Customer Reviews

Somewhere Far Beyond

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

People don't seem to talk about 'Somewhere Far Beyond' as much as some of there more recent albums, which is really a shame cause this album has some of their best material. It's got a good mix of speed and power metal styles, with plenty of energy and lightning riffs, but with the sorta epic choruses that Blind Guardian is known for. Definitely a worthwhile album for anyone who has a taste for the more melodic metal styles, and can handle more than a little theatricality.

This album has excellent production, particularly by 1992's standards, and better than the next two BG albums, I think. Very, very clear, and sharp, but still as heavy as it needs to be. As is typical of Blind Guardian, there are no throw away tracks. It opens with 'Time What is Time' a fairly standard BG track, but it works, as it always does, with the standard combination of speed metal riffs and epic chorus and some acoustic work. Definitely a fine opening track. 'Journey Through the Dark' is one of the very best tracks on the album. It's more speed oriented than 'Time is Time' and is probably the fastest, catchiest thing on the album.(The 'Live' version of it is even better, though) They slow things down some for Theatre of Pain. It's a moodier, somewhat maudlin song with some very cheesy synths and some funny lyrics.(When the last whale went away / Did they ever see the tears. Ouch) This sorta melodramatic stuff is what BG thrives on, however, and this is another good track, though not one of the very best ones on the album. 'The Quest For Tanelorn' is a bit faster again, though with an even more over the top chorus, and some medieval flavoring. Another good track, though not a complete standout. 'Ashes to Ashes' is a darker, moodier song, but still with your basic Blind Guardian flavor. Another good one, which provides a nice change of pace 'The Bard's Song - In the Forest' is a nice folky and sentimental, acoustic singalong track. Once again, this is sorta thing that most bands couldn't dream of pulling off, but Blind Guardian does it beautifully. Some nice little acoustic leadwork too, and definitely a classic track. 'The Bard's Song - The Hobbit' is an electric track, but it's a bit more subdued than most of the other ones on this album, and it retains a lot of the folk flavor of the previous track. It didn't jump out at me the first couple of listens, but I like it a lot not, and it has some of the nicest, most lyrical melody lines on the album. After the interlude we have the title track, which is one of the very best tracks on the album. It brings the speed metal flavoring back big time, though it's still an epic track with slower stuff and a bizarre interlude. It has Hansi's best, most passionate vocal performance on the album, and earns bonus points for having the lyrics be about King's 'Dark Tower' series. Another classic track.

The cd comes with some bonus tracks, which for once aren't a total waste of time. One track is a different version of 'Theatre of Pain' which isn't worth much, but the covers are cool. The Queen cover, 'Spread Your Wings' is just about the wussiest thing ever, but Hansi's vocals carry the day, and the chorus is undeniably effective, wimpy though it may be. 'Trial By Fire' is pure speed metal, reminding one of their debut album. Tons of energy, nice leadwork and fiery vocals are all you need to make a fine speed metal track, and 'Trial by Fire' has all of those.

Yep, a very good album, and probably a good starting place for someone who hasn't got any Blind Guardian.

Blind Guardian is one of those bands that people seem to either love or hate. If you're into noisy and angry nu-metal, or only listen to death or black or gothic metal, then you'll hate them. If you like old Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Manowar, then you'll love them. If you fit into both categories (except the nu-metal part), then you'll love them because they're a great band. Somewhere Far Beyond is my second Blind Guardian, and I like it more than Nightfall in Middle-Earth (the other BG album in my soon-to-grow-larger collection) because SFB doesn't have any annoying narratives, plus the guitar solos are a lot better and more prominent. Hansi's vocals reign supreme this time around; I didn't care much for his pseudo-operatic-mixed-with-80s-wailing vocal structures at first, but he really is an energetic and capable vocalist, not to mention a commendable bassist. The drumming is fantastic, and as mentioned before, you're going to find some great guitar work on this album. It even features a guest appearance by Kai Hansen. Highly recommended to fans of REAL metal (Limp Bizkit is NOT real metal)!

Blind Guardian has been my favorite band for some time, and this is one my favorite albums by them. In particular, the songs "Journey Through The Dark" and "The Bard's Song--The Hobbit" will have you singing along at the top of your lungs and annoying the neighbors. Some people aren't into it . . . they say the fantasy thing is goofy, and that Hansi's vocals take some getting used to. To these people, I say: give it another chance. Yes, it does kind of sound like Robin Hood and his Merry Men picked up instruments and started a metal band, but so what? I think that folksy medieval feel is rather endearing and cool. Some of my friends (the ones who are more into Pantera and Black Label Society than Iron Maiden) think Hansi's vocals aren't quite "metal" enough, but I've never before heard anyone say that they're too "growly." If anything, the vocals are a bit "sissy" . . . to some people. Personally, I put Hansi in the same metal-vocal pantheon as Halford and Dickinson. The guy's damn good. Buy this album. Now.

You know, I always see Blind Guardian referred to as a Power Metal band, and are usually mentioned in the same sentence as Maiden, Iced Earth, Rhapsody, etc. I have to wonder about that. The only real similarities BG has to those bands are fantasy based lyrics, acoustic ballads, and very epic orchestral songs. But they are certainly in a class of their own. In fact, the music is alot more in the vein of thrash. Hell, these guys can reach speeds on guitar that Slayer couldn't on their best day! Also original is the fact that Hansi's vocals aren't the typical high ranged type usually associated with power metal. They're very rough and raspy. People complain about them, but I can't imagine this band without them. This guy has a scream that could rip through steel, only rivaled by Eric Adams from Manowar(who has hit notes that I have never heard any vocalist hit in all my life). I chose to review this CD because it was one of my first experiences with BG. Not my fave of BG's, but pretty close. I got into these guys about 5 or 6 years ago when you had to take out a loan to purchase an import. I tried to talk to people about them, but everyone was, "Blind what?" Thank god they're finally getting the distribution they deserve. These guys have been cranking out quality music since 87, and now the US can experience it instead of just Germany and Japan. These guys sell out stadiums in those countries, what's wrong with the US's music tastes anymore? Europe and Japan seem to have their heads screwed on straight. You think they really give about Limp Bisquick there? To anyone who even cares one iota about metal music, at least have one BG CD in your collection. This is the kind of band that you use as a gauge for other metal bands who put out new albums. No kidding. These guys have no allusions about what their doing. We're talking about dedicated musicians here(BG has been the same 4 guys since 87!). Give yourself a gift today and pick up a Blind Guardian album.

what should i say that havent been already said by countless BG or just quality metal fans? this is far better than 'twilight hall' although a lot of dudes might disagree. i have found a lot more variety in it (from the steamhammering title track to the gripping mid-tempo 'theater of pain', to the beautifully acoustic first part of 'the bard's song'. it's all there and all the lyrics are far from corny, which is something rare in fantasy metal (just take a listen to hopeless [stuff] like hammerfall or rhapsody...sheesh..). this album ranks second behind Nightfall in middle earth, in my humble opinion (third -but very close- in rank is Imaginations from the other side). anyway, enough blabber, own this really rewarding piece of music, you wont be disappointed in the least! ...

This defintly Blind Guardian's best work, this is the best album for beginners, Blind Gaurdian's unique style definitly started in this album, songs like Quest for Tanelorn and Ashes to Ashes are strong sounding masterpieces. The Bard's sond-In the Forest is a pieceful amazing song in the standards of Lord of teh Rings from the Tales From The Twilight World cd. This is a great intodutory to the bands music, two thumbs up.

This is one amazing album! I hardly ever give 5 stars coz I'm stingy, just in case you were wondoring. anyway, on to the CD. Where most bands are cheesy, Blind Guardian are effective. Every song is well crafted. Here's my review song by song:

Time What Is Time: Excellent intro, excellent outro. Excellent middle as well, actually! 5/5

Journey Through The Dark: Pretty good, another one of the albums highlights. 4/5

Black Chamber: A quiet ballad with a piano and vocals only. Feels a bit strange! 4/5

Theatre Of Pain: More mid-paced, but this is one of my favourite songs ever. 5/5

Quest For Tenalorn: This could be an excellent song but the chorus is just so cheesy! Oh look, Kai Hansen from Helloween is on it, that's probably why... 4/5 (coz the rest of it is fantastic).

Ashes To Ashes: A bit of a filler, but this doesn't detract from the CD at all. 3/5

The Bard's Song - In The Forest: Very cool and chilled out, one hell of a ballad 4/5

The Bard's Song - The Hobbit: They're back with another full blown heavy metal track 4/5

The Piper's Calling: Erm, a load of bagpipes... 2/5

Somewhere Far Beyond: Another great song, although somewhat ruined by the bagpipes in the middle of it. Not as good as it could have been for an album closer, but still very good. 4/5

All in all, this is one excellent metal CD. Some of you may prefer something a bit more gritty and less "opertic", but if you're a fan of Iron Maiden Iced Earth or any other power metal bands then this is the band for you.

My intro. to these bunch of Germans was Tales From the Twilight World, an excellent place to start. This album further explores into the "power metal" realm. They really start to set themselves apart from the pack and create a unique sound all their own. Mainly due to Hansi Kursch's vocals, you'd soon be able to say without knowing in advance who the band is and just hearing it that this is Blind Guardian. SFB is chalk full of mystical/fantasy tales, including tales about J.R.R. Tolkien's, The Hobbit and Stephen King's, Dark Tower. They incorporate these themes into the music without being cheesy or childish though. Every chorus on here is a sing-along, catchy chant, usually with "gang vocals" to boot. As previously done on Follow The Blind and Tales From The Twilight World, Kai Hansen (a good friend of the guys) was brought in to make a guest appearance. This time playing lead guitar on The Quest for Tanelorn. Blind Guardian also makes use of piano (Black Chamber) which Hansi's vocals just soar on. They soley use bagpipes on the instrumental- The Piper's Calling, which reminds me alot of the movie Braveheart. So as you can see, they give us a nice variety of things on this 90's classic.

My favorite song on here would most likely be Somewhere Far Beyond, a 7 1/2 minute epic with maybe their greatest chorus, featuring bells. They also have a small interlude with bagpipes here which adds great diversity. The classic live staple, The Bard's Song-In the Forest is the definition of a beautiful song. This one is strictly acoustic with another amazing, memorable chorus. It has a very folky vibe to it. The Bard's Song- The Hobbit is another favorite with cool lyrics and excellent guitars. Time What Is Time is a great way to open up the album, starting with acoustic guitars and going into a thrashy/speed metal rhythm. Definitely one of the catchiest choruses also. You'll be in heaven as soon as this opener reaches your ears. Ashes To Ashes starts off with a haunting/chilling kind of nursery rhyme with strange voices in the background. The chorus on this one keeps building and building. Journey Through The Dark is simply a nice power metal tune with Blind Guardian's signature sound.Theatre of Pain is more symphonic metal than anything and was probably Blind Guardian's most adventorous song up to this point. The Quest For Tanelorn has a soaring, fists in the air chorus. Last, but not least are the two, minute long breaks in the album- Black Chamber and The Piper's Calling, both flowing smoothly with the rest of the album.

This is undoubtedly a great place to get your first dose of Blind Guardian. Tales From The Twilight World has many similarities and traits as this also, so if you like this, I would also reccomend that. I personally like Somewhere Far Beyond just a little better than "Tales" although both are excellent. Blind Guardian= Power Metal at it's finest.

This was my 1st intro to Blind Guardian and it blew me away. These guys have everything for everyone: massive power riffing, melodic experimentation, soaring vocals that both crunch and have melody, ballads, and a great story line to follow in each song: another plus with Blind Guardian is, that you can understand every word sung, even when the vocals have a crunch to them. So, half way through this CD you find yourself air guitaring to the riffs, singing along to every chorus, and chanting along when there's chanting! after it ends, you either need a minute to let it all sink in, or most likely will hit the play button on the CD player a second time before putting the disc back in its jewel case. Thank you, Blind Guardian, in a music world right now that could make you appreciate the Village People!!?!!??! All Blind Guardian is great, but grab this one first, if you can. Cheers from Scraggy's Tomb!

This album, by far, will always be my favorite BG album! It's simple (but still musically masterminded) array of drums, 2-3 guitars, bass, some keys, and beautifull harmonizing vocals give it a stunning presence of "wow, people can actually play this?". The complexity of their other albums do not make them as fun as Somewhere far Beyond. If you like real human-made music, and want to feel goosebumps from the hauntingly beautiful harmony and instrumentation, buy this album immediatly!!!