After every little thing that’s occurred with Iced Earth guitarist and founder Jon Schaffer following the occasions of January 6, 2021, you’d assume somebody with a background in legislation enforcement would by no means think about working with him once more. I imply, we’re speaking a couple of 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 Metallic Voice (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), it appears 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 had 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 determine, whether or not I might be part of it or not, both manner, however whether or not Iced Earth goes out and does it. However I stay up for that, whether or not it could be me concerned with it or someone else, if that had been to occur. And I can’t converse to it, ’trigger I don’t assume 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 mentioned and completed, 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 assume 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 rebellion? He doesn’t wish to get political about it…
”We don’t stay in a tube of silence right here. We get stuff. However I feel for me, and I feel for those who are followers of the music, they don’t care about that. I feel 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 a good time Jon and what he’s completed. 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 definitely look ahead, if Jon needs to tour once more and play this music once more, I wholeheartedly stay up for that, if that’s a risk. However we’re simply gonna go on the market and simply have a good time this music that could be very particular, I feel, for lots of people. We’ve been given blessing to take action by Jon, in order that’s tremendous vital to us as nicely.”
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. However, nonetheless, it’s exhausting 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 must have to consider after they determine in the event that they wish to give him a second probability. However for a cop to know what D.C. cops went via by the hands of Schaffer and his buddies and to nonetheless be like “eh, he’s okay in my guide”, that simply appears like somebody needs his cake and eat it too.
