Iced Earth founding member Jon Schaffer has announced the release of the official music video for ‘Molon Labe,’ a track from his Sons Of Liberty project. The video was created by DazVideos and released on June 16, 2026.
Schaffer took to social media to share the news and invite fans to watch the newly released visual.
“Sons of Liberty’s ‘Molon Labe’ official music video is live! Watch now and crank it up!” he announced.
The musician offered an in-depth look at the song’s origins and the inspiration behind it, explaining its historical roots and personal significance.
“‘Molon Labe’ (translated as ‘Come And Take It’ or ‘Come And Take Them’) is a song that I wrote and recorded in 2011,” Schaffer said. “The song is inspired by King Leonidas and his actions during the Battle Of Thermopylae (480 BC), and that’s why this song is dedicated to him and his elite royal guard of 300 Spartans.”
Schaffer went on to describe how the creative process led to an unexpected vocal discovery and how the track fits within the broader context of the album.
“These actions have become a legendary symbol of courage, discipline, and self-sacrifice against an overwhelming force,” he continued. “As I was attempting to channel the spirit of Leonidas in the writing and recording process, I discovered a new sound in my voice that seemed to fit with the energy of the song. I feel ‘Molon Labe’ adds an interesting dynamic to the flow of tracks on ‘Thought Crimes.'”
The ‘Molon Labe’ video marks the second official visual from the project. It arrives as part of a broader rollout surrounding the reissued Sons Of Liberty collection Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2). The release brings together material from two earlier EPs and signals a full-scale return for Schaffer’s politically driven side project.
Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) compiles tracks from Brush-fires of the Mind (2009) and Spirit of the Times (2011). ‘Molon Labe’ originates from the 2011 Spirit of the Times EP, making its new music video a long-overdue visual companion to a track that has been part of the project’s catalog for over a decade.
The first music video from the reissued collection was ‘Full Spectrum Dominance,’ which preceded ‘Molon Labe’ as part of the campaign building toward the full release. Both videos were produced by DazVideos, establishing a consistent visual identity for the project’s comeback.
Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2) is currently available on streaming platforms. Physical editions are set for release on July 4, 2026, through The Circle Music. The physical release will be available in multiple formats, including double-gatefold vinyl, a limited leather box CD, digipak CD, and cassette.
Watch the official music video for ‘Molon Labe’ here.
