Demons & Wizards (band)
| Company type | Ensemble / Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Hansi Kürsch, Jon Schaffer |
| Defunct | 2021 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Hansi Kürsch, Jon Schaffer |
| Products | Music albums |
Number of employees | 2 (core members) |
Demons & Wizards was a power metal ensemble initiated as a side venture by Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch and Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer. Schaffer was responsible for composing the music, while Kürsch handled the lyrical content. Their debut record, Demons & Wizards (1999), featured Mark Prator on drums and Jim Morris on lead guitar, both affiliated with Iced Earth. The follow-up album, Touched by the Crimson King (2005), included Morris alongside drummer Bobby Jarzombek. Their third studio release, III, arrived in 2020, preceding the band's dissolution in early 2021.
Origin of the name
This collaboration sought to blend the dark tonalities characteristic of Iced Earth with the commanding vocal style of Blind Guardian. The chosen name symbolizes this combination: "Demons" representing the darker themes linked to Iced Earth, and "Wizards" reflecting Blind Guardian’s signature sound. The inspiration came when Schaffer's wife referred to them as "Demons and Angels," which Kürsch amended to "Demons and Wizards," drawing from Uriah Heep's album. Although achieving commercial success, the project did not match the individual acclaim of their respective main bands.
The partnership originated in spring 1997 when Kürsch and Schaffer, longtime acquaintances, decided to collaborate musically.
Albums
Their first full-length release, Demons & Wizards, was launched in 2000. The second album, Touched by the Crimson King (2005), partially takes its thematic cues from Stephen King's The Dark Tower saga, prominently featuring the antagonist known as the Crimson King.
Later developments, touring, and third album
In a 2009 interview, guitarist Jon Schaffer disclosed intentions to produce a third Demons & Wizards record targeted for mid to late 2010. He highlighted a flexible timeline prioritizing artistic quality over strict deadlines and emphasized his productive creative partnership with vocalist Hansi Kürsch.
By March 2011, Kürsch confirmed that despite demanding schedules, they collaborated on songwriting during the European summer festival circuit to develop new material. In a 2015 interview, Kürsch mentioned ongoing conversations with Schaffer but anticipated no release before 2017 due to conflicting obligations; he underscored the significance of this upcoming third album along with subsequent touring plans.
In May 2017, Schaffer affirmed active work alongside Kürsch on fresh compositions for their third Demons & Wizards project. The band revealed plans to perform at prominent festivals such as Hellfest (June 2019), Wacken Open Air (August 2019), and headlining ProgPower USA (September 2019), followed by their inaugural North American tour commencing August 2019.
December 2019 saw Demons & Wizards announce their third studio album titled III, which was released on February 21, 2020. This release garnered critical acclaim, including recognition as one of Paul Stenning’s albums of the year by Brave Words.
Disbandment
On January 6, 2021, Jon Schaffer, the guitarist, was captured in photographs amid the crowd that breached the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Following his addition to the FBI's Most Wanted list, Schaffer surrendered on January 17, facing six felony indictments. Subsequently, Century Media removed the band from their lineup two days later. By February 1, vocalist Hansi Kürsch officially ceased his partnership with Schaffer.
Final lineup
- Jon Schaffer – rhythm guitar, studio bass
- Hansi Kürsch – lead vocals
Touring members
- Jake Dreyer – lead guitar
- Marcus Siepen – bass guitar
- Frederik Ehmke – drums
- Joost Van Den Broek – keyboards
Previous live and session musicians
- Mark Prator – drums
- Richard Christy – drums
- Howard Helm – backing vocals, piano
- Kathy Helm – backing vocals
- Tori Fuson – backing vocals
- Jesse Morrison – backing vocals
- Krystyna Kolaczynski – cello
- Ritchie Wilkison – lead guitar
- Bobby Jarzombek – drums
- Rubin Drake – bass guitar
- Jim Morris – lead guitar
- Brent Smedley – drums
Discography
- Demons & Wizards (2000)
- Touched by the Crimson King (2005)
- III (2020)