Interviews : Iced Earth – “Keep those heads bangin’ and those metal horns high” (An interview with Stu Block)

Iced Earth, pioneers of American heavy metal eagerly count down the days till their impending second Australian tour to promote their brand new album Plagues of Babylon.

I was fortunate enough to speak with the Iced Earth vocalist, Stu Block over the phone before the tour begun.

“We are currently all at home with our families for the next couple of days, and then we all head out to Australia very shortly. The Plagues of Babylon tour has been amazing so far. It’s definitely shaping up to be a great tour”.

Stu Block (ex-vocalist of Canadian progressive metal band Into Eternity) joined Iced Earth in 2011 when former frontman Matt Barlow announced he would be leaving the band indefinitely.  Dystopia, Stu’s first full length release with Iced Earth was met with positive reviews from fans and media the world over. Australian metalheads instantly embraced Stu with open arms on his first visit to Australia in early 2011, due to Stu wowing audiences with his powerful vocals and energetic stage presence.

“I’m hugely influenced by Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Bruce Dickinson and Matt Barlow. Those influences definitely play a large role in Iced Earth’s music. Jon [Scaffer] writes the music with those legends in mind, and with my vocal style. I’m sure you can hear their influences in our music and my vocals whenever you hear an Iced Earth song. I’m always up for a challenge”.

Earlier this year the band toured across Europe with Melbourne traditional heavy metallers Elm Street, who will be supporting Iced Earth in Australia. This isn’t the first time Iced Earth has toured with an Australian metal band. Sydney’s LORD (formally Dungeon for those of you playing at home) supported the American metal group on their short, but sweet first tour of our great southern land in April 2011. A life on the road can have its ups and downs, but when touring with an Australian band, hilarity will surely ensue. I asked Stu if he was subjected to any of our country’s slang or vulgar expressions whilst on the road with either band.

“[laughs] We were all over the place, so we learned a bit here and there. I tried not to learn anything bad, but it’s hard not to. Throw me something and I’ll see If I can remember anything”.

Australia’s much loved, “Get a dog up ya!”, got the honorable mention. An Australian colloquialism which has always fascinated, and been highly regarded by international touring artists . “[Stu bursts out laughing] What the hell does that mean?” I informed Stu that the expression has a double meaning (much like a majority of Australian slang), implying both a vulgarity and a pleasantry. In this case it’s another term used for “Cheers”. Intrigued with the response, Stu replies “Well then, my friend! Get a dog up ya! [laughs]”.

Stu then reminiscences about the previous Australian tour with LORD. “We had a lot of fun on our first Australian tour. We were taken out to some great places, had some great beer and got to meet a lot of great people. We were also taken to a rugby game which was amazing. Our hosts were very hospitable and definitely treated us well”.

Looking at current setlists from the Plagues of Babylon European tour, Australian fans will definitely be in for a treat. “We have a lot of material to get through. It will be a good mix of both new and old. Everyone has been having a great time with what we have been playing so far, and I’m sure our Australian fans will too”.

Once pleasantries were over the conversation turned to the writing process of the brand new album, Plagues of Babylon. “The chemistry has always been there with Jon [Schaffer] and I. I don’t think much has changed [since the previous album] in regards to how we write music”.

The new album’s concept (first six song rather) is based on an apocalyptic scenario where hordes of the undead overwhelm the earth and society collapses. The other half of the album are independent songs relating to various subject matter, including the fantastic rendition of ‘Highwayman’, featuring Iced Earth overseer and guitarist, Jon Schaffer on vocals, plus Russell Allan (Symphony X) and Michael Poulsen (Volbeat).

“I’ve always been a big horror movie fan. I’ve always been exposed to the zombie and cannibalistic styles of horror movies, even at a young age. We told the story of the concept in just six songs. That obviously isn’t enough material for a full length Iced Earth album and we needed another six songs. We treated this album much like an old Rush album where the first half of the album has a specific theme or story, and the other half of the album are stand alone songs”.

The band’s dominating musical characteristics of head banging riffs and powerful lyrics have stayed true for several years. Fans have grown accustom to the universal sounds of Iced Earth. However, when I asked Stu whether or not things would change dramatically in the future with his presences in the group, perhaps including some of his trademark death metal growls into the mix, it seems anything is possible.

“I think the good thing about Iced Earth is you can experiment. There are definitely some elements of death metal in the music. Even before I became apart of the band. The band is definitely no stranger to that style and will use it if it works for the part, you know? I don’t necessarily think that having a full verse of death metal growls would fit. But then again you never know, man. You never know what the future might hold. I never say never to anything. If its in the realm of possibility, you just never know”.

With the Australian tour fast approaching already underway, Stu expressed his eagerness and excitement in returning to Australia. “Man, I seriously can’t wait to get back down to Australia and kick some ass. We had so much fun last time we toured. The fans are amazing and very welcoming. I know we’re going to have a lot of fun rockin’ out. Keep those heads bangin’ and those metal horns high”.

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