Stu Block
Stu Block | |
---|---|
neo-classical metal | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Member of | Into Eternity, The Midgard Project |
Formerly of | Iced Earth, Omega Crom |
Stuart Block (born November 26, 1977)[2] is a Canadian singer who is the lead vocalist of progressive death metal band Into Eternity and a former lead singer of heavy metal band Iced Earth. Before joining Into Eternity in 2005, he began his musical career singing for various bands in Vancouver. [3]After two albums with Into Eternity, he joined Iced Earth in 2011 and recorded three albums during his ten-year tenure with the band: Dystopia (2011), Plagues of Babylon (2014) and Incorruptible (2017). He was the second-longest-tenured vocalist in Iced Earth after Matt Barlow.
Career
Early career and Into Eternity
Block began his musical career in 1998, singing for various metal and rock acts around Vancouver.[1] Before joining Into Eternity, Block was the singer for the band Omega Crom, among others.[4] In 2005, he joined Eternity, and the following year, the band released their first album with him, The Scattering of Ashes.[1] Block received high praise for his performance, with Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic calling him "one of the finest metal voices of his generation".[5] Block's second album with into Eternity, The Incurable Tragedy, was released in 2008.[6] Respectively, in 2011 and 2012, the band released the singles "Sandstorm" and "Fukushima".[7][8] Also, in late 2012, Block began demoing new material with Eternity and their new touring vocalist Amanda Kiernan.[9]
He rejoined Into Eternity in 2021 as co-lead vocalist after leaving Iced Earth.[10]
Iced Earth
In March 2011, it was announced that Block had been chosen as the new lead singer for Iced Earth.[11] Before releasing Block's first album with the group, Iced Earth released a re-recording of their 1995 song "Dante's Inferno" as a free download on their website.[12] Dystopia, Block's first album with Iced Earth, was released on October 18, 2011.[13] The album garnered positive reviews, with some calling it one of Iced Earth's best albums.[14][15] Block also received praise for his performance.[15][16][17] The band released its next Live CD/DVD on April 15, 2013, Live in Ancient Kourion. The album was recorded on August 19, 2012, at the 6,000-year-old Kourion Theater in Cyprus during the band's Dystopia World Tour.[18]
Iced Earth began writing new material for their eleventh studio album in early 2013. The title was later confirmed as
Following a period of inactivity, Iced Earth started writing for their twelfth studio album tentatively titled The Judas Goat, with an expected release date and subsequent touring cycle in early 2016.[24]
On February 15, 2021, a month after Schaffer's arrest following the
Annihilator
Block recorded the song "Downright Dominate" with
Singing style
Block is a self-described "hybrid vocalist", meaning that he uses vocal styles from many different genres of metal.
Personal life
Block's mother was battling cancer when he joined Iced Earth.[28] He wrote the song "End of Innocence", from Iced Earth's Dystopia, for her.[28] She died on August 23, 2013.[29]
Discography
Into Eternity
- 2006: The Scattering of Ashes
- 2008: The Incurable Tragedy
- 2011: "Sandstorm" (single)
- 2012: "Fukushima" (single)
Iced Earth
- 2011: "Dante's Inferno 2011" (single)
- 2011: 5 Songs (EP)
- 2011: Dystopia
- 2013: Live in Ancient Kourion
- 2013: The Plagues (EP)
- 2014: Plagues of Babylon
- 2017: Incorruptible
Annihilator
- 2022: Metal II
The Midgard Project
- 2022: The Great Divide
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Iced Earth: Stu Block". icedearth.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Stu Block interviewed by Metal Attack MTL". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Stu Block". Iced Earth. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "Stu Block interviewed by Metaleater". metaleater.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "The Scattering of Ashes – Review". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Incurable Tragedy". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "'"Sandstorm" single released.'". Intoeternity.net. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "'"Fukushima" single released.'". Intoeternity.net. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ ""Into Eternity Continues Demoing New Material, Plays Album Fundraising Show"". blabbermouth.net. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- Metalsucks.net. July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Iced Earth Leader Chooses New Vocalist, Announces European Leg Of Massive World Tour | The Official Iced Earth Website". Icedearth.com. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Iced Earth re-record "Dante's Inferno" and give it away for free | The Official Iced Earth Website". Icedearth.com. September 5, 2011. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Iced Earth reveal cover art and release dates". Icedearth.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Dystopia review". Imperiumi.net. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ a b "Dystopia review". Hallowed.se. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ "Dystopia review". Metal Army America. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ Heaney, G. "Live in Ancient Kourion AllMusic". allmusic.com.
- BlabberMouth. November 12, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ Fayyazi, Mohsen (January 14, 2014). "ICED EARTH: Highest Chart Entry Of Band's Entire Career: #5 On German Media Control Charts". metalshockfinland.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ^ "Iced Earth, Plagues Of Babylon". German Media Control Charts. Retrieved January 18, 2014.[dead link]
- ^ "Iced Earth – Plagues Of Babylon". Ultratop.be. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ^ "ICED EARTH's 'Plagues Of Babylon' Cracks U.S. Top 50". January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ Schaffer, Jon. "Update from Iced Earth – 7th April 2015". Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "ICED EARTH Singer STU BLOCK And Bassist LUKE APPLETON Have Officially Quit The Band". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "JEFF WATERS To Step Down As ANNIHILATOR Vocalist; STU BLOCK Tapped For Future Live Shows". Blabbermouth.net. January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ "Interview With Stu Block, ICED EARTH: "I just see Iced Earth in my future, that's all."". Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ). December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ a b "Stu Block interviewed by "Heavy Metal Thunder."". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ Stu Block's Facebook Page