DEMONS & WIZARDS III Album Review | Overkill Reviews

[@marcgrmn]

Best metal album maybe since Firepower. I'm very impressed of the quality of the songs.

[@85vesti]

Damn that score was a surprise after the seemingly lukewarm review up until then! The other 2 albums are both in my top10 metal records of all time. To reference Midas...everything Hansi's voice touches turns to gold!

[@johnnightingale4022]

Midas sounds better in the context of the album than when they released it by itself

[@85vesti]

@@johnnightingale4022 For sure, I agree. It's definitely grown on me whereas the songs that sound more traditional D&W clicked for me immediately.

[@lordhazenberg8556]

TOOL’s comeback got a lot of attention last year, but this album was my long wait. 15 years later and D&W still have kickass relevant music to make.

[@LiquidSpartan117]

Loved both bands since forever. This made my month.

[@mandoschMUh]

When I heared Savage Circus the first time, I could've sworn the vocalist was Hansi Kürsch, especially coz the album I was listening to also was a concept album around Stephen King's Thr Dark Tower. D&W are a great band!

[@psytron939]

Same thing for Persuader.. Sounds just like Hansi

[@astralmass]

So... Y'know those days where you can get a Sweet video game... a Good comic and just...Give 'er?

[@SatanStoleMyDevilHorns]

Yeah, Jens Carlsson sounds exactly like Hansi. Check out the first two Dark Empire albums. Great stuff. He didn't sing on the third and final one, but that album is also great, though a bit different in style.

[@lockonnow4259]

@@SatanStoleMyDevilHorns some time he's sound like Hansi?

[@lockonnow4259]

@@psytron939 Some time he sound like Hansi

[@jltroxell278]

BangerTV might just as well be anti-power metal tv.

[@rocioiribe5841]

I think Sarah likes power metal. But i get what you mean.

[@brucehanby2156]

Agree. I like many genres of metal but you want find much support of power metal or progmetal here.

[@sleepbetraysme]

jltroxell278 right. They tend to favor extreme metal. Which is a shame. I like MDM, DM, and some BM. But you’re right. Power Metal gets the shaft. Some of the best musicians/composers in the metal realm. 🤘🏼

[@elektrik_exekutioner6822]

III is hardly power metal.

[@BangerTV]

@@brucehanby2156 check out Dylans reviews for all your prog albums.

[@kristiankrastanov5995]

Thank you for reviewing this!

[@Chaz4543]

John Schaffer would have a problem with Iced Earth being called power metal. He is adamant about being just a heavy metal band.

[@rocioiribe5841]

Exactly. And he's the reason this collab works. He grounds the cheesy-ness out of the Blind Guardian vocalist, who in his own band i can't get with, but here his voice sounds awesome.

[@danadabrowski3366]

Yeah I would call them Heavy Metal before power metal .

[@elektrik_exekutioner6822]

@@rocioiribe5841 Hansi never sounds cheesy wtf

[@mpower5speed296]

Agreed! ICED EARTH is NOT power metal!

[@danadabrowski3366]

@@elektrik_exekutioner6822 Agreed Hansi is a master vocalist especially in the studio with layering of harmonies and different registers of vocal supremacy. Excellent dynamics phrasing harmony and melody . It's impossible for him to recreate his studio efforts live but definitely does the songs justice live .

[@MetalPersonJ]

People need to stop acting as though Martin is "the power metal guy." He's not, he just somehow got planted as it. For fucks sake people, read his books. He ends his review of Gamma Ray's Land of the Free with "pass the Pantera."

[@Bleak5170]

Oh man I had no idea Martin did reviews for BangerTV. I just purchased one of his books and remember reading his work in magazines over 20 years ago.

[@rocioiribe5841]

Welcome to the team. He's done many reviews. He always sounds scholarly.

[@Bleak5170]

@@rocioiribe5841 Yeah when you read his stuff it's almost poetic the way he writes, lol.

[@platonicdescartes]

Hansi has had a busy year. Not sure I'll pick this one up, but I really love his Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra album. Like most Banger reviews, I don't really care what they think about it because we have vastly different tastes. But it's still worthwhile to see what is coming out so I can form my own opinions.

[@serroche]

Yeees, I LOVE this band

[@Discoveringbandsbymichaelnagy]

Love power metal and thanks for the great review here

[@CalmingZone]

Love Martin's stuff!

[@gab.lab.martins]

“Downside is that it’s power metal, and I don’t like power metal.” THEN DON’T FUCKING REVIEW IT. It’s like when they put Blayne to review something goth, and he kept complaining about how goth it was. Let someone who _does_ like the genre do the damn review.

[@jakwhyld4406]

yo dude he gave it a 4.5/5 calm down

[@OmegaShadeslayer]

@@jakwhyld4406 Calm down? It's a sabotage of integrity to review something you don't like. If you can't have an objective opinion you're not doing a review, you're being a shithead.

[@gab.lab.martins]

@@jakwhyld4406 I'm not complaining about the rating. I'm just saying that him saying "the wrong thing with the album is that it's a gerne I don't like" makes no sense.

[@mordy2v]

sI'm not big on power metal in general, but this album is like the ultimate refinement of the sub-genre to my ears and is quite great. I enjoy any sub-genre of metal when the artists display impeccable skill and artistry

[@brucehanby2156]

I didn't expect that score after that review. Big power metal fan here but Banger TV isn't big on progmetal or power metal here, glad to see this review.

[@benjaminlinzy5544]

Good to finally put a face to the man who wrote all those Collector's Guides to Heavy Metal that I wish I still had! Thanks for everything.

[@mystiquefilm5704]

This is cool, great review, and thanks for a doing an interview for us as well Martin!

[@originalren]

Never been a fan of power metal but this album trips my trigger SO hard 😍

[@FatalArrivalMetal]

Such a phenomenal album \m/

[@sleepbetraysme]

It’s an incredible album. Period. 🤘🏼💎🤘🏼wolves in winter? That’s not even in my top 3/4 on the album. But it’s still good.

[@holgerjudt1722]

He has very strange opinions in his music taste! Example, best albums by Priest or Maiden!

[@johnnightingale4022]

Really loving the new album. It might be my least favorite of the 3 but i cant imagine anything topping those first 2. One of the best albums ive heard lately.

[@danielwonsover2280]

Excellent review! King!!

[@astralmass]

That NomeansNo shirt, oddly enough, means something.

[@Xankill3r]

I mean it's No Means No, not Nothing Means Anything At All

[@AlexandreHorbach]

BangerTV should have at least one reviewer who likes power metal.

[@swamplord85]

I would consider their first 2 albums to be power metal...this album seems to be a transition from power metal to hard rock...not a bad thing, but go back and listen to ‘Terror Train’....nothing on this album sounds like that

[@Heavymetaleternia]

swamplord85 Yes, it‘s too calm for my personal taste and I miss the dark and sometimes aggressive atmosphere. The first single "Diabolic" offered all that: typical Schaffer riffs, relatively aggressive vocals by Kürsch and a really dark aura. But all of the other songs... I don‘t know what to think about the album yet.

[@sleepbetraysme]

T K Split? Dark Side Of Her Majesty? Plenty of PM staccato riffs.

[@lorkhannesquik1911]

Compare anything that they've done since 'My Last Sunrise'. Nothing will ever top that first album. A masterpiece.

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

Hard rock? Its basically Iced Earth with Hansi on vocals.

[@swamplord85]

Lorkhan Nesquik I agree. Unfortunately this album feels wholly uninspired...their first 2 had themes, feelings, stories...I mean, they really were lacking creativity so much that couldn’t even come up with a better album title than ‘III’?? Lol, I would’ve rather waited another 5 years if it meant they could find that fire from the first 2 albums again

[@thecontrarians2438]

Right on Martin! Excellent Review!

[@vrominatorx2668]

I love the jackhammer.

[@kitoyobeni1]

I think sometimes the guitars get lost a bit, being in such lockstep with the drums. I feel the same way about Fear Factory at times too.

[@erikaxelson1725]

This album will definitely spin its' rounds for the upcoming weeks

[@pirkkaruuska5766]

I hope that Banger reviews the new Lost Society album.

[@andyfox8377]

Awesome album! Prog power metal at its finest

[@Peterjoc1983]

jackhammer? hmmm, Jon Schaffer is consistently fond of what are commonly known as triplets...it's sorta what he tends to do but if that was all he had, he wouldn't be so acclaimed. Also, with Blind Guardian, you can't be serious when you say their drums sound analogue...at least not with anything they've done in the last 18 years. And applying a bias against power metal in place of meaningful critique...you are aware that a someone is excluded from the jury if they have bias - suggests the Blind Guardian claim is also questionable. Keep up the good work!

[@pavolridrich3434]

The only bad thing here is that I have a feeling we will never hear new D&W album :( but these 3 albums for me 11 out of 10. I am power metal fan, Manowar, Iced Earth, Rebellion etc are my top bands , som D&W is a orgasm for my ears :)

[@sbi168]

Missus Adored the second album, will pick it up just of the basis of that. Cool review.

[@realitygutter9694]

Liked the review, and the reason I love Demons & Wizards is exactly the "bad" section in this. I also normally don't like Power Metal but I fuckin dig this band, and that's what makes it even more special and proves it's value! \m/

[@KatieoftheNight]

I'm glad he mentioned the classic rock elements. I kept wondering "oh my god why does Midas Disease remind me of the Mamas and the Papas????"

[@DashieNegan41]

Gonna be a good week for albums to enjoy Demons and Wizards Ozzy Osbourne Xenobiotic

[@DashieNegan41]

@edguyrocks nah Xenobiotic was great Ozzy Osbourne was meh okay Demons and Wizards great album

[@NinoJoy]

Is that a No Means No shirt ? Pretty cool

[@diosrightcalfmuscle4090]

Sorry, I'm getting distracted by the word "beans "because its on his shirt. I want to know what's up with that shirt because I want it

[@benmech]

unlockable gameplay it’s a shirt for legendary Canadian power trio NoMeansNo

[@dustintbrproblems]

unlockable gameplay yeah, it says ‘means’ not ‘beans’.

[@thousandpound1994]

Sarah probably should've reviewed this.

[@KevinKohlhase]

Hopefully mine will be here today.

[@tommikokko2617]

The album was decent but damn the videos cracked me up 😂

[@Feuerleger]

Even the magazine who like power metal, don't have such good review of the record.

[@Hamptainment]

Well, we're just fresh out of good ideas for videos, arent we... thank god for the music!!

[@jvh2092]

Is it me or is the quality really bad for 1080p? Compared to other BTV videos the quality is really bad.

[@heavymetalmusicofdestructi3430]

it looks like a doom metal band with a power metal musical aesthetic

[@thenomad4123]

I think it is a band like that. The first album had very depressing songs.

[@gwts1171]

This isn't my type of music, but I always appreciate and enjoy the reviews so thanks, Martin! As for the Ozzy record - one of my least favorites in his catalog. Dull, too many guests (who seem wasted), and forgettable songs.

[@nikolademitri731]

Not at all surprising, I didn’t even listen to it in full yet bc bits I heard made me cringe... Idk, it’s an artists prerogative if they want to keep putting out albums till they’re on their death bed, and with some styles/genres, age can really bring out some gritty, wonderful qualities (eg, later J. Cash), but there’s a point at which you just won’t be able to justify it anymore with certain styles/genres, especially the more demanding genres (imo). I’m not saying Ozzy is there yet, I’ve only heard little bits and pieces of this new one, but seriously, I hope that as the creators behind punk, hardcore, all genres of metal (especially more extreme shit) get older, that they don’t just insist on never hanging it up and resting on their laurels, and we end up with a bunch garbage from people who basically need the studio tricks to sound even remotely talented anymore. Sure, plenty of “artists” (aka, neatly packaged commodities devoid of any artistic depth) these days would never release anything remotely listenable without the studio’s tricks, and I’m by no means anti-effects (I love psychedelic and experimental shit), but when it comes to the more demanding genres/styles, you can’t really fake it and get away with it so easily. I’m rambling now.. Point is, I’d hate to see so many great artists start releasing trash in their later years, just for the sake of continuing to pump out anything at all for all the sweet greenbacks to cash in on.. ✌️

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

Invincible is the best track on this album. Very surprising, as I expected to hate that one 😅🙌

[@Lyrici17]

Maybe it doesn't affect your overall opinion much, but you can't list it not being in a genre you like as a negative. Otherwise, great review, thanks!

[@MayorT0m]

the haunted logo on the back

[@warpig4942]

Biff Bih-ford? I have been saying Biff By-ford for 40 years.... oh well. Hansi is the best singer in metal since Dio died. If this album is 1/2 as good as the first two I'll be playing it a lot.

[@sylentstorm8422]

And it’s HONN-zee like Fonzy. He said Han-zee the first few times. Canucks heh.

[@BangerTV]

War Pig don’t take our word for it

[@frankscomiccastle4928]

Didnt know d&d where coming out workshop New album, gonna get it for sure 👍 great video and review

[@SIRJ1895]

One of the things you don’t like about a power metal album is that it’s power metal?

[@mikescott5655]

I definitely do not put Iced Earth in the power metal class

[@danadabrowski3366]

They have a ton of thrash influence . Some of their stuff can pass as melodic death minus the vocals .

[@danadabrowski3366]

Power Metal vocals for sure .

[@mikescott5655]

Dana Dabrowski yeah the vocals can be very power metal at times 👍🏻

[@rocioiribe5841]

Gotta say the most surprising thing i learned from this review is that Martin doesn't listen to power metal. Legit didn't expect that. Lol this album rules though. And the reason it rules, is that Jon grounds everything i don't like about power metal. He is the magic ingredient in this group.

[@sadekx5251]

Crank up the cheese level to 11 ! 😁

[@danrobichaud]

That rating seems very out of line with the review. Is it really almost perfect? Didn't sound like it. Hm.

[@thenomad4123]

I agree I was expecting a 3.5 - 4 after his review. I think he tried to score it critically without taking his dislike of power metal into consideration.

[@lm7_gio]

Timeless Spirit = instant classic. Realy surprised it wasn't even mentioned in this review. I realy don't get the point of making someone review an album from a genre/style he doesn't enjoy, but w/e. Also, comparing Hansi to Blackie? That's like compairing Pavarotti to Britney Spears ffs.

[@Trelkovsky69]

La-la-la-love your shirt. :D

[@drasgum]

im agree, its weird that i like this album but its not something i really listening often, so its kinda mixed feelings haha

[@magicmerlin8733]

Great band ! \M/

[@beyondtheradio]

Blind Guardian is my favorite power metal band of all time, and Hansi is one of my fave vocalists of all time. Iced Earth is just meh to me. I think this album leaned too heavy into Iced Earth for me. I'd give it a 3/5. Sorry.

[@rafaelricharddd]

this 4,5 skulls is really bad review, for me is 7,5/10

[@goatmoonwarmaster4641]

What about Italian power metal and finish power was the most important in that time

[@AdiltonFelipe]

They changed the tuning of the guitar

[@damiankarras]

You get something very similar to the first 2 albums because power metal just really doesn’t change much.

[@andrefelder4902]

thats just pure bullshit. if u listen to the albums in a row ull hear a significant difference

[@lorkhannesquik1911]

It is nothing like the first album whatsoever.

[@richardkinier]

can we get kvelertak review already ffs ?

[@hectorescobar9450]

The problem I have with Demons and wizards is that these songs sound quite plain and flat compared to those in ether Iced Earth or Blind Guardian. There is no great or interesting instrumentation, John's riffs are quite tamed and there really isn't any risk taking or surprising factors about any of the songs form D&W.

[@robertpoole5652]

Where is the Ozzy review? Seeing how he is the Prince Of Darkness and such an icon I thought you guys would review his album. I am kind of heart broken now.

[@sleepbetraysme]

Robert Poole they’re slowly forgetting about traditional metal.

[@ToothlessWizard]

Have you heard the album?

[@kirusmagnus317]

Bob Daisley is the true Prince of Darkness

[@edbelle1168]

Who gives a rats ass if you don't like power metal It's fuckin demons and wizards All hail John Shaffer Kneel before the gaurdian Love this new album

[@matheusmotta1132]

Until this day, I don't get why the band isn't called Blind Earth or Iced Guardian. It would be more appealing

[@donlafleur4070]

I think everyone else knows why...

[@rafaelricharddd]

For me is a 7,5/10 album. The riffs are bad and repetitive different for Iced Earth or Blind Guardian. Poor transitions too, Diabolic is fenomenol but the rest of the album definely dont.

[@dougkurtz4006]

Why even review it if it something you are not even going to play ?

[@Clozof]

Patreon = Pay Tree ON

[@Discoveringbandsbymichaelnagy]

Patreon has helped me so much

[@MobileDecay]

Taking points for being power metal? Lol. Okay.

[@AlexandreHorbach]

I thought the same. This is not an argument, people who likes power metal will be glad that this album actually IS power metal.

[@Luiser27]

I am sorry but Ozzy fuckin Osbourne released his first solitary record in 10 years after being diagnosed with parkinson and going through a lot of health problems this last few years plus family issues with Sharon. This might be the last music that he releases and we might be hearing the last songs of the original frontman of Heavy Metal. I find absolutely no sense of talking about a side project of two less relevant bands. I am sorry but it is incoherent from you not talking about Ozzy's Epilogue

[@bigguy4u144]

Reviewing this over Ozzy? Kinda surprising.

[@goryj2248]

Too mainstream for this channel.

[@TheMetalTempestYT]

Surprised that Ozzy, Beneath the Massacre, Polaris of the Amity Affliction were not chosen for this week, truth be told. :)

[@KnightHawkMetal]

Not a fan of power metal? Leave the twilight hall!

[@lorkhannesquik1911]

You don't need to like a genre in its entirety to enjoy something. Blind Guardian is in my top 3 favourite bands ever and I cannot stand listening to other 'power metal' bands.

[@KnightHawkMetal]

You have my condolences.

[@lorkhannesquik1911]

@@KnightHawkMetal And you have mine. Back to black metal I go.

[@KnightHawkMetal]

LOL

[@Bunny_From_The_Bay]

You dont listen to power metal....dont review the album bruh

[@Feuerleger]

Dude. he rievews it absolute rigth. Even magazines who support power metal do not have such good reviews and ratings.

[@fearfulsuggestion]

Fabius that’s not the point, power Metal is enthusiasm mad into sound, it feels wrong for someone who isn’t enthusiastic about it to speak about it

[@Feuerleger]

@@fearfulsuggestion If that would be the case nobody could review here anything because he is an analystic mood. I mean would he should do? Should he shout like a mallorca animateur or make always a backflip between the sentences:-D?

[@Chaosweaver667]

It must be boring to live in a world where everyone agrees with you.

[@lorkhannesquik1911]

Big fan of Blind Guardian and I loved the first Demons and Wizards album. Dislike this album as much as the second one. They have no soul.

[@minasboum6523]

power metal sucks mostly but this record is awesome

[@rafaelricharddd]

no it does not

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

Depends on the band just like every other genre.

[@silvernimbus2009]

I dont understand how iced earth keeps getting lumped into power metal. It sounds nothing like power metal.

[@thenomad4123]

Yeah but it doesn't sound heavy either. I think both because it does not fit into heavy and its themes are more about fantastic stuff they put it into power category.

[@Hellenicheavymetal]

Power metal with traces of thrash

[@scottkoppinger2595]

This album really turned it up to 6!!!....Seriously....It's not nearly as heavy, hard or fast as previous albums...Or catchy...Kind of a dissapointment

[@robbs9427]

Metal review site calls Iced Earth power metal. Hahahaha.

[@holgerjudt1722]

Best song wolves? There are some songs 10 x better! But great album 8,0/10

[@baduelism]

Pero si no le gusta el Power para que hace este viedo? Como vas a decir que no le gusta el power y estas aquí criticando una obra maestra????

[@serpentinefire921]

Well never get another album by these guys. Simply because hansi cant be an adult

[@KcCatts]

I feel like this guys review was just a glossing over the tracks. I feel like he didnt really "listen" to any of the songs other than Wolves of Winter. Some of the things he is saying is just completely wrong. I wouldn't consider this album power metal at all, with the exception of a couple tracks. This BS review might turn people away from what is an AMAZING album. I'd like to give a much more in depth review of this album and each track on it, as they are all vastly different from one another. I don't agree what he was saying about the bass drum, it doesnt feel locked to a grid or digital at all. Jon Schaffer has been very vocal about doing as much as they could via analog methods, up to the recording process where it had to be done digitally. He only really talked about the songs on youtube and said that he doesnt really like power metal to begin with, so obviously theres some bias. As an album reviewer, I think he should put more effort and unbiased approach to these reviews. This album III kicks major ass and i only have maybe 2 bad things to say about it. 1 some of the songs don't have much of an ending and cut off abruptly, and 2 I think wolves of winter is probably the weakest song on the album only because of its catchy almost poppy nature ( good song otherwise ) this guy was seriously just lumping this album in with typical BG and IE and not really going into depth.

[@jwetenkamp]

Kc Catts Popoff has more metal knowledge in his pinkie finger than you could ever accumulate in a lifetime. It’s clear that he listened to the record you dummy😆 If you want a book, he has those too. And if it’s not power metal then what do you think it is?

[@bigg2988]

@@jwetenkamp Oh wow, all props to Martin Popoff, but if he has the credentials, does that automatically translate into he listened and dissected the record?? Never done any work that you just kinda glossed over to get out of the way, in your lifetime? I'd say Martin himself offered a veiled apology saying he's currently absorbed with writing that book about Biff Byford and SAXON. :) OK review, but no need to go putting down people based on how long this guy has been in the business. The other comment also presented well formulated and honest opinion.

[@bert876qw]

to perfekt? HAhaha!

[@AngusMacThrasherMetalReviews]

Biff Byford album is better

[@Undying3001]

Too much Satan trash in this one for me.

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

I keep waiting for a Power Metal band to grab me...but it never happens

[@MosoKaiser]

And what power metal bands have you tried so far?

[@DaveTheTrain]

To be fair i find power metal really oversaturated in the last 10 years. Very samey and grown tired of it. I'm sure there's still good bands out there but not in the mainstream . I'd stick to early to mid era Gamma Ray, same with Helloween, Blind guardian . Rage are pretty consistent too, but samey .

[@Ms666slayer]

Probably the only loser Power Metal band that I like right now is Twilight Force, they have a classic modernized sound, and I don't know why but the wey they use the bells on their song it's really good.

[@robertburdinie1151]

I dislike power metal in general but absolutely love Unleash The Archers. Check out their newest album 'Apex'.

[@DiamondKing666]

Trysome amikan power metal, they often have some speed influences, bands like Riot (V), metal church, eternal champion, visigoth and so on, they are not 100% power metal and have a more 80s American metal style mixed with a bit power metal.

[@lockonnow4259]

I dont find ice earth as a power meatl it is more a trash metal

[@mandoschMUh]

I was under the impression that the American Power Metal interpretation differs very strongly from European Power Metal. And to that accord, if made perfectly sense to me that Iced Earth have a more Thrash-y vibe.

[@dan_the_pathmaster7934]

Iced Earth is thrash-influenced power metal

[@lockonnow4259]

@@mandoschMUh can you tell me about American Power Metal can you name me 5

[@johankarlsson4357]

@@lockonnow4259 Jag Panzer, Iced Earth, Metal Church, Thundersteel era Riot, Cauldron Born, Brocas Helm, Sanctuary, Omen could all be considered USPM depending on who you ask.

[@juliojc8853]

This album is terrible Jon's riffs are totally different there's no more gallops. So disappointed

[@Schulti1337]

Yeah, i love Iced Earth and Blind Guardian, so when i found out about demons and wizards.... well i went nuts. The first and second album were so damn good. i know like 90% of the lyrics to sing along to. But the third album ist just meehhh... the songs are kinda boring and atmospheric too similar. there is no distinguished feel to them. Since i'm not that easily hyped i was still kinda disappointed tbh. Furthermore i think there is too much layering of hansis voice, it sounds alien from times to times (uncanny valley).

[@bloodfeast123]

Boring album. I definitely don't like it.

[@marcelonogueira3400]

Álbum Ruim mesmo 👎

[@tussk.]

Sounds exactly like a hobby/side project band. Utterly uninspiring.

[@tarjakitty]

You dont know music

[@richardpwilliams33]

Every song I've heard so far is more boring than the last. Very disappointed.

[@dan_gerous87]

Same... Schaffer hasn't written a good riff since The Glorious Burden. He doesnt care anymore.

[@edwardgarza1682]

This album is a 2.5 out of 5. Average and a whole lot of what could have been.