Stu Block

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Stu Block
File:Stu Block December 2012.jpg
Stu Block performing with Iced Earth in 2012.
Background information
Birth name Stuart Block
Also known as Stuie B,[1] Stucifer[1]
Born (1977-11-26) November 26, 1977 (age 46)
Genres Progressive death metal, melodic death metal, heavy metal, power metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, neo-classical metal
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Labels Century Media
Associated acts Into Eternity, Iced Earth, Omega Crom

Stuart "Stu" Block (born November 26, 1977)[2] is a Canadian singer-songwriter, who was the frontman for Canadian progressive death metal band Into Eternity, and is now the lead vocalist for American heavy metal band Iced Earth. Before joining Into Eternity in 2005, Block began his musical career singing for various bands in Vancouver, Canada. After two albums with Into Eternity, Block joined Iced Earth in 2011, with whom he released the album Dystopia the same year.

Career

Early career and Into Eternity

Block began his musical career in 1998, singing for various metal and rock acts around Vancouver.[1] Prior to joining Into Eternity, Block was the singer for the band Omega Crom, among others.[3] In 2005, he joined Into Eternity and the following year, the band released their first album with him, The Scattering of Ashes.[1] Block received high praise for his performance, with Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic calling him "one of the finest metal voices of his generation".[4] Block's second album with Into Eternity, The Incurable Tragedy, was released in 2008.[5] In 2011 and 2012, respectively, the band released the singles "Sandstorm" and "Fukushima".[6][7] Also in late 2012, Block began demoing new material with Into Eternity and their new touring vocalist Amanda Kiernan.[8]

Iced Earth

In March 2011, it was announced that Block had been chosen as the new lead singer for Iced Earth.[9] Prior to releasing Block's first album with the group, Iced Earth released a re-recording of their 1995 song "Dante's Inferno" as a free download on their website.[10] Dystopia, Block's first album with Iced Earth, was released on October 18, 2011.[11] The album garnered positive reviews, with some calling it one of Iced Earth's best albums.[12][13] Block also received praise for his performance.[13][14][15] The band released its next Live CD/DVD on April 15, 2013, Live in Ancient Kourion. The album was recorded August 19, 2012 at the 6,000-year-old Kourion Theater in Cyprus during the bands Dystopia World Tour.[16]

Iced Earth began writing new material for their eleventh studio album in early 2013. The title was later confirmed as Plagues of Babylon, and the album was released in January 2014.[17] Block's second album with the band received mostly positive reviews overall from music critics. In January 2014, the album reached position #5 on the German Media Control Charts. This is Iced Earth's highest chart position in their entire career.[18][19] The band also reached #34 on the Ultratop Charts in Belgium.[20] Meanwhile, in the US, the album sold approximately 6,300 copies in its first week to debut at #49 on the Billboard 200.[21]

Following a period of inactivity, Iced Earth has started writing for their 12th Studio Album tentatively titled "The Judas Goat," with an expected release date and subsequent touring cycle in early 2016.[22]

Singing style

Block is a self-described "hybrid vocalist", meaning that he utilizes vocal styles from many different genres of metal.[1] Block has listed Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Daniel Heiman, Tim Roth, Matt Barlow, Tim Owens, Devin Townsend, Jari Mäenpää, George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, Russell Allen and Jørn Lande as his influences as a singer.[1]

Personal life

Block's mother was battling cancer when he joined Iced Earth.[23] The song "End of Innocence", from Iced Earth's Dystopia, was written for her by Block.[23] His mother died on August 23, 2013.[24]

Discography

Into Eternity

Iced Earth

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Stu Block's Facebook Page

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Stu_Block&oldid=719256063"