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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic and HUGE., February 2, 2002
This review is from: And Then There Was Silence (Audio CD)
I wouldn't really consider myself a Blind Guardian fan. Still, I really admire what they do. Definitely a unique band, they combine speedy power metal, symphonic keyboards, medieval melodies, and the folk-influenced vocals of Hansi Kursch. This disc is something else, though. The 14-minute title track is amazing! It's not really very heavy or fast, but it's so HUGE! And the overall sound is even more epic than Nightfall in Middle-Earth. The heavy use of choirs puts even Rhapsody to shame. Truly, the real star is Kursch's multitracked voice. It's SO powerful...it sends chills up and down my spine. The song is apparently about the Trojan War, but I haven't even checked the lyrics. The music is so epic (there's that word again!) and dramatic that it's impossible not to get swept along, whatever it's about. It goes through reams of melody shifts, some melodic metal guitar driven passages to quieter folk-ish movements. And all throughout are Kursch's massive vocals. I read that 50 vocal tracks were used when recording this, and I definitely believe it. Also, rather than an obnoxious abuse of double bass drum that one might expect from a power metal group, the drums here are very symphonic, including cool and very fitting "marching snare" during the chorus. To say this song is intense is an gross understatement. And the chorus...I didn't recognize it the first few times the song played, because it's done with the omnipresent Kursch Power Choir™, but when you become familiar with it, you'll be slaughtered by its energy. I hope you have a good sound system...there's nothing like being inundated in those HUGE, pervasive harmonies and having the room around you quiver with its majesty. Whether you're a fan or Blind Guardian or not...heck, whether you're a fan of power metal or not...you _have_ to hear this song!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best song ever written !, January 14, 2002
This review is from: And Then There Was Silence (Audio CD)
This is TRUE METAL my friend ... See, this would never play on TRL because it is TRUE METAL of the highest quality and not the MTV bred teeny rock corporate America sells our kids! The radio rap-rock he clearly listens to. This band plays on a musical level the bands he mentioned (Linkin Park,Limp Bizkit,Drowning Pool, Kid Rock, Korn and Papa Roach<--- FALSE METAL) could never even dream of. And it is the best 14 minutes you'll ever spend listening to a song. And for his information, the garbage he listens to wouldn't even know about heavy guitar if it weren't for the ORIGINAL TRUE METAL BANDS. Blind Guardian are so ahead of there time it's scary. To take operatic vocals and classically influenced musicianship to this level is almost beyond comprehension. I agree, you should buy their earlier albums and work your way up to this so you can see the magnificent progression this amazing band has went through. This is a POWER METAL masterpiece for which all symphonic metal shall be judged. ALL HAIL BLIND GUARDIAN. Radio
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blind Guardian have arrived, January 2, 2002
This review is from: And Then There Was Silence (Audio CD)
"And Then There Was Silence" is the first single off of the upcoming new album to be released in March of 2002. I've just finished listening to it for the second time...and I'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. As far as direction, imagine the sound they had on "Nightfall in Middle Earth" and multiply it by 100. The scope and depth of the music is simply amazing. It is as if ALL of the instruments are in front, especially the guitars, which are heavy and intricate. Fantastic production here. The most captivating thing about "And Then There Was Silence" is the chorus. It is repeated 3 three times in the
14 minute-long song, but it could play on forever and never get old. It is that good. Blind Guardian have always been the
leaders in "big-choruses" in songs, but now they assert themselves as the masters. The song as a whole is a musical journey
that showcases the best elements of Blind Guardian...tempo-changes, meaningful lyrics (this time about the Battle of Troy),
beautiful yet edgey melodies, and Hansi Kursh's unique vocal style all over layers of heavy guitars and powerful orchestration.
"Harvest of Sorrow" is also included here, which is a thoughtful ballad highlighting Blind Guardian's versatility in
songwriting. There is also a cool multi-media portion. If you are already a fan of Blind Guardian and haven't got this yet, it is worth the money to get this. It will hold you over
until March. If you have only heard things about Blind Guardian but have never heard them, I recommend starting with
"Nightfall in Middle-Earth" or "Imaginations From the Other Side" before getting this single (or the up-coming new album).
It will introduce you to their awesome sound. After all this being said, I truly believe that Blind Guardian have come of age and should seriously be considered the
classiest and most powerful metal/hard rock act of the new millenium. They've worked hard to get to this point.
I simply cannot wait to hear the new album. Great work, guys! Please tour the USA!!!
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