Release date: 21.02.2020
Label: Century Media Records
Production: Jon Schaffer, Hansi Kürsch, Jim Morris
Length: 64:49
Genre: power metal / prog metal
Rating: 9/10
“III” is a wonderfully simple, unpretentious title for the third album from the ambitious metal duo Demons & Wizards, led by two old friends: singer Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and guitarist Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth). Fifteen years have passed since their previous album “Touched By the Crimson King” (2005), and more than twenty since the self-titled debut, which by now enjoys cult status. In that time the old pals’ hair has gone a bit gray and thin, since these two are long past being the young guns of the power metal craft, but that of course hasn’t had the slightest effect on their songwriting, singing and guitar chops.
Those are still at an enviable level, which also means that “III” is in every respect exactly what Demons & Wizards fans expect from the two masters of epic power/prog metal: the ideal cross between the recognizable sounds of their main bands, Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. About 80% of the songs on “III” recall Iced Earth in their arrangement structures, rhythmic elements and the nature of Jon’s guitar passages, while Hansi’s outstanding vocal talent will have plenty of people thinking for a moment that Blind Guardian have just dropped a new album, which becomes especially obvious once the backing vocals and/or choir harmonies kick in.
The opener “Demonic,” released as a single with an official video, is a perfectly representative Demons & Wizards creation with choir elements: a sacred-tinged intro that builds a mysterious atmosphere, followed by an explosive switch into an epic, hard-hitting section with mighty guitar passages and uncompromising drum barrages that won’t let the listener out of its grip any time soon. According to Hansi and Jon, it’s a continuation of “Heaven Denies” from their debut. “Invincible” boasts above all an outstanding chorus, where Hansi nails his vocal mission with distinction.
The lyrics of “Wolves in Winter” were inspired by George R. R. Martin’s popular fantasy saga “A Song of Ice and Fire,” which became even more popular as the HBO series “Game of Thrones.” It’s one of the few songs on “III” that’s structurally closer to Blind Guardian than to Iced Earth, and it also got an official video. Like the next track, “Final Warning,” it’s marked by Jon’s unmistakable riffs.
The epic “Timeless Spirit” is among the most dynamic pieces on “III,” as it smoothly alternates between acoustic moments and full-on power metal sections. “Dark Side of Her Majesty,” another one of the highlights of “III,” wins you over especially with its choir vocal harmonies, varied, epic arrangements and Hansi’s eclectic singing. “Midas Disease” surprises with the hard rock feel of its guitar riffs. “New Dawn” has an unexpected twist in the middle, but otherwise it’s a fairly cautious power metal standard. “Universal Truth” impresses mainly with its smooth interplay of softer, acoustic-tinged moments and punchier, epic sections.
“Split” is without a doubt the hardest-hitting piece on the album, with some “old-school” speed metal elements that echo the early days of both old friends, though the epic vocal harmonies make sure the harder edge of the guitar riffs and the more aggressive rhythm section don’t stick out too much. “III” closes with the intelligently structured epic treat “Children of Cain,” which tells the story of a dystopian society. This closing peak, with its many acoustic arrangements, has enough epic elements to thrill all longtime Demons & Wizards fans, yet it’s restrained enough not to come off overly pompous and pretentious, the way the younger power metal crowd tends to do.
With “IIII,” Messrs. Kürsch and Schaffer haven’t let anyone down. They’ve made a top-notch, eclectic album that’s sure to please every fan who was sick of waiting fifteen years for the next chapter of the Demons & Wizards project. On every track you can feel a new level of maturity from both musicians, songwriters included, compared to fifteen years ago. In places they boldly flirt with progressive rock elements too, but they do it subtly enough that they never radically upend the power metal direction of the compositions. Let’s just hope we won’t have to wait as long for a fourth Demons & Wizards album as we did for “III.”
Review by: Peter Podbrežnik
Tracklist:
1. Diabolic
2. Invincible
3. Wolves in Winter
4. Final Warning
5. Timeless Spirit
6. Dark Side of Her Majesty
7. Midas Disease
8. New Dawn
9. Universal Truth
10. Split
11. Children of Cain
Demons & Wizads:
Hansi Kürsch – vocals
Jon Schaffer – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals
Guest musicians
Brent Smedley – drums
