Blind Guardian - At the Edge of Time

[1928]

Figured we should have a discussion topic for this since everyone seems to love Blind Guardian and a lot of us have it.

So, thoughts? Praises, complaints?

I love the album. It's extremely well done, I love the little orchestral element so many power metal bands are using lately (Kamelot, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica being prime examples of doing it well) and Blind Guardian is no exception. I love the return of songs that sounds like they were written in the vein of Imaginations From the Other Side or Somewhere Far Beyond, and I especially love the return of Hansi's rougher approach to singing. I wasn't too impressed with the way his voice sounded on A Twist In The Myth, honestly. It sounded way too flat, overlayered to a headache-inducing point, and almost fake at times. He sounds in top form on this album, though!

My only complaint is that I can't get into The Wheel of Time. I like the Arabic loops they sampled, but it's not as memorable. War of the Thrones and Ride Into Obsession are probably my favorites from this one, though all the other songs are wonderful, too.

And looking at the booklet... it surprised me a little to see how old the band looks!

Stunning album, now I'm already dreading the four year wait for the next! Can't wait to see them hit the road.

 

[Symphony]

That's because they are old(ish)! lol! I know the guys started young but I was still at school when they were making records lol!

I think the major problem I have with a lot of BG material, particularly the later stuff, is that I can never remember which song is which a lot of the time.

I'm gutted I'm going to be missing the London show due to being in the studio.....but you can't have everything in life I guess.

Great artwork from Felipe as well.....really done an awesome job with that.

The orchestral element works well....although part of me finds myself yearning for a slight stripping down of the sound...not just BG but a lot of the power metal stuff in general. There's a danger sometimes of over doing things and over producing things I think.

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

I don't think I can formulate just how awesome this album is, and I mean that in the sense of literally being awe-struck - like jaw-dropping, stop-what-you're-doing-and-go-"...fffUCK!" kind of effect

It's just so meticuously, lovingly and expertly composed and recorded. The whole thing is solid and flawless in delivery that it must be taken in as a whole - listening to every track in one sitting is unavoidable! It's that grand in scope, it feels 'big' and epic and sweeping but without dissolving into power metal fantasy cliché it retains a real sense of lyrical depth. But simaltaneously all is not lost in a sea of symphony and orchestration, the metal is there in just the right amount of heavyness and there are some seriously catchy and chanty choruses. The variety of sound and instrumentation fits as well without coming accross as forced 'prog for the sake of prog' or being different for the hell of it; there's no pretension here just a fucking storming sonic experience I get the feeling that each band member is really going for it and showing their best. Individually I found myself admiring specific guitar solos, soaring full-range vocals, emotive piano phrases, faultless drums, etc - and of course they shine at their trademark bardic folk songs (Curse My Name).

I'm gushing and coming accross all fan-boy but for the record I haven't really listened to much BG before. This one just knocked me into orbit But you don't even have to get as far as the music; there's a cherry on top of this immeasurably tasty cake in the shape of supremely epic album art (Felipe Franco rules uncontested)!

So yes, I suppose in a way Steve's got a point about it perhaps coming accross as too polished? Missing some of that raw metal sound maybe? But then I don't come to BG for that kind of sound, there are plenty of other bands who specialise

Think it's the other way around for me on 1928's point - I really got into The Wheel of Time (even if it did remind me of Bill Bailey's 'Leg of Time' ), Arabic loops n'all. War of the Thrones doesn't stand out as much for me but it's still an amazing track (amazing series of books too, go read them!).

Anyway, just my 2 pennys. Back to the album ^_^

 

[Cello]

+1 on Dom's post

For the raw sound I'm gonna go see them live on the 24th of Sept, for their opening gig of the tour in Tilburg, the Netherlands

 

[Symphony]

I'd be interested to compare recording budgets with the guys

 

[1928]

I have to agree with Steve that I have a hard time differentiating songs when it comes to the last three or four Blind Guardian albums. With the exception of a choice few, anything from Nightfall to the present is a little dodgy for me! I honestly don't know much of Nightfall or A Night at the Opera. Somewhere Far Beyond/Imaginations era is the best to me!

 

[Kingface]

I think the new album is brilliant and for me it gets that little bit better the more you listen to it. It's definitely better than the last 2 albums, although to be fair I thought the last 2 albums were pretty good as well (although A Twist in the Myth was a bit weaker and could've suggested that BG were going downhill a tad).

Great use of orchestration throughout too.

 

[Symphony]

It's interesting the slight downer that was generally to be seen regarding "ATITM"....I actually quite like that record.

I think maybe in my old age I'm veering back towards enjoying more straightforward songs and arrangements....lol!

 

[fool_in_paradise]

This was my introduction to Blind Guardian (I bought this along with Nightfall in Middle Earth) and i have to say i think it's one of the best releases this year really like the orchestration and heaviness to it!

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

This is the stuff of the stories of legend...went to this German rock themed bar to celebrate a friend's bday, randomly got talking to a metalhead with the longest hair I've seen...like a wizened traveller or sorcerer priest. Anyway a good few beers later and he has a spare ticket to go see Blind Guardian tonight Life's made for those moments!

 

[Kingface]

Haha, that's awesome!

 

[looseunit]

went to this German rock themed bar


where is it ? sounds like cool bar

 

[Power_Metal_Dom]

went to this German rock themed bar


where is it ? sounds like cool bar

Really is It's in Frankfurt called Zappbar. It's smallish, English regulars and just every wall is covered in classic rock merchanise...hendrix signed guitars, franka zappa/iron maiden 82 tour/10cc posters, darkside of the moon flag etc etc. Awesome beer for 2 eur a pint. See you there sometime man?

 

[Dan W]

Never actually heard any Blind Guardian, might try and find something of theirs to listen to on the net. To link it to another topic, its why I've got no major problem with illegal downloading as long as you use it to discover new bands to listen to and then attempt to purchase stuff by the bands you do like

As for 2 Euros for a pint, did a quick conversion (with the help of XE) and thats £1.75. Not bad, at least considering my local charges over a whole pound more than that (might be part of the reason that I've been sober for about 2 months now)