In the world of music there are only a few musicians whose names are synonyms to a band.
Matthew Barlow is surely one of them and the legendary singer of Iced Earth,is now ready for the next attack...but he is not alone!
The beast drummer Van Williams and Freddie Vidales with his unique playing are standing by The Voice and Ashes Of Ares are ready for the first attack!
Ladies and Gents . . .Matthew Barlow is talking to the Greek webzine Rock Overdose with Jim Maiden for the past,the present and the future!
BROTHERS AND SISTERS . . . ENJOY ! ! !
- Hello from Greece Matt and welcome to Rock Overdose.Such an honor man,I'm Jim and i'm delighted to have this opportunity to do this interview with you.
How are you and what are you dealing with that period of time?
WE ARE STILL IN THE WRITING STAGE OF THE RECORD AT PRESENT. WE ARE DOING WELL, THANKS.
-How is your life Matt after your reign in Iced Earth and how did the idea came of Ashes Of Ares?What does it mean the bands name?
LIFE IS GOOD. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ASHES OF ARES AND CAN’T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT.
FOR ME, THE NAME “ASHES OF ARES” HAS A DOUBLE MEANING, BUT I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS FOR WHAT THEY THINK IT MEANS.
-How did the partnership with Van(The Bomber)Williams and Freddie Vidales occured?Is it going to be a full time band or a project?
ASHES OF ARES IS A FULL TIME BAND, BUT WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN LIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OUT SIDE OF THE MUSICAL REALM.
-How is the recording process going?Do you have any new material already completed?
WE HAVE MOST OF THE MATERIAL ALREADY WRITTEN FOR THE RECORD. WE WILL HAVE IT ALL DONE AND TIGHTENED UP BEFORE WE START RECORDING.
-How much time do you spent in the studio and how important is to have a balance between family and recording time?
IF WE ARE WELL PREPARE PRIOR TO RECORDING, IT WILL CUT DOWN ON TIME AWAY. IT WILL ALSO CUT COSTS, WHICH IS ALSO IMPORTANT IN THIS BUSINESS.
-What about the bands guitar player?Will you make an audition or you have already decided and you don't want to speak yet as it's gonna be a surprise?
WELL, FREDDIE IS THE MAIN GUITAR PLAYER. WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE OTHER GUYS SOON.
-Matt what are your hobbies?I know that you are a big movie fan,so...what is you favorite movie,actor and producer and for what reason?
MY FAVORITE MOVIE, CURRENTLY, IS “THE AVENGERS”. IT IS BY FAR THE BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE EVER PRODUCED (MY OPINION). IF YOU’VE SEEN IT, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYIN’!
-What other music do you like to listen to?
I LISTEN TO ALL KINDS OF THINGS…BUT, NO HIP-HOP. NO OFFENSE…I JUST CAN’T GET INTO IT.
-Who were your music idols from your childhood?
ELVIS PRESLEY WAS PROBABLY MY FIRST. I WOULD PLAY MY DAD’S OLD 45’S (THOSE ARE RECORDS) AND DANCE AROUND SINGING “I’M ALL SHOOK UP!”
-What is your favorite album of all time,favorite band and what is your favorite Iced Earth album and why?
METALLICA “RIDE THE LIGHTNING” CHANGED WHAT I THOUGHT AMERICAN HEAVY METAL COULD BE. ICED EARTH “BURNT OFFERINGS” CHANGED WHAT I THOUGHT I COULD DO MUSICALLY. I DON’T KNOW IF EITHER IS MY “FAVORITE”, BUT THEY BOTH HAD A BIG IMPACT ON ME.
-Matt,needless to say a word about your vocal skills,in my opinion every positive comment to the extreme is unworthy to describe your divine voice!
I'm listening to Iced Earth since 1994,you were one of my childhood heroes and you still are one of my favorite singers.
But how did your parents influenced you about music when you were a child and when did you know that you wanted to make music full time?
WELL, I’VE NEVER REALLY BEEN ABLE TO DO MUSIC “FULL TIME”. THAT IS SOMETIMES A MISCONCEPTION FOR A LOT OF FOLKS. THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY MUSICIANS THAT CAN PULL OFF A FULL TIME MUSIC GIG WITHOUT SUBSIDIZING WITH OTHER EMPLOYMENT. MY PARENTS WERE NOT AS BIG AN INFLUENCE AS MY BROTHER WAS. HE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE NEW MUSIC COMING INTO THE HOUSE. OF COURSE, AS HE GOT OLDER, THE MUSIC GOT HEAVIER.
-Could you say a few words about your very first steps as a musician?About Cauldron?
AS I SAID, MY BROTHER WAS A BIG INFLUENCE, AND HE AND I STARTED “CAULDRON”. HE WROTE MOST OF THE MUSIC THAT GOT RECORDED. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY UNIQUE STUFF.
-How did the partnership with Iced Earth occured?You joined the band in a difficult period of time 'cause you had to wait three years from Night Of The Stormrider till Burnt Offerings.Can you describe your feelings when you first joined Iced Earth,the vibe in the band?
THE VIBE WAS COOL. I THINK THAT JON WAS JUST ANGRY AT THE LABEL AT THE TIME. IT ALL WORKED OUT IN THE END, I SUPPOSE.
-Burnt Offerings is the most atmospheric,darkest and according to many fans the bands best album!I would like to tell me your opinion about this album.
I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THAT RECORD, BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I FELT LIKE A “PROFESSIONAL” VOCALIST. IT ALSO HAS SOME GREAT MATERIAL IN THERE AS WELL.
-In 1996 Iced Earth came back with their official breakthrough album,which was Dark Saga.Then we have the Days Of Purgatory release in which we enjoyed many hymns from the past with your voice.Could you say Matt a few words about these releases,how did the idea came about The Dark Saga concept?
THE “DARK SAGA” IS BASED ON THE “SPAWN” COMIC BOOK. WE HAD A LOT OF FUN CREATING THAT RECORD AND IT FELT LIKE IT TOOK VERY LITTLE TIME TO DO SO. “DAYS OF PURGATORY” WAS COOL FOR ME AS WELL. IT WAS NICE TO PUT MY OWN SPIN ON THOSE TUNES.
-At the time we saw you live in Greece for the first time,in Thessaloniki and in Athens.What do you remember from that tour?I still remember Jon saying:we didn't have any idea about how well known we were in Greece,someone told to us that if you play in Greece,you have such a strong fan base and the fans are so dedicated that it will be a massacre! Can you share with us your memories from the first visit?
IT WAS TRULY REMARKABLE. THE FANS WERE INCREDIBLY GRACIOUS, AND WE WERE OVERWHELMED BY IT ALL. HELLAS IS BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
-Despite the huge success,we have unfortunately the departure of the great Randall Shawver!How did Randys departure affected the band and what about Larry Tarnowski?
RANDY AND LARRY ARE BOTH GREAT GUYS AND I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT.
-In January 23th and 24th,in 1999 we experienced two special nights that Iced Earth left their mark in Greece and in rock history with the live in Athens recording.Can you tell me about the vibe in the band on your way to Athens for the recording and about the bands feeling before and after the end of the second nights performance?
Needless to say that when Something Wicked This Way Comes came out in Greece,everybody from fans to the press were talking about the best metal band at that time.
IT WAS A VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THAT I THINK EFFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY. I HOPE THAT “ALIVE IN ATHENS” REMAINS A FAVORITE IN HELLAS FOR MANY MORE YEARS.
-It will Matt,it will...not for many years but...FOREVER!
The successor of Something Wicked...was the very successful Horror Show album.But for one more time we have two important line up changes.Brent Smedley and James McDonough were replaced by Ritchard Christy and Steve DiGiorgio!
Could you say a few words about these line up changes and what happened with Steve and left after the recordings?He isn't even in the booklets press photo!
THAT’S THE MUSIC BUSINESS…SHIT HAPPENS! IF IT’S NOT WORKIN’ OUT, YOU’VE JUST GOTTA MOVE ON.
-What was the feedback of the long-lasting Horror Show three hour live performances?Was it exhausting?For one more time we had the chance to see you in Greece.
IT WAS EXTREMELY EXHAUSTING, AND WE DIDN’T EVEN GET A VIDEO OUT OF IT. OH WELL!
-Matt,you know that i have great respect for you and i don't want to make you feel uncomfortable,so i will also take-no-as an answer for the next question.Could you say just a few words,if the only reason that you didn't carried on with Iced Earth,was because you wanted a permanent and stable job?
Did you ever thought in the past,the future of this band without you until the Horror Show album?
I ALWAYS KNEW THAT ANOTHER SINGER COULD COME IN. I WAS, AFTER ALL, THE BAND’S THIRD VOCALIST. PLEASE REFER TO MY “SHIT HAPPENS” COMMENT ABOVE.
-In the first quarter of 2008 we had "I Walk Among You",the new Iced Earth single with you on vocals!After a short period of time we had the full length album "Crucible Of Man". Your return to Iced Earth was more than welcome,the fans got crazy,was a real frenzy!How did you feel about your return Matt?Was it like coming home?
SURE, IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THE FANS AGAIN. WE HAD A HELL OF A TIME ON STAGE, AS WELL.
-After almost three years of your return,we sadly learn that you will leave the band again.A very difficult situation that a fan had to be familiar with.But in my opinion it was more difficult for you and Jon,in your last Iced Earth perfomance in Wacken last year,we experienced a very emotional vibe.
Could it be easy for you to say a few words?If it isn't possible,i will completely understand and we'll continue to the next question.
HEY MAN, WE ARE GOOD. ICED EARTH IS CONTINUING ON AND ARE AS STRONG AS EVER. ASHES OF ARES IS JUST STARTING TO KICK IT’S WAY UP. WE ARE ALL GOOD!
-You promised that it wouldn't be the last time for you in music,you kept your promise and now you are back with Ashes Of Ares.Can you estimate Matt about when you'll have even a single available as a precursor of the new album?
WE ARE SHOOTING FOR SPRING OF NEXT YEAR, SO LET’S KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED!
-I believe that there will be a tour for the Ashes Of Ares album,right?
WE WILL DEFINITELY BE DOING SHOWS IN SUPPORT OF THE RECORD.
-I'm warning you Matt that if you don't come to Greece for a live perfomance,you will have no place to hide! xaxaxa
THE ONLY HIDE I KNOW IS THE GUY THAT HANGS AROUND WITH DR. JECKELL.
-In the past you had said that in the future you will surely make an album with Jon.Do you guys have any record plan already or is it too early to discuss something like that?
JON HAS A FULL SCHEDULE WITH I.E. AND I WITH AOA. WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE.
-Matt i don't have anything else to ask you.For me it was really an honor and this interview couldn't have happened without you.I wish you all the best for you and your family and may all your dreams come true.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPURTUNITY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
-The end is yours,send a message to the Greek fans and close this interview as you like.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR THE MANY YEARS OF SUPPORT. WE WILL SEE YOU SOON!
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