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.
Split
Demons & Wizards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We’re one, we’re all the same
What a big sensation
This is the safest solution
I’ll let them drown
So we ride on
On this ghost train
Caught in isolation
Keep rolling on, no destination
We can’t get out
Great is the triumph of evil
Salvation
Superior
Ingenious
Salvation
He’s lethal
Great is their number
They’re legion
Salvation
Great it the triumph of evil
Now Split - resist
Why don’t you listen to me?
Locked up
You’ll be safe forever
Locked up
You’ll be safe forever
You’re insane
You better listen to me
Be aware that you don’t matter
I’m aware that you don’t matter
Split exist
We resist
Or else we’re going blind
In this eternal asylum
We all are going blind
Going blind
These lunatics long for salvation
Still they’re too blind to see
They failed the last temptation
This path will lead into damnation
There’s no return
Great is the triumph of evil
Salvation
Superior
Ingenious
Salvation
He’s lethal
Great is their number
They’re legion
Salvation
Great it the triumph of evil
Now Split resist
Why don’t you listen to me?
Locked up
You’ll be safe forever
Locked up
You’ll be safe forever
You’re insane
You better listen to me
Be aware that you don’t matter
I’m aware that you don’t matter
Split exist
We resist
Or else we’re going blind
In this eternal asylum
We all are going blind
But it is not the flood I fear
It’s the coming of the storm
I am going blind
In this eternal asylum
We’re hiding to survive
Split exist
We resist
Or else
We’re going blind
Going blind
In this eternal asylum
We all are going blind
The lyrics of "Split" by Demons & Wizards is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following charismatic leaders and cults. The song is a plea to resist the temptation of these leaders and to look beyond the surface to the truth. The lyrics suggest that the salvation being offered by the leaders is not genuine and will ultimately lead to damnation.
The first verse describes a revelation that shows everyone is the same and suggests that following any one leader blindly is not the solution. The second verse speaks about isolation and the feeling of being trapped on a ghost train with no destination. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the triumph of evil and how the number of those being led astray is great but resistance is necessary.
The latter half of the song speaks directly to those who may be following these leaders and suggests that they can resist and avoid being trapped forever. The final lines suggest that the fear is not just about being washed away in the flood, but about the coming storm, which may be more dangerous.
Overall, the song is a warning against blindly following charismatic leaders who may be leading people astray.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, what a strange revelation
The situation is bizarre and unexpected
We’re one, we’re all the same
We are collectively the same and there is no difference between us
What a big sensation
This is a huge event that is generating a lot of buzz and interest
This is the safest solution
By following this plan, we will remain safe and out of harm's way
I’ll let them drown
I have no intention of helping those who are struggling
So we ride on
We continue to move forward despite the challenges we face
On this ghost train
We are on a path that is both unclear and potentially dangerous
Yes, we’re all fooled the same
We all fall for the same tricks and manipulations
Caught in isolation
We are trapped in a state of being alone and disconnected from others
Keep rolling on, no destination
We are making progress without a clear sense of where we are headed
We can’t get out
We are unable to escape our current circumstances
Great is the triumph of evil
Evil has achieved a significant victory
Salvation
The ultimate goal of those who seek redemption
Superior
Having a greater importance or priority
Ingenious
Displaying exceptional creativity and intelligence
He’s lethal
He has the potential to cause great harm
Great is their number
There are many who are part of this group or cause
They’re legion
They are a large, powerful group with significant influence
Now Split - resist
We must divide and fight back against our oppressors
Why don’t you listen to me?
I have important advice to offer, but nobody seems to be paying attention
Locked up
Being confined or controlled by an outside force
You’ll be safe forever
If you follow a certain path or rule, you will always be protected
You’re insane
There is something fundamentally wrong with your perspective or behavior
Be aware that you don’t matter
You are insignificant and your actions have no real impact
I’m aware that you don’t matter
I have a clear understanding of my own insignificance
Split exist
There is a clear division or dividing line between us
We resist
We actively fight back against our oppressors
Or else we’re going blind
If we fail to take action, we will become stuck in our current state of confusion and isolation
In this eternal asylum
We are trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and suffering
We all are going blind
Our ability to perceive and understand our situation is fading away
These lunatics long for salvation
Those who are causing us harm are searching for their own redemption
Still they’re too blind to see
Despite their efforts, they are unable to recognize the truth about their situation
They failed the last temptation
When presented with an opportunity to change their ways, they chose not to
This path will lead into damnation
Continuing down this road will only bring pain and destruction
There’s no return
Once we have gone too far, it will be impossible to turn back
But it is not the flood I fear
While there are many challenges we face, there is one in particular that is causing me the most concern
It’s the coming of the storm
A new challenge or threat is on the horizon, and it may be more dangerous than anything we have faced before
I am going blind
I, too, am losing my ability to perceive or understand my situation
We’re hiding to survive
Our only option is to retreat and protect ourselves from further harm
Or else
If we fail to take action, we will face dire consequences
Going blind
Our lack of understanding and awareness is causing us to stumble and falter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hans Jürgen Kürsch, Jon Ryan Schaffer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind