NIGHTFALL IN MIDDLE-EARTH

This is one of my progressive albums that I found by examining its art cover and track listing. What such a strange art cover and track listing. I'm truly impressed when I saw it at the first time. Wow, look at that list, 22 tracks in a single record, it must be great. So without a doubt I decided to buy it and then I played it directly as I arrive at home. And my initial sense didn't go wrong. Nightfall in Middle Earth is beautiful, powerful and flowing. I had a great time listening to this album at the very first spin, so enjoyable from the beginning narration till the last. Unique in song writing, so many passages or interludes as a bridge between real songs. The vocals arrangement is fascinating, so many layers and uses a choir to add power. One thing for sure that Hansi Kursch's voice is superb. Harsh, powerful yet melodic. He can symbolize the different character or emotion with the way he sings, low or high registered note, tender or harsh, whispering or screaming.

Simply listening to this album entirely from the beginning till the end to fully appreciate it. No bad song here, even though the interludes between real songs are just right on the place. For me the standout tracks are the melodic Nightfall, the powerful Curse of Feanor, the majestic intro of Blood Tears, the progressive Mirror Mirror, the energetic When Time Stands Still, the flowing ballad Thorn, and closer track a Dark Passage, but the rests are very good too.

Nightfall in Middle Earth, along with its successor a Night at the Opera, is the best album by Blind Guardian and certainly a must have. Experience the one of unique album with its great musical flowing and story. Buy it, listen it and judge it for your self.