Jon Schaffer, the founding guitarist of Iced Earth and Demons & Wizards, is officially making a return to the music industry. Reviving his politically focused solo project, Sons of Liberty, Schaffer will release a reimagined collection titled Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) on July 4, 2026, via The Circle Music. The release date was specifically chosen to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The new collection combines and reworks material from the 2009 album Brush-fires Of The Mind and the 2011 EP Spirit Of The Times. Originally recorded with programmed drums, the updated tracks now feature live drums by Mark Prator and a modern mix courtesy of Jim Morris.
Schaffer‘s return to music comes after years of intense legal and professional fallout stemming from his highly publicized involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Following his arrest and ties to the Oath Keepers militia, Schaffer‘s music career collapsed. Iced Earth vocalist Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton publicly resigned, while Hansi Kürsch exited their long-running collaborative project, Demons & Wizards. Additionally, Century Media dropped his bands from their roster.
After cooperating with authorities, Schaffer was sentenced in October 2024 to three years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution. He was ultimately pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025. During an interview last October, Schaffer claimed the legal ordeal was “the biggest gift” of his life because it led him to Christianity.
Despite this history, the press release for Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) positions the music as “non-partisan” and “anti-authoritarian,” claiming it transcends political divides to serve as a universal wake-up call.
Addressing the release, Schaffer issued a lengthy statement defending his principles and outlining his future plans for the project. Read his unedited statement below:
“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.”
“Those who know me know that I am not here to please everyone; not with my music, nor with my ideals and principles. I respect the rights of others to disagree, and to speak freely. I will stand up for their rights, especially if I strongly disagree with them. This is the cornerstone of liberty. It’s not so impressive to stand up for the people that share your beliefs and agree with you. Are you into freedom enough to allow others to live as they choose, as long as they don’t aggress? This is a legitimate question that we all should reflect on.”
“My wish with the first Sons of Liberty 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.”
“Adding Mark Prator‘s drums and Jim Morris‘s new mix finally gives these tracks the sonic power they deserve. They both absolutely crushed it. It doesn’t sound like a demo anymore. The artwork is a huge step up from the originals as well. Back in ’09 I had no vision for what the Brush-fires cover would look like. It was the first and only time in my career that has happened. However, this time it came to me, and I believe it’s one of the best covers in my entire catalog. Roy Young and David Newman Stump did a fantastic job.”
“The system has tried to silence and cancel this music because it speaks uncomfortable truths, but you cannot cancel the spirit of liberty. Not yet. The aggressors are working hard to destroy our power of discernment, distract us, divide us, and in the end, conquer us. This collection of music is for everyone who refuses to be a spectator in the struggle for their own sovereignty.”
“I am always learning, and I am always willing to be convinced that another point of view is a better way forward. Bring a reasonable argument, and I’m all ears. Through the years I have grown, and changed my views as I learn, but my principles remain. I can’t see any other viable path to peace than through freedom. I think about these issues often and discuss them in great depth with my friends. It is my strongly held belief that collectivism, when mandated by the state, in any form, is more dangerous to our liberties than an invading army. Trading our freedom for ‘safety’ has never turned out well. Not ever.”
“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. Jon“
Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) CD Track Listing:
- “Jekyll Island“
- “Full Spectrum Dominance“
- “False Flag“
- “Our Dying Republic“
- “Molon Labe“
- “Indentured Servitude“
- “Feeling Helpless?“
- “Don’t Tread On Me“
- “The Cleansing Wind“
- “Mind Control“
- “Alive“
- “Tree Of Liberty“
- “Spirit of the Times“
- “We The People“
- “Jekyll Island” (Full Version)
Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) Vinyl Track Listing:
Side 1
- “Jekyll Island“
- “Don’t Tread On Me“
- “False Flag“
- “Our Dying Republic“
- “Indentured Servitude“
Side 2
- “Tree Of Liberty“
- “Feeling Helpless?“
- “The Cleansing Wind“
- “We The People“
Side 3
- “Alive“
- “Full Spectrum Dominance“
- “Molon Labe“
- “Mind Control“
- “Spirit of the Times“
Side 4
- “Jekyll Island” (Demo)
- “Don’t Tread On Me” (Demo)
- “False Flag” (Demo)
- “Our Dying Republic” (Demo)
- “Indentured Servitude” (Demo)
