ICED EARTH's JON SCHAFFER says STU BLOCK displayed “weakness under pressure” by “changing his whole tune” about events of January 6, 2021
09-11-2026
In a new interview with The Gallery metal web magazine, ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer addressed a possible return of his DEMONS & WIZARDS project, in which he was joined by BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch. Kürsch announced his departure from DEMONS & WIZARDS two weeks after Schaffer was arrested for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Jon said: “Hansi’s one of my dearest friends in the world. I love Hansi, and I know he loves me, and we’re gonna be friends as long as we’re on this planet, and probably after. So I would do anything, if Hansi wants to do something someday. I would work with him in a heartbeat. But he’s got a different set of pressures that he’s gotta deal with. And so I don’t know that there’s any chance to revive DEMONS & WIZARDS on his side. Maybe someday. But we’re still friends and we talk. But right now, that’s not even on the table.”
During the same chat, Schaffer was asked about former ICED EARTH frontman Stu Block‘s recent online posted directed at Schaffer after the guitarist called Block reaction’s to Jon‘s involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot a “total poser move”. When Schaffer was famously photographed as one of the people who breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Stu initially posted a message online seemingly cheering on or reacting favorably to the events. After receiving negative feedback, Block deleted the post and shared a public condemnation of the incident — implicitly distancing himself from Schaffer, who was later arrested.
Schaffer clarified: “I didn’t call (Stu) a poser. I said it was a ‘poser move’ to put up something supporting (the events at the U.S. Capitol) and then, apparently… I didn’t know all this was going on at the time. I found out about it later. People sent me screenshots of exactly what went down, that he was all in support of it, and then he got heat from the people that didn’t like what was going on, and then he changed his whole tune. That’s not exactly being true. It’s pressure — it’s weakness under pressure.”
Jon went on to say that he doesn’t have any issues with his former bandmates. “I never had a problem with Hansi, because Hansi and I spoke several times before I turned myself in, and I knew he was gonna have to do that,” Schaffer explained. “On the other hand, it’s the way that it was handled, and the fact that Hansi and I, we’re friends, and I didn’t feel like what the guys (in ICED EARTH) did was something a friend would do, especially after I got out and I heard all of the stuff that went down. But whatever. I forgive them, and I’m sorry that they had to go through all that too. They really didn’t have to. It’s a choice. Actually, (former ICED EARTH singer) Matt Barlow (who is married to Jon‘s sister) handled it better than anybody. He just didn’t engage, didn’t acknowledge it. But you see who people’s, who their characters are, and this is a gift, actually, coming out of it, just seeing who is really on your side. So that’s a good thing. Shakes it out, man.”
In an April 2026 interview with the Brutally Delicious podcast, ICED EARTH‘s founding guitarist Jon Schaffer, whose band effectively split up after he was arrested for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, was asked if there are any plans for him to release new music in the not-too-distant future. He responded: “There will be new music. There’s no doubt. But it’s gonna happen on my timeline. Because as much as I hear, and I know the fans, especially the ICED EARTH fans, want new music, I’m not interested in new music; I want great music. And anything else outside of being truly inspired is not interesting to me. Going out and putting the band back together just for the purposes of trying to feel relevant or to make money, that’s the easy way. That’s a checkers move. I’m not interested in it. It’s gotta be because I really love it, not because the machine relies on it. And I was in that.”
Jon continued: “I think we did great records. I’m proud of my career. But when you’re in that sort of the hamster wheel of new album, tour, that cycle that goes on constantly, you get off of the original point. It becomes a business. It becomes this thing where you sometimes have to go through the motions, even if you don’t feel like it, because there’s commitments. And things changed a lot in the music business. I mean, I was in it for decades. I saw a lot of things change. And it got to be to where the albums were like a side note for the band to go out and tour and sell merch. And I just refuse to do that. I’m not gonna be chasing Federal Reserve notes over like my integrity as an artist, and that’s where it’s at. That’s just where I’m at. It’s a no-go zone until the inspiration is there. Things are starting to happen, so I can feel that. But it may take a while. But I’m not playing checkers with this shit.
“I get it. I understand how this works. And anything that I do going forward, regardless of what project it is or what band it is, it’s gotta be because there is a real true inspiration and enjoyment from doing it, not to chase money, because then you’re off the point,” Schaffer added.
“For me, I’ve always been one that I don’t really care what people think about my art. My preference is that they would like it — that’s the preference — but if you start worrying about what other people think, you’ve already lost the plot. That’s not what art is, man. It is a very personal, very spiritual thing. And all this crap with A.I. is… There is zero chance — zero chance — that that will ever be used in ICED EARTH or anything that I’m involved with. It’s disgusting. You’re talking about a gift given by God, the universe, whatever you wanna call it, that art is a real thing. Whatever it is, whether it’s poetry, whether it’s actual art, painting, drawing, music, whatever, and just because the bored hive mind has the technology to be able to create this kind of stuff, I don’t want any part of that, man. I’m not gonna get sucked into that crap. It’s completely anti-human as far as I’m concerned. So that that’s off the table.
“So anyway, I’ve got plans, and I’m moving towards putting those things in process, but I’m not gonna say really more than that. Just stay tuned. It’s gonna take a while. It will be worth it, trust me.
“The best stuff that I’ve ever written has come through the heaviest things that I’ve ever experienced, and obviously the last five years have been intense,” Jon concluded. “But that’s gonna lead to something really special. But I’m gonna trust my gut, my instincts, let my spirit guide me and just go. And then we’ll see when that happens. But when it happens, it’s gonna be epic.
In October 2024 Jon Schaffer released his first statement since being sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service in connection with his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He will also have to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment.
Jon issued the following statement via his attorneys Marc J. Victor and A ndrew Marcantel of the Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm: “To my family, friends, and fans worldwide:
“I profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021. I haven’t been a perfect man, but for the majority of my life, I’ve been a very productive man, and have tried to live my life with integrity and a disciplined work ethic. I deeply love our country and the founding principles that have inspired people from all over the world to look at the USA as a beacon of hope for all of humanity. Having traveled the world for over 30 years and having performed in approximately 100 countries, it was always a great feeling and relief when the airplane would safely land at home on US soil.
“When the global pandemic came upon us, and chaos ensued all around the US in 2020, I was very concerned about what seemed to be a collapse of our country and the rule of law. When the 2020 election took place and I saw many public officials and media outlets reporting that the election was stolen, my concern deepened. This led to my decision to go to D.C. and have my voice heard. I’m not excusing my impulsive behavior. I was wrong, and I take ownership of my actions. I own the fact that I made a huge mistake, and I wish I never would have gone there. In fact, the consequences have been devastating on my life, family, friends, business, colleagues and business partners.
“I knew immediately that I had let my emotions get the best of me and made a terrible mistake. I drove home to Indiana the following morning on Thursday, January 7th, 2021. On the 8th I found my attorneys, and at my request they immediately reached out to the authorities. I willingly surrendered and cooperated with authorities. Initially, I was charged with multiple serious federal felony offenses and feared I may spend the rest of my life in prison. I spent several months in custody following my self-surrender. I was placed in solitary confinement with horrendous conditions, which was an extremely traumatic experience. I became the first person of the hundreds of co-defendants to enter a guilty plea, and have now been sentenced to probation.
“Until now, I have resisted the strong urge to issue a public statement due to my ongoing cooperation and the wishes of federal authorities. This extended period of silence has added additional challenges to my life as a public person. Since the beginning, I wanted to express my remorse for my actions and address the legitimate concerns of my fans worldwide. I watched as one media outlet after the next dragged my reputation through the mud and condemned me for not making any statement. However, I tried to be as productive as possible in lieu of my very damaged reputation and career.
“This whole situation has been extremely difficult. However, I know that I have become a better man because of it. I used to stay so busy that I didn’t have much time for self-reflection. In the last three and a half years that’s mostly what I’ve done. I have become a member of a wonderful church and improved myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. This personal revival has inspired me to continue writing and recording music. I’m certain there will be a very positive outlook in my future artistic creations.
“To my fans who have continued to support me throughout this deeply embarrassing ordeal, I want to apologize for letting you down and thank you for keeping me going. To those fans who I have lost due to my decisions that day, I certainly understand. I humbly ask everyone to allow me to demonstrate through my actions how far I’ve come. I wish to continue to use my art to unite people, and never to divide.
“Sincerely, Jon Schaffer“.
“It says a lot about who you are in how quickly you came forward to accept responsibility,” U.S. District judge Amit Mehta told Schaffer during today’s sentencing hearing.
Schaffer apologized to his fans and said he deeply regrets the “pain and embarrassment” his actions have caused. “I’m sorry I let you down and I will work hard to rebuild your trust. You have my word: I will not let you down,” Schaffer told the judge.
Schaffer‘s attorney Marc Victor told the judge the musician believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and that the country was “on the verge of a takeover” when he entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“He was wrong but that’s what he believed,” Victor said. “He was misled by people in the executive branch.”
Social media