(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
savatagedsoul@aol.com
from SCRAGGY'S TOMB, USA.
In the power metal genre (which I think should just be called melodic metal)tons of bands are always trying new things to achieve a new kind of sound. Whether it's using weird instruments, etc., they all seem to fall short in the end. Blind Guardian has achieved the most unique sounding album without doing any of that. I agree that the older releases are better than this, but I had to give this 5 stars for the remarkable sound Guardian has created here, using their trademark style of choir-chorus layers over one another, they create a listening experience like none I've ever heard. When you first listen to this CD, you're either blown away, or disgusted, wondering why Blind Guardian experimented this way. The hardcore fans of the earlier stuff will hate it, but I think if you liked Nightfall, and can imagine the style of the songs on that one taken so much more further, you'll love this. I suggest listening to this first on a big stereo, then listening to it a second time on headphones, following along with the lyrics, then going back and listening to it on some mega-speakers again. The next Blind Guardian is supposed to be more like, Somewhere Far Beyond, and I can't wait, as the earlier fans also... enjoy this one. Cheers from Scraggy's Tomb!
