What is Iced Earth?
{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Iced Earth | Img = IcedEarth2012.jpg | Img_capt = Iced Earth in 2012 | Img_size = 250px | Landscape = yes | Background = group_or_band | Alias = | Origin = [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]]<br />[[United States]] | Genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]], [[power metal]], [[thrash metal]], [[progressive metal]] | Years_active = 1985–''present'' | Label = [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]<br>[[SPV GmbH|SPV]] | Associated_acts = | URL = [http://www.icedearth.com/ Official website] | Current_members = Jon Schaffer<br/>Brent Smedley<br/>Jake Dreyer<br/>Stu Block<br/>Luke Appleton | Past_members = [[Iced Earth#Band members|Former members]] }} '''Iced Earth''' is an [[United States|American]] [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] [[band]] from [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]]. The band was formed under the name '''Purgatory''' on January 20, 1985 by guitarist Jon Schaffer. The band later changed their name to ''Iced Earth''. Since the band was created, they have had many different line-up changes with over twenty musicians joining and leaving Iced Earth.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.icedearth.com/band-0 |accessdate= 2013-01-05 |title= Band {{!}} The Official Iced Earth Website |publisher= icedearth.com |archive-date= 2012-09-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120904114226/http://www.icedearth.com/band-0 |url-status= dead }}</ref> They released their debut album, ''[[Iced Earth (album)|Iced Earth]]'', in November 1990 in Europe and in February 1991 in North America. They are currently signed to [[Century Media Records]]. == Band members == ;Current *Jon Schaffer - [[Rhythm guitar|rhythm]] and lead guitars, backing vocals (1985–''present'') *Brent Smedley - [[drum kit|drums]] (1996–1997, 1998–1999, 2006–''present'') *Jake Dreyer - lead guitar (2016–''present'') *Stu Block - [[Singing|lead vocals]] (2011–''present'') *Luke Appleton - [[bass guitar]], backing vocals (2012–''present'') ;Former *Richard Bateman - bass (1985-1986) *Bill Owen - lead guitar (1