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Band Name: Demons And Wizards
Album Name: Touched By The Crimson King
Rating: 4.5 / 5 User Rating: 4 / 5
Label: Steamhammer
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. Crimson King
2. Beneath These Waves
3. Terror Train
4. Seize The Day
5. The Gunslinger
6. Love's Tragedy Asunder
7. Wicked Witch
8. Dorian
9. Down Where I Am
10 Immigrant Song
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'Touched By The Crimson King' resumes exactly where the first Demons And Wizards album left off, unleashing an onslaught of metal of the highest order from the creative talents of Hansi Kursch and Jon Schaffer. Kursch's voice remains one of the most magnificent in all of metal, with the haunting introduction to 'Crimson King' bearing the majestic sensation of a massive choir as accomplished Iced Earth axeman Schaffer digs deeply into an overtly melodramatic stop-action riff, underscored by a tight, thrashing gallop. This approach works splendidly for the track's main theme, while the song spreads out into a variety of emotions that make this one of the most highly impacting pieces of music to reach fruition in 2005.
There is a magical spark between Kursch and Schaffer, with a unique bond between the two greatly respected metal maestros that is clearly significant. With the pairing's 2000 debut remaining as one of the most crucial metal albums of the last decade, the daunting task of recapturing the grandiosity inherent in that release proves to be one that Schaffer and Kursch have masterfully undertaken with a great measure of success. Once again, Jim Morris adds his talents both as producer and in contributing guitar leads, also bringing bassist Rubin Drake into the fold, bringing a fresh perspective to the record overall. On this occasion, the drumming is more than capably handled by Iced Earth drummer Bobby Jarzombek, whose playing meshes very well with the learned songcrafting of Schaffer and Kursch.
While 'Touched By The Crimson King' retains the brilliant dynamic qualities of the 'Demons And Wizards' album, the mood of the record is initially more aggressive than the last effort, moving through the relentless 'Crimson King' and into a suitably mid-tempo cut, 'Beneath These Waves'. This track has a definite commercial appeal, with a strong melody and memorable hook that is more than deserving of radio airplay. Of all of the fantastic collaborations that Kursch and Schaffer have put together, this progressive, tuneful track remains intensely focused and is one of the more aggressive tracks that is likely to reach a broad appeal. A substantially relentless fury is set free in the highly technical, driving 'Terror Train', as Schaffer issues a helicopter riff here that never falters in its overpowering presence.
The softer nature of Demons And Wizards finally appears in 'Seize The Day.' There is no reason at all that this track could not find wide commercial acceptance, save the stubborn attitude of radio programmers to forsake truly great music in lieu of manufactured fluff. Bearing a sweeping melody, this laid-back track is inspirational in its flowing, shimmering aura as Kursch shines here vocally, singing with passion and conviction. 'The Gunslinger' commences as a whisper, and then lapses into a tremendous torrent, which predicates a substantial chorus. Kursch utilizes a fresh tone on certain parts of this track that deviates from his usual approach, adding that extra touch that sets this track apart as being something quite different.
A softly echoing acoustic guitar welcomes the listener to 'Love's Tragedy Asunder', a track which metamorphoses into a powerful mid-tempo cut which betrays a bit of George Lynch influence in Schaffer's generally balls-out style. 'Wicked Witch' is a classic song that is very much in the vein of the first record, bearing a folk influenced presence which is given further ambient quality with the subtle accompaniment of piano. Devotees will find 'Dorian' to be one of the weightiest tracks Demons And Wizards have issued to date, the keeper of a substantially pressing groove and an atmospheric break that feeds the listener's hunger for engaging sounds with a haunting sensation.
Reserving one of their finest original tracks for the end of the record, 'Down Where I Am' again evokes the mysterious feeling intrinsic in the soul of the substantial collaborators; with Kursch and Schaffer again displaying an uncanny dramatic ability that results in a critically emotional piece. Lastly, the friends work together in delivering a fantastic rendition on Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' that will doubtlessly be received with a rightfully affectionate reception. 'Touched By The Crimson King' further illustrates that this songcrafting pairing can do no wrong, making for a perfect successor to the group's jaw-droppingly extraordinary debut. This album stands as a decisive moment in metal that unequivocally must not be missed.
Review by: EF
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