TOKYO TALES

Released in 1993, 'Tokyo Tales' is the first official live album by German power metal legends Blind Guardian. Having been a long-time fan of the band, I've always swayed more towards their later, more progressive and 'epic' albums, whilst finding their earlier, speed metal days a little too repetitive for my liking.

Recorded whilst touring for 1992's 'Somewhere Far Beyond', it was at this point that the band would begin to incorporate a wider range of influences in their music and focus on concept albums, more ambitious arrangements and lavish orchestrations. However, while 'Tokyo Tales' covers pretty much all the best songs those early albums have to offer, it's still a bit too samey for my tastes.

With songs like 'Banish from Sanctuary', 'Majesty', 'Welcome to Dying' and 'Lost in the Twilight Hall', the set list is pretty good. The sound is great, and is pretty similar to the studio albums, and the audience is truly alive and loving every minute of it. But ultimately this comes down to taste. I'd rather listen to the studio counterparts of these tracks, and even then, I think I'd prefer to listen to 'Nightfall in Middle Earth' or 'A Twist in the Myth' than anything from those early albums.