Prior to the album's release, Iced Earth released "The Reckoning". The single contained four songs off the new album, that the band felt were most likely to get radio airplay. "The Glorious Burden" was released on January 12, 2004, in Europe and on January 13, in the United States. Much like how "Horror Show" was based on horror films and literature, "The Glorious Burden" was inspired by historical events. It was also the band's first album with their new record company SPV. Following the supporting tour, James MacDonough left Iced Earth to join Megadeth.