Brent E. Smedley (Alexandria, Virginia, 1971), also called Deadly Smedley, has been Iced Earth's drummer three times - from 1996 to 1997, 1998 to 1999, and again from October 2006 to present time. Brent Smedley previously drummed in Motherload and Oracle, with musicians like James MacDonough (former bassist for Iced Earth) and his brother Kent Smedley.



Brent Smedley first joined Iced Earth replacing Rodney Beasley shortly after the recording process of "Dark Saga" was finished (on which Mark Prator played drums as a session drummer).



Brent Smedley had to leave in late 1999. He can be heard on "Alive in Athens" and on the two cover songs they did as B-side for the "Melancholy EP" in 1999. He wasn't available when Iced Earth recorded "Something Wicked This Way Comes", so again Mark Prator played drums on that album.



When Brent Smedley left, he was replaced by Richard Christy.



More recenlty Brent Smedley hit the skins in Florida-based band Tempest Reign. November 2005 saw Tempest Reign working in the studio recording a full-length CD, entitled "Catastrophic". The band had previously released an EP, "Calm Before the Storm".



He decided to quit the band in early 2007 to concentrate on Iced Earth only.



Brent Smedley also a very well-known drum instructor and currently teaches all over Jacksonville.



Brent Smedley biography in his own words: "My mother was always very supportive of my (and my brother's) passion to play music. It is because of her support and self sacrifice, as well as my grandparents on her side, that I am able to live my dream.



I began playing music at the age of 7. Originally I started with piano and soon found my true calling in drums and percussion. I took many years of drum lessons and played in high school band from grades 9 thru 12 playing in Jazz band, symphonic band, marching band, percussion ensemble, and concert band.



I have been performing live since the age of 15 and recording since the age of 17. Other bands I have played in include Noble Savage, Mother Load, and Odyssey. I have also performed in a Polka, Steel drum, Jazz, wedding, Top 40, and symphonic bands professionally. I knew that I wanted to play Heavy Metal after seeing Iron Maiden (my favorite band) on the Piece of Mind tour.



Other albums of note that I have played on Oracle "As Darkness Reigns" on Massacre records (1993), Silent Scream "Bow Down and Pray" on XYZ records (1998), Tempest Reign "Catastrophic" independent 2007."