ASHES OF ARES, the band that includes former ICED EARTH members Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales, will have a good time the upcoming thirtieth anniversary of ICED EARTH‘s third album, 1996’s “The Darkish Saga”, on a European tour in September/October 2025.
In asserting the upcoming trek on social media, ASHES OF ARES wrote: “A dream of many followers is now coming true, because the European viewers may have the chance to listen to and witness your entire epic ‘The Darkish Saga’ album on stage.
“The monumental 1996 album that has introduced so many recollections and pleasure to metallic followers will likely be performed from begin to end, sure all 10 songs, together with songs from our forthcoming album.
“You’ll want to examine again right here tomorrow, once we will announce our first date in October. Guess the place that is going to be.”
Vidales performed with ICED EARTH from 2008 to 2012 and is featured on the band’s 2011 album “Dystopia”.
Barlow served two stints with ICED EARTH, from 1993 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2011.
Recorded in early 1996, “The Darkish Saga” was an idea album based mostly on the Todd McFarlane comedian e book character Spawn (who additionally seems on the album’s cowl). Upon its arrival, the LP was praised for Barlow‘s vocals, in addition to ICED EARTH founder, songwriter, guitarist and producer Jon Schaffer and Randall Shawver‘s guitar enjoying. Eduardo Rivadavia known as Barlow‘s vocal efficiency “spectacular all through”, whereas Mike Stagno felt that “Barlow‘s deeper vocal fashion additionally helps the songs sound way more emotional”. Rivadavia additionally named Schaffer and Shawver‘s interaction the spotlight of “The Darkish Saga”.
ASHES OF ARES launched its third studio album, “Emperors And Fools”, in January 2022 through ROAR! Rock Of Angels.
“Emperors And Fools” was produced by ASHES OF ARES, and combined and mastered by Byron Filson at Villain Recording in Phoenix, Arizona. The duvet paintings was created by Kamil Pietruczynik.
ASHES OF ARES‘s second album, “Properly Of Souls”, got here out in November 2018 through ROAR! Rock Of Angels. It was the follow-up to ASHES OF ARES‘s self-titled debut album, which was launched in September 2013 through Nuclear Blast.
Seven years in the past, Barlow instructed “The Basic Metallic Present” about ASHES OF ARES: “Generally it is arduous to flee the comparisons [to ICED EARTH], as a result of my voice remains to be my voice it doesn’t matter what, and I am nonetheless gonna ship issues emotionally like I’ve earlier than, so persons are at all times gonna draw comparisons with ICED EARTH, and that is superb; I am utterly cool with that. I am happy with my time in ICED EARTH, happy with all the things that I’ve performed with them, happy with them proper now, happening and kicking ass. So I haven’t got any drawback with that in any respect — the comparisons. However that being stated, I need ASHES to have its personal identification as nicely. I believe, once more, as my writing companion, Freddie deserves that — he deserves to have his personal identification in ASHES — and I believe that is actually essential; that is what we’re striving to do.”
ICED EARTH performed its closing present with Barlow on the 2011 version of the Wacken Open Air pageant in Wacken, Germany.
Barlow, who’s married to Schaffer‘s sister, introduced his departure from ICED EARTH in March 2011. In a heartfelt assertion, he cited his dedication to his household and the necessity for ICED EARTH to tour extra as the explanations for his retirement; nonetheless, he dedicated to performing with ICED EARTH on all 2011 European pageant dates, together with Wacken Open Air.
Again in late 2020, Barlow reunited with Schaffer to have a good time the vacation season with an EP known as “Winter Nights”. Launched underneath the SCHAFFER/BARLOW PROJECT banner, the trouble contained the duo’s distinctive spin on 5 Christmas classics and two ICED EARTH songs.
Final October, Jon was sentenced to 3 years of probation and 120 hours of group service in connection along with his involvement within the riot on the U.S. Capitol. He was additionally ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 monetary evaluation. Schaffer later grew to become certainly one of about 1,500 individuals accused of crimes associated to the riot who had been pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, Schaffer stated in an interview that the authorized points {and professional} setback he confronted on account of his involvement within the Capitol riot have been “the most important reward” of his life, partly as a result of “it’s what led me to [Jesus] Christ.”
Blissful Wednesday! – Here’s a teaser announcement that an announcement is coming:
A dream of many followers is now coming…
Posted by Ashes of Ares on Wednesday, April 23, 2025
