DEMONS & WIZARDS
“III”
Album Review by Chris Palmer

9/10

It has been almost a year since I last shared my thoughts for this great website. There are times when certain opportunities arise, of which take you by surprise, yet prove too hard to turn down. Such an opportunity was presented to me and enabled me to travel with my beloved football team while reporting on its performances.

Even though I thoroughly enjoy my role within the football club, the current circumstances with COVID-19 has resulted in virtually everything throughout the world being postponed and/or cancelled. Such a Pandemic has left yours truly in complete Self-Isolation Lockdown due to health conditions that our dear Government deem to be “Extremely Vulnerable”…!

While the world comes to a grinding halt, the Heavy Music scene continues to thrive, with endless amounts of awesome music being released. Despite being “missing in action” since July 2019, the pull of this wonderful music scene was always present, tempting me to fall for its beautiful charms. I resisted somewhat, but those advances have proved too powerful to resist any longer… It’s in the blood you see…

Not wanting to overwhelm my already precarious mental state, I eased myself back in and always had the offer of an open door with Metal Gods TV, which I’m forever grateful for. So, instead of sitting at home and staring into the abyss of boredom, darkness and pain, I have been presented with another wonderful opportunity to write about something else I love. And, even though the physical pain always remains, another healthy distraction awaits, of which I can share with you, dear readers.

I honestly don’t see a better way to kick-off a second season with Metal Gods TV (see what I did there?!) than being joined by Hansi Kürsch [Blind Guardian] and Jon Schaffer [Iced Earth]!

It’s been twenty one years since these two Power Metal Maestros joined forces as Demons & Wizards. Way back in 1999, they released the excellent self-titled debut, which was followed by the “Touched By The Crimson King” masterpiece [2005]. This was (finally) then followed by the release of a third album, “III”, earlier this year.

Released via Century Media Records, “III” contains eleven songs and has a running time of sixty five minutes. The album draws the listener towards a musical universe immediately with beautiful guitar tones as the opening number, “Diabolic” begins. Prepare yourself to travel through eleven chapters of fictional and mythological topics, as this duo paint a picture of pure literary genius. However, don’t be fooled by those opening guitar tones, you’ll soon be headbanging to the wonderful reverberations of heavy awesomeness, as Demons & Wizards gain a firm grip.

“Invincible” maintains the momentum with a contagious rhythm and amazing vocal display, before “Wolves In Winter” arrives with heavy chugging riffs, as it rumbles along its snow-filled path. Finishing with a flurry of guitar riffs, the band then lead you into the majestic “Final Warning”, which contains a heavy, pulsating rhythm to die for. This fourth chapter ends rather abruptly and you’re then greeted by the calming sounds of acoustic-guitar-led “Timeless Spirit”. Don’t get too comfortable, however, because outstandingly heavy guitars will launch periodically, as the band put on an exquisite display throughout this magnificent ballad-type number.

“Dark Side Of Her Majesty” blasts straight from the speakers with a mixture of heavy, rhythmic riffs and a powerful vocal combination that will urge you to reach for the repeat button. Hold that thought until the end of the record though, because as that song fades, “Midas Disease” hits you square in the face with some superb guitar-play and those unique vocals which are associated with the Heavy/Power Metal genre.

The next chapter arrives as the page turns towards “New Dawn”, which rumbles along before directing you towards a “Universal Truth”. Gorgeous guitars drive this slow and melodic number forward, before the tempo increases slightly, asking you to close your eyes and lose yourself in the moment of musical majesty. The heaviness returns with the penultimate number, “Split”, which threatens to rip the neck muscles with its pounding riffs and pummelling rhythm. As your eardrums pulsate fiercely, threatening to split your skull in half, the band finish off with the epic “Children Of Cain”.

As the album finishes, you’ll be left breathless and in awe of the talent that your ears have just witnessed. However, you haven’t just spent sixty five minutes in the presence of Hansi Kürsch [Lead & Backing Vocals] and Jon Schaffer [Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Bass, 6 & 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Keyboards and Backing Vocals]. The following guest musicians have also contributed towards the delightful sounds on this record: Brent Smedley [Drums], Jim Morris [Additional Guitars & Backing Vocals], Jake Dreyer [Additional Guitars] and Ruben Drake [Bass]. Additional backing vocals also included Thomas Hackman, Olaf Senkbeil, John Jaycee Cuipers, Zakery Alexander, Jeff Brant, Todd Plant and Jerome Mazza, while the classical choir sections were performed by the PA’dam Chamber Choir.

All these ingredients were put together to produce one of the best Heavy/Power Metal records of the year so far. Each chapter of this mythological collection offers variety and beauty, while maintaining its foundation deep within the chosen genre of the protagonists. Fans of Blind Guardian and Iced Earth will most certainly be delighted with “III”, as will any self-respecting heavy music collector because, with this record, Demons & Wizards have made a comeback of epic proportions.

“III” is a thrilling listening experience and was well worth the wait. Welcome back Demons & Wizards… please don’t make us wait so long next time!

TRACKLIST

Diabolic
Invincible
Wolves In Winter
Final Warning
Timeless Spirit
Dark Side Of Her Majesty
Midas Disease
New Dawn
Universal Truth
Split
Children Of Cain

https://demonsandwizardsmerch.com/
https://www.facebook.com/demonsandwizardsofficial/

This review is the property of Chris Palmer and Metal Gods TV. It is strictly prohibited to copy any part of this review, unless you have all of the parties’ permission, or are the band/record label/PR company in question. Failure to adhere to these instructions will be considered as Plagiarism and you will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

---