Band:	Demons & Wizards
Album:	Touched By The Crimson King
Style:	Heavy metal, Power metal
Release date:	June 27, 2005
Guest review by:	Arian Totalis

Disc I
01. Crimson King
02. Beneath These Waves
03. Terror Train
04. Seize The Day
05. The Gunslinger
06. Love's Tragedy Asunder
07. Wicked Witch
08. Dorian
09. Down Where I Am
10. Immigrant Song [Led Zeppelin cover]

Disc II [Digipak bonus]
01. Lunar Lament
02. Wicked Witch [slow version]
03. Spatial Architects
04. Beneath These Waves [radio edit version]

The Second album released by Demons and Wizards, this album is quite amazing. This was released five years after their debut, which is understandable, considering that Hansi Kursch and Jon Schaefer are normally so busy with their main bands. But I must admit, when that chemistry is repressed for so long, the results are explosive, and this album is a testament to that. "Touched By The Crimson King" is an album conceptually based off of the classic book series by Stephen King "The Dark Tower." It is not a true concept album however, seeing as how certain songs do not pertain to the dark tower, such as "Dorian" or "Spacial Architects." With creative and constructive juices brewing in these two power metal master's brains, the outcome is fantastic.

The very first thing I must point out in this album is it's origionality. It may be a power metal album, but it also has progressive influences and very aggressive rhythms. An example of this would be the promotional track "Terror Train." Jon Schaefer plays a deep chugging rhythm, and it sounds similar to that of a train. This concept is quite entertaining, original, and the rhythm does certainly sound menacing, just like Blane the Mono, the character that the song is written about. Overall I would say that the guitar work is quite leering, melodic, and beautiful. Various solo's throughout the album sound almost divine. Yes indeed the guitar work on this album seems to be not at all flawed.

The Vocals on this album are also, as to be expected of Mr. Kursch, simply amazing. He layers his voice in multiple choruses throughout the album, and places a great amount of emotion into every casm of the album. The magnititude of his voice sends shivers down my spine, and this album I have to say out does his normal vocal work. An example of all of the previously mentioned aspects of his vocal work, may be seen on the sad but touching balad, "Wicked Witch." This song is depressing, but so beautiful, it moves me very deeply, and since I read the book series, I relive Roland's experience of seeing his love burning at the stake in my mind every time I hear it.

This is definitly an album worth picking up. It is almost flawless, and is undeniably a great combined effort of the leaders of legendary bands Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. Go to your local CD store and buy it now!

Album Highlights; Crimson King, Terror Train, The Gunslinger, Wicked Witch, Spacial Architects.