I discovered Germany's heavy metal band Blind Guardian, listening to later albums.  I decided to listen to the bands first albums to see how they developed. Although I couldn't find their debut album, Battalions of Fear, Follow the Blind was readily available at my local music store. I even got the version with the bonus EP album Bright Eyes on it which includes 5 songs.

Follow the Blind was originally released in 1989, and this album showcases the band's speed metal roots. It is for Blind Guardian what Kill 'em all was for Metallica.  Although it is a good album, it doesn't have the grandiose epic sound that they later developed to perfection. In fact, most of the 10 songs here are pretty straight out heavy metal songs with no sweeping choruses, acoustic guitar interludes or layered vocals.

Powerful fast nearly blast beat drumming punctuate the backgrounds of each track. Chords play with the speed metal sound going as fast as they can, occasionally puntuated by blistering solos.  As I listened I could almost picture the guitarists nodding their heads up and down in unison as they pumped out the metal melodies of the songs. Hansi hasn't yet developed his vocal chops and sounds pretty much like many other metal singers.

Yet, the lyrics of the songs point to the medieval myths that the band would later become famous for. For example from the title cut Follow the Blind Searching for the talisman you'll find it on another plane far from all time maybe you wonder

The original tracks on this album are Inquisition / Banish from Sanctuary / Damned for All Time / Follow the Blind / Hall of the King / Fast to Madness / Beyond the Ice / Valhalla and Don't break the Circle

However, before you write this album off, it does have some gems on it that made it worth the purchase.  If you, like me have often lay awake wondering what the Beach Boys would have sounded like if they formed in the 90s metal scene instead of the 60s, Blind Guardian's cover of Barbara Ann will answer that question once and for all.  The band starts doing the acapella harmonies of Barbara Ann, soon adding in guitars and drums, but still giving that 60's surf sound. Even the solo is straight out of the whole California 60s beach scene but with a metal edge.  

Bright Eyes

If you do pick this album up be sure to get the one that includes the bands EP Bright Eyes from 1995. The band has started to develop their signature sound by this time.  Demos of Imaginations from the Other Side and a Past and Future Secret are on this as well as the band's cover of Mister Sandman (yes THAT Mr. Sandman from 1954).

Mr. Sandman starts with the traditional arrangement for the first couple verses, complete with that vibe and twang of 50s music and the vocal harmonies.  Around the middle you can hear some heavier guitar creep in behind the harmonies until by the fourth verse, the band suddenly brings it home with a full on metal version of the song with screaming vocals and power chords. It is the most fun version of the song I've heard.

Finally, the EP Bright Eyes includes a song Halleluja. It isn't the Leonard Cohen version by Rufus Wainwright though but of Deep Purple's version.

Summary

If you are looking to hear the Blind Guardian sound that they are known for today, you won't find much of it on this early album, it is more straight ahead speed metal. It is worth purchasing though, especially if you get the one with the bonus EP Bright Eyes included.  I gave the album 3 stars, it is good, and its worth owning if just to hear the roots of the band or their covers of Barbara Ann and Mister Sandman.

Recommend this product?