Jon Schaffer has addressed his rumored rift with former Iced Earth frontman Stu Block over the singer’s comments about the U.S. Capitol riot, in which Schaffer himself was arrested. The Iced Earth guitarist spoke about the situation during an interview with The Gallery.
Schaffer explained what he saw as Block’s inconsistent stance on the Capitol events. Schaffer said he did not call Block a poser as a person, but rather criticized his actions as a “poser move.”
“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,” Schaffer said.
According to Schaffer, Block initially expressed support for the Capitol events but changed his position after facing criticism. “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.”
Schaffer also discussed his relationship with current Iced Earth frontman Hansi Kürsch. Schaffer said he had spoken with Kürsch before turning himself in to authorities and understood the difficult position Kürsch faced.
“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. 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,” he said.
Despite his frustration with how others in the band handled the situation, Schaffer said he held no lasting resentment. He noted that former Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow, who is married to Schaffer’s sister, took a different approach by not engaging with the controversy at all.
“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.”
Schaffer reflected on what the experience revealed about people’s true characters and loyalties. “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.”
Schaffer’s comments came as he discussed the fallout surrounding his involvement in the Capitol riot and how different people in his life responded to the events.
Schaffer’s arrest was connected to his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a building with a dangerous weapon, admitting to carrying bear spray into the Capitol complex during the formal certification of the Electoral College votes. Schaffer also admitted to being a “founding lifetime member” of the Oath Keepers, a right wing group. In October 2024, he was sentenced to three years’ probation for his part in the Capitol Hill insurrection.
Block quit Iced Earth in February 2021, more than a month after the riot. Before leaving the band, he had initially shared messages of support for the Capitol events on social media, including posts that read “Oh it’s happening! History in the making”. After screenshots of these posts went viral, Block faced accusations of backing the rioters. He then put out a vague statement and the band released a collective statement condemning violence without directly addressing Schaffer’s actions.
Hansi Kürsch left Demons & Wizards, a side project with Schaffer, two weeks after Schaffer was arrested. In 2024, more than three years after quitting the project, Kürsch said that Schaffer “deserves a second chance”. Kürsch’s later comments showed a shift in his public stance toward the Iced Earth guitarist.
