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CD/DVD Releases: Iced Earth: Revolvermag.com Premieres ''Dystopia'' From Forthcoming Album

Posted on Sunday, October 16 @ 17:15:00 UTC by nightowl

Dystopia - Iced Earth's 10th studio album -won't be released until October 18th, but Revolver readers got a taste of the sonic onslaught to come with an exclusive airing of "Dystopia," the album's title track, last Thursday, October 6th. The song can be heard here.

"I'm proud to debut 'Dystopia' on Revolvermag.com," said Iced Earth founder Jon Schaffer. "I hope Revolver readers like it as much as we do." If the rave reviews piling up worldwide are any indication, they will:

Rock Hard Magazine - "Album of the Month."
Metal Hammer Germany - "...the album is a classic..."
Powerplay (UK): "...Dystopia is a great album from a re-energised band..."

Although Dystopia is not a concept album, founder Jon Schaffer admits there are unifying themes to several of the songs - and even an appearance by band mascot "Set Abominae." "I've always been fascinated by the darker side of life," Schaffer said. "Movies like Metropolis, Brazil, and The Matrix resonate with me. The same for albums like 2112, The Wall, and of course Operation: Mindcrime. Their images of a soulless, repressive society stuck with me over the years. It must be the sci-fi fan in me."

In much the same way Horror Show (Iced Earth's tribute to classic characters from literature and movies) was born, Schaffer said his interest in dystopian themes in music 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. The end result is Iced Earth meets the nightmarish offspring of Brave New World and Blade Runner.

Of special interest to long-time fans are two songs on Dystopia (the title track and "Tragedy And Triumph") that feature the return of the Something Wicked storyline and "Set Abominae."

Track List:

Dystopia
Anthem
Boiling Point
Anguish of Youth
V
Dark City
Equilibrium
Days Of Rage
End Of Innocence
Tragedy And Triumph

Dystopia is scheduled for release in Europe on October 17th, and in the U.S. on October 18th both via Century Media. Two bonus tracks have been recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.

The release of Dystopia will be followed by the most extensive world tour Iced Earth has ever undertaken. The European leg of the 2011-2012 World Dystopia Tour has been posted on the band's official web site, and all official social-media sites. The tour begins October 30th in Bochum, Germany.

Schaffer formed Iced Earth in Tampa, Florida, in 1984. Since then, he has released 9 studio albums, one live album, two compilations, three boxed sets, and several DVDs -- the most recent of which is Festivals Of The Wicked. With worldwide sales in the millions, Iced Earth has earned a seat in the pantheon of America's most successful heavy-metal bands.

[Source: Century Media]

Posted in Album Release News