Jon Schaffer, the founding guitarist and primary songwriter behind heavy metal mainstays Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards, Sons Of Liberty, Jon Schaffer’s Purgatory, and the Schaffer/Barlow project, has released an official music video for the track “Full Spectrum Dominance“. The clip, created by DazVideos, accompanies his recently issued retrospective compilation, Sons Of Liberty – Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2).
The new compilation features a completely modernized mix that merges and updates the material from the project’s original 2009 full-length album, Brush-fires Of The Mind, and the subsequent 2011 EP, Spirit Of The Times. Originally recorded using programmed drums to eliminate overhead expenses and facilitate free digital sharing, the updated versions feature newly recorded acoustic drum tracks from veteran studio musician Mark Prator, whose performance history includes Iced Earth classics like The Dark Saga and Something Wicked This Way Comes, the self-titled debut from Demons & Wizards, and the 2018 Jon Schaffer’s Purgatory EP. The songs were remixed by longtime producer Jim Morris to deliver a more powerful sonic presentation.
Sons Of Liberty – Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) is currently available on all major digital streaming platforms. For physical collectors, the independent label The Circle Music is preparing a specialized rollout scheduled for July 4, 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. The physical release will span multiple formats, including a double gatefold vinyl edition pressed in five distinct color variants, a limited-edition leather box set CD, a standard digipak CD, and cassette tape.
Lyrically, the Sons Of Liberty catalog focuses heavily on non-partisan, anti-authoritarian themes, criticizing global banking structures and governmental overreach while advocating for individual sovereignty. Earlier this year Jon Schaffer shared a comprehensive breakdown of the project’s core philosophy:
“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“
The musical relaunch follows a turbulent period for the guitarist. In October 2024, Jon Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service, along with $1,200 in financial penalties, due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. He was subsequently among the individuals issued official federal pardons by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The political fallout from the incident severely impacted Jon Schaffer‘s primary musical ventures. In early 2021, Iced Earth vocalist Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton both publicly resigned from the band, while Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch permanently dissolved his partnership with the guitarist in their collaborative project, Demons & Wizards. The controversy also led to Century Media Records quietly removing both groups from their active label roster.
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) Double 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)“
