There is no doubt that metal fans are the most dedicated, rabid, and loyal of all the musical genres. So if you can imagine this, you’re a fan that grew up listening to your favorite metal band, then years later you’re picked out of a crowd to sing for them?  That really did happen and that guy is Tim Owens, later given the nickname “Ripper” by Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton. Tim went on to record two live albums with Judas Priest and two studio records, Jugulator and Demolition respectively. Then came a time when Priest and Halford reunited and Tim stepped aside. Who would have thought that lightning would strike twice, as he was asked by his friend Jon Schaffer to join Iced Earth after laying down vocals for the album The Glorious Burden? I got a chance to see Tim and Jon play in Seattle; it was a six hour drive. Somehow I convinced the old lady that “I had to be there.” She agreed and before she could change her mind I bought tickets and booked a hotel room. It was a magical night, but that’s a story for another time. Pivotal Rage was granted an opportunity to speak with Tim during round one of press days for the new album Framing Armageddon.  Check out what he had to say.

 

Correct me if I’m wrong. You were originally asked to be the guest vocalist on The Glorious Burden back when Matt left. Is that right?

 

Right. Initially the idea was to guest on the album. Jon had just let Matt go and he and we had talked about working together on a project years before. I just had no idea that we’d be working on Iced Earth material. When he called me up, I saw this as an opportunity to work with him. At the time I was still in Priest, but they weren’t planning on doing anything for a while. I was available and was eager to work with Jon. I think it worked out.  Jon needed a singer and Priest eventually got Rob back in the band. And I’m very proud to have been a part of The Glorious Burden.

 

When did you first meet Jon Schaffer?  And when did you guys begin to talk about working together?

 

As I said there was talk about doing a project something like what Jon has done with Demons and Wizards, not Iced Earth. I first met Jon when he came backstage to meet Judas Priest. We hit it off from the beginning. We kept in touch over the phone and we developed a good friendship.

 

How do you feel about your Iced Earth records as opposed to your recordings with Judas Priest or Beyond Fear?

 

Well, I’m extremely happy with the response Beyond Fear got; it’s been consistently the highest reviewed album that I have ever been a part of. It’s very gratifying as I wrote the songs, lyrics, and melodies. It’s all me. I took liberties with the vocals on Beyond Fear.  That's something that I didn’t entirely do on my own in the past. Iced Earth has allowed me to write more than any other band that I have been a part of, aside from Beyond Fear. I’ll say this, that Framing Armageddon is the most vocally demanding album that I have done to date and it’s top notch. I’m sure you’ll agree when you hear it.

 

Does it tire you that some people think of you as the former Judas Priest singer?

 

Never. I never get tired of being referred as a former singer of Judas Priest. I’m so proud of being part of that band. These guys were and are my idols. And I was a part of the band and its history. There were some great moments and memories of being in Priest.  For me, my performance and my input on the song “Blood Stained” is one of my proudest. What upsets me is when I get tagged with the label of a Rob Halford clone. We have some similarities, but we are also very different. That’s frustrating to me; I can hear the difference. Rob was an influence of course, but I can stand on my own.

 

It seems like there are two fan bases: the Matt Barlow era fans and the Iced Earth fans. How do you feel about being under the microscope by the Barlow fans? How do you deal with that?

 

I’m not too concerned about that. I’ll even add that there are Tim “Ripper” Owens fans that aren’t fans of Iced Earth. I respect Matt as a vocalist.  He had a different style.  He has a mid-range and lower register vocal. I can do that too, but Jon has gone away from that. I think that often fans don’t stop to think that Jon Schaffer wrote 90% of the melodies when Matt was in the band. I think if you read back at previous interviews with Jon, he has gone on record and said so. On The Glorious Burden I wrote melodies. “Red Baron/Blue Max” is a good example of this. I think there are fans that talk negatively about the change without even giving the band a chance or really taking the time to actually listen to the band’s music. The band isn’t that different; only the voice has changed. Jon has elected to go for a natural, powerful vocal, and the proof can be heard on “Ten Thousand Strong.”

 

Do you have more freedom when it comes to lyrical content or melodies in Iced Earth as opposed to Judas Priest?

 

In Iced Earth as with Judas Priest, there is one person that’s steering the ship. In Priest that person was Glenn Tipton and in Iced Earth it’s Jon Schaffer. I have been given more opportunities to write and give input on melodies with Iced Earth than with Priest. I hope my role and contribution

in this band will continue to grow with each album. I’m excited for the future of Iced Earth.

 

How comfortable are you singing classic Iced Earth material? When I saw you on the last tour, the true test was you singing “Iced Earth.” When I heard that, I was sold.

 

Well, thank you. I’m glad you’re listening. I’m very comfortable singing classic Iced Earth songs. I think the reason being that I was a fan of the band first, so I was familiar with the songs.

 

Jon has raised the bar yet again with tackling the Something Wicked storyline. Tell us how Framing Armageddon came together.

 

Well, as you probably know, this is a project that is near and dear to Jon’s heart. He’s had been wanting to get this out since about a year or two after Something Wicked This Way Comes was released. He has always had a vision of releasing the story.  The time had to be right. Not only was timing essential but I think Jon was also waiting on getting the right label involved. I don’t think Jon felt that the band’s previous label would have supported such an album or would have given it the attention that it needs. SPV is very supportive and they are completely behind Framing Armageddon.

 

“Ten Thousand Strong” is an epic track and one of my favorites on the album. To me, “Ten Thousand Strong” sounds like it has a Blind Guardian influence, just in the way that the vocals are layered and in your face.  What’s your favorite track on the album and why?

 

You know, that’s hard to say. Right now, there are three that I really like a lot. Like you said, “Ten Thousand Strong” is a great one.  There’s a lot happening there with the vocals.  I also like “A Charge to Keep,” and I love how “The Clouding” builds up.  I love the feeling I get from that song. I’d love to have those songs work their way into the setlist. We’ll see what makes it into the final cut.  You’ve heard the album?

 

Yeah, I have. I got one with voiceovers all over it.

 

Well, unfortunately that’s what the label had to do with press getting copies of an album then people feeling the need to share it.  It would have wound up on the internet.  I know Jon wasn’t happy with the review copies having voiceovers, but that’s just the nature of the business these days.

 

I understand. There was some press guy in Italy that leaked the new Dimmu Borgir album and now that particular label sends out review copies in the 99 track format. Still it’s kind of interesting that it’s Jon on the voiceover. It’s a collectable.

 

You’re right.  If you’re a fan, you’ll definitely want to hold onto that.

 

I have to add that the live performance on of “The Gettysburg Trilogy” was remarkable.  It was a wonderful way to close the show. It sent chills up and down my spine watching and hearing you guys perform it in its entirety without missing a beat.

 

Thanks. You know, that was quite the challenge to end the show with “The Gettysburg Trilogy.” It was at the end of the show.  We had done like an 80 minute set then end it with what turned out to be a 30 minute encore with no breaks. I was spent at times, but the fans kept me going.  It was like getting a second wind. After the end of “The Gettysburg Trilogy” we were exhausted.

 

With the anniversary of September 11th just around the corner, how do you think the war on terror has gone? If I recall, you and Judas Priest were grounded in Mexico when that went down.

 

Right, we were grounded in Mexico. We were on tour behind the Demolition album and it came to an abrupt end when the attack occurred in New York. Priest had Anthrax and Iced Earth opening at the time. You know, I tend to stay away from talking about politics. I’m not the political guy, but I do think that we need to support and back whatever decision our President has made. Whether you like George W. Bush or not, we have to come together. I think it’s no secret that Jon is the political guy in this band and he’s made it clear that he’s conservative. There are things that I agree with Jon on and there are things that I disagree with Jon on. Likewise with my brother.  He’s on the far left.  There are things that I agree with him on and there things that I strongly disagree with. I just hope that we find a resolution to this and get those people (military) out of there soon.

 

Richard Christie has moved on. He’s now on The Howard Stern show. He’s been doing some outrageous over-the-top things on Sirius. Did you think he had this in him? There’s boundaries that have been crossed that leave me shaking my head. What was he like as a bandmate?

 

Well, I haven’t really heard what he’s been doing on there, but I can say that Richard was an outlandish, goofy kind of guy that had a talent for making you laugh. I remember this guy always making home movies and recording things, stunts and stuff like that. In addition to being a fantastic drummer, I think he has found his calling. I think he really wanted to make a career out of comedy and this was the opportunity of a lifetime for him. I wouldn’t be surprised that when the Howard Stern show ends, or maybe even before that, we see Richard writing for a television show on primetime or movies. I wish him the best.

 

I look forward to seeing you guys live again and hopefully you guys will make it out to Portland, Oregon on this tour.

 

I hope so. We’ll be working on it, that’s for sure. We don’t have a date confirmed but we hope for an extensive tour of North America.

 

Be sure to pick up Iced Earth's new album Framing Armageddon when it drops on September 18th, 2007 through SPV USA. I’d like to thank Tim Owens for taking time to speak to Pivotal Rage.  We won’t forget it!  And to Dave @ EarspiltPR for setting this up, I can’t thank you enough!