Former Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow recently addressed the possibility of reuniting with the band’s founder Jon Schaffer.
Barlow served two stints with Iced Earth — from 1993 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2011. When asked about whether any reunion plans with Schaffer were in the works, he offered a candid and measured response, noting that he has not yet had a direct conversation with Schaffer on the matter.
“Well, I couldn’t say to that, man, ’cause I wouldn’t even want to get into that or get into Jon’s mind or what he’s thinking or doing right now,” Barlow said. “I know he’s heavily into promoting Sons Of Liberty and getting out there. And hopefully he can get out there and do some shows with that.”
Barlow went on to share his thoughts on Schaffer’s current creative direction with his long-running side project Sons Of Liberty, expressing support for the work being done.
“Iced Earth, obviously, that’s Jon’s child, that’s him, as well as Sons Of Liberty, but I think that it’s great that he’s out there re-releasing the records, doing what he wanted to do, I think, originally with the sound,” he continued. “‘Cause I think he re-tracked the drums [for Sons Of Liberty’s ‘Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2)’, which reimagines 2009’s ‘Brush-Fires Of The Mind’ LP and the 2011 EP ‘Spirit Of The Times’], and things like that.”
“So that’s worked out really well,” Barlow added. “So I’m anxious to talk to him about how it’s going as far as the sales and all that stuff and any future plans. But I haven’t talked to him about that as of yet.”
Barlow’s comments come at a significant moment in Schaffer’s personal and professional life. The Iced Earth founder has only recently been able to return his focus to music following years of legal and public turmoil stemming from his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
On January 6, 2021, Schaffer was photographed among those who stormed the U.S. Capitol building. He was wearing an “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member” hat and deploying bear spray on Capitol police officers. He turned himself in to the FBI eleven days later and became the first participant in the storming to plead guilty. He admitted to obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and unlawfully entering a restricted building while armed with a dangerous weapon.
As part of his plea agreement, Schaffer cooperated fully with federal investigators, which contributed to a relatively lenient outcome. In October 2024, he was sentenced to three years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and $1,200 in restitution. On January 20, 2025 — the first day of Donald Trump’s second term — Schaffer received a full, unconditional presidential pardon along with over 1,500 other individuals connected to the Capitol attack.
Iced Earth had been effectively inactive from 2021 through 2025 as a direct result of Schaffer’s legal situation. The band officially resumed activities in 2026, making Barlow’s comments about a potential reunion all the more timely. Schaffer remains the band’s principal songwriter and bandleader, and Iced Earth’s future direction is entirely in his hands.
Sons Of Liberty had similarly gone dormant since 2021. The project’s recent re-releases and re-recorded material represent Schaffer’s first significant creative output since his legal troubles began. Barlow’s supportive remarks suggest the two remain on good terms despite the years of uncertainty surrounding the band.
As of now, no official reunion between Barlow and Iced Earth has been announced.
Source: This Day In Metal
