Earlier today, ICED EARTH's Jon Schaffer issued the following update:

"Hello All,

I just wanted to give you an update of what's happening in Iced Earth world.

We just finished mixing and mastering the single which will be titled Overture Of The Wicked and should be released in late May or early June. The four songs that will be featured on this are as follows: 'Ten Thousand Strong', 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' and 'The Coming Curse'.

'Ten Thousand Strong' will be the song that we will be filming a video for in the following months, most likely in June right around the Sweden Rock festival.

I'm very happy with the results of our efforts, we've been really working hard on delivering something special to you guys and this single is just a hint of things to come, and it's freakin' awesome.

We will be finishing the rest of production for Part 1 over the course of the next few weeks, with plans to mix in the early part of May.

The title of the full release is Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part 1) and should be out in the late August/September time frame.

Framing Armageddon will contain the following 18 tracks:

'Overture', ''Something Wicked (Part 1)', 'Invasion', 'Man's Motivation', 'The Setian Massacre', 'A Charge To Keep', 'Reflections', 'Ten Thousand Strong', 'Execution', 'Order Of The Rose', 'The Clouding', 'Infiltrate And Assimilate', 'Retribution Through The Ages', 'Something Wicked (Part 2)', 'The Domino Decree', 'Framing Armageddon', 'When Stars Collide (Born Is He)' and 'The Awakening'.

The working title of Part 2 is Revelation Abomination Something Wicked (Part 2). It will contain the following 13 tracks:

'The Sacred Flames', 'Behold The Wicked Child', 'Minions Of The Watch', 'A Gift Or A Curse', 'I Walk Among You', 'Harbinger Of Fate', 'Ancient Rage Of The High Priest', 'A Gathering Threat / Time Marches On', 'Sacrificial Kingdoms', 'Something Wicked (Part 3)', 'Divide Devour', 'Conspiracy / Pilgrimage In Guile' and 'Come What May'.

The final tracking and mixing for Part 2 will take place between the festivals and world tour and will have a targeted release in February/March of 2008.

Due to family health issues Bo Wallace will not be able to be involved with Iced Earth. I played the bass guitar parts on the single and we will be bringing Dennis Hayes, who worked with Tim on his BEYOND FEAR side project, in to play on parts of the remainder of the recording. He will be doing the live shows as well.

Also, after many years of heading up www.icedearth.com, Neil Gregie will no longer be webmaster. If anyone out there is interested, and has the creative and technical abilities to be the new IE webmaster, please send your info and examples to webmaster@icedearth.com. Neil will forward the info on and we will be in contact if you have what we're looking for to be part of the team. We wish to thank Neil for all the years of work and time he has devoted to being involved with the site! You're the Man Neil!

We'll have some more updates for you in the near future!

Best wishes to you all,

Jon"