BraveWords ran into Iced Earth mainman Jon Schaffer at the Blind Guardian show in Cleveland last night (November 7th). The guitarist drove over from Indiana, to hang with his longtime friends, including fellow Demons And Wizards bandmate/singer Hansi Kürsch. Schaffer revealed that he's in good health, losing weight via a regiment of martial arts training. Plans call for some studio time in January, with eyes on a late 2016 release. In early February, the band will be part of 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise.

As previously reported, Iced Earth are currently in the process of setting up a new headquarters for all things concerning the band, including a new studio for future recordings. Guitarist/founder Jon Schaffer has decided to sell some guitars from his massive collection to help finance the new project. He has issued the following statement:

“I’m selling a few guitars that have been on various recordings as well as some that were bought for my personal collection. We need to raise a large amount of money to complete the vision of our new headquarters, and begin this new chapter in the bands march to independence, to thrive in the ever-changing music business. There are some pretty killer guitars in the collection, so I urge die-hard fans, and guitar collectors alike, to go to Carter Vintage Guitars and see what’s there.”

Go to CarterVintage.com to check out the guitars up for sale from Schaffer's collection.

Century Media reissued the first four studio albums on vinyl from Iced Earth back in July. All four albums come in gatefold sleeves featuring the original LP artwork. Layouts have been kept close to the layouts of the original vinyl versions as well. Each LP includes a 60x60 artwork poster and 180 g vinyl. The LP sound has been kept in its original form, with a special vinyl mastering of Patrick Engel, known from his careful mastering works for bands as Jag Panzer, Exodus, Trouble, Tokyo Blade or Candlemass, delivering you the best vinyl listening experience of these US power metal classics.

While The Dark Saga has already seen one vinyl re-issue in 2010 (which is a rare edition by now), the first three Iced Earth albums have never seen an LP re-issue since their initial release. As prices have reached ridiculous heights lately, it’s time to offer you these outstanding and influential albums for a regular price. The albums Days Of Purgatory, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Horror Show will follow in the first quarter of 2016.

Here is the info on the vinyl color splits:

Iced Earth LP:

Clear vinyl – 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro Europe)
Turquoise vinyl – 200 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro US)
Green vinyl – 400 copies (available at various mailorder stores)
Black vinyl – unlimited

Night Of The Stormrider LP:

Clear vinyl – 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro Europe)
Silver vinyl – 200 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro US)
Blue vinyl – 400 copies (available at various mailorder stores)
Black vinyl – unlimited

Burnt Offerings 2LP:

Clear vinyl – 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro Europe)
Orange vinyl – 200 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro US)
Red vinyl – 400 copies (available at various mailorder stores)
Black vinyl – unlimited

The Dark Saga LP:

Clear vinyl – 100 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro Europe)
Lilac vinyl – 200 copies (exclusively available at CM Distro US)
Yellow vinyl – 400 copies (available at various mailorder stores)
Black vinyl – unlimited

Order your copy at CM Distro here.