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Forgotten Tales

Blind Guardian - Forgotten Tales Audio CD

A fair review of the Blind Guardian "Forgotten Tales" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Blind Guardian reviews here, or go back to the Blind Guardian tabs.

Band: Blind Guardian
Title: Forgotten Tales
Rating:

Release Date: 2001-03-20
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Mr. Sandman 2: Surfin' U.S.A. 3: Bright Eyes 4: Lord of the Rings 5: Wizard 6: Spread Your Wings 7: Mordred's Song 8: Black Chamber 9: Bard's Song [Live] 10: Barbara Ann/Long Tall Sally 11: Past and Future Secret 12: France 13: Theatre of Pain

Excellent collection of covers and b-sides - now remastered
The Forgotten Tales is basically a compilation of the various cover songs the band has performed as well as some alternate versions of some (at the time) recent Blind Guardian songs. Originally released in 1998, The Forgotten Tales is one of my absolute favorite Blind Guardian albums, even though it's not one of their proper studio albums. The various demo/acoustic/live/instrumental versions are cool enough - and the live version of "The Bard's Song" is pretty spectacular - but I love this album because of the cover songs.

If there's one thing that Blind Guardian does better than any other band, it's their ability to record the most diverse (yet always powerful) covers. Well, that and the whole epic power metal thing that they do that no other band will ever touch even in their wildest dreams, but you get the general idea. From oldies like "Mr. Sandman", "Surfin' USA" and "Barbara Ann", to classic rock tracks like "The Wizard" (Uriah Heep) and "Spread Your Wings" (Queen), Blind Guardian always delivers unique cover songs. Some are obviously done just for laughs (you have to chuckle at a speed metal version of "Mr. Sandman"), and others, like the Uriah Heep and Queen songs are done to pay tribute to bands that had a profound influence on the band's sound. Whatever the reason, I've yet to hear a less than great cover song from this band, and it's particularly nice to have so many collected in one place.

The Forgotten Tales is a fantastic collection of unique material from the best power metal band on the planet. I wouldn't recommend it to new Blind Guardian fans right away, but once you have a handful of the band's great studio albums, you owe it to yourself to check this compilation out.

NOTE: The 2007 reissue of The Forgotten Tales is a Blind Guardian fan's dream. In addition to featuring digitally remastered sound, the CD includes three additional cover songs. From the Mr. Sandman single you get the b-side "Hallelujah" (a Deep Purple cover, I believe). From the Mirror Mirror single (or the Century Media Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal) you get "Beyond the Realms of Death", which is an absolute masterpiece. The final song - "Don't Talk To Strangers" - was originally found on Holy Dio - A Tribute To the Voice Of Metal : Ronnie-James Dio), and is another fantastic cover song. The disc also includes video clips for "Mr. Sandman" (one of the creepiest videos you'll ever hope to see) and "The Bard's Song" (the acoustic song is perfectly matched with a black & white, "Unplugged" style video. ) These extras are more than enough to make this reissue a 5-star album.

Remarkable album
Beginning with the bizarre yet funny Mr. Blind Guardian managed to surpass even themselves with this album. Sandman song and ending with the brilliant Theatre of Pain, this collection of songs turns out to be a masterpiece of melodic metal.

I'm not going to rate every single songs like the others did because this rating is strictly subjective but what I can tell you is that if you've ever listened to Blind Guardian and "kinda" liked it, you'll definitely adore this CD. It's amazing how 4 (yes, four) people can create such an amazing cavalcade of sounds and such well rounded songs.

What is interesting is that this album was mostly influenced by Hansi K�rsch's (the vocalist) preferences. After reading a little about the members, I've discovered that Queen is among his favorite all-time bands, his favorite book is Lord of the Rings, the single place he'd like to travel to is Middle Earth and the most impressive place he's been to is France. These personal preferences are found on this CD in the form of songs. Also another of Blind Guardian's albums HEAVILY influenced by the LOTR trilogy is Nightfall in Middle Earth, also a great portrayal of elements present in LOTR. Be sure to check that one if you're a Tolkien fan.

In conclusion, Forgotten Tales is a CD that you surely won't forget and a great addition to your metal collection.

Hail to this band
If you like to buy a cover CD for oldies music pick this. I'm speechless, because this is a great album. Blind Guardian makes Beach Boys with attitude and The Chordettes hyped. Get this now. The CD also contains Blind Guardian's classic songs made into acoustic version and it so good to hear.
Here's my rating:

Mr. Sandman: 4. 5/5
Surfin' USA: 5/5
Bright Eyes: 5/5
Lord Of The Rings: 6. 5/5
The Wizard: 4. 5/5
Spread Your Wings: 4. 5/5
Mordred's Song: 5/5
Black Chamber: 4/5
Bard's Song (Live): 4. 5/5
Barbara Ann/Long Tall Sally: 4. 5/5
A Past And Future Secret: 4. 5/5
To France: 8/5 My favorite of the album
Theater Of Pain: 5/5

This is my rating to each song and I recommand this to the one's who enjoys a cover version of classic songs with attitude and distortion.

Excellence
i gave it a small listen and then discarded it. I found this album not knowing what it was. this is certainly an aquired taste. Then, at about 2 in the morning whilst doing work i needed music to listen to "the bards song" was in the playlist it caught my attention. shortly after that i had myself listening to the whole album and it is absoloutely brilliant.

since that i have baught a couple of the other blind guardian albums and these guys are great!

although im not a fan of the 50/60 style covers (Mr sandman, surfing usa etc) the rest of this album is brilliant. definately worth a look at.

an acoustic trip.
this album features excellently done acoustic versions of heavier stuff by these supreme musicians, along with funny covers (uriah heep, the beach boys, queen. . ) that could slightly detract the listener from the overall magical mood of this piece of music. the highlights of this album are: lord of the rings, black chamber, the bard's song (brilliant!), theater of pain (beyond brilliant) and To france. i can never recommend this enough.

You can see a complete list of all Blind Guardian discography, or go back to the Blind Guardian tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.