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.
Tear Down the Wall
Demons & Wizards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My heart still bleeds
Azrael
I am the only one
Here on the edge of life
Leaving this world behind
Dance on the edge of time
I think it is time now
To take what is mine
It all turns to black
A prophet or fool
Who's acting like god
As wicked and cruel
Follow my sign
As the mad gnome says
And now I'll dance
Into the sun
Tear down the wall
Let silence and madness reign
There is no future nor the past
Let us dwell in agony
Tear down the wall ã I'll wipe out starlight
Let us tear it down ã Let us tear down the wall
He can't hold it back
Afraid of himself
The path in his eyes
He is lifeless inside ã Nothing is real
As the old gnome says
I think it is time now
To take what is mine
Tear down the wall
My madness you will follow
Tear down the wall
And don't look back
Tear down the wall
There is no future nor the past
Let us tear down the wall
The void seems like a cold asylum
I search for the last leaf
Hope, how I can find the answers
If all guardian angels are gone
The lyrics to Demons & Wizards' "Tear Down the Wall" are multi-layered and abstract. The song speaks of a person who is alone and on the edge of life, contemplating leaving this world behind. The singer is determined to take what is theirs and follow a mad gnome's sign which leads them to dance towards the sun. They seem to reflect on how a person like a prophet or a fool can act like god, and how this kind of wickedness and cruelty can be destructive. The singer feels lifeless inside and struggles to hold back their madness. They call for tearing down the wall, letting silence and madness reign; there is neither future nor past, only dwelling in agony. Ultimately, the singer cannot find the answers they seek as all the guardian angels are gone.
In many interpretations, "Tear Down the Wall" is a reflection of society's norms and expectations that can be suffocating and lead to feelings of isolation and desperation. The singer is the lone voice, looking for a way out and rejecting the constraints of society. The madness and hopelessness they feel are a result of the walls and barriers they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep in the void
In a state of emptiness and loneliness
My heart still bleeds
I am still in pain and suffering
Azrael
A reference to the angel of death, implying a feeling of impending doom
I am the only one
Feeling alone and isolated in the world
Here on the edge of life
At a crucial point in life where decisions must be made
Leaving this world behind
Moving on from the past
Dance on the edge of time
Enjoying the moment and not worrying about the future
I think it is time now
Feeling ready to take action
To take what is mine
To take control of my life and my destiny
It all turns to black
The world is becoming dark and hopeless
A prophet or fool
Uncertainty about whether one's actions are wise or foolish
Who's acting like god
A sense of power and control over others
As wicked and cruel
Behaving in an evil and malicious way
Follow my sign
Encouraging others to join and follow my path
As the mad gnome says
Reference to a legendary figure, implying an unconventional approach
And now I'll dance
Embracing life and living freely
Into the sun
Looking towards a bright and optimistic future
Tear down the wall
Breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles
Let silence and madness reign
Embracing chaos and unpredictability
There is no future nor the past
Living in the moment without regrets or worries
Let us dwell in agony
Accepting and embracing pain and suffering
I'll wipe out starlight
Destroying hope and optimism
He can't hold it back
Unable to control one's emotions or desires
Afraid of himself
Feeling uncertain or insecure about one's identity
The path in his eyes
Seeing a clear direction, but being unable to follow it
He is lifeless inside ã Nothing is real
Feeling dead inside and disconnected from reality
Feeling dead inside and disconnected from reality
Accepting and embracing pain and suffering
Tear down the wall
Breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles
My madness you will follow
Encouraging others to join and follow my path
And don't look back
Moving on from the past and not dwelling on regrets
The void seems like a cold asylum
Feeling trapped and isolated in a place of emptiness
I search for the last leaf
Desperately seeking hope and a reason to continue
Hope, how I can find the answers
Believing that hope provides the key to finding answers
If all guardian angels are gone
Feeling abandoned and alone, without guidance or protection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HANS JUERGEN KUERSCH, JON SCHAFFER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind