WHY THE HATE?: Iced Earth

Florida's power metal act Iced Earth were one of the biggest power metal bands to come out of the United States. Formed in 1988, their combination of power metal, combined with thrash, made them a distinctive name in the power metal scene. With many vocalists over the band's career, from Matt Barlow, to Tim "Ripper" Owens, and Into Eternity's Stu Block, the band remained constant with catchy, heavy and anthemic metal. Becoming synonymous with the genre, and being one of the bigger bands in the genre over the band's lengthy career.

But in most recent years, the band's legacy has become tarnished. Due to the actions of the band's founding guitarist Jon Schaffer, the band has faced serious backlash from the metal community. The same community who used to support them and praise them for their music. Their legacy tainted in a so-called "act of patriotism". But is that the only hate towards Iced Earth? Are they a good band, but just have one bad seed staining the band's legacy? Today, I will look at the band's music, the band themselves and really ask the question: Why The Hate?

FIRST TOPIC: The Music

Iced Earth released their self-titled debut album in 1990 on Century Media Records. They would tour in support of the album as support for Blind Guardian. With both bands becoming good friends, with Schaffer and Hans Kürsch of Blind Guardian forming a power metal side project Dungeons & Wizards. This would be the only album with vocalist Gene Adam. He was fired from the band after the band asked him to take singing lessons, which he refused to do. The band would recruit John Greely as their new vocalist, as well as new drummer Rick Secchiari and would hit the studio to record their follow-up with this new lineup.

One year later, Night of The Stormrider was released in November. The album received a more positive response compared to the self-titled debut album. Iced Earth would again open for Blind Guardian on another European tour in support of the album. Along with getting their name out by touring with a legendary established act in the genre. Following the tour though, the band would go on a two year hiatus. While the band was on hiatus, the band was on the verge of breaking up. During that downtime, Greely & Secchiari would leave the band. Matt Barlow would replace Greely and Rodney Beasley would replace Secchiari.

Taking the turmoil and difficulties in keeping the band going, as well as Schaffer's issues and frustration with the music industry, the band would take that frustration and hostility and channel that energy into the band's next album, 1995's Burnt Offerings. Cited by fans as the band's darkest record to that point. Barlow's voice, mixed with the musical intensity in the performance helped gain the band popularity and positive reviews from critics. Showing the band was on the right track with this lineup and sound. Until there was more lineup changes, featuring new drummer Mark Prator.

In 1996, the band would release their fourth album The Dark Saga. A concept album based on the origin story of the comic book character Spawn. Musically, the album was a lot more melodic and having a straight-forward metal sound. This was due to Schaffer being in a more positive mindset, compared to the mentality he was feeling in previous albums. Though receiving positive reviews with the new direction, the album by the fans compared it as a step-down from Burnt Offerings. With many die-hards being not a fan of the "simplicity" on The Dark Saga that they've heard on previous albums. Many of the comments and accolades were directed at Barlow's performance. With his ability to deliver powerful vocal presence, while also delivering somber moments throughout.

The band would release Something Wicked This Way Comes in 1998. With more lineup changes, the album was mainly recorded by Schaffer, Barlow and new bassist James MacDonough. A much heavier record compared to The Dark Saga, the band listened to the fan feedback from the previous album and wanted to have more diverse song styles throughout the album to help please old and new fans. Schaffer did struggle with writing the album, which did add more of frustration and anger to the album's ongoing attitude. Barlow's performance was again praised on the record, with critics mixed musically on the record. Some loved the heavier, aggressive return, while some were just saying they were just re-hashing old material, citing some songs that felt like leftovers from The Dark Saga.

In 2001, Iced Earth would release their sixth album Horror Show. A concept album based on classic monsters and horror icons. The album was a more power-metal driven album. With less of the thrash elements present on the album. Like clockwork, the album did feature lineup changes. Bassist Steve Digorgio would play on the album, but wouldn't tour with the band. Drummer Richard Christy would make his debut on the album as well and would tour with the band. Barlow's vocals were very prominent on the album, mainly heavily layered in the production and mixing. Almost at some points sounding like Paul Stanley of KISS at certain moments. After the events of September 11th, 2001, Barlow had a moment of reflection, wanting to contribute to the "real world" in his words. Though losing interest in performing, Schaffer convinced him to stay through the making of the band's next album.

While working on the next album, Barlow's performance on the record was not meeting Schaffer's expectations for the album. Schaffer would later say that he didn't have any passion in his performance. Schaffer would let Barlow leave the band following the realization. Barlow would go on to become a police officer in the state of Delaware.

The Glorious Burden, released in January 2004, was the band's seventh album. It marked the debut of new vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens, who was still in Judas Priest at the time. It would also be the debut of new guitarist Ralph Santolla. A concept album based on famous historical events, the album would receive positive reviews and praise for Owens performance on the record. The album would also features singles "Declaration Day" and an acoustic version of the song "When The Eagle Cries". After the album and tour, the band faced more countless lineup changes, with Christy, MacDonough and Santolla leaving the band. Regrouping with new drummer Brent Smedley, Iced Earth would begin work on their most epic concept album.

Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 was released in 2007 and would be part one of a two part piece. Schaffer would take on a heavier musical workload, playing both the lead and rhythm guitar on the album. At over an hour and almost twenty tracks, it would be the band's grandest and largest albums. Led by the music video "Ten Thousand Strong" the song showcased Owens' powerful highs and Schaffer's thrash metal playing style. Receiving mixed reviews from critics, with some citing the record was bloated with filler and lackluster tracks Some praised Owens' performance, while also giving positive approval for the band pushing themselves to a new level. Later in 2007, a familiar face would return to the band as the band would begin work on the band's next album.

In 2008, the band would release The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2, with Barlow returning to the band. Though the album had been written & recorded at the same time as Framing Armageddon, the album had to be delayed to accommodate Barlow's commitment with his role in the band Pyramaze. Unfortunately, the album didn't receive the same positive reviews as Framing Armageddon. It would also be the band's last album with bassist Dennis Hayes. Barlow would also leave the band again for the final time due to family commitments, though he would finish the 2011 tour supporting the album.

The band would recruit Into Eternity vocalist Stu Block and new bassist Freddie Vidales. Dystopia was released in 2011. Block's voice was called "a perfect combination of Owens and Barlow vocally", fitting the thrash/speed metal sound that the band was delivering on this album. Fans and critics loved the addition of Block, with many fans calling it the band's best album, which I actually agree with. Dystopia would end up on a lot of best albums of 2011 that year.

Plagues of Babylon would be the band's eleventh album and was released in January 2014. Featuring new bassist Luke Appleton and guest drummer Raphael Saini, the album did continue the success of Dystopia and would receive positive review from fans and critics. With the fanbase claiming the band is hitting their stride in the Block-era. The album would feature guest appearance by Michael Poulsen of Volbeat and Russell Allen of Symphony X on the song "Highwayman". Blind Guardian front man Hans Kürsch would provide lead vocals on "Among The Living Dead".  The album would be the highest charting album in the band's career at number 49 on the Billboard 200. Selling 6,300 copies in it's first week.  

The band's last album was 2017's Incorruptible. It would mark the only album to feature lead guitarist Jake Dreyer and the return of drummer Brent Smedley on drums. Incorruptible received mixed reviews upon release. Critics claiming that this album was the weakest of the Block-era of the band. After a successful tour cycle and expectations to begin work on the band's next album, the band would break up following Schaffer's involvement in an event we will cover shortly. In 2022, a compilation album A Narrative Soundscape was released. The album featured re-imagined acoustic versions of Iced Earth songs, along with spoken lyrics mainly performed by Schaffer

Does Iced Earth's music deserve the hate? Musically, I don't think they do. They are a solid power metal. Showing that the United States can create power metal to almost the same level as their European counterparts. The inclusion of thrash elements helped deviate themselves from other acts, and continued to make their sound distinctive and recognizable. I do still listen to some of the band's albums today (mainly Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Glorious Burden and Dystopia), which these I consider, in my opinion, the best of the Barlow, Owens and Block eras and good starting points for people checking the band out for the first time. Musically, Iced Earth's music doesn't deserve the hate.

SECOND TOPIC: The Band

Now we get to the elephant in the room. On January 6th, 2021, Schaffer took part in the 2021 US Capitol Attack. An attack where many Republican and Far-Right supporters stormed the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. in protest of president Trump losing the presidential election to his opponent Joe Biden. The rioters goal was to keep Trump in power by occupying the Capitol and preventing Congress from counting the electoral college votes to officially declare Biden the winner of the election. As a result of the attack, five people died and 174 police officers were injured as well as over $2 million dollars in damages. After appearing on the FBI's most wanted section, Schaffer would turn himself in on January 17th. He was charged with six felony charges. .

In April, Schaffer, as part of a plea deal, would plead guilty to two charges. One for obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and the other for trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a dangerous weapon. He was famously the first person to plead guilty in relation to the failed coup attempt. With his name and image being plastered off countless new sites like CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. He was also granted sponsorship to be a part of the Witness Protection Program. Schaffer is expected to be sentenced in late October of this year. Following his arrest, all of the band members would leave Iced Earth. In solidarity with not supporting the actions of Schaffer. Century Media Records would drop the band from its roster. Schaffer's project Demons & Wizards would also disband with Kürsch also not condoning Schaffer's actions.

During the proceedings of Schaffer's actions that day, more information began to surface regarding his political ideology. Schaffer was a member of the far-right militia Oath Keepers. According to The New York Times, the group is a "far-right militia style organization founded by military and law enforcement veterans that professes to believe that a shadowy globalist cabal is plotting to take away American's rights". He would also appear on controversial figure Alex Jones' InfoWars program in 2009. In the interview, they shared and compared their mutual political views. There is also countless images that show Schaffer wearing a confederate flag bandana. With the confederate flag having a symbol and legacy led to racism, segregation and hate in U.S. history.

Does Jon Schaffer deserve the hate? In my opinion, I think he does. To be a part of a political coup for a stupid, unjustifiable reason because "your guy lost" is in my opinion, one of the stupidest things to happen in American history. And to be a part of that "insurrection" just shows that you are not a true American and your ideologies are lost. With his continued usage of also wearing or flaunting a confederate flag in 2020, is not acceptable. Even before the woke/cancel culture society became more aware of and critical of these kind of things, it is not ok to promote, endorse or glorify any kind of hate towards any culture, belief or race. It is not only an insult to your fans, but to the society you live in and can taint your musical legacy. I still have trouble separating the person and their actions from the music they make (Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying and Varg Vikernes from Burzum for example), so it is hard sometimes to still listen to Iced Earth after his actions, but for his involvement in the attempted coup, carrying a weapon and threatening violence during it, as well as being associated with a far-right militia, I believe he deserves the hate that he receives for the actions he has done.

It seems like, regarding Iced Earth, that the music doesn't deserve any of the backlash and an instinctual back-turning effect to the band. The band does have some really good, thrashy power metal albums that are really great albums. And with the different timeframes of the band, you get more unique variations of the band. So it is almost a different kind of band for any type of power metal fan. It is the actions and repercussions from Schaffer's actions and political views have unfortunately left a stain on the band's legacy. Causing fans to be hesitant to check out the band's music due to his far-right/MAGA beliefs and involvement in an unjustified revolution. That not only did it not work or be affective in the result you wanted, but people lost their lives for your redundant and petty cause because you couldn't take a loss gracefully.

It is sad and disheartening to write this edition of Why The Hate?. For me, Iced Earth was the band that got me into power metal when I was growing up. When I heard The Glorious Burden, I was hooked on the band and wanted to listen to every record. So, to have that love for the band slowly begin to die because of Schaffer's political views and actions does hurt my admiration for the band. As an American, and seeing his involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack, I now look down at him and his beliefs. .

He not only risked his freedom for this tedious and moronic "revolution", he affected so many other people that are involved with him musically and potentially financially. Members of Iced Earth & Demons & Wizards were affected by his actions. Not only did they lose their jobs with the band, but also causing unfair judgement towards them. Making some fans associate their views with Schaffer, and that was not the case. Which was unfair to make them have to defend their completely unrelated ideology because of one member. What some could say may affect their chances of finding work with other bands because of their association with Schaffer. At the end of the day, Schaffer is the only thing about Iced Earth that deserves the hate, and we will see what happens when his sentencing happens. It is interesting how he wrote The Glorious Burden, and would go on to become a burden himself.  

I am also aware that political beliefs, thoughts and opinions are hard to address and discuss in today's day and age. Usually leading to drawing the ire of the internet (see the comments section of Why The Hate?: Ted Nugent on our Facebook page). Our boss still gives me flack for all the "unique" comments we had when that feature went live. I know that my opinions towards Schaffer's beliefs, ideology and actions may draw criticism towards myself and This Day in Metal. To the reader, I must clarify that these thoughts are mine and mine alone. So if you disagree with me, I please ask you address me and not take any negativity or criticism towards the site or our staff.

Do you think Iced Earth deserves the hate? Do you agree or disagree and why? Let us know in the comments section of our social media pages. You can also put in the comments what band, genre or topic we should tackle next for this series.