Demons & Wizards is project done by Hansi Kürsch, singer for Blind Guardian, and Jon Schaffer, guitarist for Iced Earth. The name is taken from the Uriah Heep album with the same name, but was originally going to be Demon & Wizard, Hansi being the Wizard, and Jon the Demon.

DEMONS & WIZARDS (1999) SPV

Another great album for my collection. Hansi and Jon are of course crucial parts of their "mother bands", whom I also hold in high esteem. Here they team up to crate a new beast. The songs are not throwaways from these guys other bands, but written for this project. I think this album contains material that is just as good as anything from Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. And that is saying a lot for a debut! Give these guys time, and they will be one of the best metal bands of the millennium. And continue they will, 'cause this CD was more than fairly successful, selling them into hit lists in several European countries. My copy is a digi-pack version with 'White Room' (a Cream cover) as a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Heaven Denies, The Whistler

TOUCHED BY THE CRIMSON KING (2005) SPV (Limited Edition) (2CD)

I've owned this CD since it was first released. But I've put off writing about it here because the album never really grabbed me. I even put it as the disappointment of the year on my 2005 list, and I really meant it too. But as with all great albums, and good wine, it ages well! 'Touched By The Crimson King' is yet another powerful effort from Jon and Hansi. This is Iced Earth music, sung by Blind Guardian vocals. That's the easy version anyway. But everything is sort of self explanatory with this band project. What you see is what you get. This is American and European power metal combined, demons and wizards, horror and fantasy, dark and light, good and evil. OK, so the album was not an instant success, as with the debut, but give this album some time, and I bet you it grows on you. I went from indifferent to touched by the crimson king in over 2 years! This album contains a lot more slower and softer songs. But anyone who loves Iced Earth's ballads will probably love these tunes too. I know I did. "Immigrant Song" is of course a Led Zeppelin cover. The limited edition comes with a slipcase with a different artwork. The digi-pak itself folds out 4 ways, and reveals the 2 discs inside. The bonus disc holds 2 extra songs, plus alternative version of 2 more songs.

Killer tracks: Beneath The Waves, Seize The Day, Love's Tragedy Asunder, Dorian

Hansi Küsch guest appearances:

Gamma Ray - 'Land Of The Free'

Gamma Ray - 'Rebellion In Dreamland'

Gamma Ray - 'Silent Miracles'

Edguy - 'Vain Glory Opera'

Grave Digger - 'Excalibur'

Bobby Jarzombek guest appearances:

Related artists:

Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Rob Rock, Riot, Halford, Millenium