| Matthew Barlow | |
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Matt Barlow in 2010. |
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 10, 1970 Biloxi, Mississippi |
| Genres | Heavy metal, power metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, speed metal |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, police officer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1988– |
| Associated acts | Iced Earth, Pyramaze, The First State Force Band, Cauldron |
Matthew Barlow (born 10 March 1970 in Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.) is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He is the former lead singer for Iced Earth. He is Jon Schaffer's brother-in-law.
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Barlow joined Iced Earth after the Night of the Stormrider tour with Blind Guardian in Europe, as a replacement for John Greely. The first album Barlow can be heard on is Burnt Offerings (1995). Barlow left the band in 2003, much to the chagrin of many fans.[1] His reason for leaving was due to personal beliefs related to the September 11 terrorist attacks.[2] He took a look at his life and realized that he wanted to contribute to the "real world" instead of living the illusion of a "rock star." He approached Jon Schaffer with this in late 2002, but Schaffer, known for his persuasive personality, convinced Barlow to stay with the band. When the band recorded The Glorious Burden, Schaffer decided that Barlow's vocals were not what he desired them to be; he believed they lacked the passion and quality that Barlow was known for.[3] He decided to let Barlow go after all and hired Tim Owens, former lead singer of Judas Priest.
Barlow became a police officer in the police department in Georgetown, Delaware. He was also a vocalist for the First State Force Band, which is made up of law enforcement members from different departments throughout Delaware. The band performs for schools, delivering messages such as "Say no to drugs," "Stay away from violence," and "Respect your parents, teachers, yourselves, others, and life" through music.
On April 13, 2007, Barlow returned to music more fully as the new lead singer of Danish progressive power metal band Pyramaze. Barlow accepted the offer to join Pyramaze because it would allow him to return to the music scene, while still being able maintain his current job.
However, on December 11, 2007, it was announced that Barlow had officially re-joined Iced Earth and would be singing on The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part 2) and following albums.[4] Pyramaze confirmed that he would remain with them to record their album Immortal, but that their professional relationship would end there.[5]
On March 3, 2011, Matt Barlow announced that he will again be leaving Iced Earth after the band finishes its European festival shows, citing his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as his reasons for retirement.[6]
On August 6th, Barlow performed his farewell show with Iced Earth at the Wacken Open Air festival.
Studio albums
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