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Jon Schaffer<\/strong> \u2013 best known for his tenure in Iced Earth<\/strong> and trying to overthrow the government on January 6 like an absolute crybaby \u2013 is mounting a musical comeback through his politically-oriented project, Sons of Liberty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) <\/em>\u2013 which is the real name of these things \u2013 is a reimagined collection of material from the project’s past output, features newly remixed tracks with updated live drums from Mark Prator<\/strong>, and is scheduled for release on July 4 via The Circle Music.<\/p>\n Schaffer<\/strong> 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<\/strong> \u2013 Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) <\/em>apart is its transcendence of partisan divides. This is not an echo chamber of political agendas; it\u2019s a universal wake-up call, championing freedom as the bedrock of peace and prosperity for every person on the planet.<\/p>\n “In a world fractured by division, Schaffer<\/strong>\u2018s lyrics rally for pro-freedom\/pro-humanity ideals: anti-authoritarian, non-partisan, and rooted in the unyielding principles of liberty.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s 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.\u2019”<\/p>\n A few things.<\/p>\n Schaffer<\/strong>‘s statement is as follows: “Sons of Liberty<\/strong> 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.”<\/p>\n 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\u2026 My wish with the first SOL<\/strong> 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.”<\/p>\n “In the future it is my intention to write a new chapter of Sons<\/strong> music focusing on what I believe to be the solution. Until then, as a great friend and mentor says\u2026 Don’t aggress. Be an excellent human. Live and let live. Peace.”<\/p>\n Schaffer<\/strong>‘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<\/strong> in 2025.<\/p>\n Pre-orders are available somewhere, I’m sure.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Enter your information below to get a daily update with all of our headlines and receive The Orchard Metal newsletter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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