BATTALIONS OF FEAR

Blind Guardian is a famous german speed metal band who was discovered in 1986 by Kai Hansen (the main guitarist and the lead composer of Helloween and later on Gamma Ray). While the first 3 albums of Blind Guardian has nothing in common with later releases, being rought and metal all the way, but good and very original in those times late '80's, the newer material is concentrate more on symphonic metal with a good touch of medieval elements and stunning musicianship as well. Battalions of fear is the first album by this german speed metal band release in summer of 1988. They manage to create with this album a good and solid reputation among metal bands of the late '80 's. They were unique not only in Germany , but also in the world, and that from the first album. Many bands aproaching this kind of music in those times, but some of them never reaches the solid musicianship or intelligent arrangement of Bind Guardian. They are still loved anywere in the world after 20 years of great music. Talking about this albums, is among my fav BG albums, is rough is great played, the twin guitars of Magnus Armin Siepen and André Olbrich are oni present delivering solid riffs and great solos. Another reason that they are so unique is the voice of Hansi Kürsch. Great and powerfull voice, rough , smooth when is needed, Kursch manage to creat something spacial with his voice. He is also the main composer of Demons and Wizards (solo project with the great guitarist of Iced Earth - Jon Schaffer). Now all the pieces stands as great to me, Majesty is classic piece of speed metal genre and is still played at concerts with great joy, and I think is the best from here. The rest are also good , rough but very plesent. The prog elements are missing in first 3 albums , but doesn't mean these 3 releases are bad, not by far, they are among the best in german metal and not only. So to Battalions of fear 4 stars for sure, very underrated album, quite good all the way, among their best, and surprisingly right from the start.