Matt Barlow

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[Only_Ash_Remains]

From Iced Eath's Myspace:

The new edition of the magazine Rock German Hard, made an interview with Matthew recently Barlow (former-vocalist of the Iced Earth), and in this interview it was confirmed that Matthew Barlow is coming back to the metal, as vocalista of band PYRAMAZE.


Many years if had passed since that Matthew Barlow left the Iced Earth and Matthew never in showed its point of view to them. For Rock Hard it made an exception. Optimum E is: it is not only speaking of new, but also singing! Surprising total, it joined itself to the Danish group of prog-metal Pyramaze.

I entered in contact with Matthew ace 7 of the morning. in Delaware, where it deferred payment now with its wife and its son of one year and way of age and working as policeman. Matthew is very calm and chooses the words sabiamente.

ROCK HARD: Matthew, the one that point you, for the first time, had the feeling of that being the vocal one of the Iced Earth it was not what you wanted for its future?

MATTHEW: Iced Earth was not the problem. Not even the 11 of September was the reason for my decision, but a signal, the “drop d´água”. It was at a time where I thought about what making with my life. I find that all have a period of training in the life where they think about everything. At this time I had 31 years, I was married, but he did not have financial security. The years in the Iced Earth had been excellent. The turnês and the experiences with the fans perpetual go to be a positive memory. But it did not have firmness in the career with the Iced Earth, I really I did not have financial security, because I never had a parallel project, as the Jon, where I could make money. I had a long colloquy with my brother, who also work as policeman, and I I was certain that to become me a police age what I wanted. All that knows me can say, this is not so improper pra me. I never infringed the law, I not even I was fined by speed excess. I was never imprisoned. Others, that knew only the side cabeludo rock musician mine, perhaps had not understood. But the majority of the metal fans is very respectful. The only crime of them either to perhaps smoke one established one.
It was at the time to sign the contract for “The Glorious Burden”, when I hesitated and counted the Jon as I imagined my future. This contract would more moor me to the Iced Earth per many years. Jon and I decide that I would make the vocal ones of the “The Glorious Burden” and I would make turnê with the band, there later I I would leave. When the vocal ones had been ready, Jon one more time talked with me, and said that she was not happy with my work. Moreover, Tim Owens had left the Judas Priest and I perceived quickly what the Jon had determined with Tim.
Six months later I was for the policy academy. To leave the Iced Earth was very emotive, because Jon and I had passed for many together things. It was not easy for none of us.

ROCK HARD: It seems then that it did not have much colloquy between you and Jon. He himself finished not very saying legal things, as for example that you never if it strengtove 100% for the Iced Earth.

MATTHEW: I am certain of that it said this soon after the separation, when we are with the very strong emotions. I do not blame it. Since then in them we find some times and he does not have nothing of bad between people. I until talked with Tim Owens some times. It loves being in the Iced Earth, I love my I work, and all are happy.

ROCK HARD: As policeman, you it has a well dangerous work. How it was the reaction of its wife with its decision?

MATTHEW: Ah yes, it was worried. Especially when I was in the patrol. But we policemen well are trained. Beyond, my area is not so dangerous, exactly having places that are better you to prevent. I am not running behind criminals the time all, I I try to help the people. It is clearly that, if necessary, I would enter in one fight, but for most important me is to help the young in my area and to give they a perspective.
With certainty it has moments where I feel homesickness to be in palco, because he does not have place some where you he can feel as much adrenalin. But what I more feel lack is of being creative. It was therefore that I was interested myself in the invitation of Michael, of the PYRAMAZE. It wants to record music of high quality, but on the other hand, he does not want to be in turnê for months. I had many offers of bands, but I do not want to be in turnê for an eternity. Some festivals and shows in clubs are perfect and I can keep my job.

He also had a small interview with Michael Kammeyer of the Pyramaze in the magazine. They confer below:

ROCK HARD: Michael, as you obtained that a new and almost unknown band obtained a singer as Matthew Barlow, who already had given up the musical career?

MICHAEL: , We have some experience with American musicians well, because our tecladista lode of U.S.A., and vocal the previous one also was of there. I admit: the idea of Matthew to enter in the Pyramaze was absurd. But later that I fired Lance (former-vocalista), I had time to think regarding the substitute. My favourite person or thing in absolute was Matthew Barlow, because I am a great fan of Iced Earth, since whom vi the band in the Wacken festival. E I knew that Matthew I had a job, as well as the remaining portion of the Pyramaze, and that it does not want to know of turnês long. Then I decided to call it, because I did not have nothing to lose. The maximum that would happen was it to say not.

ROCK HARD: But vocal the previous one sings well different of Matthew.

MICHAEL: When we made our as record, I asked for Lance to sing strong and aggressive more. I was tired of vocal clean and high tones. I want to say, we make music for we ourselves, and was clearly pra me, that ours third record would be powerful and aggressive.

ROCK HARD: You it will have to change the style to compose to incase itself to the style of the voice of Matthew?

MICHAEL: I find that not, therefore Matthew is a professional, being able to sing any sound and to give a personal touch. We do not want to seem the Iced Earth, and nobody wait that obtain. We are the Pyramaze and our new singer is Matthew Barlow, is this.

The next record to the Pyramaze will leave in the spring of 2008. Later, the band will make some shows in festivals. Before they will have that to find a new recorder, what it will not be problem, considering the new formation.

 Running Wild - "Blown To Kingdom Come"

[Only_Ash_Remains]

Well, I never noticed all the horrible grammar in the interview...

[yilduz]

how did you not? thats the reason i stopped reading halfway through.

[Phoenix]

Yeah, it refers to Schaffer as a she, I think...this is awful. Could be interesting, provided with good translations though. I wonder how Glorious Burden would've been with Barlow's vocals.

[pink razor]

'Turnê' is a real word by the way.

[Sirliftsalot48]

Great to see Barlow back to metal even though that hurt my brain to read.   

[MetalCrypt]

Like I said over at Metal-Rules: Terrorists will roam free!

[4th Horseman]

Like I said over at Metal-Rules: Terrorists will roam free!

[ConanTL]

I read that aloud because I am easily amused.

[Mystophales]

that would have been easier to read in the original German...

Although I was pleasantly surprised with the job Ripper has done in his place I would still rather have Barlow sing for Iced Earth. His voice just suits the music so well.

[MetalCrypt]

The news is confirmed on the official Pyramaze website (http://www.pyramaze.com/):

14.04.2007 - Matt Barlow joins Pyramaze

Statement from Michael Kammeyer:

I'm very happy to finally announce our new singer.
Matthew Barlow (former vocalist of the American metal band Iced Earth) will be taking over the job as Pyramaze vocalist. I've been in dialogue with Matt about his comeback for a few months now, and after we've been getting to know each other better and doing a few test demos where Matt has re-recorded a couple of our old songs, we've come to the conclusion that we are a perfect match. I've always regarded Matt as one of the very best voices in metal, and i was (as any other fan of his incredible voice) saddened by his departure from the metal scene a few years ago. Therefore I'm proud to say that Matt is back, stronger than ever, and from now on officially a part of the Pyramaze Fellowship. We are currently in a song-writing mode, and we expect to enter the studio early 2008 with Matt behind the mic. I hope and believe that old as well as new fans will welcome Matt into the Pyramaze line-up. I now leave you with these great news, and with Matt's statement below.

Cheers!
M. Kammeyer / Pyramaze


Statement from Matthew Barlow:

Brothers and sisters... The last time I made a statement to the metal community it was one of sorrow but certainly not one of regret. There are people, things and experiences - once not thought possible - that I have attained in the last several years. It's an extension of friends and family that has truly made my life whole, and one that I would not jeopardize for fame and glory.

That thought in mind, I was posed an interesting proposition by a true talent in heavy metal. Honestly, I had not heard a lot about Pyramaze, when I received an e-mail from Michael. After our initial correspondence I began to realize that this was a guy that really had his head in the right place - a musician who was in music for the music. Michael spoke to me of his band - a bunch of guys who want to put out solid music but would not sacrifice their souls to attain greatness. This is by no means a slam on I.E. or any of the great musicians I have worked with in the past. It simply means that the music industry can suck you in, chew you up, and spit you out if you don't keep firmly planted on the ground. Pyramaze are working class metal heads with something to prove! Metal is what they live for but it is not their livelihood.

Needless to say, I was instantly intrigued by Michael's delivery. Especially considering the nature of my career choice of late. I wondered if Michael had really thought the courting process through. I'm sure that there are some people that never really understood my reasons for leaving the industry and certainly don't like who or what i represent in my current vocation. There is also the fact that Pyramaze has been rather stereotyped as a prog-metal act and I as Satan / Paul Stanley. What kind of crazy mixed up world is this????

Well... The way I see it... I'm in a point in my life, where I love what I do for a living and for the first time, I can support myself and my family doing it. Now for the other great thing... That's how this band thinks. There is no expectation of co-signing (under the name Mephistopheles) in order to have your record sell. The record will sell if the music is great. The music will be great, because the guys doing it, want to do it... For all the right reasons. Pyramaze has proven that!

I sense hesitation... And rightly so... After all, there are a lot of I.E. fans out there that still just don't get it. I would imagine that there are also Pyramaze fans that love what Mr. King did for this band. Hell, I love what he did for this band! I think that the guy is a true talent and feel the same about Tim Owens (that's Ripper to you!). I also feel, that in the same way I.E. fans have taken Tim into the fold, I too can find a place within the Pyramaze family. I would venture to say that Pyramaze, already unique and uncompromising, will not be placed inside of a prog-metal box once the sparks start flying.

I am really looking forward to working with Michael and the guys!!! I also look forward to hearing feedback from the brethren and sisterhood of metal.

Up from the ashes, back from the depths, when the voices have risen, fire becomes flesh!

Barlow

[Sargon the Terrible]

What a pompous, self-important ass.

[Mystophales]

You have to be pompous and self important if you want to be the lead singer in a metal band that goes anywhere....ask David Lee Roth.

[Sargon the Terrible]

You have to be pompous and self important if you want to be the lead singer in a metal band that goes anywhere....ask David Lee Roth.

I totally reject that statement.  Not only is it not true, but Roth is not a standard of measure for anything.

[Ulysses]

You have to be pompous and self important if you want to be the lead singer in a metal band that goes anywhere....ask David Lee Roth.

Bullshit.