Iced Earth founding guitarist Jon Schaffer has confirmed that he plans to release new music, though fans will have to be patient. During a recent appearance on the “Brutally Delicious” podcast, the controversial musician opened up about his creative mindset, his refusal to participate in the traditional music industry cycle, and his strict stance against artificial intelligence.
Iced Earth has been effectively inactive since the guitarist’s arrest for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. When asked if there are any concrete plans to return to the studio in the near future, he made it clear that his artistic integrity comes before any external pressures.
“There will be new music. There’s no doubt [about it]. 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,” Schaffer said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Reflecting on his decades in the business, he criticized the relentless demands of the modern album-tour cycle, noting how it often strips the passion away from the art.
“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 s**t.”
He doubled down on his refusal to treat his future projects as a cash grab, emphasizing the need for genuine inspiration.
“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,” he added.
The guitarist then passionately addressed the topic of artistic creation, aggressively dismissing the idea of ever using AI technology in his work.
“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.”
While he kept the specific details of his upcoming musical endeavors under wraps, he assured listeners that the turmoil of recent years will heavily influence the material.
“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. 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,” Schaffer concluded.
Recently, the musician released Sons Of Liberty – Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2). The project serves as an expanded reimagining of his past work, updating the 2009 Brush-fires Of The Mind LP and the 2011 Spirit Of The Times EP with fresh mixes, live drums performed by Mark Prator, and a renewed ideological focus.
