SOMEWHERE FAR BEYOND

BLIND GUARDIAN are of course the legendary Power-Metal band from Germany. And while this isn't my favourite Metal sub-genre by a long shot, I must admit this release did impress me. This isn't Speed Metal from beginning to end either as they impliment some pleasant acoustic passages and tempo variations. The vocalist is also really good which helps a lot. It's kind of cool as well that they take 8 stories from 8 authors and present their take on them here. Notice the 8 guys on the front cover gathered around (in the woods) telling stories and playing music.

"Time What Is Time" opens with intricate and gentle acoustic guitar, which is flattened by a wall of heaviness. The heaviness pulls back some when the vocals arrive. Then it kicks back in. This really kicks ass! I really like his vocals when he's not yelling, but they're are great either way. A killer guitar solo before 3 minutes as drums pound relentlessly. Another guitar solo a minute later. The song ends with synths,reserved vocals and acoustic guitar. Nice. "Journey Through The Dark "absolutely smokes ! It hits the ground running and it's on fire. Some vocal harmonies in this one. A ripping guitar solo after 2 1/2 minutes.This is one of my favourites on the album. It doesn't let up.I have to say right here that the lyrics are very well done and are an interesting read. "Black Chamber" features vocals and piano melodies for about a minute. "Theater Of Pain" opens with some orchestral sounds before a beautiful guitar solo comes in. It's tasteful and one of my favourites on here. Vocals arrive and a great beat follows. Orchestral moments are sprinkled in throughout this song. Synths are prominant at times. Harmonies too.

"The Quest For Tanelorn" is an amazing tune. It opens with gentle guitar and some faint crying guitar as as well.Vocals arrive. Heavy riffs a minute in. Yes! A guitar solo follows as vocals come back and the tempo picks up.Harmonies join in on the chorus. Nice. Guest guitarist Kai Jensen then comes in firing away on his guitar. He will deliver 3 more solos before this song ends. He's played with HELLOWEEN, IRON SAVIOR, PRIMAL FEAR and GAMMA RAY, and guested on ANGRA's "Angel's Cry". "Ashes To Ashes" is quite dark to open before a punishing sound comes in, including some ripping guitar. I really like when they sing "Ashes to ashes dust to dust" as the heavy, fast paced riffs are played. Check out the guitar before 4 minutes. "The Bard's Song : In The Forest" is the first part of the two part song. This one opens with beautiful guitar as vocals come in. Harmonies too. This is a great folk song. "The Bard's Song : The Hobbit" is crushingly heavy to open, but it doesn't stay that heavy. Nice guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. It ends as the first part began with some gentle guitar. "The Piper's Calling" is a very short Scottish bagpipe passage. "Somewhere Far Beyond" is the epic really. Fast paced drums and guitar as vocals come in quickly. Some fantastic guitar after 3 minutes. Some Irish bagpipes come in. More amazing guitar before 5 minutes. I like on the chorus when the backup singers sing "Somewhere far beyond" while the lead singer screams out his words at the same time. This song really rocks out ! It's relentless.

Lots to like here I just wish I was more into Power-Metal.