Matthew Barlow (born March 10, 1971) His reason for leaving was due to personal beliefs related to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Pyramaze confirmed that he would remain with them to record their album Immortal, but that their professional relationship would end there.

thumb|upright|Barlow performing in 2010

On March 3, 2011, Matt Barlow announced that he will again be leaving Iced Earth after the band finishes its European festival shows, citing his commitment to his family and the need for Iced Earth to tour more as his reasons for retirement. On August 6, Barlow performed his farewell show with Iced Earth at the Wacken Open Air festival.

On June 26, 2012, Barlow announced on his Facebook page the creation of a new band named Ashes of Ares with former Iced Earth bassist Freddie Vidales and Nevermore drummer Van Williams, posting on YouTube two one-minute teaser videos. The band signed with Nuclear Blast, and the self-titled album released on September 6, 2013.

In May 2013, Barlow contributed vocals to American power metal band Artizan's album Ancestral Energy, being featured on the album's final track.

On January 1, 2017, a joint project with Jonah Weingarten of Pyramaze named We Are Sentinels was announced by Barlow on his Facebook page.

In 2020 he reunited with Jon Schaffer for a christmas EP, Winter Nights under the banner Schaffer/Barlow Project.

Discography

Cauldron

  • Cauldron Demo (1990)
  • Driven by Hate (1993)

Iced Earth

Studio albums

  • Burnt Offerings (1995)
  • The Dark Saga (1996)
  • Days of Purgatory (1997)
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998)
  • The Melancholy E.P. (1999)
  • Horror Show (2001)
  • Tribute to the Gods (2002)
  • The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 (2008)

Live albums

  • Alive in Athens (1999)
  • Alive in Athens (2006, DVD)
  • Festivals of the Wicked (2011)

Pyramaze

Studio albums

  • Immortal (2008)

Ashes of Ares

Studio albums

  • Ashes of Ares (2013)
  • Well of Souls (2018)
  • Emperors and Fools (2022)
  • New Messiahs (2025)

We Are Sentinels

  • We Are Sentinels (2018)

Schaffer/Barlow Project

  • Winter Nights (2020)

References

  • Matt Barlow on Facebook