#luke appleton

Prolific bassist / guitarist / songwriter / singer Luke Appleton releases a brand new EP 'Forever Viking' on 14th April. A single from the EP - 'Before Your Eyes' is available to stream/download now.

Prolific bassist / guitarist / songwriter / singer Luke Appleton releases a brand new EP ‘Forever Viking’ on 14th April. A single from the EP – ‘Before Your Eyes’ is available to stream/download now on the usual digital platforms, alongside a music video. Luke is well known as rhythm guitarist with Absolva and Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden singer 1994-1999). He was also bassist with American…

Do you need your heavy metal fix solved? Then look no further as Manchester based Absolva will solve it with their latest studio album Fire In The Sky, due to be released via Rocksector Records on Feb. 18th 2022. Luke Appleton has returned to the band to make for a tantalizing twin guitar line up, point proven by opening track ‘Demon Tormentor’ as he and brother Chris Appleton blaze away on an…

Iced Earth Founder/Guitarist Jon Schaffer Pleads Guilty in Capitol Insurrection; Will Testify against Others in the Case

Iced Earth founder and guitarist Jon Schaffer on April 16 pleaded guilty to two charges related to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and will cooperate with government prosecutors, The Washington Post reports.

The heavy metal guitarist - also a founding member of the Oath Keepers (not a rock band) - is the first defendant to flip, the newspaper reported.

It’s a “huge” development, former federal prosecutor Peter Skinner told The Post.

“Clearly, they’re trying to send a strong signal to other Oath Keepers and leaders that there’s somebody in the organization that is going to be telling them everything they know about the organization,” he said.

Originally charged with six crimes, Schaffer pleaded guilty to two felonies: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, punishable by up to 20 years in prison; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon, which carries a possible 10-year prison term.

Iced Earth melted down over Schaffer’s involvement in the insurrection. Singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton both quit the band in February.

Iced Earth Breaks Apart Over Capitol Insurrection

- Singer and bassist leave metal band in wake of guitarist’s arrest

Two members of Iced Earth quit the heavy-metal band after guitarist and co-founder Jon Schaffer was charged in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In separate, Feb. 15 Facebook posts, lead vocalist No. 4, Stu Block, who joined in 2011, and bassist No. 8, Luke Appleton (2012), announced their resignations, citing euphemisms like “the situation” and “recent events and circumstances,” respectively.

Both musicians said their Iced Earth tenures end “with immediate effect” as Schaffer faces multiple charges stemming from his alleged involvement in the insurrection. He is accused of using “bear spray” on Capitol police officers.

Appleton thanked “everyone who has sent me their support and love during this difficult time” in his statement.

“It’s the best decision in many ways for my personal/professional growth going forward,” Block said. “Time to move on, heal and prosper. ... Be good to each other.”

Schaffer co-founded Iced Earth in 1985. He is the only original member in the group, which has had more than 30 musicians pass through its ranks over the years.

ICED EARTH Vocalist & Bassist Quit The Band

In the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding the group’s guitarist and founding member Jon Schaffer, Iced Earth vocalist Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton have decided to quit the band. Statements from both of them can be read below. Stuart’s statement reads: “Hey all, well, there are times and events when you have to take stock and re evaluate your life, work, and trajectory for the…

Mit dem Sturm aufs Capitol vor mehr als einem Monat hat sich Iced Earth Cheflenker Jon Schaffer definitiv keinen Gefallen gemacht. Medienwirksam in die Kamera schreiend an vorderster Front hat ihn nicht nur auf die FBI Most Wanted Liste gebracht, die ihn ja mittlerweile gefunden haben, sondern auch karrieretechnisch aufs Abstellgleis. Was er sich über mehr als drei Jahrzehnte aufgebaut hat wurde in einem einzigen Tag demontiert und ich glaube auch nicht, dass es so schnell wieder repariert werden kann. Nach dem Rauswurf von seiner Plattenfirma, quittieren nun auch Sänger Stu Block und Bassist Luke Appleton ihren Dienst. Ich denke es wird eine Frage der Zeit sein bis auch die beiden restlichen Mitglieder das Handtuch werfen werden um wieder eine berufliche Perspektive zu bekommen.

Iced Earth Members Stu Block And Luke Appleton Have Officially Quit The Band

  Iced Earth singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton have announced their effective departure from the band. Block, who joined Iced Earth in 2011 after fronting Into Eternity, issued the following statement via his social media: “Hey All, Well, there are times and events when you have to take stock and re evaluate your life, work, and trajectory for the future. That being said I have informed…

Iced Earth Members Comment on Jon Schaffer Presence During US Insurgency

Iced Earth’s Stu Block, Luke Appleton, Brent Smedley, and Jake Dreyer collectively issued the following statement today regarding band founder and mastermind Jon Schaeffer’s actions during the domestic terrorism event in Washington DC on January 6th.  Continue reading