Demons & Wizards:
-Hansi Kursch (vocals)-Blind Guardian
-Jon Schaffer (Guitar)-ICED EARTH
Additional personnel:
-Jim Morris (guitar, background vocals)
-Howard Helm (piano, background vocals)
-Rubin Drake (bass guitar)
-Bobby Jarzombek (drums, percussion)
This is my first Review.
Demons & Wizards is a project they have been working on since 1977. Combining the heavy crunch and dark melodies of Iced Earth with the powerful vocals and bombastic choirs of Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards sounds just like a combination of those two excellent bands, and at the same time, creates something entirely unique.The music should keep all other fans interested as well there are tremendous vocal melodies throughout (as is expected from Kursch), as well as Shaffer's trademark tight riffing. A solid power metal offering, as once again the two blend elements of their individual bands into their work here
Being a fan of Hansi Kursh's nice voice and Jon Schaffer's kick ass guitar I decided to Pick this cd up and give it a try.I was pretty impressed.
1)Crimson King:This song opens the album, and a mystical,Starts off with nice guitar and singing in the backround strong mid-track acoustic section eventually erupts back , which is an exchange that fans of 'Night of the Stormrider' should enjoy.Nice drums in this song but the chorus wasnt so good.3/5
2)Beneath these waves:Beneath These Waves is a steady Track.I realy enjoyed this song.Strong decent Vocals and Nice melodic guitar no solo wich is surprising from Jon but its still one of the best tracks on the cd.5/5
3)Terror Train:Starts off with nice guitar and fast drums a Very Nice and Catchy song,Jon at his best he did a good job on the riffs.4/5
4)Seize the day:Seize the Day is acoustic-based with great layered vocals in the chorus and 2 sweet solos.My personal Favorite song on the album.5/5
5)Gunslinger,The:Title of one of The Stephen King books,After a slow start like most Iced Earth songs,the Guitar gets heavier and nice bass delivery and Jon’s intense shredding makes a solid track . 2/5
6)Love's Tragedy Asunder:An excellent and somewhat slow-paced rythm but gets heavier in the song and has great lyrics and very catchy.This is an excellent song. 4/5
7)Wicked Witch:Slow song with nice acoustic guitar and no drums even though its stays slow the whole song its a very decent song a song i realy enjoyed.3/5
8)Dorian:The Albums longest track 6:36 and reminds me of slayer for some reason.Dorian starts off with a nice heavy riff feel a nice energy coming from the band.it kicks things back into high gear with its compact and flowing power.Again the guitar work is amazing and vocals are nice.4/5
9)Down where I am:Jon presents his abilities in a great style.A good song with intriguing acoustics and once again get heavier in the middle of the song, but also with a build-up that never really reaches the next level. 3/5
10)Immigrant Song:The band again tacks on a classic cover tune, with The Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song third album in 1970. The band did a pretty good job on this classic.4/5
Favorite songs
-Beneath these waves
-Terror Train
-Seize the day
-Love's Tragedy Asunder
-Dorian
Things I Liked:The Guitar,Vocals and drums were very nice something for iced earth fans to enjoy.
Things I didn't like:It all sounds the same. Most of the songs were very similar and each song was quite repetitive
Conclusion:
For those who haven't picked up on it, this is a concept album, based upon the famous gunslinger books by Stephen King.If your a fan of Iced Earth and Blind Guardian You should pick this album up.
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