ICED EARTH guitarist/founder Jon Schaffer is featured in a new interview MSN Entertainment's Headbäng. An excerpt is available below:

Q: When it was announced that Stu Block had joined Iced Earth, for many familiar with INTO ETERNITY, there was some doubt among some people because he was singing for a melodic death metal band.

Schaffer: That’s the thing, man. I saw some of those people go, 'Oh my God, I can’t believe he hired a death metal singer, what’s he thinking?' [laughs] I was like, 'Come on, man, have a little more faith than that.' I know what I’m doing, I’ve been the captain of this ship for 25 years, I know what’s going on, and I know Stu has the ability, and I know he’s going to be a killer frontman for the band live, and he’s going to bring a whole new energy to it. It’s invigorating and fun, and we’re excited. He gets our sense of humor, everybody’s excited about this: label, management, I am, the guys in the band are, Stu is really into it. That’s the thing, man, Iced Earth has had about a decade of not having a 100 percent committed, committed on a spiritual level, frontman. We just haven’t really had that, and that’s a big deal. So now that we’ve got that, we’re back. We’re back with a vengeance."

Q: Is there a song on the new album that stands out as a personal favorite?

Schaffer: "I love the opener 'Dystopia', I love the venom and vitriol, Stu’s voice is f**king perfect for it. And what’s so cool about it is that it shows the different stages, you’ve got that raging middle tone, you’ve got the high, Halford-like stuff, you’ve got the real melodic chorus. Just in that first song you hear a lot of different voices of Stu, which makes it great. 'Anthem' is going to be a big song for us I think, it’s just so hooky. I’m really happy with all of them, but those two I think are my favorites."

Click here for the complete interview.

Bravewords scribe Mark Gromen recently conducted an interview with Iced Earth guitarist/founder Jon Schaffer. Read it here.

The band's new album, Dystopia, is scheduled for release in Europe on October 17th, and in North America on October 18th, both via Century Media. Two bonus tracks have also been recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album. It will be available as very special Ltd. Deluxe Box Set (including digipak, bonus songs, buckle, top-flip lighter, wristband, patch, button set and beer coaster), Ltd. CD Digipak (with bonus songs and patch), CD, Gatefold LP and as Digital Download.

Tracklisting is as follows:

'Dystopia'

'Anthem'

'Days Of Rage'

'Soylent Green'

'V'

'Boiling Point'

'Anguish Of Youth'

'Iron Will'

'Dark City'

'End Of Innocence'

'Equilibrium'

'Tragedy And Triumph'

Iced Earth will embark on a massive European tour from the end of October until mid-December to introduce Dystopia and their new singer, Stu Block, to European audiences. Also, this week saw Iced Earth announce their support acts for the European tour - FURY UK and WHITE WIZZARD.

Jon Schaffer states: “I’m really looking forward to touring with these guys. Both bands bring a lot of energy to the table. I know fans will enjoy seeing them as much as we will.”

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
15 - Nicosia, Cyprus - Pavillion

To order tickets visit this location.