First listen - better than expected based on samples from Nuclear Blast's website. Those worried me. Happy with the sound, the vocals, the music in general,
1. This Will Never End - a good song, after more listens I like, I like. A song that does have some hook in the chorus.
2. Otherland - based on the Tad Williams series of books - catchy, strong opening, a little too much substance over style overall? Maybe a bit.
3. Turn the Page - an early favorite, good chorus, strong song. My second-favorite, it's just all good. Catchy chorus, the additional voices sweep in to rise Hansi up in their embrace and then he flies on his own, absolutely holding this song above the crowd.
4. Fly - the first single (which I don't have, but have heard and do not need (inagaddadavida?)), a real stretch for Blind Guardian, I like it, catchy, love the chorus, moves good for a nearly 6 minute song. I like this, I really do. Especially the last couple of minutes.
5. Carry the Blessed Home - probably my early top favorite, just a great song. I find myself putting this album on the cd player just to hear this song if I only have a couple of minutes. Survives a strong challenger in Turn the Page, but remains my favorite song, just beautiful, really. This one's an all-time BG hit. Best word to describe this moving work? 'Stirring'. If this doesn't cause a flutter in your gut, you're probably already dead.
6. Another Stranger Me - Ok, this took a bit, but now it's really caught hold, this is one that I find has its hooks in me even when I'm not listening to it, it's that catchy.
7. Straight Through the Mirror - eh. It's not bad or anything. I dunno, I guess another mirror song from BG just isn't what I want.
8. Lionheart - I'm not sure where it's going or coming from, but it's sorta catchy. The lyrics seem a jumble of ideas filtered through Hansi's so-so english, but it is catchy even though I can never remember what song it is when it comes on. The emotion is strong, though. Hansi carries this one on his back and doesn't let it hit the floor.
9. Skalds and Shadows - great song, one of my favorites. Pull a log up to the fire and put down your tankard, because the minstrels are beginning their show and you'd better listen close because minstrels like this don't come along every day and don't give out shows to shlubs like you and me 'round the fire. First it's just the lead, drawing you in and making you listen, then the music draws you closer so that the choir can envelope you. Damn, this is a song. When the orcs come we're all dead cuz we're staring openmouthed at the minstrel and his band and the entertainment is complete.
10. The Edge - an early favorite, a bit different, I liked what they did with it, but, now that some other songs have moved up, this one's moved down. It hasn't led to increased appreciation, instead it just kinda sits there, doing its thing. Yeah, it's OK, but it doesn't fit so good...this is the edge, it's all we're living for? What the hell's that supposed to mean? I mean this could be a Gillette commercial.
11. The New Order - Hmmm, I find myself grouping this, no so surprisingly, with The Edge, but I think I like it more, and this one also tends to stick in my head sometimes. That's the sign of good chops.
12. Dead Sound of Misery - Ok, from the rollicking good start through the end, this is a good tune. I don't know what the frig Hansi's talking about with the Sirens, but I end up not caring. This one's definitely brain peanut butter and Hansi carries off his odd story despite its lack of clarity.
13. annoying blank track - 'Next' dammit!
14. dumb interview - what a waste of space, merely serves to trigger 'next' button
'Next' dammit 'next'!
All in all it's not at all the disappointment I was fearing. After the glory of Nightfall In Middle Earth and the hard-charging A Night At The Opera, coupled with Hansi's efforts on the magnificent Touched By The Crimson King, a bit of a let-down from Edguy, and some ho-hum samples on the label home page, I was definitely worried. Not to fear, it's new, it's old, it's different, it's absolutely Blind Guardian, and it rocks. This one is getting better with each spin.
Next up - Iron Maiden which I expect to get today. Based on the first single I am worried about that one, too, but input from someone with an advance copy leads me to believe that all will be well with Maiden. Review of both the album and 10-6 show in Boston are up
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