Happy birthday to ICED EARTH's Jon Schaffer!

Jon Ryan Schaffer, born Mar 15, 1968

Metal Archives shows that Jon Schaffer started the band in 1984 as The Rose, then as Purgatory and then as Iced Earth by 1988. Jon is the main songwriter and rhythm guitarist, known a sound of fast, galloping riffs, a type of thrash heavy metal with lots of melodies. The albums have focused on a blend of history and fiction. According to Metal Archives, fans consider classics albums like Iced Earth (1990), Night of the Stormrider (1991), The Dark Saga (1996), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998) and Alive in Athens Live album (1999).

Jon Schaffer participated in the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021. He turned himself in. He plead guilty. He was charged with obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a dangerous weapon (bear spray that he had with him, but did not use it on anyone). He cooperated with the FBI. In October 2024 a judge sentenced him to three years of probation. Schaffer released a public statement through his lawyers shortly after his sentencing: "I profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021", saying "I’m not excusing my impulsive behavior. I was wrong, and I take ownership of my actions. I own the fact that I made a huge mistake, and I wish I never would have gone there. In fact, the consequences have been devastating of my life, family, friends, business, colleagues and business partners."

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a full pardon to Schaffer on his first day back in office. Metal Archives vindictively labels Jon Schaffer a "terrorist," but the fact of the matter is clear: The federal government never labeled him that, and he was not participating in any terrorist activities nor did he carry out any violent crimes at all. He was classified as a felon for several months between his sentencing in 2024 and his pardon in 2025. Since the 2025 pardon he has no active criminal record for the January 6 events.

Jon converted to Christianity in jail. If you are interested in learning more about Jon's case and his conversion to Christianity, I recommend this interview: "In this interview, Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Sons Of Liberty, Schaffer/Barlow Project, and Demons and Wizards) tells his story. This interview covers Jon's origin story all the way through his presidential pardon from President Donald Trump. Jon tells us what really happened on January 6th in Washington DC, about his time in solitary confinement, and what happened to him during this time."

Jon Schaffer - Finally Free

ICED EARTH - Dystopia (OFFICIAL VIDEO) (from Dystopia 2011)

ICED EARTH - Anthem (OFFICIAL VIDEO)from (Dystopia 2011)