Jon Schaffer – best known for his tenure in Iced Earth and trying to overthrow the government on January 6 like an absolute crybaby – is mounting a musical comeback through his politically-oriented project, Sons of Liberty.
Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) – which is the real name of these things – is a reimagined collection of material from the project’s past output, features newly remixed tracks with updated live drums from Mark Prator, and is scheduled for release on July 4 via The Circle Music.
Schaffer then issued a massive statement about his political beliefs which you can find below, though I do want to highlight this passage from the press release: “What sets Sons of Liberty – Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) apart is its transcendence of partisan divides. This is not an echo chamber of political agendas; it’s a universal wake-up call, championing freedom as the bedrock of peace and prosperity for every person on the planet.
“In a world fractured by division, Schaffer‘s lyrics rally for pro-freedom/pro-humanity ideals: anti-authoritarian, non-partisan, and rooted in the unyielding principles of liberty.
“It’s a reminder that true empowerment comes from questioning and resisting systems that promote aggression and erode our shared dignity, fostering unity through principles of liberty, individual sovereignty, and collective resilience.’”
A few things.
- “Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) transcends partisan divides.” You tried to overthrow the government, dude. I don’t think you get to now try to position yourself as the voice of reason
- “This is not an echo chamber of political agendas.” Isn’t it though?
- “championing freedom as the bedrock of peace and prosperity for every person on the planet…” You tried to violently overthrow the government. Peace?
- “Schaffer’s lyrics rally for pro-freedom/pro-humanity ideals: anti-authoritarian, non-partisan, and rooted in the unyielding principles of liberty.” Ah yes, good old “anti-authoritarian, non-partisan” messaging from the guy that tried to fucking overthrow the government
- “It’s a reminder that true empowerment comes from questioning and resisting systems that promote aggression and erode our shared dignity.” Coming from the guy that… hang on, I need to check my notes. Right – tried to overthrow the government
Schaffer‘s statement is as follows: “Sons of Liberty was always meant to be more than music; it was a wake-up call and an attempt to start brushfires of freedom in the minds of those with ears to hear.”
So far off to an embarrassingly cringey start, but anyway: “Those who know me, know that I am not here to please everyone; not with my music, nor with my ideals and principles… My wish with the first SOL album in 2009 was to inspire the people to inform themselves. When these songs were first released, I wanted to expose the financial and political systems that prosper through aggression and subjugate our personal freedom. 17 years later the message has only become more relevant, and the situation more urgent.”
“In the future it is my intention to write a new chapter of Sons music focusing on what I believe to be the solution. Until then, as a great friend and mentor says… Don’t aggress. Be an excellent human. Live and let live. Peace.”
Schaffer‘s history remains inextricably linked to the events of January 6th, 2021, when he was arrested for his involvement in breaching the U.S. Capitol. He faced six charges, including violent entry and disrupting government business, and was linked to the Oath Keepers militia. He ultimately cooperated with authorities, receiving three years probation and a $2,200 fine in October 2024, and was pardoned by Donald J. Trump in 2025.
Pre-orders are available somewhere, I’m sure.
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