Power metal mavens Iced Earth were once the best-selling band on the Century Media roster, and the label is celebrating another milestone in its 20th anniversary year by welcoming the band back to the fold. The prodigal sons have returned.

In addition to Iced Earth rejoining forces with CM, guitarist Jon Schaffer's Sons of Liberty project will also call the label home.

In an official statement issued by Century Media, Schaffer said, "I am excited about the opportunity to work on Sons of Libertya and Iced Earth with Century Media. This was the label where my career began and there are many memories, some of them great, some of them not. However, we all grew up and are able to see eye to eye on the mission ahead: making sure my creativity gets the best possible outlet. I am much looking forward to this team delivering the goods and releasing some killer music."

This isn't the first time Iced Earth have returned to form. Singer Matthew Barlow bolted in 2003 to take a job in law enforcement, citing a change in his personal beliefs about the world in the post-9/11 era, and he was replaced by Tim 'Ripper' Owens. Iced Earth eventually welcomed Barlow back to his old job in late 2007. So what's old is new for the second time for Iced Earth.

Sons of Liberty's 'Brush-Fires of the Mind' is scheduled for release on July 13. The multi-tasking history buff Schaffer handles all the vocals and instrumentation for the project. However, guest solos are provided by producer Jim Morris, Iced Earth guitarist Troy Seele and world-class bassist Ruben Drake. The project was born out of Schaffer's desire to stimulate curiosity about a pattern of global banking corruption that is undermining the independence of people and their countries. Sons of Liberty aim to spearhead a multifaceted and peaceful resistance of the tyranny being wrought every day on regular people. That's a lot of verbage. Let's just hope it rocks our faces off.

The name is also taken from a secret organization comprised of U.S. patriots which was formed in 1765. These patriots worked to expose, refuse and resist the tyranny that the colonists were subjected to, which ultimately led to the American Revolution.

On the other hand, Iced Earth will play four North American shows this fall as a means to escape the studio.



Iced Earth tour dates


9/10 -- Washington DC -- 9:30 Club

9/21 -- Chicago IL -- House of Blues

9/23 -- New York NY -- Nokia Theater Times Square

9/25 -- West Hollywood CA -- House of Blues

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