Demons & Wizards "Touched by the Crimson King" (SPV)
By Tim Den
Tuesday. Jul 12, 12:56 AM
The best of two worlds.

I have not been impressed with either Iced Earth nor Blind Guardian’s releases in numerous years. Hell, not even the Demons & Wizards debut raised an eyebrow on this jaded forehead. So was I expecting Touched by the Crimson King to be any different? What do you think?

But when I spun the album, I was shocked to find irrepressible melodies and winsome riffs aplenty. It seems that Hansi Kürsch and Jon Schaffer have finally evened out each other’s flaws: Kürsch’s over-the-top Medieval vocal lines are grounded by Schaffer’s no-bullshit shreds, while Schaffer’s often one-dimensional chord progressions are given layers by Kürsch’s classical European touch. The result is a macho, traditional metal album with the best of both brawn and song. I’d even go as far as to say “Beneath the Waves” is more touching and devastating than anything Ice Earth have done since Burnt Offerings.

Just imagine the possibilities if both men made Demons & Wizards their full-time endeavor. All the shortcomings found in the likes of Horror Show (campy), The Glorious Burden (overwrought, dynamically flat, structurally repetitive), and A Night at the Opera (bizarre) would be a thing of the past. Demons & Wizards, here’s to hoping you cast your spells and incantations more often!
www.demons-wizards.com
www.spvusa.com

Tim Den

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