42. Demons & Wizards - 'III'

Named after the Uriah Heep album, Demons and Wizards is a match made in Power Metal heaven. It see’s Iced Earth’s six string maestro Jon Schaffer join forces with Blind Guardian’s golden tonsiled vocalist Hansi Kürsch. Actually, Demons and Wizards has been a going concern for 22 years, but day jobs and competing priorities have meant that this is only their third record together.  

Neither of them seems to be remotely inclined to stray too far from their chosen musical paths and put simply “III” is what Iced Earth would sound like if they were fronted by Hansi Kürsch. It is also really rather good. Big choruses, lush orchestration and more big choruses. The sound is heavily melodic with bold flourishes of keys and soaring guitars, oh! did I mention them choruses? Basically, if you have a penchant for Power Metal (as I have) you will love this, if you don’t, well I am sure there will be some Death Metal along in a minute.