The kings and perfectors of pure fantasy power metal. Although pathetically overhyped among PM fans, these Hamburgians are very competent musicians, play their own thing with obvious affection, and must be given credit for originality and characteristics. I myself couldn't care less about the whole dungeons 'n' dragons concept, and the big orchestral choruses, sound effects, circle of bards, such and such do nothing for me. Hansi Kursch is commonly acknowledged as one of the most talented and powerful singers in Europe, and is often invited to do guest performances with other power metal bands. Why I will never comprehend. I find his voice annoyingly raspy (unless he sings in a lower, more relented form of the typical power metal voice - which I in the year 2001 hate by definition), monotonous and simply unpleasant. My biggest problem though is not with neither the vocals nor the corny imagery, but with the arrangements and actual song structures. I miss more defined bridges, choruses, instrumentals and so on, so the music doesn't sound random, and can be anticipated (and remembered!) easier. Many of their songs just sound like a wall of sound to me - cacophony if you will. In other words, I don't think they have a good melody flow. This is the problem with many progressive bands, and that is also where I would place Blind Guardian. Progressive. Moving from progressive thrash on their first albums to progressive power metal on the more recent. Not exactly my cup of tea, but I enjoy some of their more rocking stuff. If you like fantasy in the Tolkien vein (and power metal in the German vein), this may be the band for you. Whatever.
Discography
BATTALIONS OF FEAR
I like this album. I know a lot of people don't (actually, I've never heard ANYONE who does) and that doesn't surprise me one bit, because this record is a lot rougher around the edges and not as polished and "kind" as the typical power metal. Musically, it's more like '80s thrash and doesn't sound very much alike the '90s Blind Guardian we all know and don't love. That's what I like MOST about it, fast, thrashy, and not at all as over-produced and pretentious as, say, Nightfall in middle earth. Also, I think Hansi Kursch does a MUCH better performance here than ever after, because his voice fits this kind of music very well. The fantasy infrastructure is already drawn up from the very beginning, ensuring a career less than little above ridicule. Sue me if you like (my website - die), but I consider this Blind Guardian's best album. The first song is my favourite by BG altogether - the chorus simply scorches! Guardian of the blind and the title track I would call definitious for my Blind Guardian problem. Great choruses, but otherwise action-packed with pointless, unmemorable riffs and trails you just wanna get over. It's so sweet when you get there, but the road to it is waaay too long and windy. Wizard's crown and Run for the night are both shorter and leaning towards rock 'n' roll, and I appreciate those songs a lot more (swallowed whole, that is). Oh well, solid thrash throughout, apart from lame The martyr and some stupid instrumentals towards the end (one of which is a CD-bonus, I mean, like anyone cares).
Best songs: Majesty; Run for the night; Wizard's crown
Bonus track on CD version
TALES FROM THE TWILIGHT WORLD
This is the last BG-album with the typical thrash sound, which is what saves it, because songs themselves are weaker than before. Opening Traveler in time is typical. A great chorus postponed forever by moronic double-bass bustle that never seem to end. It's a good song, but I still think it's little more than an inferior version of Majesty, and not only because it's the opener. Welcome to dying is better, as a matter of fact, it's one of Blind Guardian's best ever, very nice. Other than that? No hits. Big fat YAWN for Lord of the rings and a big fat question mark for Goodbye my friend. This song is truly a crescendo of idiotic tempo and riff changes, and is only saved from being total crap by cool Anthraxian macho-shouting, always with a special place in my heart. Funny guest vocals by Kai Hansen on Lost in twilight hall, and it's also one of the more listenable overall, albeit too long. I must in all honesty say that this (particularly German) "guest-vocal" deal has gone a little out of hand. Hasn't practically EVERY metal vocalist guested for EVERY other metal band? Are there at all any German metal albums without guest vox or axes? I mean, it's great to see the musicians exhibit metal unity and all that, but it seems to me that it has become something of a "they did it, so we must do it" state. With very few exceptions, I don't think it's for the better either (and Kai Hansen is hardly one of the most talented singers, although I actually prefer him to Hansi). The rest is very questionable. Tommyknockers is okay, I guess, and so is the live-version of Run for the night. Good speed, production, drum and guitar sound, but not good enough songs. I'll pass.
Best songs: Welcome to dying; Traveler in time; Lost in the twilight hall
Bonus track on CD version
NIGHTFALL IN MIDDLE EARTH
Blind Guardian's latest storybook, one I will summon up swiftly. 22 tracks, half of which are shorter interludes, intended to create a special atmosphere and/or carry the storyline. I guess it's a gratifying treat for the hordes of fantasy-worshipping metalheads out there, but for me, who don't give a damn about "Noldor", "Lammoth", "Feanor" or "Nom", it gets old pretty fast. After 3 or 4 of those cheesy mood-setters (rain, howling wind, campfires - you get the picture), I become a frequent user of the God-sent FF-button. Some of the actual songs are good in themselves (regardless of the story, that is), especially the title track - great chorus! - Mirror, mirror and Noldor, but the whole concept is just too overblown and uninspiring to me. And to be prefectly honest, most songs are not really that great. The heaviness of this release can also be questioned, as can the speed (seldom over mid-tempo, but THAT I can understand). Opening (song) Into the storm is typical for what I've already been raving about. Overstrained and unstructured. Kursch is REALLY beginning to lose his voice on this album. Only when he's backed up by neat macho-choirs I can restrain myself from twisting in agony - he's that awful! All in all, I'd say this album ranks somewhere in the middle regions (not at all as horrible as it may sound, just consider it a counterweight for all the "divine", "outstanding" and "masterpiece" you've heard about this album). Nah, still don't get the Blind Guardian hype...and did I mention I hate fantasy? :)
Best songs: Nightfall; Mirror, mirror; Noldor (Dead winter reigns)