-cd ini diterbitkan oleh EMI Malaysia dengan kerjasama Life Records (M).
2008
Pada tahun 2008 XPDC diuar-uarkan akan menerbitkan album terbaru mereka. Tetapi disebabkan beberapa masalah yang tidak dapat dielakkan, album baru mereka tidak dapat diterbit seperti yang dirancang.
2009
Album baru XPDC bertajuk 'Rasopariso' telah berada dipasaran pada bulan November 2009. Antara lagu-lagu di dalam album terbaru...
Sanasinisamasaja
Aku Tetap Aku
Ntahye Ntahtidak
Rasopariso
Rasa
Puing Cinta
Sampai Bila
Lagu dipetik dari 'Rock Union'...
- Curahan Rasa
- Menentang Arus
Lagu bonus: Headbang (Remastered)...
- Raja Kertas (Darjah Satu)
- Talam Dua Muka (Timurbarat)
- Bahalol (Kita Peng Yu)
- Tak Nak Jadi Soh Chai (Brutal)
BONUS VCD-REUNION
- VCD: XPDC - KRONOLOGI 1989 - REUNION 2010
Diskografi
Album Studio
- Raja Kertas [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Aku Dan Sesuatu [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Pelesit Mata Sebelah [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- C.I.N.T.A. (Instrumental Mix) [Lagu: ZN Kevin]
- Gerak 2000 [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Bukan Milik Aku [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Abadikah Tragedi [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Cermin Dunia [Lagu: Bad / Lirik: Wan Zul]
- Jangan Tak Mandi [Lagu: Mael XPDC / Lirik: Mael XPDC]
- C.I.N.T.A. [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
Mael : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Lee : Drums
Izo : Gitar
- Timur Barat (1992)
- C.T. Cinta Kenangan Silam [Lagu: Zul Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Hamba Abdi [Lagu: Mael XPDC / Lirik: Mael XPDC]
- Ikatan [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Izo XPDC & Ayah Chu]
- Lagu Dari Aku [Lagu: Zul Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Penyakit Gatal [Lagu: Mael XPDC & Hairee STRA-T.G / Lirik: Mael XPDC & Hairee STRA-T.G]
- Hairan Bin Ajaib [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Izo XPDC]
- Talam Dua Muka [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azam Dungun]
- C.T. Cinta Kenangan Silam (Instrumental Mix) [Lagu: Zul Kevin]
- Cekal [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Mael XPDC & Ayang]
- Impian Seroja [Lagu: Zul Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
Mael : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Amy : Drums
Izo : Gitar
- Kita Peng-Yu (1994)
- Bahalol [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Nafisa [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: Sabri Zainuddin Zainal]
- John Jenin [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Kita Peng-Yu [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
- Kabus Semalam [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Selendang Merdeka [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
- Hijau Bumi Tuhan [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Ntahapahapatah [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Titian Perjalanan [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Sentuhan XPDC (Instrumental) [Lagu: Izo XPDC]
Mael : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Amy : Drums
Izo : Gitar
- Brutal (1997)
- Tak Nak Jadi Soh Chai [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
- Hentian Ini [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Hidup Bersama [Lagu: Salamah Basiron / Lirik: Salamah Basiron]
- Tinggalkan Semalam [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Aku Tak Kan Bising [Lagu: Mael XPDC / Lirik: Mael XPDC]
- Senapang Patah [Lagu: Peter Chong / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Cempedak Jadi Nangka [Lagu: Mael XPDC / Lirik: Mael XPDC]
- Aku Masih Di Sini [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azam Dungun]
- Semangat Yang Hilang [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Apa Nak Di Kata [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
Mael : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Amy : Drums
Izo : Gitar
- Samurai (1998)
- Bagaikan Samurai
- Ulat & Kulat
- Teman
- Kenapa Apakah
- O-Key
- King El-mondouqe
- Dunia Empat Segi
- Tanggis Darah
- Paiseh
- Semangat Perjuangan Harmoni
Ali : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Amy : Drums
Izo : Gitar
Lola : Drums (Jemputan)
- V6 (2002)
- Berdesup Cahaya
- Kaca
- Sakinah
- Monggol Dah Pulang
- Hujan Air Mata (Simpati Bumi Palestin)
- Anti Perang
- Selamat
- Haprak
- Aku Datang Sekejap Lagi
- Hilang Satu Skrew
Ali : Vocal
Yan : Bass
Lola : Drums
Izo : Gitar
- Aku Yang Hilang (Lagu:Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azman)
- Apa Lagi Nak Dikenang (Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Ozi)
- Sanasinisamasaja (Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Izo XPDC)
- Aku Tetap Aku (Lagu: Brutal / Lirik: Azam Dungun)
- Ntahye Ntahtidak (Lagu: Brutal / Lirik: Ozi)
- Rasipariso (Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azam Dungun)
- Rasa (Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Ozi)
- Pusing Cinta (Lagu: Brutal / Lirik: Sani Sudin)
- Sampai Bila (Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Ozi)
- Curahan Rasa (Lagu: J.S. Kevin / Lirik: J.S.Kevin)
- Menentang Arus (Lagu: J.S. Kevin / Lirik: J.S.Kevin)
- Raja Kertas [Lagu: ZN Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Talam Dua Muka [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azam Dungun]
- Bahalol [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Tak Nak Jadi Soh Chai [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
Mael : Vocal
Zuar : Bass
Amy : Drums
Izo : Gitar
Album Khas / Kompilasi
- Hairan Bin Ajaib
- Impian Seroja
- Kemilau Cinta (Azmani)
- Akukah Yang Bersalah (Candy)
- Anak Dunia (Ruhil)
- C.T. Cinta Kenangan Silam
- Michelle (Kris)
- Pijar (Azmani)
- Aku Hanya Seranggai (Bumiputra Rockers)
- Bukan Milik Aku
- Titian Perjalanan
- C.T. Cinta Kenangan Silam
- Aku Dan Sesuatu
- Bukan Milik Aku
- Impian Seroja
- Abadikah Tragedi
- Lagu Dari Aku
- Kabus Semalam
- Nafisa
- C.I.N.T.A.
- Kita Peng-Yu
- Hamba Abdi
- Selendang Merdeka
- Jangan Tak Mandi
- Bahalol
- Talam Dua Muka
- Penyakit Gatal
- Ntahapahapantah
- Hariran Bin Ajaib
- Gerak 2000
- Hidup Bersama (Mael)
- Rock N Roll (Ali)
- Suzanna (Ary)
- Oh Teruna (Adeq)
- Suratku Untukmu (Jatt)
- Malam Pasaria (Ary)
- Bibir Mesra Jiwa Parah (Jatt)
- Malang Selalu (Adeq)
- La Obe (Jatt)
- Lagu Tiga Kupang (Ali)
- Alah Emak Kahwinkan Aku (Ali)
- Ikan Todak (Jatt)
- Bunyi Gitar (Ary)
- Syurga Idaman (Fazilah)
- Kekasih Berduka (Ary)
- Kenanganku (Jatt)
- Darah Muda (Dila)
- Selamat Pengantin Baru (Ari)
- Baju Kebaya (Ali)
- Pontianak (Ary)
- Sedekah (Mael) - Lagu Baru
- Nyanyuk (Ali) - Lagu Baru
- Penyakit Gatal (Mael)
- Kenapa Apakah (Ali)
- Hidup Bersama (Versi Baru) (Mael)
- Alah Emak Kahwinkan Aku (Ali)
- Hamba Abdi (Mael)
- Bagaikan Samurai (Ali)
- Jangan Tak Mandi (Mael)
- Rock & Roll (Ali)
- Hairan Bin Ajaib (Akustik) (Mael)
- Teman (Ali)
- Langsung Tak Faham (Lagu Baru)
- Teman
- Kenapa Apakah
- Semangat Perjuangan Harmoni
- C.I.N.T.A.
- Titian Perjalanan
- Hidup Bersama
- Semangat Yang Hilang
- Apa Nak Dikata
- Masih Ada Semangat (Lagu Baru)
- Sakinah
- Kaca
- Hijau Bumi Tuhan
- Hentian Ini
- Senapang Patah
- Hujan Airmata
- Monggol Dah Pulang
- Aku Masih Disini
- Bahalol
- Berakit Ke Langit
- Bahalol - Talam Dua Muka - Tak Nak Jadi Soh Chai - Kita Peng Yu
- Impian Seroja - Hentian Ini - Titian Perjalanan
- Cekal - Hijau Bumi Tuhan - Bukan Milik Aku
- Ntahapahapantah - Raja Kertas - Monggol Dah Pulang
- Haprak - Nyanyuk - Berdesup Cahaya - Ulat & Kulat
- Pelesit Mata Sebelah, John Jenin, Hidup Bersama
- Aku Masih Disini - Nafisa - Teman
- King El Mondouqe - Hairan Bin Ajaib - Senapang Patah
- Selendang Merdeka - Apa Nak Di Kata
- Sakinah - Semangat Yang Hilang
Disc 1
- Curahan Rasa (Lagu Baru)
- Teman
- Selendang Merdeka
- Genggam Api
- Sedekah
- Impian Seroja
- Pelesit Mata Sebelah
- C.I.N.T.A.
- Sebalik Senyuman
- Sudah Sampai Sini
Disc 2
- Menentang Arus (Lagu Baru)
- Kita Peng-Yu
- Misteri Mimpi Syakilla
- C.T. Cinta Kenangan Silam
- Semangat Yang Hilang
- Segar Dalam Ingatan
- Bahalol
- Titian Perjalanan
- Hairan Bin Ajaib
- Lain Hidup
- XPDC Hits 25 Tahun (2014)
Terdapat sebuah lagu baru yang bertajuk KHILAF
Album Live
Konsert Raksasa XPDC Brutal Stadium Negara (1998)
- Talam Dua Muka [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Azam Dungun]
- Ntahapahapantah [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Bahalol [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Hairan Bin Ajaib [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Izo XPDC]
- Senapang Patang [Lagu: Peter Chong / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Bibir Mesra Jiwa Parah [Lagu: Salamah Basiron / Lirik: Salamah Basiron]
- Selendang Merdeka [Lagu: JS Kevin / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Lagu Tiga Kupang [Lagu/Lirik: Copyright Controlled]
- Kita Peng-Yu [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
- Drum Solo
- Suratku Untukmu [Lagu/Lirik: Copyright Controlled]
- Ikan Todak [Lagu: Rukimin Judi / Lirik: Joerem]
- Baju Kebaya [Lagu/Lirik: Copyright Controlled]
- Tak Nak Jadi Soh Chai [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: Loloq]
- Semangat Yang Hilang [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
- Hidup Bersama [Lagu: Salamah Basiron / Lirik: Salamah Basiron]
- Master Of Puppet [Lagu: James Hetfield / Lirik: Lars Ulrich, Kirt Harmelt & Cliff Burton]
- Seek And Destroyed [Lagu: James Hetfield / Lirik: Lars Ulrich]
- Alah Emak Kahwinkan Aku [Lagu/Lirik: Copyright Controlled]
- Apa Nak Dikata [Lagu: Izo XPDC / Lirik: JS Kevin]
Ali - Vocal
Izo - Gitar
Zuar - Bass
Lola - Drums (Jemputan)
Ahli Kumpulan XPDC
Mael - Vocal (1989 - 1997 , 2006 - Sekarang)
Izo - Gitar (1989 - Sekarang)
Amy - Drums (1991 - 1999 , 2006 - Sekarang)
Bekas Ahli XPDC:
Lee Space - Drums (1989 - 1991)
Ali - Vocal (1997 - 2006)
Lola - Drums (1999 - 2004)
Yan - Bass (2001 - 2006)Pae - Drums (2004 - 2006)
Zuar - Bass (1989 - 2001 , 2006 - 2013)
Iced Earth biography
The central figure of Iced Earth is, and has been, guitarist Jon Schaffer, who formed the band on January 20, 1985,in Tampa, Florida. Schaffer's original vision for the band started under the moniker "The Rose" in 1984. The group was very short-lived, after which Schaffer formed a band called Purgatory, which would eventually change its name to Iced Earth.Line-up changes were common within the band, with Jon Schaffer staying as the only constant member. The group recorded a demo in 1985, titled Psychotic Dreams. In 1988, Purgatory changed its name to Iced Earth. According to Schaffer, a friend of his, who died in a motorcycle accident prior to Schaffer moving to Florida was responsible for the name.In 1989, Iced Earth recorded another demo called Enter the Realm, with the line-up of Gene Adam on vocals, Randall Shawver on lead guitar, Dave Abell on bass, Greg Seymour on drums and Jon Schaffer on rhythm guitar and vocals.All of the songs on Enter the Realm would later appear on the band's debut album, with the exception of "Nightmares" and the title track.
After getting signed to Century Media Records, the band, now with Mike McGill on drums, started work on their debut album. Recorded at Morrisound Recording, with Tom Morris and Jon Schaffer as producers, Iced Earth was released in November, 1990 in Europe and on February 25, 1991 in the US.Following the album's release, Iced Earth toured across Europe with Blind Guardian.
Following their self-titled debut, Iced Earth quickly began work on their second album. Prior to the recording process, singer Gene Adam was let go from the band after he refused to take singing lessons. Adam was subsequently replaced by John Greely, as was drummer Mike McGill by Richey Secchiari.The album, entitled Night of the Stormrider, was once again recorded at Morrisound Recording, with Schaffer and Tom Morris as producers. The album was released on November 11, 1991, in Europe, but in the US, the album's release was delayed until April 1992, so it wouldn't compete with the group's debut album.Following Night of the Stormrider's release, Iced Earth once again toured Europe with Blind Guardian.
Following the supporting tour for Night of the Stormrider, Iced Earth took a three year layoff from 1992 to 1995. During this downtime, the band was faced with issues that almost resulted in them breaking-up,but eventually Iced Earth resurfaced with Burnt Offerings.Heralded as Iced Earth's heaviest album,Burnt Offerings was released on April 14, 1995, and was the band's first album to feature drummer Rodney Beasley and vocalist Matthew Barlow.
In January, 1996, Iced Earth began recording their fourth studio album, this time with Tom Morris' brother Jim Morris acting as co-producer, along with Jon Schaffer.The album was also the first to feature drummer Mark Prator, and the last to feature longtime bassist Dave Abell, who left the group after finishing recording. Although Abell was credited for playing on the album, bassist Keith Menser appears on the back cover, because Century Media demanded the touring line-up to appear on the cover.Incidentally, Keith Menser was fired after he didn't learn any of the band's songs for the tour, so he was soon replaced by James MacDonough. Mark Prator was also let go from the band, and was subsequently replaced by Brent Smedley.Released on May 23, 1996, The Dark Saga was a concept album based on the comic book character Spawn. Musically the album was much more melodic and simplified compared to previous Iced Earth albums. For the supporting tour, Iced Earth was joined by Nevermore.
On April 21, 1997, Iced Earth released their first compilation album: Days of Purgatory. The album featured songs from their first two albums, as well as the Enter the Realm demo, resung by Matt Barlow, with new drums and bass on some tracks as well.The album also featured a few songs from Burnt Offerings, remixed and remastered.
In March, 1998, work began on the band's fifth studio album, with Jim Morris returning as the producer. Prior to the recording process, long-time guitarist Randall Shawver left the group. Guitarist Larry Tarnowski handled lead guitar duties on the album, but wasn't credited as a full-time member of the band, but as a session musician. Brent Smedley was also unable to play on the album, due to personal reasons, and was temporarily replaced by Mark Prator, whom Smedley had originally replaced in 1996. Released on June 17, 1998, Something Wicked This Way Comes was notable for featuring the debut of Jon Schaffer's Something Wicked Saga, which he would expand upon on future albums. While on the supporting tour for Something Wicked This Way Comes (with Brent Smedley back on drums), the band recorded their first live album in Athens, Greece on January 23 and January 24, 1999.Entitled Alive in Athens, the three CD set was recorded in front of a sold-out audience (both nights) at the Rodon Club. The album was released on July 19, 1999.
Also in 1999, the band released The Melancholy E.P.. Originally conceived as a radio-only single, the EP contained three previously released songs ("Melancholy (Holy Martyr)", "Watching Over Me" and "I Died for You"), as well as two new ones (cover versions of Bad Company's "Shooting Star" and Black Sabbath's "Electric Funeral"). However, Century Media Records did not end-up releasing the EP, so it was made available for fans as a limited 1500-copy special release.
In 2000, work began on Iced Earth's sixth studio album. Entitled Horror Show, the album contained songs based on horror films and literature, such as Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera and the Wolf Man.Released on June 26, 2001, the album was the band's first to feature drummer Richard Christy, and the third with guitarist Larry Tarnowski (now a full-time member). Originally Steve DiGiorgio played bass on the album, but left the group after the recording process. According to Jon Schaffer, DiGiorgio was required and agreed to go on tour, but left due to "prior commitments."He was replaced by James MacDonough. Horror Show was also the first Iced Earth album to be partially recorded at Jon Schaffer's home studio "Schaffer Sound."
On November 26, 2001 (March 5, 2002 in America) the band released the boxset Dark Genesis, which featured the band's first three albums plus the Enter the Realm -demo, remastered and remixed with new cover art. The set also featured a new album, entitled Tribute to the Gods. It was Iced Earth's first and only cover album, featuring songs from such bands as Iron Maiden, Kiss and Blue Öyster Cult.
After the events of 9/11, Matt Barlow came to the conclusion that he wanted to start contributing to the "real world." Barlow approached Schaffer with this in late 2002, but Schaffer convinced Barlow to stay with the band. When Iced Earth began recording their next studio album, Schaffer realized that Barlow's vocals were not what he desired; he felt that they lacked passion and quality, so he decided to let Barlow go after all.Barlow became a police officer in the Georgetown Police Dept. in Georgetown, Delaware.
After Barlow's departure, Iced Earth continued work on their next album, and eventually Jon Schaffer got Tim "Ripper" Owens, from Judas Priest, to sing on the record as a favor.Owens, who was still in Judas Priest at the time, was originally supposed to be credited as a guest musician, but after singer Rob Halford rejoined Judas Priest, Owens joined Iced Earth full-time. Prior to the recording process, Larry Tarnowski was let go from the band, so the lead guitar parts on the album were played by producer Jim Morris and session guitarist Ralph Santolla.
Prior to the album's release, Iced Earth released The Reckoning. The single contained four songs off the new album, that the band felt were most likely to get radio airplay.The Glorious Burden was released on January 12, 2004, in Europe and on January 13, in the United States. Much like how Horror Show was based on horror films and literature, The Glorious Burden was inspired by historical events.It was also the band's first album with their new record company SPV. Following the supporting tour, James MacDonough left Iced Earth to join Megadeth.
After The Glorious Burden, work began on the group's next album, which would be an expanded concept album on the "Something Wicked" storyline from Something Wicked This Way Comes. Before starting work on the album, Iced Earth was faced with multiple line-up changes. In July, 2006, Ernie Carletti was chosen as the group's new lead guitar player, but after being faced with rape and kidnapping charges, he was replaced by Tim Mills.[40Incidentally, Tim Mills was also forced to leave Iced Earth in order to concentrate on his own business, "Bare Knuckle Pickups". In October, 2006, Brent Smedley rejoined Iced Earth once again, replacing Richard Christy on the drums.Because the band were left without a bassist and lead guitar player, Jon Schaffer ended up performing most of the lead guitar and bass parts on the album (although some tracks featured playing from producer Jim Morris, guitarist Troy Seele and bassist Dennis Hayes). In May, 2007, Seele was announced as a permanent member of the band,as was Dennis Hayes two months earlier.
Before releasing the full-length album, Iced Earth released the EP Overture of the Wicked, which featured re-recorded versions of the original "Something Wicked Trilogy" as well as a brand new track, entitled "Ten Thousand Strong".Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 was released on September 7, 2007, in Germany, September 10, in the rest of Europe, and on September 11, in the United States.
In December, 2007, it was announced that Matt Barlow would be rejoining Iced Earth after five years.Following his return, work continued on Iced Earth's next album, originally titled Revelation Abomination: Something Wicked Part 2. Majority of the album's music had been recorded at the same time as Framing Armageddon, and originally Jon Schaffer had planned to finish the album after the end of 2007. However work on the album had to be pushed back, due to Barlow's prior commitments to his other band, Pyramaze. In early 2008, it was announced that Dennis Hayes had been replaced by bassist Freddie Vidales.
Before releasing their next full-length album, Iced Earth released the single I Walk Among You,which contained a new song from the forthcoming album, as well as two song from Framing Armageddon, resung by Matt Barlow.After being retitled The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2, Iced Earth's ninth studio album was released in September, 2008. After The Crucible of Man, the band released Box of the Wicked, in early 2010. The boxset contained Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1, The Crucible Of Man: Something Wicked Part 2, the Overture of the Wicked EP and the I Walk Among You single, as well as a bonus CD, containing one song from Framing Armageddon, now with Matt Barlow on lead vocals, as well as three previously unreleased live tracks from the Graspop Metal Meeting festival in 2008. The boxset also included a poster and a booklet. Also in early 2010, Iced Earth signed a new contract with their former record company, Century Media Records.
In March, 2011, Matt Barlow issued a statement on Iced Earth's official website, stating that he was retiring from the band due to family commitments, among other things.Barlow still took part in the band's 2011 summer tour,and played his final show with Iced Earth on August 6, 2011, at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. Shortly after announcing Barlow's departure, Iced Earth revealed that Into Eternity frontman Stu Block had been chosen as the band's new lead vocalist.With Stu Block now on board, Iced Earth began recording their next studio album in May, 2011.
On June 27, 2011, the band released the DVD Festivals of the Wicked, which featured shows from Metal Camp Open Air (2008), the Rock Hard Festival (2008) and Wacken Open Air (2007).On September 7, 2011, Iced Earth released a re-recorded version of the song "Dante's Inferno", from the album Burnt Offerings.The band's new album Dystopia was released on October 17, 2011 in Europe and October 18 in the United States. While not a concept album, many of the album's songs were inspired by dystopian themes and films such as V for Vendetta, Dark City and Equilibrium.Two songs ("Dystopia" and "Tragedy and Triumph") also featured the return of the "Something Wicked" storyline.After the Dystopia's release, Iced Earth kicked off the Dystopia World Tour, which was heralded as "the most extensive world tour Iced Earth has ever undertaken"and that it would take the band "to countries it has never previously played."
On April 10, 2012, it was announced that Freddie Vidales had left Iced Earth. He was subsequently replaced by Luke Appleton from Fury UK. On August 19, 2012, Iced Earth recorded a new live CD/DVD in Cyprus, entitled Live in Ancient Kourion.
Jon Schaffer announced that Iced Earth would begin writing new material for their eleventh studio album in early 2013. The title was later confirmed as Plagues of Babylon, and the album was released in January 2014On May 6th, 2013, Iced Earth announced that drummer Brent Smedley had left the band due to personal reasons, to be replaced by Raphael Saini Saini played drums on the upcoming album as well as filling in on tour. Jon Dette took over on drums in November 2013. In January 2014, Plagues Of Babylon reached position #5 on the German Media Control Charts, this is the band’s highest chart position in their entire career.
