The fallout surrounding Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer over his participation in the U.S. Capitol riots continues. Today, his Demons & Wizards bandmante Hansi Kürsch has officially quit the project.
Today Kürsch, who also fronts Blind Guardian, made the announcement, stating, "I told Jon and Century Media on Monday that I was leaving the Demons & Wizards project with immediate effect. My collaboration with Jon in Demons & Wizards is over."
As previously reported, Schaffer landed on the FBI's Most Wanted list over his actions and is now facing six charges connected to the incident. Those charges include engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disrupting the orderly conduct of government business, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, and demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
After images of Schaffer at the riots began widely circulating online, Blind Guardian issued a statement on January 8, writing: "We are deeply shocked and our thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased. We expressly distance ourselves from any kind of violence irrespective if applied against institutions or persons. The incidents will be thoroughly investigated and the responsibles will be brought to justice. We ask for your understanding that in view of the hourly news situation we will not make any further comments at present."
Demons & Wizards' released their most recent album III in 2020.
Today Kürsch, who also fronts Blind Guardian, made the announcement, stating, "I told Jon and Century Media on Monday that I was leaving the Demons & Wizards project with immediate effect. My collaboration with Jon in Demons & Wizards is over."
As previously reported, Schaffer landed on the FBI's Most Wanted list over his actions and is now facing six charges connected to the incident. Those charges include engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disrupting the orderly conduct of government business, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building, and demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
After images of Schaffer at the riots began widely circulating online, Blind Guardian issued a statement on January 8, writing: "We are deeply shocked and our thoughts are with the relatives of the deceased. We expressly distance ourselves from any kind of violence irrespective if applied against institutions or persons. The incidents will be thoroughly investigated and the responsibles will be brought to justice. We ask for your understanding that in view of the hourly news situation we will not make any further comments at present."
Demons & Wizards' released their most recent album III in 2020.