Blind Guardian
Somewhere Far Beyond

THE REVIEW

The days when the four bards offered a speed metal highly influenced by Helloween are long gone. Now, the Teutonic lads are on their fourth album and showcase a remarkable compositional maturity and a personal sound.

The CD opens with two truly excellent speed songs, both fast and catchy yet melodic: “Time What Is Time” and “Journey Through The Dark”, although the latter is darker than the former. “Black Chamber” is a beautiful piece with just voice and piano, even though it lasts about a minute. “Theatre Of Pain” is one of the best tracks on the lot, elegant and symphonic. “The Quest For Tanelorn” is a very melodic song while “Ashes To Ashes” is a classic Blind Guardian track, where the powerful guitars can be strongly heard. “The Bard’s Song-In The Forest” is a splendid ballad that is regularly played at the group’s concerts. Also, "The Bard’s Song-The Hobbit” is a great piece accompanied by a beautiful lyric. “The Piper’s Calling” is just an interlude which introduces the best track on the CD, the title track: a song featuring an absolutely fantastic chorus, moving solos, and a solid double bass.

My edition of the album also includes 3 bonus tracks. The first, “Spread your Wings” is a very successful Queen cover, thanks in part to Hansi’s thrilling voice, “Trial By Fire” is a good speed song while the Orchestral version of "Theatre of Pain" rivals the original.
Overall, an excellent CD, recommended primarily to all power lovers, but also to all metalheads on the planet.