ICED EARTH's JON SCHAFFER Says STU BLOCK Displayed 'Weakness Under Pressure' By 'Changing His Whole Tune' About Events Of January 6, 2021

In a new interview with The Gallery metal web magazine, ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer addressed a possible return of his DEMONS & WIZARDS project, in which he was joined by BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch. Kürsch announced his departure from DEMONS & WIZARDS two weeks after Schaffer was arrested for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Jon said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Hansi's one of my dearest friends in the world. I love Hansi, and I know he loves me, and we're gonna be friends as long as we're on this planet, and probably after. So I would do anything, if Hansi wants to do something someday. I would work with him in a heartbeat. But he's got a different set of pressures that he's gotta deal with. And so I don't know that there's any chance to revive DEMONS & WIZARDS on his side. Maybe someday. But we're still friends and we talk. But right now, that's not even on the table."

During the same chat, Schaffer was asked about former ICED EARTH frontman Stu Block's recent online posted directed at Schaffer after the guitarist called Block reaction's to Jon's involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot a "total poser move". When Schaffer was famously photographed as one of the people who breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Stu initially posted a message online seemingly cheering on or reacting favorably to the events. After receiving negative feedback, Block deleted the post and shared a public condemnation of the incident — implicitly distancing himself from Schaffer, who was later arrested.

Schaffer clarified: "I didn't call [Stu] a poser. I said it was a 'poser move' to put up something supporting [the events at the U.S. Capitol] and then, apparently... I didn't know all this was going on [at the time]. I found out about it later. People sent me screenshots of exactly what went down, that he was all in support of it, and then he got heat from the people that didn't like what was going on, and then he changed his whole tune. That's not exactly being true. It's pressure — it's weakness under pressure."

Jon went on to say that he doesn't have any issues with his former bandmates. "I never had a problem with Hansi, because Hansi and I spoke several times before I turned myself in, and I knew he was gonna have to do that," Schaffer explained. "On the other hand, it's the way that it was handled, and the fact that Hansi and I, we're friends, and I didn't feel like what the guys [in ICED EARTH] did was something a friend would do, especially after I got out and I heard all of the stuff that went down. But whatever. I forgive them, and I'm sorry that they had to go through all that too. They really didn't have to. It's a choice. Actually, [former ICED EARTH singer] Matt Barlow [who is married to Jon's sister] handled it better than anybody. He just didn't engage, didn't acknowledge it. But you see who people's, who their characters are, and this is a gift, actually, coming out of it, just seeing who is really on your side. So that's a good thing. Shakes it out, man."

During an appearance on a September 2025 episode of the "Podcast Of The Wicked", Jon talked about his current relationship with Stu and Hansi, both of whom distanced themselves from Jon's actions following the initial reports that Schaffer was involved in the riot. Block, the Canadian-born vocalist who had fronted ICED EARTH since 2011, officially quit the band in February 2021, stating at the time it was "the best decision in many ways" for his "personal and professional growth going forward." Around the same time, the German-born Kürsch quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, his long-running project with Schaffer.Jon said: " "Let me just take this opportunity to say, I hope that the fans out there will stop — I mean, my wish is that they would stop hating on Stu and on Hansi… The guys were pressured. Some guys handled it better, some guys handled it very weak and kind of pathetic. And I think the biggest issue when it comes to Stu is that he made a post [on January 6, 2021] cheering it on and then flipped and that looks like a total poser move. You know what? It is a total poser move, but it's okay. Forgive him. We did some great work together. I had some of the best times in my life with Stu… I have very precious memories with Stu, so please just forgive him. I forgive him… I really don't have any ill will. I know [Stu's] true colors, so that's a good thing. I'm not interested in hanging out like we did — I have no interest in that — but he's a part of the band's history and we did some great stuff together. And I wish him well."

Shortly after the interview was posted on YouTube, Block responded via Facebook with just five words: "I'm absolutely gutted right now."

On November 2, 2026, nearly 14 months after Schaffer made his "poser" comment in reference to Block, Stu took to his Facebook page to write a lengthy response to what he called Jon's "weak argument" and attempt to "dismiss someone without having to engage with what they actually think".

Stu wrote: "I've been reflecting on a comment made about me many months ago by someone I once considered a friend, and I think there's a bigger conversation worth having here.

"Calling someone a 'poser' is often a sign of immaturity and insecurity because it replaces meaningful conversation with shallow judgment. It suggests that someone believes they have the authority to decide who is authentic, who belongs, and who is worthy of respect.

"True confidence doesn't require questioning someone else's authenticity to validate your own. When you're secure in who you are, you don't need to diminish others for having different beliefs, experiences, or perspectives. Especially in the metal community, where individuality, rebellion, and freedom of expression have always been celebrated, calling someone a poser is incredibly ironic. You're essentially demanding conformity within a culture that prides itself on rejecting it. It's a weak argument because it isn't really an argument at all. It's a label used to dismiss someone without having to engage with what they actually think, have to say, believe, or stand for.

"There's nothing impressive about appointing yourself the gatekeeper of someone else's identity or integrity. Maturity is understanding that people can walk different paths, change their opinions based off fact , disagree passionately, stand by their own convictions, and still deserve respect.

"I don't need anyone's approval to validate my authenticity, my contributions, or the years I've dedicated to my craft. My work, my character, and my actions speak for themselves.

"Authenticity isn't something you prove by tearing others down. It's something you demonstrate through your own actions. And perhaps the greatest irony is that those who spend the most time accusing others of being posers or tearing you down are almost always the very people most concerned with proving how authentic they are. It just seems so desperate and weak.

"Real strength is having the courage to stand by your own convictions, even when doing so costs you the approval of others. Weakness is believing that anyone who doesn't stand beside you must somehow be beneath you.

"I have nothing to prove by insulting someone else. I'd rather let my actions, my music, and the way I treat people define who I am.

"At the end of the day, respect isn't about agreeing with everything someone says or does. It's about having enough maturity to recognize that disagreement doesn't erase someone's worth, accomplishments, or integrity.

"YOU do not get to define someone else's authenticity simply because they chose a different path than yours."

Schaffer's involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot also apparently affected his relationship with his longtime record label Century Media, which had released albums from both ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS. As of mid-January 2021, the Century Media artist roster page did not list either band.

Back in August 2021, Stu said that Jon "fucked up real bad" when he got involved in the violent protest at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 that left several dead, including a Capitol police officer.

Stu addressed Jon's involvement in the Capitol riot as well as his departure from ICED EARTH in an interview with The Metal Voice. Speaking about his former bandmate, he said: "We all make bad decisions, man, and [Jon] fucked up real bad. And I'm sure he knows it, and I think everybody with half a brain knows it… The line that was crossed with going in and all that kind of stuff… He had so much going on. It was a shame. It hurts, 'cause you've got plans, and all of a sudden, you can't tell someone what to do — you can't tell a very strong-willed individual what to do; you can't. And so it would be lost words."

He added: "At the end of the day, I don't hate him. I'm not writhing in hate for him. I feel sad. I feel bad that everything went down the way it did. And maybe one day we'll talk. I don't know. I'm not too sure. But I think he knows that I still have a place in my heart for him, because I've seen that man do a lot of amazing, wonderful things for people. But I just wanna move on. And that's what it is."

When Hansi announced his exit from DEMONS & WIZARDS in February 2021, he said in a statement: "I notified Jon and Century Media [DEMONS & WIZARDS' then-record label] on Monday that I was leaving the DEMONS & WIZARDS project with immediate effect. My collaboration with Jon in DEMONS & WIZARDS is over."

Back in December 2022, Hansi declined to discuss DEMONS & WIZARDS while speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, saying: "It's an open case. I believe [Jon] deserves the right to express himself, to explain his side, and we wouldn't want to interfere with that."

In May 2024, Hansi was asked during an appearance on "The Jasta Show", the podcast hosted by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, if he had heard from Jon in the preceding months, with Jasta opining that "everybody deserves a second chance." Hansi said: "Well, I agree. He certainly deserves a second chance. That is the main message which should be spread out in general. And other than that, he's facing his trials. So, it's a very open situation he's in. And, yeah, let him express himself first before anyone else is saying anything about it. That's my opinion, and this is how I treat it."

Asked if he thought there was a road back for Schaffer in terms of ICED EARTH's ability to secure tours in the future and whether European promoters would be willing to book him, Hansi said: "Um, I have no idea. I really have no idea. I haven't spoken to anyone, and that basically is not my business."

In October 2024, Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service in connection with his involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021. At the sentencing hearing, Jon was also ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment. Schaffer later became one of about 1,500 people accused of crimes related to the riot who were pardoned by U.S. president Donald Trump.

In April 2025, Schaffer said in an interview that the legal issues and professional setback he faced as a result of his involvement in the Capitol riot have been "the biggest gift" of his life, in part because "it is what led" him "to [Jesus] Christ."