Yes!!! Can't wait to hear this one.

Al FIN!!!!

They've surpassed themselves for the title

So the non fans score it less than 7 while the fans more than 8 ...
non fans while bother ?
its fuckin brilliant
f off:):)
edit: 3 spins in - its fuckin brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!! Dark Side Of Her Majesty is a seriously good track and Split slays! ...fan boy alert:) Hansi is 54 at this stage - thumbs up!! i do admit i do enjoy this more than the legacy -notwithstanding how good this other one is! heavy metal!!!

Ok, so I gave it 2 spins today and well... it doesn't reach the absolute brilliance and consistency of the debut (but honestly that's next to impossible in my book, since that's probably in my top 10 favourite albums of all time). However, I like it more than Touched By The Crimson King. Which was a good album overall, but felt a little inconsistent to me.

This one has some of that as well but Holy damn, I already loved Diabolic so much so that it's amongst my favourite songs from D&W. Well add Final Warning to that list as well. Absolutely amazing track!

Those two tracks alone are better than the best tracks on Touched By The Crimson King.

All in all. I think this is a worthy addition in the Demons And Wizards discography.

As it is with everything Schaffer is involved with for the past 20+ years, this is as bland as it can get. Doesnt matter the band, the vocalist, this dude just cant write anything interesting to save his life.

Written by Rulatore on 22.02.2020 at 07:05

As it is with everything Schaffer is involved with for the past 20+ years, this is as bland as it can get. Doesnt matter the band, the vocalist, this dude just cant write anything interesting to save his life.

While I do agree that Hansi has barely changed his vocal themes throughout his whole career, and he does steer away from writing overtly catchy or melodic pieces - and his lyrics are usually cryptic as hell - you can't not acknowledge the awesome atmosphere and dynamics he crafts throughout a song. That's especially true in D&W. His choir-like layering, unique vocal texture, and prog-like song structures are what we come back for these 20+ years. Also, I would say in this particular release he pushed a few boundaries with his vocals with harsher moments than he has done in the past.

Written by Grom on 22.02.2020 at 20:51

Also, I would say in this particular release he pushed a few boundaries with his vocals with harsher moments than he has done in the past.

Do you mean Hansi ? He sounds like he's having fun, but at the same time I cant help but feel that it looks like too much autotuning happening.

Regarding Schaffer, I doubt he's bringing anything new here, atmospheric or not, just repetitive chugga chugga throughout the whole thing. There are two only worthwhile songs in this album: Universal Truth and Split (where he tries to do more than chugga with a little twist for 4 minutes). The rest is as forgettable as it gets with anything Schaffer touches, "Horror Show" was the last time this dude tried and it wasnt that much either (at least his part).

Truly enjoying this record, particularly the longer tracks "Diabolic", "Timeless Spirit" and "Children of Cain". Schaffer and Hansi elevated the Demons & Wizards name as a band with this record and world tour, and I hope we won't have to wait as long for the next album.

I guess this is one of those kind of records you're supposed to listen multiple times to really get into them. By one listening only I would call it good, but not as great as the two previous albums from them. The longer tracks are the highlight of the album, but the shorter songs between them mostly seem to lack "the final touch" to really get into my head.

The Good:

The album picks-up where the debut left off and I love that they went back to that sound! Even now their debut sounds fresh and unique so a new album in the same vein is very welcome. That isn't to say their follow-up wasn't good in its own right, quite the opposite, but it definitely lacked the dark ambiance and demonic chanting which the debut and III have in common. Diabolic is a direct sequel to the Heaven Denies storyline and its, in my opinion, a worthy successor! Hansi's performance on this album is just absolutely incredible specifically on Split - you wouldn't think that Hansi is in his 50's now! Dark Side of Her Majesty shows off a really dark, almost guttural performance from Hansi which I can't recall him using this voice for nearly a full song before.

The Bad:

The riffing can be a little tired in parts with the same riff getting a little overplayed. Overall, I think there are enough new ideas to keep things sounding fresh and interesting. My biggest issue though is that a few songs start off really weak before turning an abrupt corner to become a killer track. Specifically "Final Warning" could have used a few notes before Hansi broke into the slow passage - but man, once Schaffer breaks into his "Warning" riffing at around 2:50 this song absolutely slays! Midas Disease suffers from a very similar issue. Invincible is the last issue as the song unfortunately just sticks out like a sore thumb on this record. Its by far the weakest song on the record and I worry that placing it at #2 will turn listeners away from the album.

Anyway, most of the "bad parts are minor nit-picks. Even Invincible isn't that bad, it just sounds like a b-side. This is an absolutely fantastic album from D&W and worth the long (long) wait!

Highlights: Diabolic, Dark Side of Her Majesty, Split

Written by WorpeX on 24.02.2020 at 04:56

The Good:...
The Bad:....
Highlights: Diabolic, Dark Side of Her Majesty, Split

It is not a 9 for me but I am in complete agreement with everything you wrote.

Good but a little underwhelming. A lot of good song structures but the riffs mostly suck

Best IE, BG or DW album released since A Night At The Opera 18 years ago. Children of Cain is an absolute masterpiece.

For me this is the best album by D&W; Diabolic, New Dawn and Children Of Cain are outstanding!

Quote:

Quote:

Do you mean Hansi ? He sounds like he's having fun, but at the same time I cant help but feel that it looks like too much autotuning happening.

Regarding Schaffer, I doubt he's bringing anything new here, atmospheric or not, just repetitive chugga chugga throughout the whole thing.

Oh yeah woops. Edited my comment, got things mixed up. Yeah I definitely agree with you. I miss songs like terror train that at least pummeled you with its pacing if he goes with the chugga style.

While listening to this album, I caught myself looking at my watch quite a few times. I wanted some songs to end, they were so boring. The epic opener "Diabolic" is the best song on offer here, with a few more songs catching my attention. I almost fell asleep during some other tracks though. What annoyed me the most was the drums, especially the infuriatingly persistent way bass drums follow guitar riffs most of the time. It sounds synthetic and boring as hell. An early contender for disappointment of the year.

When you think it will be best album of the year, and you understand Blind Guardian never will put anything good out, and Iced Earth last album was killer, you had hopes here, because opening song was a killer.
Then album turns a bit softer, its killer album, its good profesionally written but for Jon and Hansi I was waiting something better , I know Hansi can only sing, BG is bad after Nighfall, but Jon wrote goo riffs , non IE albums are bad, but here, its not bad, but for heavy name, strong name 2 killer songs was missing.

Reed Nik last true metal reviev you will see what album us better

Too far away from the first two releases, I cannot even compare that. Miles away from the golden Schaffer era. Boring music except some moments in "Diabolic" "Final Warning" and "New Dawn".

Few songs were good especially Diabolic but most others we have heard before. For me it's just ok.

Was suprised how good this was, considering how both Iced Earth and Blind Guardian have been shaky on later years. Good stuff, kind of sad now that there won't be any followup.