Witherfall (ex-Iced Earth, Sanctuary) Share “Ceremony of Fire” Single and Video from Upcoming Fourth Album


Los Angeles-based dark melodic metal outfit, Witherfall, have released “Ceremony of Fire” this week, their newest single and accompanying video. The track is taken from their upcoming fourth full-length, Sounds Of The Forgotten. The album is due out May 31st 2024 via DeathWave Records. Head into the article below to catch the video and find out more about Witherfall.

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Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth is Missing According to The Justice Department, in Their Ongoing Case for His Role in The Capitol Riot of 2020


 

According to a report from The Republic, former Iced Earth and Demons and Wizards founder Jon Schaffer has been missing in 25 attepmts to serve him with notice in his ongoing case for his role in the January 6th, 2020 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Jon plead guilty as part of the plea deal he entered in April of 2021, and he had been cooperating with the government in their case against the insurrectionists, The Proud Boys and other domestic terrorists. According to the Republic, as of May 18, attorneys representing Schaffer in the criminal case filed a joint status report in which they attested that he remained “under the supervision of the District of Columbia Pre-Trial Services Department” and had been “compliant with pre-trial release conditions.” They have officially tried to servie him at his many residences in three states a total of 25 times, so far, to no avail. Although Schaffer was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, he plead guilty to only two charges: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The first charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the second carries up to a 10-year prison term. It is believed this is the first guilty charge as a result of a plea deal of any person arrested in connection to the Captiol Riots. Schaffer was photographed wearing an “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member” cap during the insurrection. The Oath Keepers describe themselves as an association of former law enforcement and military personnel dedicated to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” But the Anti-Defamation League describes it as “a large but loosely organized collection of right-wing anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights.” While in jail, Schaffer distanced himself from the Oath Keepers and participated in “debrief interviews” starting in March, and the organization has said publicly they did not recognize Schaffer as a member as well.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Civil War – Invaders


 

To the surprise of literally no-one, the third full-length studio release from Swedish historical power metal crew Civil War is all about fighting. Lots and lots of fighting. Battles, wars, heroism, rebellions, weapons and invasions, all the usual boxes remain firmly ticked by the band formed from Sabaton separatists.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Annihilator – Metal II


There’s a fine line between “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and “there’s always room for improvement”, and more often than not the re-recording of old albums usually falls snugly into the former category. No matter how much more accomplished the revised version might sound from a technical standpoint, the overall results rarely change. Lightning in a bottle cannot be captured twice.

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Ex-Iced Earth Singers Duet on New Ashes of Ares Album


Former Iced Earth members Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales return with their third full-length album Emperors and Fools. This album sees the duo take the darkness and aggression from their previous album Well of Souls to an upper echelon. Once again drums are done by Van Williams (Nevermore) who played on the previous two LPs. The album ends with the eleven-minute long epic “Monster’s Lament” which features yet another ex-Iced Earth frontman – Tim “Ripper” Owens joining forces with Barlow. Emperors and Fools will be released on January 21 2022 through Rock Of Angels Records. The lyric video for the current single “By My Blade” can be seen here:

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Three Tremors – Guardians Of The Void


Contentious or lazy pigeon-holing in the music press is a hazard many acts have to endure at some point in their careers. However, there are also a number of bands who happily avoid these types of perceived misrepresentations with ease. No need for the usual stock responses of “we’re not really that type of band” or “we’re so much more than that” here. The Three Tremors are Heavy. Fucking. Metal. Pure and simple.

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Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth Pleads Guilty to Two Charges For His Role in The Capitol Riot


 

According to a report from Blabbermouth.net, Iced Earth founder and mastermind Jon Schaffer has agreed to plead guilty for his role in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. As part of the plea deal, he is expected to enter into a cooperation agreement with the government. Although Schaffer was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, he has agreed to plead guilty to only two charges: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The first charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the second carries up to a 10-year prison term. It is believed this is the first guilty charge as a result of a plea deal of any person arrested in connection to the Captiol Riots. Schaffer was photographed wearing an “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member” cap during the insurrection. The Oath Keepers describe themselves as an association of former law enforcement and military personnel dedicated to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” But the Anti-Defamation League describes it as “a large but loosely organized collection of right-wing anti-government extremists who are part of the militia movement, which believes that the federal government has been coopted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights.” While in jail, Schaffer distanced himself from the Oath Keepers and participated in “debrief interviews” starting in March, and the organization has said publicly they did not recognize Schaffer as a member as well.

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Iced Earth Guitarist Jon Schaffer Has Cut a Deal in His Case with the US Government


Iced Earth guitarist and founder Jon Schaeffer and his lawyers have cut a deal in the case the US Government has building against him, bringing six federal charges his role in the insurrection against the United States on January 6th at the Capitol. Schaeffer has charged with six federal crimes. Last week his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charges against the guitarist for his involvement under the claim that the government has violated the Speedy Trial Act, which establishes maximum time periods for different stages of federal criminal prosecution. Since the Speedy Trial Act required the government to file an information or an indictment within 30 days of Schaffer’s arrest, the “complaint must be dismissed,” they wrote. A judge had ruled that Schaffer would be held without bail until a trial.

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Iced Earth Guitarist Jon Schaffer’s Lawyers Move to Dismiss Charges Against him for The Capitol Insurrection


Iced Earth guitarist and founder Jon Schaeffer has been held in an Indiana jail awaiting extradition for his role in the insurrection against the United States on January 6th at the Capitol. Schaeffer has charged with six federal crimes. He has been in a cell since January 17th. Now, the attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the charges against the guitarist for his involvement under the claim that the government has violated the Speedy Trial Act, which establishes maximum time periods for different stages of federal criminal prosecution. Since the Speedy Trial Act required the government to file an information or an indictment within 30 days of Schaffer’s arrest, the “complaint must be dismissed,” they wrote.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Witherfall – Curse Of Autumn


 

Back with their third full-length release, Californian act Witherfall return with prog guns blazing on Curse of Autumn (Century Media). Formed in 2013 by former White Wizzard frontman Joseph Michael, former White Wizzard and former Iced Earth guitarist Jake Dreyer, and the incredibly talented, but former, er… Justin Timberlake bassist Anthony Crawford, the band has produced another seriously heavy record that delivers riffs, hooks, and dazzling technicality. Continue reading