Customer Reviews

Touched By the Crimson King

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came to this album with a completely blank slate, never having heard Blind Guardian, Iced Earth nor the first release by Demons & Wizards, spurred on only by an interesting blurb in Metal Hammer and the hope for anything hearkening back to classic metal. With no preconceived expectations, I was extremely pleased with this release and would describe it to the uninitiated (as myself) as 'Queen II' meets Manowar meets Iron Maiden - majestic (but not overblown), melodic, and technically brilliant work.

That said, I felt that the only ingredient missing was the low end of the mix. The drums are fast and furious but don't come across with any "oomph." Same goes for the bass. This album is all about vocals and guitar, both of which are absolutely magnificent, but it doesn't carry that dark, demonic tinge - it's metal, just not as heavy. Dare I say prog-metal?

On the flipside, though, this "lighter" slab of metal surprised me with one thing: an acoustic ballad I didn't skip. One I actually enjoyed. And played again. "Wicked Witch" is an incredibly beautiful, well-written, compelling song. And, to be fair, many numbers pack plenty of speed and power - "Dorian" and "Terror Train" are sickeningly good tracks - just a little more low end on the mixing board and this would be a solid, five-star classic. If there's a low point, it has to the cover of "Immigrant Song." Sure, it's well done, but there's no need to ever cover Zeppelin - especially when they already brought a wealth of excellent new material to the table.

All in all, a safe buy and a guaranteed repeat player. This new fan will not only go out and grab the first album but will also soon check out the works of Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. This is an excellent addition to your metal library.

Taking the creative minds of Jon Schaffer and Hansi Kursch is certainly going to give you a unique Metal experience and with "Touched By The Crimson King" these two Legends certainly deliver. Given their already well-known work in Blind Guardian and Iced Earth it is pretty much expected for the combined efforts of Demons & Wizards to be nothing short of exemplary. The group also does not suffer any lag time with this second release from the project as each tune is fresh and very well put together. Originally I felt this record had more of a Blind Guardian feel to it, but lost that quickly after a few more listens. It is very important to note that this mindset of expecting either Blind Guardian or Iced Earth should be lost in order to fully appreciate this music. Use it as a frame of reference but enjoy the exponential growth this is able to offer you. Starting off the release is the title track "Touched By The Crimson King" and this is one rousing number. It also showcases the ever exciting drumming of Bobby Jarzombek (Iced Earth, Halford, Riot) who is a welcome addition to this group in my opinion. Thinking this is impressive in terms of drums will quickly have you second guessing when "Terror Train" begins. This is a blistering track and the guitar and drum feel that encompasses it speeds by you and yet is also very well laced with a technical flair. Hansi's voice is on point for the whole record as he showcases both his powerful side on numbers that dictate this be so as well as the softer side on the ballad type numbers. As I enjoy Metal ballads I found particular interest in the ones they did on this release. "Seize The Day" and "Wicked Witch" are great from a ballad standpoint.

"Beneath These Waves" is fast becoming a favorite and this holds a very traditional style to its metal content. There is a lot of this present on "Crimson King", but largely this release falls to the "Power Metal" motif more than anything else. According to Jon in a recent interview, Hansi had more to do with this release than he had as he had just become a Father and also had some health issues to deal with. Once things got back to normal pace the record was recorded and some of this piece is based on Stephen Kings "Dark Tower" books which Hansi is a fan of.

The band includes a cover of Led Zeppelins "The Immigrant Song" and it's nice to see these guys also have a little loose fun on the record. This is a high recommendation for anyone who follows their respective bands and wants to sample what the two can come up with together.

Who would you say are the male vocalists with the most distinctive voices you can think of? I've been thinking about that and I've come up with three vocalists who not only are easily recognizable but also add so much to their music, you just know it would even be close to the same with somebody else.

First there is Type O Negative's, Peter Steel. Then we have the Scorpion's fabulous lead singer, Klaus Meine. Last but not least, and you may not have heard of him, is Hansi Kursch of the German symphonic power metal band Blind Guardian and Hansi can belt out those amazing vocals with the best of them. Hansi is a singer, that to the unsuspecting ear may mistake him for that other great unmistakable vocalist, the late Freddie Mercury.

Demons and Wizards is a collaboration between two superlative heavy metal band's leaders, Blind Guardian and Iced Earth and this album, Touched by the Crimson King, is the second album born of this prolific union. Each band can and does stand strongly on it's own but as a unit there strengths seem to be magnified and as I started to say Blind Guardian's main strength is their incomparable singer Kursch. The singing of Kursch just lights up the music like a billboard. Even Steel and Meine cannot, in my opinion, do what Hansi does.

Touched by the Crimson King

The brand new Demons and Wizards album picks up where the self titled debut album left off. Touched by the Crimson King is sixty-six minutes of musical variety ranging from slow melodic ballads to super hard driving blockbusters. Borrowing from Jon Schaffer's Iced Earth style, we have speedy heavy percussion and guitar riffs galore, merging with the strengths of Blind Guardian, symphonic style, melodious backing vocals, lush layering of music so deep you can get lost in it, topped off by the indescribable vocals of Hansi Kursch, like a cherry on a hot fudge sundae.

Demons and Wizards is:
Hansi Kürsch - Vocals
Jon Schaffer - Rhythm, Bass, Lead and Acoustic Guitars

Guest Musicians:
Jim Morris - Guitar Solos and Backing Vocals
Bobby Jarzombek - Drums
Rubin Drake - Bass & Fretless Bass Guitar
Howard Helm - Piano and Backing Vocals
Kathy Helm - Backing Vocals
Tori Fuson - Backing Vocals
Jesse Morris - Backing Vocals
Krystyna Kolaczynski - Cello

Conclusion

For those who haven't picked up on it, this is a concept album, based upon the famous (or infamous, depending of your point of view) Gunslinger series of Stephen King.

I have read where at least one reviewer said he didn't like this as well as the original D&W release because it wasn't as homogenous as the first one. This is precisely why I like this one. I love the variety and the strong melodies that permeate this wonderful recording.

Just like a Blind Guardian album, there is too much too absorb here in one setting, This album gets better and better the more you hear it. I was going to give it a high three stars or a low four stars at first, forgetting my own admonitions from reviews past but no this is a great, great album. High five stars. If you like Iced Earth or Blind Guardian, don't ask questions, just buy it. If you like Heavy or Symphonic Metal, listen to samples if you must, then buy it and if you don't like it at first, give it at least four or five spins. If you still don't like it, you don't really like Heavy Metal.

Before this album was released I was reading many reviews that said CK did not stack up to the debut album. I was very pleasantly surprised when I popped this album in to find out that it is definately as good if not better than their debut. I think the main reason is the songs are better front to back. Sure there was some killer tracks on the first album but there were also a few songs that I didn't care for either. I can't think of a dull track on this album.

The combination of John's hammering rhythms and Hansi layered vocal harmonies create a great atmosphere and unique sounds. There is quite an even mix of heavy and acoustic parts again as John's acoustic playing really shines on this album. Usually I get turned off by too much mellow stuff on a metal album but Demons and Wizards pull if off so well I can't help but like it. Don't worry there is still a lot of heavy songs and most parts that start mellow always kick in and get heavy. Like I said before I like every song on the album but my personal highlights include 'Beneath these Waves' killer song and great chorus!, 'Loves Tragedy Asunder' a powerballad done right, 'Down Where I Am' another powerballad, can't explain why I like it so much, and 'Lunar Lament' supposedly a bonus track but one of the best IMO.

Overall this album exeeded my expectations. Not sure if was because of the previous reviews I read or the fact that I didn't care for the last Iced Earth album TGB. Irregardless I see no reason why anyone who liked the first one won't dig CK just as much. Who knows you may even like it better.

My rating for CK is 9/10 while I'd give the first album 8.5/10

After buying and listening to their first released, I was thrilled when "Touched By The Crimson King" finally came out. For me, it was well worth the wait, for both of their other bands are my two favorites: Iced Earth (Jon Schaffer's band) and Blind Guardian (Hansi's Band). This release leans more over to Blind Guardian's sound with just a touch of Iced Earth, while the first album sounded more like Iced Earth, yet still having a completely different sound than the two respective bands. This cd combines heavy thrash style metal with epic, choir like vocals, thus having a very strong B.G. feel to them. My personal favorites are: "Touched By The Crimson King", "Love's Tragedy Asunder" "Dorian", and "Down Where I Am". Overall, this is a great release for anyone who is a fan of Iced Earth or Blind Guardian, and highly recommended to new fans of the two bands and also Metal in general.

Who would you say are the male vocalists with the most distinctive voices you can think of? I've been thinking about that and I've come up with three vocalists who not only are easily recognizable but also add so much to their music, you just know it would even be close to the same with somebody else.

First there is Type O Negative's, Peter Steel. Then we have the Scorpion's fabulous lead singer, Klaus Meine. Last but not least, and you may not have heard of him, is Hansi Kursch of the German symphonic power metal band Blind Guardian and Hansi can belt out those amazing vocals with the best of them. Hansi is a singer, that to the unsuspecting ear may mistake him for that other great unmistakable vocalist, the late Freddie Mercury.

Demons and Wizards is a collaboration between two superlative heavy metal band's leaders, Blind Guardian and Iced Earth and this album, Touched by the Crimson King, is the second album born of this prolific union. Each band can and does stand strongly on it's own but as a unit there strengths seem to be magnified and as I started to say Blind Guardian's main strength is their incomparable singer Kursch. The singing of Kursch just lights up the music like a billboard. Even Steel and Meine cannot, in my opinion, do what Hansi does.

The brand new Demons and Wizards album picks up where the self titled debut album left off. Touched by the Crimson King is sixty-six minutes of musical variety ranging from slow melodic ballads to super hard driving blockbusters. Borrowing from Jon Schaffer's Iced Earth style, we have speedy heavy percussion and guitar riffs galore, merging with the strengths of Blind Guardian, symphonic style, melodious backing vocals, lush layering of music so deep you can get lost in it, topped off by the indescribable vocals of Hansi Kursch, like a cherry on a hot fudge sundae.

Demons and Wizards is:
Hansi Kürsch - Vocals
Jon Schaffer - Rhythm, Bass, Lead and Acoustic Guitars

Guest Musicians:
Jim Morris - Guitar Solos and Backing Vocals
Bobby Jarzombek - Drums
Rubin Drake - Bass & Fretless Bass Guitar
Howard Helm - Piano and Backing Vocals
Kathy Helm - Backing Vocals
Tori Fuson - Backing Vocals
Jesse Morris - Backing Vocals
Krystyna Kolaczynski - Cello

Conclusion

For those who haven't picked up on it, this is a concept album, based upon the famous (or infamous, depending of your point of view) Gunslinger series of Stephen King.

I have read where at least one reviewer said he didn't like this as well as the original D&W release because it wasn't as homogenous as the first one. This is precisely why I like this one. I love the variety and the strong melodies that permeate this wonderful recording.

Just like a Blind Guardian album, there is too much too absorb here in one setting, This album gets better and better the more you hear it. I was going to give it a high three stars or a low four stars at first, forgetting my own admonitions from reviews past but no this is a great, great album. High five stars. If you like Iced Earth or Blind Guardian, don't ask questions, just buy it. If you like Heavy or Symphonic Metal, listen to samples if you must, then buy it and if you don't like it at first, give it at least four or five spins. If you still don't like it, you don't really like Heavy Metal.

I remember a few years back when i got the first D&W album. i really didnt like any of the tracks besides "Blood on my Hands" for quite a while (besides the remake of White Room). after a few times letting the album play through, it really began to grow on me. Now i love almost the entire cd. but back to this new release.

The latest CD by Schaffer and Kursch is lacking in power compared to the first release. The album starts off on a good, powerful, and heavy note with Crimson King. a track more mystical and somewhat along the lines of something produced by Lucca Turilli but with the classic Iced Earth/Blind Guardian power. then the next two tracks (Beneath these Waves and Terror Train) are pure power metal at its finest. The strength of Iced Earth style musical background music and the excellence of Hansi's vocals. Im a big fan of Blind Guardian and Iced Earth both, and if both bands had merged in their beginnings, this cd is what would have come from it.
As the CD progresses, the songs begin to slow down. Seize the Day is a slower, more ballad like song (comparable to the Whistler on the previous cd). Yeah, i know i compare this to the previous cd a lot, but its the best way to convene the description of the cd to those who havent heard it.
Next up is the Gunslinger, with a very slow intro, the song picks up about midway through and (although it doesnt match the first three tracks) it does become quite good with lots of nice heavy riffs and a decent drum solo.
The next two tracks are for those who like a little slower music. actually, a LOT slower. Loves Tragedy Asunder is a decent and somewhat catchy track, but Wicked Witch needs more work IMO. it really lacks something.
The CD then picks up again with Dorian. Although comparably weak, its still a good track. I think it belongs more at the beginning of the CD.
Up next, Down Where I Am. Slow, but ok. not much to say about it really.
Immigrant Song: not as good a cover as White Room, but it puts a whole new spin on the Led Zepplin classic!
Then the bonus tracks, two are self-explanatory, but the other two are actually good. Spatial architects can be the sole reason for anyone to want the bonus track edition. Lunar Lament follows along about the same path, but its not as good as Spatial Architects.
Overall the CD sounds to me like Iced Earth replaced Jon Schaffer with Hansi Kursch (not a bad idea either).

First of all, ignore the review by the FRED DURSTS # 1 Fan. Its
obvious he just reached puberty and is a MTV mindless zombie.
Most of the bands he mentions aren't evan Metal bands. His parents ought to be real proud. Now to the review. I like this new Demons... better than the first. The songs seem to be stronger in every aspect, with my favorite being "beneath these waves". If you like Iced Earth then pick this cd up.

Enigmatic and alluring, this is a masterpiece of metal. With epic songs of imagination and emotion, this album has quickly shot up my personal charts, especially in combination with their self-titled first release. Hansi's haunting lyrical style is a perfect fit for the spectacular guitar work of Jon Schaffer. The music as a whole embodies the latest evolution of metal, by far the most superior style of music the human race has created.

As a huge fan of iced earth I thought I should give this album a chance and boy am I impressed. It is excellent. The singer's voice is nothing short of amazing. From the very first track I got hooked. I highly recommend this album.