Main menu
Fretplay home Submit tabs

Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian tabs Blind Guardian discography

Channels
Guitar channel Bass channel Guitar videos Reviews

Message Forum
Guitar forum Bass forum Bands and artists Promote your band Recent discussions All categories

Fretplay.com

Blind Guardian guitar tabs

CD reviews

Tales from the Twilight World

Blind Guardian - Tales from the Twilight World Audio CD

A fair review of the Blind Guardian "Tales from the Twilight World" 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: Tales from the Twilight World
Rating:

Release Date: 1999-05-11
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Traveler in Time 2: Welcome to Dying 3: Weird Dreams [Instrumental] 4: Lord of the Rings 5: Goodbye My Friend 6: Lost in the Twilight Hall 7: Tommyknockers 8: Altair 4 9: Last Candle 10: Run for the Night [Live]

I'm a dwarf, but I'm no more than you!
Quite frankly, that's all you need. Super cheesy lyrics and brilliant metal music. I approve!.

Beginnings!
"Tales From The Twilight World" was the album that started the typical "Blind Guardian sound" we are more familiar with today - combining their thrash metal early years with more melodies and even have some sort of medieval flair to it! This is a must have in your Blind Guardian collection. This is Blind Guardian's first album that got pretty decent sound quality unlike their previous albums which were generally raw and had a more thrash metal sound.

THIS ALBUM IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING.
Here, where the band at first sounds immature, within a deflated creative dimension of its musical ideas. this is the first great Blind Guardian album, and despite its differences to their latest, _Twist in the Myth_, there is a "unity in differences" that has set the rails upon which this band has ridden. Yet there is a sublime craftsmanship beneath the surface that distinguishes them from the rabble of power metal. Below its ostensibly unpolished exterior, _Tales from the Twilight World_ exhudes not only intelligence, style, and proficiency, but the higher artistic virtues of character, and the happy rashness of imagination. They have everything going for them. Not to mention that Hansi's voice is still the awesome presence it always is. Hansi's screaming power metal voice is better than anything. The songs are brilliant. "Traveller in Time" and "Welcome to Dying" make two killer opening cuts. "Lord of the Rings", while elevated to sheer magic on the later acoustic/orchestral version (see _Forgotten Tales_), is a charming ballad with the embryo of their future medieval-esque, textural constructions. "Goodbye My Friend" is among their very best, with super-heavy, blazing and grinding guitars and one of hansi's most unforgettable vocal performances. "Lost in the Twilight Hall" is killer and Kai Hansen's guest vocals are hilarious. "Tommyknockers" is actually pretty sweet also but you can't help but chuckle at the chorus. Then best of all is "The Last Candle" -- incredible intro, incredible guitars and vocals, and one of the most perfect demonstrations of Blind Guardian's mastery of songcraft, emotional inflection, and sheer kcikazzery. as always (except on NIME), their closing songs top everything. BLIND GUARDIAN IS THE BEST BAND EVA.

Those "weird dreams" you've been having are telling you to buy this classic
Blind Guardian is a band that you really have to hear firsthand to grasp what they're all about. If you've never really heard much from Blind Guardian (like me before I bought "Tales from the Twilight World"), but you think you know exactly what kind of music that they make just by your research and related bands' music, then your thinking is most likely completely wrong. If you think that all they compose is power metal (BG's most connected genre), then you're only partially correct. And if you think that they are all speed metal or thrash, then again, only part of that reasoning is true. The band, in fact, combines elements of thrash, lightning FAST thrash. . . you know, the kind with scorching solos, double-bass drumming, and the like, power metal (mystical lyrics, anthem chorus, soaring vocals), epic metal, and everything in between. Their distinctiveness, their uniqueness lies not in what type of music they play, but the way that they combine different varieties of metal to merge as one.

Their singer, Hansi Kursch, is a big part of that diversity. He's got that thrash vocal presence (menacing & ominous verbal presentation, high-pitched screams, etc. ), but can also share his lyrics in a sometimes tranquil or soothing manner. However, while his forte might be that thrash or a "power metal" type voice, his talent can easily spread to several different genres. What I'm trying to say is that he's completely unique, varied, and has loads of genuine personality (which means he doesn't rip-off any other singer); the man is truly a remarkable singer. The guitarists also have tons of variety. They can distribute thrash-like riffs and blazing solos (such as on "Welcome to Dying"), but they have melodic tendencies too, which can be seen on "Lord Of The Rings". The drummer has to be insane or have A. D. D or something, because his job is to keep up with those blistering guitar pieces, doing blast beats, double-bass techniques, plenty of tom-rolls, and he never skips a beat. In short, the musicianship is phenomenal, very diverse and unique, that WILL amaze you and leave you awestruck.

The songs on "Tales" are well-ranged and diverse as well. The album was very well-produced (or very well-remastered), but it still retains that raw feel (evocative of mid-eighties thrash). "Weird Dreams", for example, is a short instrumental full of sweet riffs, various time-changes, and classic solos. "Traveler in Time", "Welcome to Dying", "Lost in the Twilight Hall", and "Goodbye My Friend" are certified rockers that have no short supply of bittersweet metal. All four contain anthem-like chorus', insane guitar work, and incredible drumming. One of my personal favorites, "Lord of the Rings", is a shorter, three-minute piece that is very emotional and powerful. The vocals are so heartfelt and very talented, and the acoustic guitars weave among themselves ever so intricately. The lyrics are also special, and if you're a LOTR fan, you should be able to relate. "Altair 4" and "Tommyknockers" are the weakest off the album, but still add a lot to the C. D. "Altair 4" is short, but it's pretty diverse. The intro is unusual, but when it gets going, there's some well-done vocals and great guitar slices. "Tommyknockers" is another rocker that isn't bad at all, but it's not the best. While the lyrics may seem over-done, the song's actually about a Stephen King book, which is sweet. The closing song "The Last Candle" is thrash metal personified, complete with double-bass setting the tempo and crunchy riffage. That chorus is just so catchy and Hansi really hits those high notes perfectly. Quite an amazing closure to this '90's classic!

I strongly urge all of you to get into this band. I've heard that Hansi's voice is an acquired taste, but I can't picture any fan of fast-paced metal tunes, that contain soaring vocals full of passion and power, hating this band. If you like 80's thrash, epic power metal, or all-around medieval-esque themes, then you'll be in heaven with these guys, believe me. Also, I haven't heard much of BG's other stuff, but to my knowledge "Tales from the Twilight World" seems like a great starting point, because it's their third studio album, therefore they've "been around the block" so to speak, but it's also classic enough to be enjoyed by purists. Just think of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" or Slayer's "Reign in Blood", (no it's not as good, but like those two, it's BG's 3rd studio album). In conclusion, "Tales from the Twilight World" flat-out rules, and if you like power metal, thrash, and innovative metal genius', then really you must buy this album!

p. s. Also check out Demons & Wizards. Hansi from this band teams up with Iced Earth's Jon Shaffer and together they make unbelievable music.
.

Great Album!!
I also recommend the Imaginations From The Other Side and Nightfall In Middle Earth albums. These is one of the Blind Guardian's master pieces.

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.