Four years have passed and many wonder and ponder what path
Blind Guardian will wander down next... "Night at the Opera" was at times, an overly complex affair. It brimmed with epic passages in pomp and length and presented a technical side buried in lavishly layered symphonic adventures. Due to the fact that this was the culmination of a multi year progression from a thrashy power act to a German juggernaut that toyed with complexity and the harnessing of metallic thunder, the disc received mixed reviews. Sometimes to the point of pure disappointment. Those that followed the band from their humble beginnings yearned for the straight forward approach taken in the olden days. A sound and style that looked to be all but lost in lieu of the new era of BG where epic was taken to a new level.
The previous offering before that, the critically acclaimed and undisputed masterpiece that shook the dust off of Tolkien's hobbit tales and twisted them into metal musical sculptures, was indeed a difficult disc to top. Then considering the fans of the simpler, and arguably, heavier earlier works and throwing "Imaginations From the Other Side" into the discussion - it in itself a perfect example of how to compose this type of music without sacrificing pompy excess or crushing speed -
Blind Guardian has seen many changes through their career. Yet, the underlying themes, fantasy imbued lyrical content and power metal blueprints have remained much the same over time.
"A Twist in the Myth" is no exception to the rule. It has its own unique little twist, in the form of electronic and synth adding to the instrumentation, but steers clear of over indulgence that "Opera" bowed down to and downright relished in. This inclusion is tastefully done and adds to the atmosphere of the album that helps to set it apart from the rest of the BG catalogue. The power has not been diluted from this effort either. In fact the songs on
"Myth" are tackled with a heavy approach and instills breathless moments that capture the imagination. Choruses were made for singing along to whether in the comfort of your own home or in the spotlight for rousing renditions at your local tavern - likely just the way it was meant to be. The fantasy spirit is alive and thriving, with dragons and fairies and fantastical worlds being painted by these expert performers. Over twenty years clocked in the business and they still know how to spin a fantastical yarn around a rock structure.
"Myth" is so inviting because it is so varied. The first few are fast and furious, rather uncomplicated numbers that puts the spotlight on speed, an approach that was the dominate force of their initial forays into metal. A tiny taste of "Battalions of Fear" and "Follow the Blind" in tracks such as the gritty opener
"This Will Never End" and the equally speed friendly and darling of the double drum,
"Otherland". Fan favorites that are sure to please include the medieval ballad,
"Skalds & Shadows" which takes not just page from their early 90s classic, "The Bard's Song" but literally steals the whole book. Acoustic simplicity reminiscent of Rhapsody's "Forest of Elves" is a lovely bard's tale. Pull up a seat by the fireside my friends, and lose yourself in a musical journey back to days of yore and lore. Speaking of pages,
"Turn the Page" is also rather folksy in nature and
"Carry the Blessed Home" is another ballad, but one that is not as stripped back to the basic bone like the fireside whispering tale of
"Shadows".
A magical and mystical ride awaits for
"Straight Through the Mirror", a song that unleashes a classical feel married with melodic majestic mayhem.
"Lionheart" wastes no precious time and every moment is filled with glimpses of soaring bliss and raw, hungry electric guitars. Six strings are unleashed savagely here. The single,
"Fly", caused the most uproar due to the electronic flourishes, and it does feature this more prominently than any other track on the disc. The chorus has an easy hook and the song flies by with ease. It has that insatiable ability to get itself stuck in your head and creates a blissful feel akin to flying free in the bluest of skies. Given the chance, it likely has the charm to win over even the nostalgic diehards.
Elsewhere, there is the combination of delirious darkness and bold bombastic beauty of
"The Edge". A dynamic track that boils in venomous power and takes a few darkened twists along the way. The rolling double drum rhythm dueling it out with the blistery guitars is a sample of how stirring power metal can be.
"Another Stranger Me" flirts with the past while fusing itself with the future. A strong song indeed, it rips and roars with blasts of power and the cast iron lungs of Hansi. His crisp, rumbly shouts are a trademark of the band.
"The New Order" has an unusual beginning but ignites into fire doomed fury, bringing the album down on a nice note and just a touch of melancholy.
"A Twist in the Myth" is neither
Blind Guardian's greatest achievement nor their worst wreckage. It falls into a comfort zone that lays right below classics such as "Imaginations" and "NiME". Production is pristine and the band seems comfortable playing all the material. The simpler approach and easily accessible melodies will enchant a wide audience without dooming the disc to appeal only to the technical, complexity seekers. Yet it can reign them in too. Fresh fleshed with familiar makes for another evolutionary state for the band and a worthy addition to the BG legacy.
Written by
Alanna Thursday, September 7, 2006
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