Here's the news as posted on Blabberdoofus:
Vocalist Matt Barlow — who last week returned to front ICED EARTH as the replacement for Tim "Ripper" Owens — has issued the following statement regarding his involvement with the Danish metal band PYRAMAZE:
"In light of recent events, it is rather apparent that I need to address what's going on in my life as it pertains to PYRAMAZE and ICED EARTH.
"As I'm sure you're aware, last week, my wife gave birth to our second son. We are all doing well, but it has taken a little time to get my thoughts together following that and the announcement of my return to ICED EARTH.
"After Michael's [Kammeyer, guitar] statement, it became very clear to me that I must come to terms with the fact that I can not be in all places at all times. Obviously, there are some of you who had the same concerns. It just took me a little longer to figure that out.
"Well, the point is, I contacted Michael and let him know that I very much wanted to perform on the record, but that I would not be able to continue on with the band in a full-time position as planned. I pointed out to Michael that I was extremely grateful to him and the rest of the guys for bringing me on board and I felt obligated to be up front with him on this. I did not want to do the record and then back out, leaving things on bad terms. Understandably, Michael was disappointed but ultimately understanding of the situation.
"PYRAMAZE is an extremely talented group of musicians, whose work is well known in the progressive metal community and will be in high demand in a short time. I am happy to say that I will be working with them, if only in a limited term.
"The music that Michael has written is going to make for a kick-ass heavy metal record (KAHMR) and I give you my word that I will give everything that I've got to insure that.
"Thanks for your time...you'll hear from us soon!"
PYRAMAZE guitarist Michael Kammeyer commented: "As you can all read in Matt's statement, the term of our cooperation has changed due to the fact that he's back in ICED EARTH.
"When Matt approached me with his thoughts and decisions, we had the choice of A. Letting Matt go and finding another singer right away, or B. record this album as planned and with the singer for whom the music was written. Matt let us know that he was still very hooked on recording this album with us, but that he would understand and respect our final decision, should we wish to terminate our cooperation right away. After discussing this with my band brothers we came to the conclusion that we've started the journey of recording our new album together with Matt, and we will finish this album together with him.
"After we have completed this new album Matt is going to be concentrating solely on ICED EARTH again. So this will be a one-time cooperation between PYRAMAZE and Matt, and this album will be one for the books.
"We all understand and respect Matt's decision, and there's no bad blood here at all. Matt is a genuinely nice guy with an honest heart, and we are proud to be working with him. I will also encourage you to read Matt's other statement at
www.icedearth.com to give you some more insight in the situation.
"I guess now is a good time to reveal the cover for our new album which is called 'Immortal'.
"Let me also take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and a rocking new year. We thank you all for your support."
PYRAMAZE entered the studio on October 1 in Haderslev, Denmark to begin recording the follow-up to to "Legend of the Bone Carver".
Barlow joined PYRAMAZE as the replacement for Lance King who left the band in November 2006.
The group's third album is tentatively due next spring.
