ICED EARTH have confirmed the release dates for their forthcoming full-length studio album, The Crucible Of Man - Something Wicked Part II, to be released on the Steamhammer/SPV record labels.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: September 5th

United Kingdom and Europe: September 8th

USA and Canada: September 9th

The album continues where their 2007 release, Framing Armageddon – Something Wicked Part I left off. The Crucible of Man features the return of frontman Matt Barlow who was Schaffer’s original voice of choice to introduce the Something Wicked saga back in 1998 as a trio of songs which concluded their album, Something Wicked This Way Comes.

As previously reported, Iced Earth have confirmed sixteen North American tour dates for the fall of 2008 that will take the band to all corners of the United States including New York, Florida, Oregon, and California, as well as dates in Toronto and Montreal, Canada.

Joining the band as special guests are INTO ETERNITY and SAVIOURS.

For the dates listed below, Iced Earth will be offering a very limited number of fans the opportunity to attend the show as the band’s guest VIPs.

Fans who purchase a “Child of the Wicked” VIP package with www.icedearth.com will receive the following:

- A Ticket to an Iced Earth concert
- VIP meet and greet with Iced Earth
- Autographed item from Iced Earth
- Limited Edition Iced Earth T-Shirt
- VIP commemorative laminate

The VIP packages are very limited and available on a first-come/ first-serve basis via the Iced Earth website. The VIP package cost is $65 including the concert ticket. VIP packages and ticket sales via www.icedearth.com will be available starting June 13th.

Regular tickets sales via Ticketmaster and all other outlets will not begin until June 20th and will be subject to local service fees. To learn more about the tour and how to purchase the VIP package and tickets for the shows below, visit the official Iced Earth website at www.icedearth.com.

Tour dates:

September

21 - Harpos - Detroit, Michigan
22 - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
23 - Le Medley - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
24 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
25 - 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
26 - Amos’ Southbend - Charlotte, North Carolina
27 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA IX. Atlanta, Georgia** (SOLD OUT)
28 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
29 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, North Carolina
30 - House of Blues - Cleveland, Ohio

October

14 - The Norva - Norfolk, Virginia
15 - The Palladium - Worchester, Massachusetts
16 - Nokia Theater - New York, New York
22 - Hawthrone Theater - Portland, Oregon
23 - Regency Center at The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, California
24 - The Avalon - Los Angeles, California

**VIP package not available at ProgPower USA. The festival is sold out.