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Everyone should admit Blind Guardian are one of the best heavy metal bands of all time, and this “Somewhere far beyond” stands out as one of their best efforts. The band´s most inspired period is in my opinion the one comprised from “Tales from the twilight world” to “Imaginations from the other side”, and since this album was recorded between these two, you can expect nothing but a huge load of metal hymns, touched by the hand of magic. They´re a very original group that have marked their own path without screamy high-pitched vocals and brandishing excellent music, a reference band for the myriad of acts that overpopulate the scene these times. The cover artwork is the best Blind Guardian ever had, so everything in this album is very good, except for the production that is a bit low and weak, lacking some power in the overall sound.
We can find superb songs with no exception: the ruthless cavalcade of “Journey through the dark”, with those roarrrrrrring vocals that only Hansi Kürsch performs (how to forget this song? It´s actually the first Blind Guardian song I ever heard and it brings back great memories to me...); Blade Runner inspired tune “Time what is time” (yeah, this band didn´t only write about Tolkien and Moorcock); the smooth, sentiment-clad “Black Chamber”; both parts of “The Bard´s song”, medieval and solemn; the oddity “The Piper´s calling”, a short piece where we are transported to the Highlands and in our legs we almost notice the kilts, hehehe! This little song introduces us one of the most impressive (and perhaps underrated) Blind Guardian songs: epic “Somewhere far beyond”, with very well done tempo changes, bagpipes in the middle of the song, overwhelming vocal lines and a furious energy. This album includes a couple of cover versions, “Trial by fire” by NWOBHM legendary band Satan and Queen´s “Spread your wings”. I think the influence of Queen is very remarkable in Blind Guardian, the pompous choruses and vocals arrangements have Freddy Mercury´s presence. I know that many people will disagree with this last thing, but something can´t be denied: “Somewhere far beyond” is one of the best heavy metal albums of all time. If you haven´t tasted its spell, go away, buy it and stop reading these lines!!!!!!!
| Tracklist |
| 1. Time What Is Time |
| 2. Journey Through The Dark |
| 3. Black Chamber |
| 4. Theatre Of Pain |
| 5. The Quest For Tanelorn |
| 6. Ashes To Ashes |
| 7. The Bard's Song: In The Forest |
| 8. The Bard's Song: The Hobbit |
| 9. The Piper's Calling |
| 10. Somewhere Far Beyond |
| 11. Spread Your Wings |
| 12. Trial By Fire |
| 13. Theatre Of Pain (Classic version) |
: 55.36
| Buy other Blind Guardian albums |
