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Touched by the Crimson King is the second album of power metal/ heavy metal band Demons & Wizards and was released in June 2005. The album also contains a remake of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." For the North American release, all fourteen songs appeared on one disc, which had alternate cover art in the form of a sleeve around the jewel case.
[edit] Track listing
Music and Lyrics written by Schaffer/Kürsch, except for "Immigrant Song" written by Page/Plant
- Disc 1
- "Crimson King" – 5:47
- "Beneath These Waves" – 5:12
- "Terror Train" – 4:46
- "Seize The Day" – 5:22
- "The Gunslinger" – 5:15
- "Love's Tragedy Asunder" – 5:28
- "Wicked Witch" – 3:32
- "Dorian" – 6:36
- "Down Where I Am" – 4:54
- "Immigrant Song" – 2:28
- Disc 2 (Limited Edition only)
- Lunar Lament – 4:04
- Wicked Witch (Slow version) – 3:56
- Spatial Architects – 5:46
- Beneath These Waves (edit) – 3:41
[edit] Lineup
[edit] Guest Musicians
- Bobby Jarzombek - drums and percussion
- Jim Morris - guitar solos and backing vocals
- Rubin Drake - bass and fretless bass guitar
- Howard Helm - piano and backing vocals
- Kathy Helm - backing vocals
- Tori Fuson - backing vocals
- Jesse Morris - backing vocals
- Krystyna Kolaczynski - cello
[edit] Lyrical references
Most of the songs of the album have some relation to The Dark Tower, a series of books by Stephen King. One reference outside the lyrics to the series is the rose on the cover of the album, as roses are an important symbol in the series. Another could be the red eye in the background, which is another crucial symbol in The Dark Tower. Yet again is the train on the back cover taken to represent Blaine, the villain of Book Three - The Waste Lands.
- "Crimson King" is a reference the Crimson King, the main antagonist of the series. However, the song itself seems to be about Randall Flagg, one of the King's many servants.
- "The Gunslinger" is referring to Roland of Gilead, the protagonist of the piece. The song refers mainly to the plot of the final book of the series with subtle allusions to the fifth book throughout (e.g., 'come-commala', 'say thankya').
- "Terror Train" is a reference to Blaine the Mono, from the third and fourth novels of the series.
- "Beneath These Waves" was directly inspired by Moby-Dick and one's man struggle with nature and which ties in with repeated references in the Dark Tower novels drawing parallels between Roland of Gilead and Captain Ahab.
- "Wicked Witch" is Kürsch's interesting interpretation of the Wizard of Oz, which is also referenced in the fourth novel, Wizard and Glass. It is also a reference to the evil witch, Rhea of the Cöos.
- "Dorian" was inspired by Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, which again bears some relation to the character of Roland of Gilead.
- "Seize The Day" details some of the tests and hardships that Roland of Gilead faces on his way to The Dark Tower, such as him reaching the western shore, and also his drifting personality that causes him to be constantly on the move. Another interpretation of this song, perhaps intentionally ambiguous, is that it talks about the hobbits Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, from The Lord of the Rings. It actually includes quotes from the story, such as "The road goes on and on", originally spoken by Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.
- "Down Where I Am" is about Roland Deschain's son, Mordred Deschain
- "Love's Tragedy Asunder" is about Romeo and Juliet Another possible reference is to the fourth book, where Roland loses his true love, Susan Delgado.
- "Lunar Lament" is a reference to The Silmarillion's version of Sun and Moon, both maiar, although certain lyrics point back to an obsession similar to Roland's, where someone is trying to reach the sun as Roland reaches for the Tower.
- Immigrant Song is originally by Led Zeppelin but still consists with another of this albums major theme of The Dark Tower and Roland's journey (' our only goal will be the western shore')
