I am a huge fan of the metal band Iced Earth. It was a sad day for all IE fans when their best and longest-serving vocalist, Matt Barlow, decided to leave the band. He had good reasons like family and a career outside music, and while his replacement Tim "Ripper" Owens (formerly of Judas Priest) was capable, fans still pined for Barlow.
Then late in 2007, the band Pyramaze announced that Barlow was returning to the metal scene as their new vocalist. The fan community was abuzz, and soon this buzz and the 4 years of speculation and questions led to what everyone had always hoped for: Barlow was also returning to Iced Earth! What makes his return doubly sweet is that he will be back with the band to record the forthcoming "Revelation Abomination", Part 2 in the ongoing Something Wicked album cycle.
Today on the Progulus Radio forum, a member posted a link to a couple of nice full clips from the new Pyramaze album. It was amazing hearing Barlow singing again for the first time in years, he just slid back into it perfectly. But with his return to IE, a price had to be paid: this will be the only time he sings for Pyramaze. While it's disappointing, at least we'll have that album as well as the return to Iced Earth we've always longed for.
In case anyone is curious to hear the man I laud praises upon:
Listen to the song DRACULA from Horror Show, the last regular studio album to feature Barlow.
And follow this link to PYRAMAZE to check out the clips from their new CD.
OK, my music ranting/fan worshipping for the night is done 
Not much else is happening in this little corner of the world, except the Jehovah's Witnesses were going around the neighborhood Wednesday evening, passing out an ad for some gathering at their church. Pass...
And thanks again to SomeGuy for including links to the Watercooler and Bootleg News Reporter with the podcast.
