Iced Earth is an American
heavy metal band from
Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1985 under the name
Purgatory by guitarist and main songwriter
Jon Schaffer and original drummer Greg Seymour. Iced Earth released their
debut album in 1990, have since released eleven
studio albums, four
EPs, three
compilations, three
box sets, three
live albums and one
cover album. After releasing two studio albums in 1990 and 1991, respectively, Iced Earth took a three-year layoff from 1992 to 1995, after which the band returned with new lead vocalist
Matt Barlow. Iced Earth went on to release four studio albums with Barlow between 1995 and 2001, respectively; 1995's
Burnt Offerings, 1996's
The Dark Saga, 1998's
Something Wicked This Way Comes and 2001's
Horror Show.