Blind Guardian: Nightfall In Middle-Earth

By far my favorite album by Blind Guardian, if not just in general. This album, to me, is the highest point of Blind Guardian's career to date. It has everything you could want in a Tolkien inspired, fantasy laden, power metal opus. Listening to this album as a whole is the best way to experience the full effect of the album as the interludes by themselves seem non-essential, but they are by no means filler. The sound BG cemented on their previous album "Imaginations From the Other Side" continues onto this release, but the orchestral and operatic sound feels more mature and focused. Kürsch's vocals feel as though they are telling the story of "The Silmarillion" without ever having to had read the book in the first place. The music creates a specific atmosphere for each song, very much how a novel progresses from chapter to chapter. "Into the Storm" offers the classic speed metal sound Blind Guardian built their legacy upon, while "Nightfall" has a progressive element to its structure that builds into an explosive chorus. "Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns)" is a wonderful ballad that is as dark as it is comforting to listen to, while "Mirror Mirror" picks things up with a big chorus over a backdrop of fun and catchy keyboards. "Thorn", which is my darkhorse for runner up on this album, another ballad, but the build up to the first chorus always gives me goosebumps. Last, but not least, "Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)". Top three Blind Guardian songs of all time hands down. Just listen to it. You'll understand. Final verdict: Get this album, now.

Highlights (Press Play and enjoy) "Nightfall", Into the Storm", "Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)", "Thorn"

Rating: 5

Blind Guardian: A Night at the Opera

Iron Maiden's Golden Era is generally considered to begin with "The Number of the Beast" and end with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son". This would consist of 5 albums and would not include their first two releases as a result. Now, "Iron Maiden" and "Killers" are fantastic releases, but fans can generally agree on the "Golden Era" beginning with Beast. Blind Guardian, in my opinion also went through a very similar Golden Era. And much like Maiden, after their first two releases their next 5 albums, IMO would form this era, beginning with "Tales from the Twilight World" and ending with "A Night at the Opera". That's not to say the first two releases are not special or anything after this album are inferior.

"A Night at the Opera" was my first true experience with the band (although I bought this, NFIME and SFB at the same time) and my love for Blind Guardian was born. This release has everything you could ask for when it comes to Blind Guardian. I've heaped so much praise on their style and music that I won't go into detail on what we already knew would be present. However, one nice change we hear on this release is the length of the songs, which are a little longer on average, but of course BG, would never let that become an issue of having the perception of dragging on too long. All it means is that you get to enjoy some classic hits for a little longer than normal. The other amazing aspect of this album is that it almost feels like Blind Guardian have become their own Orchestra with the amount of keyboards, sound effects, guitars and vocalists that are heard throughout the album. To harmonize all these components together, is akin to a great conductor leading a score with the Metropolitan Opera. Amazing.

Highlights: "Jerusalem", "Battlefield", "Under the Ice" "Wait for an Answer"

Rating: 4.5

Blind Guardian: Imaginations from the Other Side

If "Somewhere Beyond Time" is considered Blind Guardian's masterwork, then "Imaginations from the Other Side" would mark the point where the band would settle on their sound. This comes with both a plus and a minus depending on how you look at it. On one hand, from this album forward, you know exactly what you’re going to get with Blind Guardian which, in my eyes, is a good thing, as now, they would have a sound that was truly their own. On the other hand, one might say their albums suffer from formulaic copy and pasting and basically once you hear one album, you've heard them all. Obviously, I disagree with that notion, as I like playing with loaded dice in that, I know each roll will be favorable. You can hear this in the titular song, as it showcases the operatic choruses that would become a staple in Blind Guardian, while establishing powerful rhythm and catchy melodies. Thomen Stauch's drums continue to dazzle listeners with both the ability to pound at your skull, but also create an accompanying sound that flows with each song on the album. "Bright Eyes" is another example of how the band can shift sounds and moods, yet not lose hold of the overall atmosphere they are creating as the album progresses. Kürsch’s vocal range goes from high to low, and from soft to harsh all in one track. The sound itself has a more, I'm not sure how to describe it other than poppy sound? Almost a blend of genres of sorts. In any case, it's a wonderful song on a magnificent album. Get this.

Highlights: "Imaginations from the Other Side", "Bright Eyes", "A Past and Future Secret"

Rating: 4

Blind Guardian: Somewhere Far Beyond

Some herald this as Blind Guardian's magnum opus; the best of their storied legacy. While I will not dispute that because I think they are right, this is still not my favorite Blind Guardian album. That being said, "Somewhere Far Beyond" is an absolute juggernaut of power metal glory. The sound that Blind Guardian had sought to mold as their own has finally come together as the final product they set out to create. Hansi's vocals are on a transcendental level that many could only aspire to replicate. The riffs on this album create so many different moods and atmospheres that it's hard to not to marvel at the song writing. Songs like like "Time what is time" and "Journey Through the Dark", blast away as pure speed metal that draws upon powerful melodies and sensational solos. But, the real magic is how BG can drastically alter their sound and abruptly change the atmosphere so smoothly as the album transitions forward. "The Quest for Tanelorn" feels almost like early 80's metal or 70's hard rock, while the track, "The Bard's Song - The Hobbit" has folk elements woven into its structure. It would be hard to point out a less than stellar song on this album (not including the covers, which I feel are done well, but seem like add-ons at the end of the day). Do not pass on this album. You won’t' regret it.

Highlights: "Time What is Time", "Journey Through the Dark", "Ashes to Ashes", "Theatre of Pain", "Somewhere Far Beyond"

Rating: 4.5

Blind Guardian: Tales from the Twilight World

Some will point to this album as being the first Blind Guardian in which the band would polish their sound and establish their foothold in the metal community. The band continues to grow in terms of song writing and quality of sound, but never abandons the magic they started with. The music itself is still, one-part speed metal, one part European power. The guitars churn out classic riff after riff and brilliant solos, while the drums continue to assault your eardrums. Hansi vocals have grown with each release and with "Tales From the Twilight World" we hear a lot more of his operatic potential. His highs are a great as ever and his lows still carry the aggressiveness he delivered on the previous albums. This album is a no brainier for fans of power and thrash fans alike.

Highlights: "Lord of the Rings", "Lost in the Twilight Hall", "Tommyknockers"

Rating: 4

Lucifer's Heritage: Battalions of Fear

Although these songs are included with the remastered versions of "Battalions of Fear" and "Follow the Blind", I first heard them on a copy of a tape (back when you recorded your own mix tapes. The good old days). Anyhow, Lucifer's Heritage would obvious morph into the powerhouse legend known as Blind Guardian. On their second demo, we get essentially a couple songs that were re-recorded for "Battalions of Fear" and an additional song that would be used as a bonus track on said album. Demos and original versions of songs can sometimes be an underwhelming experience. Often they lack the refinement and tune ups that we're used to complete the final product, which can leave their original form feeling rather bland. This is both and not the case with Lucifer's Heritage's version. The songs here, that would be reused, definitely sound different, but not bland or dull, but rather raw and filled with potential. Obviously, the final product would be given the polish needed to make these songs shine, but the originals sound almost like their own version of said songs and I think, should be treated as such. Fans of "Battalions of Fear" (BG's version) should make it a point to listen to this demo, or at least seek out the remastered versions to do so. You won’t' be disappointed.

Highlights: "Majesty" "Battalions of Fear

Rating: 3.5

Blind Guardian: Follow the Blind

"Follow the Blind", Blind Guardian's sophomore album would serve as a transitional piece from the speed metal sound that they began with into the majestic sound they would soon evolve in to. Hansi Kürsch's vocals, although still suited for the speed metal sound, begin to flourish and the beginnings of his trademark sound can really be felt on this release. We still have the thrashing riffs present on the debut, but there are also some instances where the heaviness is turned up a bit. "Damned For All Time" displays this with a far more violent vibe than anything up until this point. Thomen Stauch's drums are still just as pounding as they were in "Battalions of Fear" and the production, much like its predecessor, was decent for the time of the release, but by no means diminishes the sound nor the overall experience. This is a stepping stone to what would soon come.

Highlights: "Damned for All Time", "Banish from Sanctuary", "Follow the Blind"

Rating: 4

Blind Guardian: Battalions of Fear

The album that began it all. Blind Guardian has been one of, if not the most recognized power metal bands in the world. Their Tolkien and fantasy themed albums have delighted fans for 30 years and it had to begin somewhere. Any fan of fantasy novels, D&D, MTG, like myself will have a good time listening to this album. "Battalions of Fear" would see the earliest incarnation of Blind Guardian, one that most would label as speed metal. Up blistering riffs with technical solos are present throughout the album. The base is never muted and clearly adds to to the overall melodies. The drums are equally as present and are a noticeable force throughout the album. And of course, there's Hansi Kürsch's vocals. His voice is one that can easily be distinguished among hundreds of others who aspire to emulate his range, but unfortunately for them, there can only be one (come on I have to throw some nerdism out here). Kürsch sound is not as standard is it would become with latter Blind Guardian albums, but at the time of this release, they sounded raw and untamed, which is a good thing. This album drips with 80's metal glory and although the sound Blind Guardian would seek to harness wouldn't arrive until a couple releases down the road, "Battalions of Fear" is an excellent beginning to an amazing career that would soon follow. Also, the remastered version has the demos from their days as "Lucifer's Heritage". Not essential, but a nice addition to compliment this already excellent release.

Highlights: "Battalions of Fear", "Majesty", "Guardian of the Blind"

Rating: 4