Customer Reviews

Live

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Face it, Blind Guardian are the BEST power metal band in the world. They never overdo it and never underdo it, and a good balance of headbanging riffs and clean beautiful melodies make these guys the best in my opinion.
Now comes their second live album, and though I haven't heard the first live album "Tokyo Tales" I have to say that this is the one to get. Why? Well, there are more of their modern songs on it, not to mention a better mix of tracks. The albums comes with a nice thick booklet with cool live pictures and 2 discs of music for a good price.
The songs may be a little downplayed only because BG have had a lot of fancy production that can't be replayed live as w/ their latest album in terms of vocals and keyboard work (Hansi can't hit a lot of the high notes live, and the keyboard volume feels a little low), but the guitars are dead on. The crowd gets very much into it also, and with constant chants and sing alongs, you literally feel like your part of all the glorious festivities (Listen to The Bard's Song, the crowd sings almost the entire song!). Another cool plus was the track "Harvest of Sorrow," otherwise known as the bonus track "Mies Del Dolor" off their latest album - the track live is now sung in English, so you can finally understand the lyrics. It was a bit surprising to see just how popular BG are outside of the U.S. I mean, they sell out huge venues to the likes of what metallica sells out (no pun intended, well maybe) on a regular basis. I've seen Opeth live twice and both times they were at small venues. Anyways, good for BG!!
Hansi talks between tracks a lot, but unforunately, about 80% of the time it's all in German, so unless you speak it you won't know what the hell he's saying. Though some english is pretty funny ("You're a f***ing brilliant audience!!")
There isn't much else to say, I mean, the live production and recording could have been done just a tad better and Hansi's voice was a little downplayed, but they did the best they could, and a great concert CD was made. If you're a hardcore BG fan, this is a must have. Otherwise, if you just think they're a good band, I would recommend just buying the albums, because I wouldn't say this one is 100% necessary.

Amazing album. If you love power metal then you should get this album. There is no explanation needed. This album will impress you and you will fall in love with it. Don't waste another minute, get the album immediately.

Bye

I can't say much about this cd that hasnt already been said below. I just had to put this review here because of how impressed I was with this album. I have never heard a live album better than this in performance and production. The songs may sometimes lose those intracicies in the guitar parts and vocal harmonies that the studio versions had... but what it gains is so much more than I ever could have imagined from this band. Fantastically intense and atmospheric... probably the best progressive power metal album I have ever heard. Some of you guys may beg to differ, but I'm standing firm on this.

ya know i bought this album today because i wanted to hear some blind guardian stuff and lemme tell you it's really good. such classic jams as 'welcome to dying' and 'lord of the rings' really grip the listeners. definitely worth a buy.

This is my first live album of Blind Guardian's. I didn't get the other one(Tokyo Tales) but if it sounds as good as this one or better than I will definitely consider picking it up. I bought this one I guess so I could hear how the songs from the night at the opera album sounded since they were originally very over produced. I think the songs on this album for the most part sound just as good as the originals if not better. The vocals aren't quite as good in some cases, particulalrly the backing vocals but in some cases they are just as good or even better. I think the new version of Majesty is much better than the original and is definitely one of the highlights of the album. In general I like the songs on the second disc better. Bright eyes, mirror mirror and Journey through the dark are some of my favorites. There are a few songs I like that didn't make the cut but isn't that always the way? I definitely recommend picking this up if you like epic metal.

What happens when you combine the best Power Metal band in the world with a double disc offering of excellent live performances? You get a CD that deserves five and a half stars. We don't have to pay import prices? Way to go Century Media. This is an incredible CD, for any metal fan interested in true classics. If you like Blind Guardian, you must own this CD. If you like Power Metal, this should be way up there on your wish list. Get it off Amazon.com, you can buy it new or used. Power Metal has become a field of increasing talent in Europe and America, with excellent bands such as Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Sonata Arctica etc. Blind Guardian is a god of this genre. To sum it up- great Power Metal!

I'm not a big fan of live albums, mostly because the songs don't sound as good as they would on a studio album and some artists can't hold their own on stage. This is, however, most definitely not the case with power metal giants Blind Guardian, whose live show really brings out the best in all the instrumentalists. I haven't been a fan of power metal for very long (Blind Guardian's "A Night At The Opera", which I purchased in early December 2005, was my introduction to the genre), but I knew right away that it blew most of the music I was listening to at the time right out of the water. Though I was worried that some of the more grandiose pieces like "Majesty" and "Born In A Mourning Hall" would suffer because of the rawer sound, but the crowd more than makes up for a lack of a live choir and highly improves the song. If you're a Blind Guardian fan then I would highly recommend this, along with its DVD companion "Imaginations Through The Looking Glass" to add to your collection.

Let's go through all the things that make this album great. First off is lead vocalist Hansi Kursch, whose voice sounds excellent even on stage. He will often change the key in which he sings on some of the songs as not to strain his voice too much, such as on the verses of "Born In A Mourning Hall", and on most of the tracks this technique makes the songs sound almost better than the original. He also communicates with audience at various points, but most of it is in German and therefore I cannot understand it, but the crowd seems to be pumped up following his short bursts. Second are the guitarists; lead guitarist Andre Olbrich seems to play his solos a lot higher than the normal studio versions and it sometimes sounds worse than the originals, but they are enjoyable nonetheless. Rhythm guitarist Marcus Siepen plays some intense riffs and the live settings add an extra thickness beyond the studio albums, especially when the band plays classic tunes like "Valhalla" and "Majesty" that really needed a tuneup from their somewhat low-quality production. The bass provided by Oliver Holzwarth is much more audible here than on the albums, although it still sometimes gets lost among the epic orchestrations. Last but always certainly not least is Thomen Stauch, who is arguably one of metal's greatest drummers; he never lets up on his powerful double-bass and intense drumming, balancing his skills so that he doesn't sound gimmicky and leaving all those God-forsaken metalcore bands in the dust. One of the album's few flaws is the overuse of audience cheering after the songs are done, particularly following their performance of "The Bard's Song - In The Forest": the applause doesn't die for well over five minutes, and while this may be fun to be involved in at the concert itself, it just gets annoying on the CD. It does add to the experience in some ways, but it would have been better left minimized.

Bottom line: if you're a fan of Blind Guardian but haven't gotten to see any live shows by them or similar others, then this compilation of their World Tour is the best deal out there for you (next to the aforementioned DVD, of course). Even if you're just a fan of metal in general or are wanting to get into the wonders of this genre, then pick this up and let yourself be immersed in all its great beauty. Also, if you like what you hear and haven't listened to any of Blind Guardian's studio albums, I would highly recommend purchasing their recent effort "A Night At The Opera" (not to be confused with Queen's album of the same name) as well as their 1995 milestone "Imaginations From The Other Side". Both will leave you with a sense of amazement perhaps even more so than this live album.

10/10

Man, i bought this cd NOT knowing it was a live cd, i thought it was their latest release, so didnt think twice, and bought it...i was pissed off cuz i hate live cds, cuz they sound so weird, not like the studio release. But when i put THIS great piece of gem into me cd player...i was breathless, i couldnt think should i scream, bang my head into the wall, take a serious dump, MAN!! couldnt imagine that the songs here are actually BETTER than the studio releases, drums sound so clear and deep, voice so clear, guitars so clear, and better, the beutiful croud- i give them props- they made this so special they added their voice on the chorus and was like no other song man, specially that song "WELCOME TO DYING" WHEW!! the way they all joined for the chorus was a killer as in all songs, 2nd cd- a killer too, Man 2cds for the price of 1- is worth the $- you might have heard these songs before and hate live releases like i did but you WILL change your mind!! TRUST me its just wonderful cant explain it but its better than studio and i will blast my speakers to this one cuz its a HELL OF A RIDE!!!!
BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was my second Blind Guardian album(after Nightfall) and it can act somewhat like a greatest hits album, to judge whether or not you like the band. If you already have some of BG's albums, the tracks are really just more of the same, with a couple of Hansi's high-pitched vocals tuned down. BG's sound is as good as ever, with Andre, Marcus, and Oliver, pumping out great guitar work, Thomen(the second best drummer ever, it's true) drumming on his...well...drums, and Hansi singing his heart out, especially in Mordred's Song and Time Stands Still(at the Iron Hill) The most impressive tracks are easily Valhalla and The Bard's Song: In the Forest, due to the audience's participation.

But I feel the need to mention Imaginations through the Looking Glass, their live DVD. It has more tracks(including And Then There Was Silence), Hansi's vocals are mostly the same as on the studio tracks, and, hey, it's a great performance. I reccommend getting both items, but if you're on a budget, just pick up IttLG.

DANG!!!! Why didn't this band get on the radio back when they were 'new'? Just found them and they are my all-time favorite.