Over 40 years of metal’s biological urge (and a hefty lack of restraint) has resulted in some incomprehensibly large catalogs. No one should have to listen to anywhere from 13 to 15 [Luca Turilli’s] Rhapsody [of Fire] albums just to get caught up for a new release. So each week (as required and/or able), we’re offering a selection of prime(r)(er) cuts to get you up to speed. Without further ado, welcome to…
Blind Guardian is as close to metal royalty as we get following the bands of the early 80s. They have amassed a huge following all over the world and frankly, they’ve just been one of the most interesting stories in metal for decades. Why such an interesting story? ‘Cause they weren’t particularly good to begin with, honestly. While their early stuff has some quality at times, you can hear the band getting better and better. Their sound developed over time and became more unique, better and eventually full-on symphonic. And that, my pretties, is what awaits you this week. The band’s first full-on symphonic record. Still, listening to the band’s sound develop over the years is something I haven’t really sat down and done. And I’ll tell you: they really are kind of incredible. Having made the journey from proto-power metal/thrash into one of the premiere symphonic metal bands, it’s fun to listen to this deep dive back over 30 years of heavy metal history.
– AMG
- Battalions of Fear (1988, No Remorse Records)
– “Majesty”
– “Battalions of Fear” - Follow the Blind (1989, No Remorse Records)
– “Follow the Blind”
– “Valhalla” - Tales from the Twilight World (1990, No Remorse Records)
– “Welcome to Dying”
– “Lord of the Rings”
– “Lost in the Twilight Hall” - Somewhere Far Beyond, (1992, Virgin Records)
– “Time What Is Time”
– “The Bard’s Song – In the Forest”
– “Somewhere Far Beyond” - Imaginations from the Other Side (1995, Virgin Records)
– “Imaginations from the Other Side”
– “The Script for My Requiem”
– “Mordred’s Song”
– “Born in a Mourning Hall” - Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998, Virgin Records)
– “Into the Storm”
– “Nightfall”
– “A Dark Passage”
– “Time Stands Still (at the Iron Hill”) - A Night at the Opera (2002, Virgin Records)
– “Battlefield”
– “Wait for an Answer”
– “The Soulforged” (this is a Dragonlance reference, for all you nerds out there) - A Twist in the Myth (2006, Nuclear Blast)
– “Another Stranger Me”
– “Skalds & Shadows” - At the Edge of Time (2010, Nuclear Blast)
– “Ride into Obsession”
– “Curse My Name” - Beyond the Red Mirror (2015, Nuclear Blast)
– “Twilight of the Gods”
– “Miracle Machine”
– “At the Edge of Time” - Bonus: Live (2003, Century Media Records)
– “The Bard’s Song” – The crowd is amazing here
Blind Guardian’s eleventh album Twilight Orchestra: Legacy of the Dark Lands will be released on November 8th worldwide via Nuclear Blast.
We’re all about equality at AMG Inc. Our legal department says we have to be, and it keeps the bowels of this place running smoothly. One person gets a playlist, then everyone wants a one, and soon there’s blood in the water cooler. So have it your way, animals. Everyone gets a playlist. An oh so brief playlist. Trust me, it’s for the best.
- Dr. Wvrm
– Pelican Fanclub – “Shadow Play”
– Aephanemer – “The Sovereign” - Grymm
– An Isolated Mind – “Eternity in a Minute”
– Tiamat – “Teonanacatl” - Kronos
– Idylls – “Lied To”
– Daughters – “Less Sex” - Mark Z.
– Nifelheim – “Gates of Damnation”
– Nocturnal Graves – “Iron Command” - Diabolus in Muzaka
– Melech – “Moder Smaland”
– Revulsed – “Agonising Putrid Self Infliction” - L. Saunders
– Alice in Chains – “Bleed the Freak”
– Refused – “Turn the Cross” - Ferrous Beuller
– Frank Zappa – “City of Tiny Lites”
– Marillion – “Ocean Cloud” - GardensTale
– Elbow – “White Noise White Heat”
– Birdeatsbaby – “Box of Razorblades” - TheKenWord
– Epica – “Kingdom of Heaven – A New Age Dawns – Part V”
– Xoth – “Unseen Abductor” - Dear Hollow
– Cleric – “Satan, Be Thy Name”
– Shadow of Intent – “Barren and Breathless Macrocosm” - Holdeneye
– Krater – “Stellar Sparks”
– Capilla Ardiente – “The Crimson Fortress” - Carcharodon
– Finntroll – “Solsagan”
– Maeskyyrn – “These Battlefields, Where None Walk Twice”
