Well then isn't it just splendid to have fresh material from the long running and one of the best metal bands around, namely Blind Guardian. We have been waiting a few years, 2006 was when they gave us Twist In The Myth which was quite a good album no qualms about that, although they didn't come close to surpassing the excellent A Night At The Opera. Compared to say earlier Blind Guardian classics like my favorites Nightfall In Middle Earth and Imaginations From The Other Side, Twist In The Myth wasn't another one of those marvelous Blind Guardian epic releases the band is so triumphant at creating. But Blind Guardian doesn't release average albums, and so Twist In The Myth was still better than what many bands were presenting us with.
At The Edge Of Time is Blind Guardian's new epic and the feeling this album exudes from the orchestral start of "Sacred Worlds"(A version of the song "Sacred" that Blind Guardian recorded for the game Sacred 2 Fallen Angel) starts things off on a very postive note and lets the listener know that this is going to be an exceptional new release, and you will be in store for an exciting musical voyage. At The Edge Of Time has all the usual Blind Guardian 'larger-than-life' qualities; commanding musicianship together with wonderful orchestral arrangements thanks to a real, yes, that's a real orchestra, gripping combined vocals, and Hansi's distinctive potent voice still sounds terrific. Not to forget the intriguing lyrics and that complementary artwork.
Following "Sacred Worlds" blazing guitars and frantic drumming ignite the speed metal of "Tanelorn", next up "Road Of No Release" goes through various musical changes with great vocals and is ultimately a fine song. There's more speed metal as Hansi screams his heart out on "Ride Into Obsession", the pace and metal is subdued at times as At The Edge Of Time has not one but two compelling Blind Guardian style ballads "Curse My Name" and "War Of The Thrones". The mid tempo "Control The Divine" is based on John Milton's Paradise Lost; he is just one of the authors Blind Guardian has taken inspiration from this time around.
You would expect the title track to be impressive and yes "A Voice In The Dark" is, with speed and power this song is classic Blind Guardian. Closing At The Edge Of Time is the outstanding elaborate epic "Wheel Of Time", and this time we are introduced to a Middle Eastern feel, Blind Guardian really got this one right. On the bonus disc is a fantastic instrumental version of this wonderful track,and I would recommend purchasing the special version for this song alone, as it's that good.
So there you have it, Blind Guardian still have what it takes, and the proof is on At The Edge Of Time, an album that clearly surpasses Twist In The Myth
Track List:
1. Sacred Worlds
2. Tanelorn
3. Road of No Release
4. Ride into Obsession
5. Curse my Name
6. Valkyries
7. Control the Divine
8. War of the Thrones (Piano)
9. A Voice in the Dark
10. Wheel of Time
Bonus Disc
1. Sacred Worlds (Extended "Sacred" version)
2. Wheel Of Time (Orchestral version)
3. You're The Voice (Radio edit)
4. Tanelorn (Demo version)
5. Curse My Name (Demo version)
6. A Voice In The Dark (Demo version)
7. Sacred (Video clip)
8. Studio documentary
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