ICED EARTH's Jon Schaffer is currently holed up in Morrisound studio in Florida, with Jim Morris, mixing the first single from the band's forthcoming, still untitled two-disc concept album.

The "single" is entitled 'Overture Of The Wicked' and is compried of 4 songs: 'Ten Thousand Strong', 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' and 'The Coming Curse'.

The final trio were originally released on Something Wicked This Way Comes ('98), but the new versions will feature Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR/ex-JUDAS PRIESTS) on vocals.

The first part of the dual-CD extravaganza is expected this fall (following select European festival dates), through SPV.