The original goal of the band was to forge the different musical styles of both Iced Earth's dark melodies and Blind Guardian's powerful vocals into one sound. In fact, according to the musicians, the band name is meant to describe the two styles: the self-proclaimed demon-like themes and sounds of Iced Earth and wizard-like themes and sounds of Blind Guardian (the moniker "Demons & Wizards" was inspired by Schaffer's wife always referring to him and Hansi as "Demons and Angels". Hansi always corrected her, since he claims to "not be at all angelic", and that it is more properly stated "Demons and Wizards", in reference to Uriah Heep's album of the same name). The band met with a fair deal of commercial success, though not as much as either of their individual bands.
The idea for the band arose in the spring of 1997 when Kürsch and Schaffer wanted to make music together, after being friends for several years
Disbandment
On January 6, 2021, guitarist Jon Schaffer was photographed among the protesters who stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. After appearing on the Most Wanted section of the FBI's website, Schaffer turned himself in on January 17 and is currently being held on six felony charges. Century Media dropped the band from their roster two days after Jon Schaffer turned himself in. On February 1, 2021, it was announced that vocalist Hansi Kürsch had left the band, stating his collaboration with Jon Schaffer is over.
New Dawn
Demons & Wizards Lyrics
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Everything Fades
When all the worlds collide
Then there is no future
There’s no past
Along with the dawn
It will be gone
When the damage is done
It’s paradise lost
Thy kingdom will come
Damage done
Thy kingdom will come
I saw the beast
Innocent child
Your mask I behold
It can fool me no more
It’s a sinister sound
You’re the true source of heresy
Your damage is done
True bliss you have blown away
Lord I will heal it all
With your fire
Lord I redeem them
Lord I redeem
These fools into the light
Drown in the light
Inflame the horizon
I’ll cleanse it with fire
Caught up in a war
It will follow you everywhere
Tear it all apart
Disbelief, they praise a false god
So obscene, this world
We are all going down
Going down
I’ve come here on my own
On my own
They agreed
No other conclusion
Watch out
Your end is near
It shall never be
Oh, I may weep in pride
When I kill in silence
Like an angel knight
Your damage is done
True bliss you have blown away
Let me restore the great divine
Lord I redeem them
Lord I redeem these fools
Into the light
Drown in light
Inflame the horizon
I’ll cleanse it with fire
I’ll cleanse it with fire
Into the light
Drown in light
Inflame the horizon
I’ll cleanse it with fire
I’ll cleanse it with fire
I’ll cleanse it with fire
The lyrics to Demons & Wizards' song "New Dawn" speak about the inevitable end of everything, discussing the transitory nature of life, and how everything will eventually fade away. The lyrics suggest that there can be no future without a past, and that when all worlds collide, there is no hope for what is to come. The singer regards this moment as "paradise lost," referencing both the biblical story of Adam and Eve and John Milton's classic poem. The lyrics speak to a deeper sense of despair about the futility of existence, reflecting the common human fear of impermanence and fear of the unknown.
The singer then turns their attention to an "innocent child" who they see as a "beast," referring to the idea of false innocence or deception. The "mask" they behold can "fool" no longer; this image is a potent metaphor for realizing that one has been deceived, and seeing reality for what it is. The singer identifies this false innocence as the "true source of heresy," damning it as a sinful act. They further speak of wanting to "restore the great divine" and "redeem these fools" of the world, cleansing it with fire. By doing so, they suggest that redemption is possible from this problematic existence, that by burning away what is false and corrupt, we might be able to find a way to paradise once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing will last
All that exists in this world is fleeting and impermanent
Everything Fades
Time erodes all things, leaving nothing for eternity
When all the worlds collide
When conflicting forces or entities come into contact, they will inevitably lead to destruction
Then there is no future
When there is destruction and chaos, there is no possibility for a prosperous and hopeful future
There’s no past
Similarly, when everything is destroyed, the past is also erased
Along with the dawn
As a new day begins and light emerges, so does the end of all things
It will be gone
All that currently exists will soon no longer be
All will cease
All activity and life will come to an end
When the damage is done
The harm and destruction caused will have lasting effects, leaving no possibility for repair
It’s paradise lost
The once-perfect world has been forever changed and marred
Thy kingdom will come
Despite the devastation, a new order will emerge
Damage done
The effects of harm and destruction are irreversible
I saw the beast
The singer has witnessed something grotesque or corrupt
Innocent child
Someone pure and untainted has been affected by this corruption
Your mask I behold
The singer has seen through the facade and false identity of the beast
It can fool me no more
The singer is no longer deceived or swayed by the beast's deviousness
It’s a sinister sound
The corruption and evil is palpable and disturbing
You’re the true source of heresy
The beast is responsible for spreading false teachings and beliefs
True bliss you have blown away
The beast has ruined something once pure and joyful
Lord I will heal it all
The singer recognizes a higher power that can fix what has been broken
With your fire
The power of this higher being will be intense and transformative
Lord I redeem them
The singer asks for redemption for those who have been corrupted or lost
These fools into the light
Those who were once foolish and misguided will find a new path and purpose
Drown in the light
The powerful light of redemption will engulf and overwhelm
Inflame the horizon
The transformation and redemption will be so great that it will affect the entire world
Caught up in a war
Those who are enveloped in conflict will be affected deeply
It will follow you everywhere
The scars of the war will never go away and will always impact those involved
Tear it all apart
There must be destruction and upheaval in order to rebuild and renew
Disbelief, they praise a false god
Those who are misguided and deceived have put their trust in something false and hollow
So obscene, this world
The current state of the world is disturbing and grotesque
We are all going down
Everyone is caught in the cycle of destruction and harm
I’ve come here on my own
The singer has taken the responsibility to fix what is broken
They agreed
Others recognize the need for change and transformation
No other conclusion
There is only one path forward, and it is difficult and challenging
Watch out
A warning to the beast or to those who are still lost and misguided
Your end is near
The beast or those who have done harm will soon face the consequences of their actions
It shall never be
There are certain things that cannot be undone or changed
Oh, I may weep in pride
The singer takes pride in their efforts and accomplishments, even though it has been difficult
When I kill in silence
The singer has taken action and made change in a subtle, unnoticed way
Like an angel knight
The singer sees themselves as a hero, fighting for what is right
Let me restore the great divine
The singer recognizes that something holy and good has been lost, and they want to bring it back
Into the light
The transformative power of light and redemption is key to fixing what is broken
I’ll cleanse it with fire
The transformative power will be intense and powerful, like a purifying flame
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hans Jürgen Kürsch, Jon Ryan Schaffer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind