This powerful new release reworks and unites the raw intensity of the “Brush-fires Of The Mind” LP (2009) and the “Spirit Of The Times” EP (2011), giving renewed energy and perspective to some of Schaffer’s most uncompromising material. The result is a bold and refreshed statement, with themes and messages that feel strikingly relevant — and even unsettlingly prophetic — in today’s increasingly turbulent global climate.

“Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2)” is available now across all major streaming platforms, giving both longtime followers and new listeners the chance to experience its timely and hard-hitting message. For collectors, a special physical release is set to arrive through The Circle Music on July 4, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The physical editions will include a deluxe double gatefold vinyl release offered in five striking color variants — including an exclusive, strictly limited pressing of just 100 copies available only through icedearthmerch.com — alongside a premium limited-edition leather box CD, a stylish digipak CD, and a cassette version for dedicated fans and collectors alike.

Originally created with programmed drums as a way to keep production costs to a minimum, these releases were never intended as commercial ventures, but rather as a message to be freely copied, shared, and spread across the world.

At its heart, Sons Of Liberty was conceived as a musical warning, exposing the manipulation of a corrupt financial system and the steady rise of authoritarian control. With those concerns feeling more relevant today than ever before, the music remains a powerful and uncompromising statement — a timeless expression of truth delivered without filters or apology.

What makes “Sons Of Liberty – Thought Crimes (Volumes 1 & 2)” stand out is its ability to rise above partisan lines. Rather than serving as a vehicle for political ideology, it delivers a broader call for awareness, emphasizing freedom as the essential foundation for peace, prosperity, and human progress worldwide.

In an age increasingly defined by division, Jon Schaffer’s lyrics advocate pro-freedom and pro-humanity values — rejecting authoritarian control, avoiding partisan labels, and drawing strength from enduring principles of liberty. The message is a powerful reminder that real empowerment begins with questioning oppressive systems, resisting forces that diminish individual dignity, and embracing unity through personal sovereignty, resilience, and the shared pursuit of freedom for all.

Taking the original material to an entirely new level, this release is strengthened by thunderous newly recorded drum performances from longtime collaborator Mark Prator, whose precision and groove helped define landmark releases from Iced Earth such as “The Dark Saga” and “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, the self-titled debut from Demons & Wizards, as well as the 2018 EP from Jon Schaffer’s Purgatory.

Combined with a sharp, contemporary mix crafted by Jim Morris, the result is a sonic force that has only grown stronger with time. Like a finely aged vintage, these songs now carry an even greater weight and depth, delivering a level of intensity and authenticity that feels increasingly rare in today’s pop culture landscape.

In an era where ideas are increasingly challenged and often suppressed, this release stands as one of heavy metal’s most controversial and fiercely debated statements. It raises an unavoidable question: why does unfiltered expression provoke such resistance? Are “thought crimes” becoming an unavoidable consequence in a world uneasy with uncomfortable truths?

This music invites listeners to engage, reflect, and think for themselves. Its message is clear: freedom is not something to passively observe — it demands vigilance, conviction, and action. It is a difficult path, but one that remains essential in the pursuit of a better future for everyone.

Schaffer said: “SONS OF LIBERTY was always meant to be more than music; it was a wake-up call and an attempt to start brushfires of freedom in the minds of those with ears to hear.

“Those who know me know that I am not here to please everyone; not with my music, nor with my ideals and principles. I respect the rights of others to disagree, and to speak freely. I will stand up for their rights, especially if I strongly disagree with them. This is the cornerstone of liberty. It’s not so impressive to stand up for the people that share your beliefs and agree with you. Are you into freedom enough to allow others to live as they choose, as long as they don’t aggress? This is a legitimate question that we all should reflect on.”

Jon continued: “My wish with the first SONS OF LIBERTY album in 2009 was to inspire the people to inform themselves. When these songs were first released, I wanted to expose the financial and political systems that prosper through aggression and subjugate our personal freedom. 17 years later the message has only become more relevant, and the situation more urgent.”

“Adding Mark Prator’s drums and Jim Morris’s new mix finally gives these tracks the sonic power they deserve. They both absolutely crushed it. It doesn’t sound like a demo anymore. The artwork is a huge step up from the originals as well. Back in ’09 I had no vision for what the ‘Brush-fires’ cover would look like. It was the first and only time in my career that has happened. However, this time it came to me, and I believe it’s one of the best covers in my entire catalog. Roy Young and David Newman Stump did a fantastic job.”

Schaffer added: “The system has tried to silence and cancel this music because it speaks uncomfortable truths, but you cannot cancel the spirit of liberty. Not yet. The aggressors are working hard to destroy our power of discernment, distract us, divide us, and in the end, conquer us. This collection of music is for everyone who refuses to be a spectator in the struggle for their own sovereignty.

“I am always learning, and I am always willing to be convinced that another point of view is a better way forward. Bring a reasonable argument, and I’m all ears. Through the years I have grown, and changed my views as I learn, but my principles remain. I can’t see any other viable path to peace than through freedom. I think about these issues often and discuss them in great depth with my friends. It is my strongly held belief that collectivism, when mandated by the state, in any form, is more dangerous to our liberties than an invading army. Trading our freedom for ‘safety’ has never turned out well. Not ever.

“In the future, it is my intention to write a new chapter of SONS music focusing on what I believe to be the solution. Until then, as a great friend and mentor says… Don’t aggress. Be an excellent human. Live and let live.”

“Peace. Jon”.

CD track listing:

01. Jekyll Island
02. Full Spectrum Dominance
03. False Flag
04. Our Dying Republic
05. Molon Labe
06. Indentured Servitude
07. Feeling Helpless?
08. Don’t Tread On Me
09. The Cleansing Wind
10. Mind Control
11. Alive
12. Tree Of Liberty
13. Spirit of the Times
14. We The People
15. *Jekyll Island (Full Version)

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However, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta has dismissed the request from Schaffer’s attorney to postpone the sentencing hearing, initially set for February 20, pending the outcome of the case Joseph W. Fischer v. United States. This case revolves around whether prosecutors and the Department of Justice have been misusing a 2002 law, originally designed to combat financial crimes, in the prosecution of a January 6 defendant named Joseph Fischer. A ruling in favor of Fischer could raise doubts about the application of this law to other January 6 defendants, including Schaffer.

In the order issued, Mehta stated: “The sentencing hearing currently scheduled for Feb. 20, 2024, is hereby canceled due to the health concerns outlined in the defendant’s motion. The court will not postpone sentencing until the resolution of United States v. Fischer. Alternative procedural avenues are available for the defendant to seek postponement of any potential term of incarceration, should one be imposed. Furthermore, the public interest favors not delaying sentencing until the outcome of Fischer”.

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