Forgotten Tales (Reis) [Enhanced, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks]

Blind Guardian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B0024RI71G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,735 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 digitally remastered reissue of the German Metal band's 1996 album. Blind Guardian mix Gothic and Fantasy images with Speed Metal, creating their own other-worldly sound that they've managed to build upon for nearly two decades. EMI. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Unforgettable Tales, November 3, 2000

By 

Joshua Smith (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Forgotten Tales (Audio CD)

The Forgotten Tales are simply unforgettable!!! This disc really demonstrates Blind Guardian's remarkable talent. "Mr. Sandamn", "Surfin' USA", and "Barbara Ann/Long Tall Sally" are a bit silly, but still very interesting and performed magically. The acoustic versions of "Bright Eyes" and "Mordred's Song" are simply amazing! The original versions were magical, but the acoustic versions are just as amazing, if not moreso. The orchestral versions of "Lord Of The Rings", "Black Chamber", and "Theatre Of Pain" will leave you with your jaw hanging open and your tounge on the floor. "The Wizard" and "Spread Your Wings" are performed better than Uriah Heep and Queen could have ever hoped to! I only recommend this disc to the experienced Blind Guardian listener. It sounds more interesting and is easy to accept if you have heard previous versions of these songs. Please buy it immediatly!!! You won't be disapointed. I Garuntee!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Reissue, November 12, 2007

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Forgotten Tales (Audio CD)

Originally released in 1998, the Forgotten Tales is one of my absolute favorite Blind Guardian albums, even though it's not one of their proper studio albums. The Forgotten Tales is basically a compilation of the various cover songs the band has performed as well as some alternate versions of some (at the time) recent Blind Guardian songs. The various demo/acoustic/live/instrumental versions are cool enough - and the live version of the Bard's Song is pretty spectacular - but I love this album because of the cover songs.

If there's one thing that Blind Guardian does better than any other band, it's their ability to record the most diverse (yet always powerful) covers. Well, that and the whole epic power metal thing that they do that no other band will ever touch even in their wildest dreams, but you get the general idea. From oldies like Mr. Sandman, Surfin' USA and Barbara Ann, to classic rock tracks like the Wizard (Uriah Heep) and Spread Your Wings (Queen), Blind Guardian always delivers unique cover songs. Some are obviously done just for laughs (you have to chuckle at a speed metal version of Mr. Sandman), and others, like the Uriah Heep and Queen songs are done to pay tribute to bands that had a profound influence on the band's sound. Whatever the reason, I've yet to hear a less than great cover song from this band, and it's particularly nice to have so many collected in one place.

The Forgotten Tales is a fantastic collection of unique material from the best power metal band on the planet. I wouldn't recommend it to new Blind Guardian fans right away, but once you have a handful of the band's great studio albums, you owe it to yourself to check this compilation out.

NOTE: The 2007 reissue of The Forgotten Tales is a Blind Guardian fan's dream. In addition to featuring digitally remastered sound, the CD includes three additional cover songs. From the Mr. Sandman single you get the b-side Hallelujah (a Deep Purple cover, I believe). From the Mirror Mirror single (or the Century Media Judas Priest tribute album) you get Beyond the Realms of Death, which is an absolute masterpiece. The final song - Don't Talk To Strangers - was originally found on Holy Dio: Tribute To Ronnie James Dio), and is another fantastic cover song. The disc also includes video clips for Mr. Sandman (one of the creepiest videos you'll ever hope to see) and The Bard's Song (the acoustic song is perfectly matched with a black & white, "Unplugged" style video.) These extras are more than enough to make this reissue a 5-star album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Can Forget These Tales?, December 4, 1999

By 

zimbee (Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forgotten Tales (Audio CD)

When bands put out B-side and covers compilations, they usually throw a bunch of stuff not good enough for a regular album. What Blind Guardian have done is pick a selection of covers from different eras and styles and made them their own. From Rock'n'Roll classics such as the Long Tall Sally/Barbara Ann medley, through Queen's Spread Your Wings, to Mike Oldfield's To France, the band exhibits understanding and appreciation of various music styles. To top it off, they have added wonderful new arrangements of some of their own works, which, in some cases (e.g. Mordred's Song, Bright Eyes), are better than the originals. Maybe this is a collection which a person unfamiliar with Blind Guardian's music will find easier to listen to than the rest of their material. For the fan, it is an interesting tool in understanding these unique and gifted musicians better. Please, buy it! :)