Former Iced Earth vocalist Matt Barlow has addressed questions about the band’s potential return, sharing his perspective on the matter in an interview with Stairway to Rock.
Barlow’s comments came in response to a question about whether he could convince Jon Schaffer to bring Iced Earth back, possibly with Matt returning as vocalist.
“No. ‘Cause I really don’t wanna push Jon into something,” Barlow said.
The former vocalist emphasized his respect for Schaffer’s creative autonomy and ownership of the band.
“At the end of the day, Iced Earth is Jon’s, and any project that Jon does is gonna be up to him,” he continued. “He’s a fantastic musician and writer, and I think that any project that he does is going to be a good thing.”
Barlow’s stance reflects his understanding of the band’s creative dynamics and his reluctance to pressure Schaffer into any decisions regarding Iced Earth’s future.
Barlow and Schaffer kept their professional ties intact even after parting ways. According to Darkside, Barlow still receives royalties for the songs he co-wrote. The pair even teamed up again for the Schaffer/Barlow Project following Barlow’s exit from Iced Earth.
Whether they will reunite is unclear. For now, they continue to show mutual respect while focusing on their own musical paths.
You can listen to Matt Barlow’s entire interview with Stairway to Rock on YouTube below.
