[.ca] Somewhere Far Beyond

(3.5 stars) A Worthy Album with Unfortunate Flaws:
Blind Guardian's full length 4th album was the last record where Blind Guardian used a more Thrash/Speed metal approach to fantasy inspired metal rather then the Harmonious epic chorus structure of their 2 latest albums. Don't expect Slayer type Thrash metal though, not even close on this one. It is difficult to rate this record just because the good songs are flawed within themselves due to tacked on riffs and unneccessary solos. The chorus' aren't as epic as their latest 2 albums, so Kirsch's voice is mostly the only one you'll hear on this album, which isn't a big deal. Kirsch is the most passionate singer I've ever heard from any metal band; he just pours his heart out in EVERY song and we feel it just as much as he does. The first 5 tracks are genuinely good songs, although as mentioned earlier, SOME parts within them drag on. For example, track 5 "Quest for Tanelorn" has a wonderfully melodic chorus, but the verses seem to be laden with uneven guitar riffs. A good song overall, though. Afterwards, you might find yourself skipping a few tracks as I have, most notably "Ashes to Ashes" and "Bard's Song-The Hobbit." Towards the end of the record we get 3 bonus tracks but really only 1 of them is good, another is just a demo version of an earlier track, not necessary. Overall, this is worth the money if you're into Blind Guardian,but I still highly recommend their latest album "A Night at the Opera" on top of this one. Though I didn't enjoy this album as much it was still worth my money and I do pop it in every now and then, you really just have to give it more then 1 or 2 listens to get the music to grow on you because it eventually will. I still think these guys are one of the best in the world.

great classic metal!:
Blind Guardian is one of those bands that people seem to either love or hate. If you're into noisy and angry nu-metal, or only listen to death or black or gothic metal, then you'll hate them. If you like old Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Manowar, then you'll love them. If you fit into both categories (except the nu-metal part), then you'll love them because they're a great band. Somewhere Far Beyond is my second Blind Guardian, and I like it more than Nightfall in Middle-Earth (the other BG album in my soon-to-grow-larger collection) because SFB doesn't have any annoying narratives, plus the guitar solos are a lot better and more prominent. Hansi's vocals reign supreme this time around; I didn't care much for his pseudo-operatic-mixed-with-80s-wailing vocal structures at first, but he really is an energetic and capable vocalist, not to mention a commendable bassist. The drumming is fantastic, and as mentioned before, you're going to find some great guitar work on this album. It even features a guest appearance by Kai Hansen. Highly recommended to fans of REAL metal (Limp Bizkit is NOT real metal)!

aaah, these mystical old bards....:
what should i say that havent been already said by countless BG or just quality metal fans? this is far better than 'twilight hall' although a lot of dudes might disagree. i have found a lot more variety in it (from the steamhammering title track to the gripping mid-tempo 'theater of pain', to the beautifully acoustic first part of 'the bard's song'. it's all there and all the lyrics are far from corny, which is something rare in fantasy metal (just take a listen to hopeless \ostuff\c like hammerfall or rhapsody...sheesh..). this album ranks second behind Nightfall in middle earth, in my humble opinion (third -but very close- in rank is Imaginations from the other side). anyway, enough blabber, own this really rewarding piece of music, you wont be disappointed in the least! ...

Really good.You'll enjoy it:
This the first album that I heard from the german bards and I enjoyed it and I listened to it like a 100 times and I learned all the songs. You are gonna be singing and acting like if you are playing guitarr and bothering people for a long time. It is also like the end of the first period of Blind Guardian. Stauch,the drummer,kicks asses.Kai Hansen last special appearence is a really cool element and the piper is great. This is the last album with a strong influenceof Helloween.European old school speed metal at its best.It is not so complex as Nightfall or The Night at the Opera but it kicks asses anyway.You like good metal?You will like this dude

A fine example of aggressive power metal:
Blind Guardian has been my favorite band for some time, and this is one my favorite albums by them. In particular, the songs "Journey Through The Dark" and "The Bard's Song--The Hobbit" will have you singing along at the top of your lungs and annoying the neighbors. Some people aren't into it . . . they say the fantasy thing is goofy, and that Hansi's vocals take some getting used to. To these people, I say: give it another chance. Yes, it does kind of sound like Robin Hood and his Merry Men picked up instruments and started a metal band, but so what? I think that folksy medieval feel is rather endearing and cool. Some of my friends (the ones who are more into Pantera and Black Label Society than Iron Maiden) think Hansi's vocals aren't quite "metal" enough, but I've never before heard anyone say that they're too "growly." If anything, the vocals are a bit "sissy" . . . to some people. Personally, I put Hansi in the same metal-vocal pantheon as Halford and Dickinson. The guy's damn good. Buy this album. Now.

• Time What Is Time
• Journey Through the Dark
• Black Chamber
• Theatre of Pain
• Quest for Tanelorn - Blind Guardian, Kai Hansen
• Ashes to Ashes
• Bard's Song - In the Forest
• Bard's Song - The Hobbit
• Piper's Calling
• Somewhere Far Beyond
• Spread Your Wings \o*\c - Blind Guardian,
• Trial by Fire \o*\c
• Theatre of Pain \oClassic Version\c\o*\c