ICED EARTH have achieved the first-week chart positions for Dystopia – their highly acclaimed new album – which includes the band’s highest-ever debut on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 chart:

United States – 67

Germany - 23

Austria - 51

Switzerland - 53

UK (Rock Chart) - 18

Holland - 85

Belgium - 96

“I’m pleased with how well Dystopia has been received by fans and critics alike,” said Iced Earth leader Jon Schaffer. “We knew it was a special album while we were making it. But it’s always gratifying to know that others also appreciate the time and effort we put into it. We owe our fans a big Thank You for helping the album chart so highly around the world.”

To celebrate Dystopia’s runaway success, the band chose today to debut the first music video from the album. 'Dystopia', the title track, can be viewed here.

The release of Dystopia will be followed by the most extensive world tour Iced Earth has ever undertaken. A concert in Cyprus – a first for Iced Earth – was just announced. The date is December 15th, 2011. Here is the complete list of European tour dates:

Iced Earth 2011-2012 World Dystopia Tour (Europe)

October

30 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche

November

1 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
2 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul
3 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
4 - London, UK - Islington Academy
5 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
6 - Bristol, UK - 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 - Milan, 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 - Bucharest, 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 - Milk

December

1 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
3 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
6 - Herford, Germany - X
7 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik
8 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Werk
9 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Metal Festival
10 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
11 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
13 - Istanbul, Turkey - Refresh The Venue
15 - Nicosia, Cypress - Pavilion

FURY UK and WHITE WIZZARD join Iced Earth on all European tour dates, except for Russia, Turkey, and Cyprus.

VIP ticket packages are available NOW from the Official Iced Earth web site, but are very limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis.

Schaffer formed Iced Earth in Tampa, Florida, in 1984. Since then, he has released 10 studio albums, the newest being the highly-acclaimed Dystopia (October, 2011) – which debuted at #67 on the Billboard Top 200 chart – one live album, two compilations, three boxed sets, and several DVDs. Thanks to massive worldwide sales -- and rabidly loyal fans – Iced Earth has earned a seat in the pantheon of America's most successful heavy metal bands.

For more details visit IcedEarth.com.