Metal Reviews

I was just wondering, which of Demons & Wizards two CD's would be best to start with? I've been a fan of Blind Guardian for awhile, and am just starting to get into Iced Earth so I figured I probably can't go wrong with Demons & Wizards, especially judging from the reviews.

There's no question that you should get the first one. The second one is competent, but very bland and run of the mill; the first is something special.

Agreed, the first one is one of my all time favorite albums.

Yep. Get the first one first. However, I disagree that the second album is bland. I said it before: I simply think the second album left nothing to mystery. We knew what to expect; thus were not impressed as much. I do, however, think the standard issue suffers from it choice of tracks.

If anyone is going to buy the second album I cannot stress this more: get the special edition! "Lunar Lament" and "Spatial Architects" are both killer tunes and should never have been bonus tracks. Had they put one track before "Wicked Witch" and the other before "Down Where I Am," and then put "Dorian" at the end (or another heavier number), then the regular, more common, version of the album would have fared much better.

Anyway, get the special edition.

The first album is by far the better of the two. The second one is good too, but like Eyesore has said, you need to get the special edition (even though it has that pointless second cut of Wicked Witch).

Yeah, the "slow" version of "Wicked Witch" is funny because you'd think the regular version was fast or something. Either way, it's a bonus track, and it is different, so I don't have an issue with it. I see little point in having an edited version of "Beneath The Waves," though. That makes no sense to me.

Actually, I think that it took me some time before I fully grasped the goodness of their debut, now I love it though. Touched By The Crimson King however, got stuck into my head pretty much after the first listen, especially Beneath These Waves, but after a while I realised that the debut lasts longer, and doesn't grow old at all, unlike their second.

Overall, both cd's kick ass, but while Touched By The Crimson King holds some of their best song, the debut is probably a better starting point.

+1

Although I think the slow songs on the second album are the best ones.

needless to say, the first one.

I feel quite the opposite actually. I think the first is good but that it's basically Iced Earth with Hansi's lyrics and vocals (which is not a bad thing though of course). The second album seemed like John was expected to work outside his usual comfort zones more often, and it sounded like Hansi had more input on the musical side, so I think the second one, while not as heavy, offers a more diverse and interesting palette.

My favorites are "Dorian" and "Love's Tragedy Asunder." Those two make me sweaty in just the right spot.

I'll have to agree with everyone and say the first, not that the second is bad. I like both albums alot. But the first is less bland and boring, well not BORING. But some songs just sound too similar. Also, the first has the fan-favourite Fiddler on the green, can't go wrong there.

I guess it's pretty much given that the first is better, then...

Thanks for the advice.

Well, I won't argue that it sounds like that; however, it isn't true. Jon wrote it all and sent it along to Hansi to add his vocals.

I know I remembered reading about how the songs come togather, but Jon does sound more stretched out musically on the second one to me. Maybe he was just more in tune with what Hansi would bring since this was their second outing.

I agree.

+2

Get neither. I listened to, and enjoyed, both... INITIALLY. But, I got bored as fuck. I avoid these just like I avoid Nightfall and Night at the Opera. I'm not even gunna mention Glorious Boredom (even though I just did.) Stick to Horror Show, Something Wicked, and Somewhere Far Beyond for over the top, over produced "epic" Power Metal.

That's my review, they both were short lived.

And I've had and enjoyed the debut for 4 years now.

Though I agree with what you say about the second album, other than Crimson King and Beneath These Waves I find the other songs boring. I disliked the album at first, then loved it and now I think of listening to it and when I remember what songs are on it I stop to rethink and I pop in the debut or something else.

You're more of a power/prog head than me, so your tolerance for the scene will carry further than mine.