Matt Barlow
Encyclopedia
Matthew Barlow is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He is the former lead singer for Iced Earth
. He is Jon Schaffer
's brother-in-law.
tour with Blind Guardian
in Europe
, as a replacement for John Greely. The first album Barlow can be heard on is Burnt Offerings
(1995). Barlow left the band in 2003, much to the chagrin of many fans. His reason for leaving was due to personal beliefs related to the September 11 terrorist attacks
. He took a look at his life and realized that he wanted to contribute to the "real world" instead of living the illusion of a "rock star." He approached Jon Schaffer
with this in late 2002, but Schaffer, known for his persuasive personality, convinced Barlow to stay with the band. When the band recorded The Glorious Burden
, Schaffer decided that Barlow's vocals were not what he desired them to be; he believed they lacked the passion and quality that Barlow was known for. He decided to let Barlow go after all and hired Tim Owens, former lead singer of Judas Priest
.
Barlow became a police officer in the police department in Georgetown, Delaware
. He was also a vocalist for the First State Force Band, which is made up of law enforcement members from different departments throughout Delaware. The band performs for schools, delivering messages such as "Say no to drugs," "Stay away from violence," and "Respect your parents, teachers, yourselves, others, and life" through music.
On April 13, 2007, Barlow returned to music more fully as the new lead singer of Danish progressive power metal band Pyramaze
. Barlow accepted the offer to join Pyramaze because it would allow him to return to the music scene, while still being able maintain his current job.
However, on December 11, 2007, it was announced that Barlow had officially re-joined Iced Earth and would be singing on The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part 2) and following albums. Pyramaze confirmed that he would remain with them to record their album Immortal
, but that their professional relationship would end there.
On March 3, 2011, Matt Barlow announced that he will again be leaving Iced Earth after the band finishes its European festival shows, citing his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as his reasons for retirement.
On August 6th, Barlow performed his farewell show with Iced Earth at the Wacken Open Air
festival.
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
. He is Jon Schaffer
Jon Schaffer
Jon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
's brother-in-law.
History
Barlow joined Iced Earth after the Night of the StormriderNight of the Stormrider
-Personnel:*Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, producer*John Greely – vocals*Randall Shawver – lead guitar, solo*Dave Abell – bass guitar*Rick Secchiari – drumsAdditional personnel*Roger "The Hammer" Huff – keyboardsProduction...
tour with Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, as a replacement for John Greely. The first album Barlow can be heard on is Burnt Offerings
Burnt Offerings (album)
Burnt Offerings is American heavy metal band Iced Earth's third album, released April 18, 1995, by Century Media Records. This album marked the introduction of vocalist Matt Barlow and was the only Iced Earth album featuring drummer Rodney Beasley...
(1995). Barlow left the band in 2003, much to the chagrin of many fans. His reason for leaving was due to personal beliefs related to the September 11 terrorist attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. He took a look at his life and realized that he wanted to contribute to the "real world" instead of living the illusion of a "rock star." He approached Jon Schaffer
Jon Schaffer
Jon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
with this in late 2002, but Schaffer, known for his persuasive personality, convinced Barlow to stay with the band. When the band recorded The Glorious Burden
The Glorious Burden
-Disc 2: Gettysburg :-American version:-European version:-Iced Earth:* Jon Schaffer − rhythm guitar, backing vocals* Tim 'Ripper' Owens − lead vocals* Ralph Santolla − lead guitar* James MacDonough − bass guitar* Richard Christy − drums...
, Schaffer decided that Barlow's vocals were not what he desired them to be; he believed they lacked the passion and quality that Barlow was known for. He decided to let Barlow go after all and hired Tim Owens, former lead singer of Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
.
Barlow became a police officer in the police department in Georgetown, Delaware
Georgetown, Delaware
Georgetown is a town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States. According to 2010 census figures, the population of the town is 6,422, an increase of 38.3% over the previous decade...
. He was also a vocalist for the First State Force Band, which is made up of law enforcement members from different departments throughout Delaware. The band performs for schools, delivering messages such as "Say no to drugs," "Stay away from violence," and "Respect your parents, teachers, yourselves, others, and life" through music.
On April 13, 2007, Barlow returned to music more fully as the new lead singer of Danish progressive power metal band Pyramaze
Pyramaze
Pyramaze is a Danish/American progressive power metal band.-Biography:Pyramaze was formed in 2001 by guitarist Michael Kammeyer. Next to join were fellow Danes drummer Morten Sørensen and bassist Niels Kvist. American keyboardist Jonah Weingarten, who originally met Kammeyer over the Internet,...
. Barlow accepted the offer to join Pyramaze because it would allow him to return to the music scene, while still being able maintain his current job.
However, on December 11, 2007, it was announced that Barlow had officially re-joined Iced Earth and would be singing on The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part 2) and following albums. Pyramaze confirmed that he would remain with them to record their album Immortal
Immortal (Pyramaze album)
-Personnel:* Michael Kammeyer − Guitars* Morten Gade Sørensen − Drums* Jonah Weingarten − Keyboards* Niels Kvist − Bass* Toke Skjønnemand − Guitars* Matt Barlow − Vocals-External links:* *...
, but that their professional relationship would end there.
On March 3, 2011, Matt Barlow announced that he will again be leaving Iced Earth after the band finishes its European festival shows, citing his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as his reasons for retirement.
On August 6th, Barlow performed his farewell show with Iced Earth at the Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
festival.
Iced Earth
Studio albums- Burnt OfferingsBurnt Offerings (album)Burnt Offerings is American heavy metal band Iced Earth's third album, released April 18, 1995, by Century Media Records. This album marked the introduction of vocalist Matt Barlow and was the only Iced Earth album featuring drummer Rodney Beasley...
(1995) - The Dark SagaThe Dark Saga-European Limited Digipak bonus track:-2008 Slave to the Dark bonus tracks:-Credits :*Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, vocals*Matt Barlow – lead vocals*Randall Shawver – lead guitar*Dave Abell – bass guitar*Mark Prator – drums...
(1996) - Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998)
- Horror ShowHorror Show-Limited Edition:The Initial Pressing was presented in a standard 2-CD jewel case with no reference to the tracks on the bonus disc except for a sticker on the front.-Disc one:-Disc two:- Personnel :...
(2001) - Tribute to the GodsTribute to the GodsTribute to the Gods is a tribute/cover album by heavy metal band Iced Earth. It is notable as the last Iced Earth album featuring Larry Tarnowski on lead guitar, and the last featuring singer Matt Barlow on vocals until his 2007 return, and their last album with Century Media...
(2002) - The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2- Additional information :* The booklet that came with the album included lyrics and illustrations for each song, except for the song "The Revealing", which was altogether not included in the booklet....
(2008)