After every thing that’s occurred with Iced Earth guitarist and founder Jon Schaffer following the occasions of January 6, 2021, you’d suppose somebody with a background in legislation enforcement would by no means take into account working with him once more. I imply, we’re speaking a few dude that stormed the U.S. Capitol —armed with bear mace — who, if he didn’t take part within the beating of law enforcement officials, didn’t precisely cease it from taking place both.
But throughout a latest interview with The Steel Voice (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), it seems like ex-Iced Earth vocalist, present Ashes of Ares vocalist, and present Georgetown, Delaware police lieutenant Matt Barlow isn’t precisely ruling out ever working with the pardoned insurrectionist if he have been requested to rejoin the band for a 3rd time.
“That’s one thing that might be solely as much as, clearly, when Jon… That’s Jon’s band — one hundred percent — in order that’s one thing that Jon must resolve, whether or not I’d be part of it or not, both manner, however whether or not Iced Earth goes out and does it. However I sit up for that, whether or not it might be me concerned with it or any individual else, if that have been to occur. And I can’t communicate to it, ’trigger I don’t suppose at this level that… It’s not even within the lengthy distance at this level.”
Let’s not neglect what occurred with Schaffer. He was one of many many individuals that stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to cease Congress from the peaceable switch of energy from outgoing Republican President Donald Trump to incoming Democrat President Joe Biden. What ensued was a protracted siege of the Capitol, with police and traitors coming to blows in quite a few cases that day. When it was all stated and achieved, roughly 140 law enforcement officials had been assaulted and 5 folks had died, together with 4 officers who took their very own lives within the aftermath.
You’d suppose as a member of the legislation enforcement group that he’d really feel a sure manner about Schaffer, however not Matt Barlow. Hell, his band goes out on tour quickly to play everything of that band’s 1996 album The Darkish Saga in Europe. However how does Barlow really feel about Schaffer’s involvement within the riot? He doesn’t wish to get political about it…
”We don’t reside in a tube of silence right here. We get stuff. However I believe for me, and I believe for those who are followers of the music, they don’t care about that. I believe on the finish of the day, it’s the music. And I hope that everyone’s respectful as a result of I’m gonna have fun Jon and what he’s achieved. He’s written some fucking superb music, and I’ve been lucky to be part of that. So, outdoors of that, I’m not gonna get political with something. We’re not speaking politics. We’re simply speaking strictly music, and it’s for the love of music. And I hope that everyone understands that. That’s what the purpose is.
“Hopefully we’re bringing one thing cool and particular. And I actually look ahead, if Jon desires to tour once more and play this music once more, I wholeheartedly sit up for that, if that’s a risk. However we’re simply gonna go on the market and simply have fun this music that could be very particular, I believe, for lots of people. We’ve been given blessing to take action by Jon, in order that’s tremendous essential to us as effectively.”
On one hand, positive. Celebrating an admittedly superior album like The Darkish Saga is a worthwhile endeavor, particularly given its significance to Barlow’s profession. Then again, nevertheless, it’s onerous to separate the politics from the music on this case when you think about the gravity of what occurred on Jan. 6.
Positive, Schaffer’s provided an apology of kinds for his actions and that’s one thing his followers should have to consider once they resolve in the event that they wish to give him a second likelihood. However for a cop to know what D.C. cops went by means of by the hands of Schaffer and his buddies and to nonetheless be like “eh, he’s okay in my ebook”, that simply seems like somebody desires his cake and eat it too.
