Tag Archives: jon schaffer

Features, PiercingMetal Says

FBI Arrests Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer For His Role In The Capitol Insurrection

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested Jon Schaffer, founder of the Heavy Metal band Iced Earth for his role in the recent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. A Tweet from the FBI went out a few short hours ago and has been included below the photograph that we snapped during a 2018 performance by the band in NYC.

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Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth in New York City by Ken Pierce (2018)

According to the FBI Indianapolis Field Office; Schaffer is facing the following charges:
1. Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
2. Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business
3. Knowingly Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence Against any Person or Property in any Restricted Building or Grounds
4. Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
5. Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building
6. Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building

Washington, D.C., police officer Christina Laury said cops were being sprayed with bear mace — a significantly stronger version of pepper spray — as they held the line outside.

*** end of transmission ***

PiercingMetal Thoughts: Over 100 arrests have been made so far from this horrible occurrence.

Official Website: http://www.icedearth.com

Features, PiercingMetal Says

Iced Earth Announce “Alive In Athens” 20th Anniversary Edition

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As a fan of the crushing Metal that the band Iced Earth consistently puts out there, it was great to hear the news about their re-issuing their crushing live album “Alive In Athens” for its own 20th Anniversary. Take a look down below for the full press release about it.

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The Press Release:
American heavy metal group ICED EARTH announce the first vinyl edition of the classic 1999 live opus Alive in Athens out on December 6th, 2019 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the recording.

Originally released as a 2CD, 3CD and picture LP set, Alive in Athens came out slightly flawed two decades ago, which then turned into a gigantic success for ICED EARTH and was certified Gold in Greece, where over thirty different songs had been recorded on two nights at Athens’ Rodon Club on January 1999.
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Features, Tours and Festivals

Demons & Wizards Announce North American Tour

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There was some cool musical news today and perhaps the coolest of items comes care of the news that the Heavy Metal supergroup Demons & Wizards will be heading to the USA for a full-scale tour. For those of you who might be unaware of the group, this is a super-powered pairing of Metal Ideas that come care of Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian’s Hansi Kursch. Check out the full press release down below.

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The Press Release:
Legendary metal band Demons & Wizards have just announced their A Magical Encounter With Demons & Wizards North American headline tour today. The band will hit the road starting August 17th in Los Angeles and will be wrapping with their sold out show on September 7th in Atlanta. The band will be joined by special guests Lizzy Borden and Tyr and will be playing major markets like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and more. Tickets are available for purchase HERE.

“Demons & Wizards touring North America? That is going to be pure magic, guaranteed,” states Hansi Kürsch about the tour announcement. “You better not miss it, cause you never know when the Demon and the Wizard will join forces again. I am really thrilled about these first shows for Demons & Wizards in North America and we are going to make every single night a legendary night to remember. Join us on this path of glory.”
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Features, Tours and Festivals

Iced Earth Will Bring “The Worldwide Plagues Tour” To 2014

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Attention all ye Metalheads, the mighty Iced Earth has announced “The Worldwide Plagues Tour” that will be hitting our side of the Atlantic in 2014. According to the press release they will be bringing along Sabaton as direct support and Revamp as the lead in opener. This is going to be a good one for sure. More after the poster.

Tour - Iced Earth - 2014

The last time that I caught Iced Earth they were doing one of those co-headlining tours with the great Symphony X and of course since that band is from New Jersey, they got to close the NYC appearance. The show was great and was the first time that I got to see Mr. Stu Block laying waste to the Metal legions as their new vocalist. I’ve long been a fan of the sonic range that Block has from his years with Into Eternity and needless to say this show was a killer. As far as Iced Earth goes, I am not ashamed to admit that I was a very latecomer to the band but have done my best to support their efforts as a music scribe and photographer since becoming this back in 2003. It’s been fun to catch up to what I had missed before and help further their cause.
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Features, Interviews

New Year’s Music Resolutions For 2013: Part 3

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Good morning to you dear readers of the PiercingMetal Blog, and welcome to our titanic third chapter in the “New Year’s Music Resolutions for 2013”. They say that the third time is the charm and I am good with that so let’s get right on down to business shall we. Proceed with interest more than any level of caution.

1. Keith Williams (Schism): My New Year’s Metolution: Be kind, be supportive, be happy, thankful, gracious & grateful…see more shows, perform better quality shows at quality venues, try and get paid what we’re worth perhaps?

2. David Ellefson (Megadeth): Play harder, play better!

3. Sam Roon (Hung): Thanks for including HUNG in this year’s festivities on Piercing Metal!!! I think for 2013 the entire Metal scene has a lot of work to do. The music industry has recognized the lack of support from the fans, and Ken, as someone who goes to every show in New York City, I’m sure you know all about the dwindling headcount. For 2013 my music resolution… or moreover, my musical mission, is to devote as much time as I possibly can to getting Metal in New York City back to the support strength that people from outside the area perceive us to have. It’s our responsibility to keep our scene alive, support the local bands around us, and to keep going to shows. Be a part of what’s happening. Twenty years from now when you look back at New York City at the time where you were a part of what was going on, you know you’ll want to be proud to have been a part of something. You were a part of a movement… a unique moment in time. The only way to achieve that feeling is to invest a little effort now, and THAT my friend, is my musical resolution for 2013. Thanks again for including HUNG and supporting the area Metal scene Ken. PiercingMetal has always been kind to the locals, and we respect you for it! For the readers, keep supporting this site and going to the shows in the calendar! Look for a new HUNG record early next year and SUPPORT LOCAL METAL!!! Happy fucking new year.
Continue reading New Year’s Music Resolutions For 2013: Part 3 →