Andy
I do not look for excuses. When "Demons & Wizards" was published it did not like it as I would have had to pleasure. Basically this mix between Iced Earth and Blind Guardian it was successful only in two songs, on first hearing: "Heaven Denies", a great mix of Iced Earth and Blind Guardian, Powerful, technical and emotional and in "Poor Man's Crusade", an almost Hard Rock mix between Blind Guardian and Iced Earth. And Today? I remain of the same idea. Beautiful music. Do not just take the granitic riffs of Iced Earth and add them to the rhythm of Blind Guardian (or vice versa)to really make this a winning musical proposal. Hansi Kürsch and Jon Schaffer are two genes but underestimated the fact that the two former band are not complementary between them. To the public he was looking for Power Metal at all costs the proposal was Ok. For those looking for beautiful music, able to make their mark for the eternity, Demons & Wizards was just another band that rode the current fashion. As a side project deserved to be more personal, and musical level. Unfortunately it was only a good mix of Iced Earth and Blind Guardian.