Metal Reviews

I finally listened to the first album (disclaimer: I've meant to listen to it for years but never really got around to it, for some reason) and it's excellent. I was wondering if Schaffer and Kursch plan in making a third album with this project, because I'd love it if they did.

It's a great album, I'd rank it up there with the best ones from Iced Earth (who are one of my very favorite bands). I'm sure there will be a third album some day, it will probably be a few years away though. There needs to be a break the schedule of both Jon and Hansi and they're both busy, busy men.

Yeah the first album is fucking classic. The second album is really awesome but 3 years after the second album I still maintain the first album triumphant over it.

I can't stand Iced Earth. I still can't put my finger on it and I've tried numerous times to like them. Anyway, I don't know why, but for whatever reason I love the first D&W. So many awesome riffs and Hansi sounds amazing as usual. The second one is pretty boring though.

Barlow's vocals took some getting used to for me when I bought my first Iced Earth album (Horror Show) in 2001. But now, they're among my five favorite bands.

Touched By The Crimson King is a grower. When I first listened to it, I didn't see what the big deal was. But now, after listening to it many times, I love the album. Beneath These Waves and Spatial Architects are probably my two favorite songs. But pretty much every song on the album is a winner, with the weakest probably being that Led Zeppelin cover (Immigrant Song).

This is exactly how I feel.

For me it's reversed. I like Iced Earth, but I don't like D&W because of the guitar riffs - and I also don't like, that Jon Schaffer has brought the D&W riffing to Iced Earth. Just compare "Something Wicked this way comes" with "Horrorshow".

I should get ahold of the D&W albums, if they really are a cross of Blind Guardian and Iced Earth - pretty much my two favourite Power Metal bands.

I dunno. I thought Horror Show was supposed to be a (musical) return to the band's Dark Saga days, as the album sounded a lot more like The Dark Saga than Something Wicked did.

Strangely enough, while I'm not fond of either Iced Earth or Blind Guardian, I enjoyed Demons & Wizards quite a bit.
Their second album was a huge disappointment though.

Really? For me it's more european style [Blind Guardian] while Dark Saga or Burnt Offerings or Night of the Stormrider or Something Wicked are more US power metal with thrash mix.

Just Compare:
US/Power/Thrash-Metal Style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwO53m_-3fs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXpWjPNAA-w
European/Power/Speed-Metal Style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xG0etegv78
Wolf from Horrorshow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXCnXrXr1TU

I love the first album, which IMO has one of the best ballads of all time- Fiddler on the Green. I thought the second one was pretty average though- some good songs and the rest was pretty forgettable.

I will gladly agree with the original sentiment as well!! Touched By The Crimson King was a really good CD but it did contain some weak tracks. The first D&W was a devilish metal delight in it's entirety.

Think I'll give this band another shot, remember disliking what I heard once, and wrote them off. Where should I start?

Well there are just two albums :)

The debut (self titled) is definitely the better album, though it's darker and might not be as easily accessible as the second album, Touched By The Crimson King. They are a bit different stylistically but you can't go wrong with either really.

All this talk of the original D&W release has prompted me to put it onto my new Zune. I was getting a good dose of "Poor Man's Crusade" this morning during my drive to my 7am math class.

Yeah I got the same urge

I had the exact opposite problem. I love Iced Earth, but I've never been able to get into Blind Guardian, which is why I ignored D&W for so long. Glad I eventually gave the ST a chance, as it is really quite excellent.

Do it, it's basically IE riffing + BG vocal melodies. I like both their albums, almost equally. Probably the first one is a bit beter, Blood On My Hands is an unbelievable song.

I prefer Crimson King personally. Much more accessible and has more of a mixure of stuff.

Love's Tragedy Asunder is the best track.