ICED EARTH guitarist/founder Jon Schaffer is featured in a new interview with MetalPaths, conducted in Thessaloniki, Greece back on November 20th during the band's European tour. Check it out via the audio player below.

A transcript of the interview is available here.

Jon Schaffer

As previously reported, Schaffer released a new 5-song SONS OF LIBERTY EP via iTunes on December 22nd. He has issued the following statement:

"Hello friends,

I’m proud to present you with the SOL Spirit Of The Times 5-track-EP, which is now ready for release. It will only be available on iTunes, and many other digital channels, as we have chosen to not involve a record label for now. We wanted to do this directly from us to you.

It is my sincere hope that this EP will continue to spread brushfires of liberty in the minds of people from all corners of the globe. I wish I would have had time to write, record, and mix more songs, but with the intense and demanding schedule that Iced Earth is requiring from me, this is the best I could do.

On this recording, I was once again joined by Jim Morris (guitar solos, backing vocals) and Ruben Drake (bass guitar). Jim and I programmed the drums in order to keep recording costs down. As you know, SOL is about the message and the idea, but there are costs involved to keep it going. Though I still encourage you to make copies and pass them out to everyone you can, there will not be a free download available this time around.

Due to my recording and touring schedule with Iced Earth, I have not been as present as I would like to be in the cause for liberty. Please know that I stand with all of you freedom fighters in spirit, regardless of what race you are, what language you speak, or which God you choose, or not choose, to worship. I will be there when duty calls, count on it.

The free human spirit is rising all over the planet. I’ve been fortunate enough in my travels to speak with some amazing and very awake people in the last few years, and I can honestly and gladly state, that we are having an effect.

Continue to educate yourselves, think for yourselves, use your power of discernment, and most importantly; be there for each other.

Good people all over the world can band together and make this a world of peace and prosperity for all of its inhabitants if only we truly connect with the power and will of the free human spirit.

Thanks so much for supporting the cause!"

In Liberty,

Jon Schaffer

The tracklist is as follows:

'Alive'

'Full Spectrum Dominance'

'Molon Labe'

'Mind Control'

'Spirit Of The Times'

Purchase the EP via iTunes here. Check out the Sons Of Liberty Facebook page at this location.

Three full length audio samples are available below: