The album was released on July 19, 1999. Also in 1999, the band released "The Melancholy E.P.". Originally conceived as a radio-only single, the EP contained three previously released songs ("Melancholy (Holy Martyr)", "Watching Over Me" and "I Died for You"), as well as two new ones (cover versions of Bad Company's "Shooting Star" and Black Sabbath's "Electric Funeral"). However, Century Media Records did not end-up releasing the EP, so it was made available for fans as a limited 1500-copy special release. In 2000, work began on Iced Earth's sixth studio album. Entitled "Horror Show", the album contained songs based on horror films and literature, such as "Dracula", "The Phantom of the Opera" and the "Wolf Man". Released on June 26, 2001, the album was the band's first to feature drummer Richard Christy, and the third with guitarist Larry Tarnowski (now a full-time member). Originally Steve Di Giorgio played bass on the album, but left the group after the recording process. According to Jon Schaffer, Di Giorgio was required and agreed to go on tour, but left due to "prior commitments." He was replaced by James MacDonough. "Horror Show" was also the first Iced Earth album to be partially recorded at Jon Schaffer's home studio "Schaffer Sound." On November 26, 2001 (March 5, 2002 in America) the band released the boxset "Dark Genesis", which featured the band's first three albums plus the "Enter the Realm" -demo, remastered and remixed with new cover art. The set also featured a new album, entitled "Tribute to the Gods". It was Iced Earth's seventh studio album, featuring songs from such bands as Iron Maiden, Kiss and Blue Öyster Cult. After the events of 9/11, Matt Barlow came to the conclusion that he wanted to start contributing to the "real world." Barlow approached Schaffer with this in late 2002, but Schaffer convinced Barlow to stay with the band. When Iced Earth began recording their next studio album, Schaffer realized that Barlow's vocals were not what he desired; he felt that they lacked passion and quality, so he decided to let Barlow go after all. Barlow became a police officer in the Georgetown Police Dept. in Georgetown, Delaware. After Barlow's departure, Iced Earth continued work on their next album, and eventually Jon Schaffer got Tim "Ripper" Owens, from Judas Priest, to sing on the record as a favor.