ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer has issued the following update from the studio, where the band are working on their forthcoming CD, titled Dystopia:

"All is well here as we are pushing forward with master tracking the new album, Dystopia.

We have finished drums and rhythm guitars and are right on schedule. I'll be heading to Europe tomorrow for a few festival dates and then right back to work in the studio on Monday. Jim Morris and I are having a great time, as usual, and are very much looking forward to starting vocal tracks with 'Stucifer' next week!

Stu Block has contributed a lot to the vocal parts on this record, with co-writing credits on 10 out of 12 songs, and I'm very happy with our chemistry and what we've accomplished together so far. And we're just getting started.

Here are a few titles for you to ponder...

'Dystopia'

'Anthem'

'Days of Rage'

'Soylent Green'

'V'

'Boiling Point'

'Tragedy and Triumph'

'Anguish of Youth'

'Iron Will'

Just a little update for you guys. It's a crazy-busy summer. But I'll try to update you as often as I can!"

Iced Earth recently announced their upcoming European tour for the end of 2011.

"This is a new beginning," says Schaffer. "Iced Earth is going to record and tour like it never has before. The band is really amped-up and ready to hit the ground running in November.”

Tour dates are as follows:

October

30 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche

November

1 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
2 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul
3 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
4 - London, England - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
5 - Birmingham, England - O2 Academy
6 - Bristol, England - O2 Academy
8 - Paris, France - Alhambra
9 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur
10 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1
11 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Heineken
12 - Bilbao, Spain - Rock Star Live
14 - Milano, Italy - Alcatraz
15 - Rome, Italy - Alpheus
18 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
19 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
20 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Principal Club
21 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Yubileina Hall
22 - Bucarest, Romania - The Silver Church
23 - Belgrade, Serbia - SKC
24 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
25 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Majestic Music Club
26 - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola
27 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
29 - Moscow, Russia - Tochka Club

December

1 - Helsinki, Finalnd - Nosturi
3 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
6 - Herford, Germany - X
7 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik
8 - München, Germany - Backstage Werk
9 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Metal Festival
10 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
11 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
13 - Istanbul, Turkey - Refresh The Venu

Back in March, 2011, in the wake of vocalist Matt Barlow’s retirement, Iced Earth enlisted INTO ETERNITY vocalist Stu Block (pictured below).

Iced Earth's Festivals Of The Wicked - the six-hour DVD extravaganza comprised of three full-length concerts (Wacken, Rock Hard, and Metal Camp), a 60-minute documentary, photo galleries, and video clips - was released in Europe on June 27th, and is out today, July 12th, in North America.

Check out the official trailer below:

“Thousands of hours were shot and edited down to 90 minutes," says Jon Schaffer. "I have to say the footage of the band on stage is mind-blowing. Those who have already seen us will love it. Those who haven’t yet seen Iced Earth will be amazed by what this band can do on stage.”

Drummer Brent Smedley concurs: “The three festivals featured on the DVD were all extremely remarkable and each one memorable in its own way,” he said. “All three were amazing nights where the Metal and the Magic were fully flowing. I think the release of this DVD truly proves my mantra and favorite saying: METAL LIVES!”

The three festivals are:

Wacken Open Air (2007) with Tim Owens on lead vocals. The blistering 13-song set begins with a jaw-dropping rendition of 'Burning Times' and closes with the band’s signature track, 'Iced Earth'.

Rock Hard Festival (2008) with Matt Barlow on lead vocals. This festival, the first to feature Matt’s return, storms through 15 songs, with 'Dark Saga' leading the charge.

Metal Camp (2008) with Matt Barlow on lead vocals. A not-to-be-missed 16-song face melter of a concert that proves why some say Iced Earth is one of the top live bands in the world.