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ICED EARTH’s JON SCHAFFER Says STU BLOCK Displayed ‘Weakness Under Pressure’ By ‘Changing His Whole Tune’ About Events Of January 6, 2021
Jon Schaffer said a reunion of Demons & Wizards with Hansi Kürsch is not currently being discussed, though he remains friends with Kürsch and would work with him again. He also criticised former Iced Earth singer Stu Block for first appearing to support the events at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, then condemning them after facing criticism.
Schaffer described Block’s change in position as “weakness under pressure”, while saying he did not want fans to hate Block or Kürsch for distancing themselves from him. Block left Iced Earth in February 2021, and Kürsch departed Demons & Wizards shortly after Schaffer’s arrest; Schaffer said he forgives his former bandmates and has no issues with them.
In short
- Schaffer says a Demons & Wizards reunion is not currently on the table.
- He accuses Stu Block of changing his stance after facing criticism.
- Schaffer says fans should stop hating Block and Hansi Kürsch.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Schaffer’s criticism can be understood as a call for consistency and candour: if Block’s initial remarks reflected his genuine view, changing course after public criticism could appear driven by pressure rather than reflection. From this perspective, people should explain what changed in their thinking rather than simply distance themselves when a stance becomes costly.
The case against
Block’s condemnation may instead reflect reconsideration as events unfolded, or a recognition that his earlier response was mistaken; changing one’s position can show accountability rather than weakness. Publicly revising a view after criticism does not, by itself, establish insincerity, and people may reasonably distance themselves from conduct they come to regard as unacceptable.
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