Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential, September 18, 2004
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.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Turn off the light and murder the dawn", February 2, 2005
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.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece, October 24, 1999
By A Customer
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.
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album Imaginations From the Other Side 
