Customer Reviews

Imaginations From the Other Side

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'd been planning on checking out Blind Guardian for quite some time, but kept putting it off because of how crappy the euro-power metal scene is in general. But some weeks back I listened to my Demons & Wizards album for the first time in quite a while, and was reminded of just how good it was, so I went out right away and picked this up. Needless to say I shoulda done that a lot sooner. As I anticipated, this album is way over the top, but in a good way, and is a helluva lotta fun to listen to. Essential listening, for sure.

The only real problem with this album is the production, which is pretty lousy. Way too muddy, and the guitars aren't loud enough. But I can live with it, and this production is preferable to the hideous, bass-drum saturated over production that is typical of pretty much all the european power metal that I've heard.(which, admittedly, isn't all that much) And, despite the muddiness, the mix has got lots of power and energy, particularly in the drums, which is probably more important, for a metal album.

This is a truly epic album, with each song graced by a huge vocal chorus. Fortunately, Kursch is a great singer. The choral vox sound wonderful and always have great melodies, and I really like the harsher vox typically used during the verses as well. They sound great individually and compliment each other very well. Individually, the instruments aren't that exciting, due to the great emphasis on the vocals. But they do what they are required to do quite well. The rhythm guitar doesn't have that many memorable riffs, but it's got lots of pulsing energy, and there are quite a few nice dual leads. The drums are fairly conventional as well, but once again provide all the energy and power the album needs. Also, they manage not to overdo it on the double bass in either the production or the performance.

There are no weak tracks on this album. The title track is probably the best. One of the most epic things here, with the best chorus on the album and great vocals throughout. Some nice leads too. The next track, I'm Alive, is probably the second best track. It's got a strong speed metal element and the second best chorus on the album. Script for My Requiem is the most over the top song on the album, with just about the most absurdly over blown chorus imaginable.(Other than a few things on A Night at the Opera...) But of course, the weird grandeur of their music is what makes Blind Guardian good, so this is another strong track. More energetic speed metal riffing at times, and I particularly like the vocal part just before the instrumental bridge after the second chorus.

Well, I'm not gonna bother with any more track specifics, as I am certain to say exactly the same thing about each track. I like 'em all, though. This is something of an acquired taste, so you might wanna try and test it somewhere before you buy, provided you aren't familiar with or don't care for the subgenre in general. But if you wanna find something that takes the grandeur of prime Iron Maiden and Painkiller-era Judas Priest to the next level you want to get this.

I find myself drawn to this album again and again, knowing full well that with each spin I will discover something new. This album is loaded with Progressive Power Metal that is both impressive instrumentally and emotionally evocative with its bombastic all male choir vocalizations and mythically charged lyrical depth. The opening title track is not only the longest song here (a gutsy move) but the most lyrically nostalgic. But the second track, "I'm Alive," is where this album reaches the stratosphere with an intense chorus that makes all within earshot want to join in the choir. The rest of the album is a roller coaster ride filled with some of the finest Power Metal ever recorded. The musical arrangements throughout suggest nothing less than thoughtfully crafted, intelligent songwriting. The production is superb and grandiose, highlighting each musician's skill but never at the cost of the song itself. Power Metal done right is a wholly remarkable experience, and Blind Guardian are masters of the genre. Highly recommended.

Blind Guardian's Imaginations From The Other Side continues down the path they laid on Somewhere Far Beyond. The music is very fast, almost manic, and very, very melodic. Its not quite as epic as Nightfall, but there are still the trademark multiple guitar and vocal harmonies, and while Hansi's vocals arent as polished as on Nightfall, they still fit the music perfectly. I have always appreciated Hansi's deep melodic bellow more than Michael Kiske's high pitched vocals.

So how does Imaginations compare to the other parts of Blind Guardians catalogue, and other albums of its type? Well, put simply, this is the second best power/speed metal album you can buy. The best being Blind Guardian's previous release, Somewhere Far Beyond. These guys are an exceptional talent and lets just hope that Century Media distributes more of their catalogue.

There are many highlights on this disc. My fave is the title track, and other great highlights include: A Past And Future Secret which is a superb acoustic ballad, And The Story Ends which has a magnificent chorus, and Mordred's Song, a mournful Arthurian lament.

The only thing that lets the album down a bit - and only a tiny, tiny bit - is the slightly muddy production. But forget that and just revel in the brilliance. Buy or die.

This was the album that forever hooked me to Blind Guardian. I've known them before, but tended to overlook these Germans. "IFTOS" easily pointed out that what I was overlooking is actually world's best power-metal band since Helloween's classic line-up parted ways (that's year 1990, if some of you don't know).

Like a fine wine, Blind Guardian steadily matured since their 1988 debut, and here we see the band in full strength. Singer/bassist Hansi Kursch gained full control over his own voice, and his performance really shines. He uses at least 3 different types of singing, calm clean singing, epic singing, and strained violent singing, while never losing melody, or the emphasis on key phrases. He changes vocal manner many times in any given song, which is amazing. Another band-member to develop is the drummer Thomas Stauch. From a rather mediocre performance of the debut, he has grown into one of the best drummers in his genre, who goes way beyond the cliche hyperspeed double-bass kicks, and provides much variety in patterns and fills. The guitarists' Andre Olbrich and Marcus Siepen performance is equally strong to their bandmates, and while the riffing is kind of specific, the solos and rhythm-guitar parts show signs of strong composing effort put in by the band. 5 more men to provide backing vocals for choruses (is there German metal without a choir and a huge sing-along potential in choruses?:) ) round up the picture.

So what do we end up with? I will have no doubts to put this album into metal's Top-20 of the 90s. Blind Guardian's interpretation of power-metal is full of diversity. It has a big influence of thrash-metal, particularly in how easily the band shifts tempos and signatures, and how the drummer works. It's full of sticky melodies, some of them reference German and some Eastern Europe's folk music. It went far away from 'verse-chorus' structure, and listening to the album the 1st time is an unpredictable experience. The lyrics have a strong fantasy theme, but it's not that teenage goofiness of many power-metal bands, and I'd rather call them bard's tales. In fact, an image of a group of medieval bards or minstrels (only with electric guitars) often comes to my mind when listening to Blind Guardian. Lyrics reference a number of well and not-so-well known sources, like Tolkien's famous Middle-Earth saga, or tales about King Arthur.

I've already mentioned variety of songs, but the most impressive thing is how any single song develops, shifts tempos, moods, vocal manners, twists and turns, and returns to previously used themes. Excellent!

I still think that classic Helloween (Jericho-Keepers period) is a template and a measure for everything there is to power-metal. Blind Guardian is one of the few bands to put out an equally strong album. Its mood is very different from Helloween's. Whereas Helloween had that feeling of easiness, humor and a tongue planted in cheek, Blind Guardian plays music that is more dark, dense and serious. But both bands do it with equally great instrumental and songwriting talents.

The obvious conclusion is as follows. If you love either classic metal, power-metal, German metal, or just any top-notch metal, this is an album for you. You can't go wrong starting your Blind Guardian collection with this CD. Absolute must-have!

I'm not sure why. it's not like they are particularly esoteric or anything. I think it has something to do with the overall mindset I had in approaching Blind Guardian previously. my theory is that their rather unique style was not something I was able to appreciate without a paradigm shift. Realistically, one would have to call them power metal--their emphasis on vocals, melody, and speed is not uncommon to the genre. Yet, in being a metal band, it doesn't follow that they are a big riff, big guitar band - their music is unusually focused on vocal arrangement and melodic devices. The music, sure, is really chunky, pretty heavy, and very fast, but the guitars dominantly play a lead role. Guitar lines themselves are often charged with renaissance-flavored modalities that lends atmosphere and credibility to their fantasy-influenced sound more than they make wannabe metal-geeks (like me) want to suddenly learn how to play guitar. Recently, things changed - I can't get enough Blind Guardian, and I think this is their best album overall. Rather than trudge through obligatory review prose, I will catalogue the things that make Blind Guardian and this album awesome.

> First and foremost, Hansi Kursch is the best voice in metal, bar none. He is completely different from any other singer out there - rather than a high-pitched power metal tenor or brutish growling, Hansi's voice is raspy and sounds strained almost all the time. Few singers have either his range or power - his hair-raising screams are unmatched and his softer minstrel-like singing is honestly beautiful. _Imaginations from the Other Side_ is probably the last album where Hansi's raspiness is full on - his vocals started to sound a little more polished and `mature' after this album. Overall, this is Hansi's best performance. His scratchy, desperate tone delivers the most poignant metal lines ever: "What can I do on this road to nowhere at the edge of time (heart of dragon lies)" he implores with perfect viciousness on "And the Story Ends..."; "he's the one who took the sword out of the stone," he sings on "A Past and Future Secret" with a stirring, lilting bardic quality; "Agony's the script for my requiem" he snarls as the chorus of "The Script for My Requiem" kicks into high gear. Hansi is the Patrick Stewart of metal - he has a unique power to make any line sound amazing.

> Also vocal-related, the CHORUSES!!! Blind Guardian is the best in the business when it comes to the huge, multi-tracked vocal choruses. Every album Blind Guardian releases cranks the choruses up a few levels, but _Imaginations_ is the first album where those vocals were really, like, HUGE n' stuff. HAHAHA

> Blind Guardian would be nothing more than what they are without a few special qualities. One of the reasons they command so much drama in their music is that their sense of arrangement and structure is meticulous so as to really drive home the intensity and emotion in different tracks as the passage unfold. Sometimes it is as simple as throwing in a new bridge before the chorus. For example, the way every chorus gets more and more intense each time it appears in the song or the subtle addition of tubular bells to the blazing metalness - like on "Script for My Requiem" where bells chime alongside racing metal speed just before the final chorus kicks in (hang on to your chair). The complexity of the vocal arrangements, particularly on "Past and Future Secret", creates a lush effect alongside reeds and flutes and orchestral percussion with a modally-based acoustic guitar figure. In the solo section of "And the Story Ends", a brief shakti-like acoustic widdle appears with great effect (even if only for a matter of seconds - it's the little touches that often makes songs great).

> for any good album experience the first and last tracks are essential - the best albums often have both a killer opening and a killer finale. Here, the title track and "And the Story Ends..." are two of the best metal songs...EVER!!!

> _Imaginations from the Other Side_ straddles the line between Blind Guardian's earlier, thrashy fantasy-power metal and their later albums of bombastic fantasy melodrama with hundreds of vocal tracks on each song. The mix is awesome and makes for their tightest album all together. There is good variety on the album - breathless power metal at top speed, like "I'm Alive", "Script", "Born in a Mourning Hall", and "Another Holy War"; a gorgeous, GORGEOUS ballad "Past and Future Secret", two epic progressive metal tracks opening and closing the album, and atmospheric mid-tempo rockers "Mordred's Song" and "Bright Eyes".

I have gone from actually disliking this band to owning almost all their albums, and I think I could write a book about how good they are. Highest recommendation for anyone who likes metal!

I hate writing long reviews. So I will say this: if you have been hearing a LOT of death metal and thrash metal or gothenburg lately, and do not know much power metal at all, get this - it is very good. This cd has so much new to offer if you don't know power metal. Tastefully placed and passionately performed solos with an emphasis on energizing melodies and the progression of melody to melody. Hansi's passionate voice, which has many sides (not just all screaming) and all of which are extemely melodic and passionate. The songs are never boring, never predictable, and sound really really "classic" to me. This is music with momentum - there's a LOT going on, and I like every second of it. I am proud of blind guardian of adding their ideas to metal music, they obviously put a lot of thought into this album and for what it is, it is a perfect album.

Just when we thought Blind Guardian couldn't possibly get any better, they hit us with 1995's Imaginations From the Other Side, which is arguably the best power metal album ever released. I know that's a bold statement, but I did say "arguably". I know there are more important power metal albums out there, and that Nightfall in Middle Earth is widely considered the best Blind Guardian album, but Imaginations is just so...powerful. No other power metal album has hit me quite like it, and I doubt any ever will.

Coming on the heels of the excellent Somewhere Far Beyond, Imaginations From the Other Side shows Blind Guardian perfecting their power metal style. All of the elements are in place - the fantasy-themed lyrics, epic song arrangements, blistering guitar riffs, and of course Hansi's unique and intensely powerful vocal delivery. Songs like I'm Alive, the Script for My Requiem, Born in a Mourning Hall, Bright Eyes, and the epic title track hit you like a heart attack, while ballad A Past and Future Secret leaves you amazed at the band's talent and versatility. There is not a weak moment on the entire album. Every song, and indeed the entire album, is power metal perfection.

Imaginations From the Other Side is nothing short of a must-have power metal album. Once you hear it, it will no doubt become the standard by which you judge all other power metal albums.

NOTE: This is the first Blind Guardian album since their debut not to feature a Kai Hansen guest appearance, but Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins was on board providing background vocals.

NOTE 2: The 2007 reissue of Imaginations From the Other Side features digitally remastered sound (not that it really needed it), a trio of bonus demo tracks, and videos for Bright Eyes and Born in a Mourning Hall. I'm not usually a big fan of demo tracks, but these are fairly interesting. The videos are the best bonus feature, though the Flash format prevents you from storing them on an iPod or similar device.

The vocals are powerful and the production is rich on this TRULY amazing album! Any fan of grandiose, powerful, melodic power metal owes it to themselves to purchase this work of art. It's impressive that they were even able to follow up the classic "Somewhere Far Beyond" without a hitch! Buy this album, and let yourself float in the melodies, swim in the solos, bask in the grand vocals, and just enjoy yourself. You deserve this album.

This was a great pick up for me as I got it off my brother for four bucks. He was dumping some of his old metal CD's and I took advantage. Needless to say, I have rarely gotten such a return on four dollars as I have with this album. My favorite song on the album is the title track, which is one of my favorite Blind Guardian songs ever. Bright eyes is a pretty good song too, a strong power ballad, although without the usual power ballad type lyrics. In fact the lyrics for much of this album are pretty out there, hence the title. As a whole this album mixes thrash metal with slower, more deliberate power metal. My favorite of the three 'thrash' songs on the album is probably I'm Alive. The other two, Born in a mourning hall and Another holy war don't do as much for me but are still good. My least favorite song is probably Mordred's song. It seems a little flat compared to some of the others. But that's just my opinion. It will probably be someone's favorite but I personally don't listen to it as much as the other tracks.

At any rate, be sure to buy this album, especially if you are a fan of Arthurian literature. This album is the closest thing I've seen to a heavy metal soundtrack for 'The Once and Future King'. Additionally, if you like this album but are in the mood for something a little heavier(as my brother obviously was) then I suggest Iced Earth. They are somewhat similar but have more of a heavier core with heavier riffs that stand out more whereas Blind Guardian are more focused on epic vocals.

It is simply their best. Probably the best power metal album known to mankind. Hansi is an incredible singer. The lyrics are improving, but the music is much better than their older albums. Andre and Marcus are guitar kings, and a true drummer genius, Thomen, backs it up. "I'm Alive" and "Mordred's Song" should be put into music videos. WHY AREN'T THEY POPULAR OVER HERE? They have every thing for a great metal band. Unlike those wanna-be metal artists like Limp Bizkit, this band, along with Iced Earth, knows metal. DON'T BREAK THE CIRCLE!