After releasing the demo EP Enter the Realm (1989) and signing to Century Media Records, the band released two full-length studio albums – Iced Earth (1990) and Night of the Stormrider (1991) – before taking a two-year hiatus from 1992 to 1994, after which the band returned with new lead vocalist Matt Barlow. Iced Earth went on to release four studio albums with him in over half a decade: Burnt Offerings (1995), The Dark Saga (1996), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998) and Horror Show (2001).
After Horror Show, Barlow quit the band and joined the police force, while Iced Earth continued on with Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Judas Priest, on vocals. With Owens, the band released two studio albums (2004's The Glorious Burden and 2007's Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1). In late 2007, Barlow rejoined the band, and they recorded one more album with him: The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 (2008). In 2011, Barlow once again left Iced Earth, and was replaced by Into Eternity frontman Stu Block. Dystopia, Block's first album with the group, was released that October; the album received a positive response, while some critics called it one of Iced Earth's best albums. The group recorded two more albums with Block: Plagues of Babylon (2014) and Incorruptible (2017).
Before arriving at their current lineup, Iced Earth has had numerous line-up changes, with founder Jon Schaffer as the only founding member remaining. As of 2021, there have been over thirty musicians in and out of Iced Earth since its formation in 1984.
The band is composed solely of Schaffer and drummer Brent Smedley, with all other band members having departed following Schaffer's January 2021 arrest by the FBI for his involvement in the Capitol riots. Schaffer is in FBI custody on felony charges, which has generated new publicity for Iced Earth and has resulted in the band being dropped from their longtime label Century Media.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iced_Earth
Studio albums
Iced Earth (1990)
Night of the Stormrider (1991)
Burnt Offerings (1995)
The Dark Saga (1996)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998)
Horror Show (2001)
The Glorious Burden (2004)
Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 (2007)
The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 (2008)
Dystopia (2011)
Plagues of Babylon (2014)
Incorruptible (2017)
A Narrative Soundscape (2022)
Ghost of Freedom
Iced Earth Lyrics
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It tears you up inside
You curse the day your mother
told you, your father died
Now you're always searching
Searching for the reason why I've gone
But I will always be here
By your side, through the darkest night
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
Every night you go to sleep
You pray the Lord my soul to keep
You don't know I've not gone away
You see I watch over fighting men
So they can have peace again
And maybe someday you will all be free
Here I'll stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I am the ghost
Standing next to you
You speak to me
And I feel your pride
Assuring me I'll never die
I write Mother
"He's here with me"
He's in our minds
He's in our souls
Of sacrifice his story's told
He holds the flame of freedom for all to see
Here we stand on the firing line
Here I'll walk in the field where I fight
I will fight of die for liberty
With the ghost standing next to me
Don't tread on me, live free or die!
To our fallen brothers
You died to keep us free
To our fallen brothers
Who gave us liberty!
The lyrics to Iced Earth's song "Ghost of Freedom" are about the legacy of fallen soldiers who gave their lives for the cause of freedom. The song expresses the idea that even though these brave men and women are no longer with us in the physical world, they continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those they fought to protect. The opening lines convey the pain and grief experienced by those left behind after a loved one has died in battle, as well as the sense of longing to understand why such tragedies occur. The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that the ghost of the fallen soldier is always by our side, offering comfort and support through the darkest of nights.
The second verse of the song builds on this idea, emphasizing the eternal nature of the bond between a soldier and his comrades in arms. The soldier's spirit watches over his fellow fighters, inspiring them to persevere, even in the face of great adversity. The bridge of the song provides some insight into the soldier's perspective, as he speaks to the living and assures them that he will never truly die, because his sacrifice will always live on in the ideals of freedom and liberty that he fought to defend.
Overall, "Ghost of Freedom" is a poignant tribute to the men and women who have given their lives for freedom, and a reminder that even in death, their spirits live on, inspiring us all to fight for a world where liberty prevails.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time you think about it
Each time you ponder on this matter
It tears you up inside
It painfully distresses you
You curse the day your mother told you, your father died
You blame the day your mother informed you of your father’s passing
Now you're always searching
You’re consistently looking for answers
Searching for the reason why I've gone
Seeking the cause behind my absence
But I will always be here
Yet, I’ll always be present
By your side, through the darkest night
I’ll accompany you through the bleakest of times
Here I'll stand on the firing line
I’ll place myself in the midst of danger
Here I'll walk through the field where I died
I’ll traverse the battleground where I perished
I will fight and let the voice ring true
I’ll engage in conflict and make my stance evident
I am the ghost Standing next to you
I’m your apparition, always present beside you
Every night you go to sleep
Each time you retire to slumber
You pray the Lord my soul to keep
You petition the Almighty to preserve my soul
You don't know I've not gone away
You’re unaware that I haven’t departed entirely
You see I watch over fighting men
I’m a guardian of warriors
So they can have peace again
So that they can obtain peace once more
And maybe someday you will all be free
Perhaps someday everyone will be liberated
You speak to me And I feel your pride
You address me with vigor, and I’m elated
Assuring me I'll never die
Encouraging me that I’m indestructible
I write Mother "He's here with me"
I notify Mother "He’s together with me"
He's in our minds He's in our souls
He exists in our thoughts and spirits
Of sacrifice his story's told
Tales are spoken of his selflessness
He holds the flame of freedom for all to see
He safeguards the torch of liberty for everyone to witness
Here we stand on the firing line
We take a position in the midst of danger
Here I'll walk in the field where I fight
I’ll voyage through the battlefield where I combat
I will fight of die for liberty
I’ll battle or yield my life for freedom
With the ghost standing next to me
With the phantom present beside me
Don't tread on me, live free or die!
Do not threaten me, live as a free man or perish!
To our fallen brothers
For our kin who’ve passed on
You died to keep us free
You deceased to ensure our liberty
Who gave us liberty!
Who granted us our freedom!
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind