FOLLOW THE BLIND

This is Blind Guardian's second effort and here this is where they still process the older "Thrashier Metallica" sound as I call it. The rawer sound coupled with the lack of Hansi's multi-layered vocals make the sound here really raw sounding and extremely Speed/Thrash Metal like. Not a bad thing here as Banish From Sanctuary, Valhalla, etc. are all Blind Guardian classics and extremely brilliant sounding. But this is no Power Metal masterpiece as it shows Blind Guardian are getting their sound together and setting a foundation for their later, more Symphonic, More Progressive releases. A great foundation here, even though this album is not the most solid or stable-sounding album on their rather short discography (for such a long band!) But the original Staunch, Kursch, Olbrich and Siepen lineup will last until A Twist in the Myth was released late in 2006.

An ok effort. 2.5/5 For a good addition into your album collection.