ALBUM REVIEW: III – Demons & Wizards
The monumental collaboration of two of metals biggest legends, Hansi Kürsch [BLIND GUARDIAN] and Jon Schaffer [ICED EARTH] have forged their third studio album after years of waiting to create another musical offering that is renowned for fusing together Schaffer‘s furious signature style with the virtuoso voice of Hansi Kürsch. With a name that pays tribute to both the relentlessly demonic songcraft of ICED EARTH and the sophisticated majesty of BLIND GUARDIAN – will DEMONS & WIZARDS continue to hammer out their own musical legacy with III or will it bring their stampede of expertise to a grinding halt?
An ominous preface sets a suiting backdrop before Diabolic explodes before you with bursts of precise rhythm interwoven seamlessly with the signature choral bombardment that now comes hand in hand with the BLIND GUARDIAN mastermind. Echoing aspects of earlier successes, Invincible sees Schaffer taking a softer approach that delivers just as well only that it enables Kürsch to burn through the fray with his angelic chants we cannot get enough off. Melody laced rhythmic precision that you can only expect from a guitar legend ensue throughout Wolves In Winter before Final Warning shows that even legends can incorporate something fresh into their work that reinforces the DEMONS & WIZARDS back catalogue.
At this point its certainly proven that the renowned duo have so much more to offer and its evident that a lot of work goes into the songwriting for it to highlight the unique characteristics intrinsic within each individual’s primary band – without one protruding above the other. Luscious layers of choir-like vocals are soaked up in Timeless Spirit that sounds like a mash up of memorable ICED EARTH tracks like Angels Holocaust and the majestic sophistication delivered throughout BLIND GUARDIAN’s work but a tasty mash up nonetheless. If for whatever reason you love both these bands but haven’t yet discovered DEMONS & WIZARDS then now is a great opportunity to visit their previous two albums which tore a hole through the metal scene.
Bouncing gracefully yet fiercely from ear to ear, Dark Side Of Her Majesty is an instant classic while Midas Disease brings forth some dirty attitude with a gritty, hair whipping style emboldened with shrieking guitars. As expected New Dawn and Universal Truth show that this project is not just two unique styles boldly stuck together, they are meticulously woven together to create something with its own identity while encompassing both styles with ease. Although it doesn’t omit as much diversity as other tracks, III wouldn’t be the same without Split, with its traditional onslaught of rapid rhythm and masterful guitar solos. In a final display, Hansi Kürsch opens Children Of Cain with emotional verses before diving into a back and forth with Schaffer – waves of satisfying solos followed by skillfully crafted vocals shaping a heartwarming end to a landmark saga.
Not only will III satisfy bloodthirsty fans hungry for more but it gathers the momentum required to launch DEMONS & WIZARDS towards their next goals, bypassing most ammunition from negative critics. Furthermore, III highlights a significant progression of musical prowess which goes beyond simply bringing together two unique styles. While at times the album can smudge together elements that perhaps don’t allow every track to stand strong on their own, the album as an entity in itself is flawless for fans already on their knees before this dynamic duo, although it definitely has the capacity to draw in more loyal followers.
Rating: 8/10
III is set for release on February 21st via Century Media Records.
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