NIGHTFALL IN MIDDLE-EARTH

Blind Guardian at the peak and yet quite controversial album in their career. Released in 1998 named Nightfall in middle earth is a concept album based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion. From this album on we can talk about prog metal in musical aproach, the previouses releases were towards speed/power metal, this one has beside usual speed elements some folk/medieval interplays between pieces as narration . So what do I expect from this album: much , because is 3 and a half years between this one and the previous from 1995, so enough time to creat something not necesarly considered a masterpiece but a good and solid album all the way. At first listning more than 10 years ago I was not very impressed, realy, I was expecting the same speedy riffs and powerfull arrangemants, but after many listnings ( I guess since now were at least 30 spins in 10 years) I begun to understand the core of the album, maybe because my musical collection and tastes in music were changing to a more complicated music to listen. Anyway I find this album a real succes in Blind Guardian discography,a real great concept album who fits very well in Guardian's music. The album is divided in 22 pieces, but only half of them are real tracks the other half are short narrations interplayed with folk arrangements or medieval sounds. Not bad at all, BG manage to creat not necesarly over the top, but pleasent all the way and what is more important never boring a second. I said earlier in this review about prog metal on this album, because the musical arrangements are much complex and elaborate then on their previouses albums. Here are beside some mellow parts, up tempo pieces, the real trademark of BG, nice and changing atmosphere from piece to piece. The musicianship is as always top notch, with a plus here, is more complicated and for sure can be considered prog metal. Every musician shine here, n bas is invited Oliver Holzwarth from Sieges Even fame. The best pieces are to me:The Curse of Feanor, Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill), The Eldar, When Sorrow Sang and from the folky side (the shorter section):The Dark Elf and War of Wrath. So a big album for BG who desearve for sure 4 stars, one of underrated albums in their discography and without a good reason, at least I considered among the best they ever done. Recommended and the prog metal listner can take easy a close listen.