NIGHTFALL IN MIDDLE-EARTH

Nightfall in Middle-Earth! So much reasons to enjoy this brilliant (nay!), marvelous album. Being of the schorlaly type fan of Tolkien, I find this interpretation of the Simarillion just mind-blowing. ( And it's the same for A Night at the opera with the Iliad). These guys really know how to tell a story. No wonder they are called ''The Bards''! Now let's get low on one of my favorite albums of all time. Before you listen to the cd I very much strongly suggest that the '' Silmarillion'' is read beforehand. Otherwise, the story will be too much of a mindfuck for any comprehension. Firstly, the narration is great and the band really enchanced (if that's ever possible) the lore of Middle-Earth with more feelings and emotions. Bridges like ''War of Wrath'' , ''Lammoth'',''Nom The Wise''. Thus, the War of Wrath which is in fact the conclusion of the story leads us to the real intro which is ''Into the Storm''. It is a really powerful track and one of the heaviest in there. If you not accustomed to Hansi's voice, this isn't a great start for the power in his voice is very raw but also beautiful. Next real tune is ''Nightfall''. A real stuner. Really. No words could even hint how this song is uplifting and good. Just listen. ''The Curse of Feanor'' is also very heavy but this one where André' crying guitar really shines. The hate and the passion is omnipresent and Hansi really impersonates Feanor in a way unseen before. Enjoy the really crucial line : IT'S MY OATH. Songs 8 and 9, respectively, ''Blood Tears'' and ''Mirror Mirror'', are excellent songs, and on every other power metal album, masterpieces; but here, in the shadow of Nightfall they feel just a little bit weaker. But mark my words, they're KILLER nonetheless. And here we hence arrive to my song of songs of Power Metal: '' Noldor''. The chorus is like a rampaging and reckless virus. The often changing of rythmic is very appealing and Hansi's technique of singing ( singing the song in different vocal range) is just perfectly done.

''Time Stand Stills'' is to me the second best song. Not because of the chorus, and not because of the licking guitar but simply because the roles of Fingolfin and Morgoth ( the latter being the ''lord of all noldor'' and the challenger; the nearer being the ''coward'' and the '' dark lord''. Hansi is really two entities.

''Thorn'' is a song very similar to ''Nightfall''. In fact, part of this song were intended for Nightfall. ''The Eldar'' is a oft overlooked jewel. Here again, the center of attention is Hansi's voice with a light piano melody. ''When sorrow sang'' is one hell of a song. It also contains one hell of vocal progression. One that is rarely seen. ( Starting at 1:40) '' A Dark Passage'' end the album in grandiose and evil way. The unwearysome lines : Time marches on...Time marches on... are closing the album in a way so complementary to the intro. This last song is the point-of-view of Morgoth, the villan ( Sauron being only his lieutenant), of his imminentvictory. Which leads us to '' War of Wrath'' which is in fact Morgoth defeat from the hands of the powers of the West, the Valar.

This album, while not technically impressive like Dream Theater ( considering Hansi and Andre they aren't THAT bad haha), isn't lacking any emotion and feeling. An easy 5 stars to give. one of the easiest in fact that I can ever give. This is nothing short of a masterpiece. But it is also very different. It is what most power metal bands are trying to come up with. I'm really starting to wonder if Blind Guardian didn't imagine this album from an other side??

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