AND THEN THERE WAS SILENCE
"Turn your head and see the fields of flames"

"He carries along
from a distant place
He`s on his way
he'll bring decay
(don't move along
cause things they will go wrong
the end is getting closer
day by day)
In shades of gray
We`re doomed to face the night
Light`s out of sight"

Blind Guardian

Everybody knows who Blind Guardian is, right? Well you should! If you don't, let's do something about that. Blind Guardian hails from a small town in Germany called Krefeld. They consist of four incredible musicians(you'd swear there was twenty); André Olbrich (guitar), Hansi Kürsch (vocals/bass), Marcus Siepen (guitar), Thomen Stauch (drums).

Many believe Blind Guardian is the pre-eminent Power Metal band in the world. I happen to believe they are pre-eminent but not in Power Metal. To me they play an astounding version of Melodious, Symphonic Metal whose music explodes at you and bombards you with multi-faceted ingenious melodies from all sides and here's the Kicker, they sound like QUEEN. Yes, I said QUEEN. No, it's not universally accepted but I know what I'm hearing. Hansi Kursch sounds enough like Freddie Mercury, that when you bring in the bands vocal backing in the quasi-inimitable Queenlike delivery it's spooky but it's also magnificent.

Now, don't get me wrong Blind Guardian is not the second coming of Queen, it is merely the second coming of Queen's harmony and their delivery. It's more like Queen decided to play a different kind of music and they were wonderful at it, too.

So, since I like Queen I'll like Blind Guardian, right?

Not necessarily! I really believe for many people, like myself, Blind Guardian is an acquired taste. Blind Guardian's music is so dense with layer upon layer of sound and with all those high pitched voices coming at you constantly from all over, that ones brain cannot absorb it all at one time. It needs time put everything in order, so that is why I recommend at least three or four plays to get used to their music.

I was one of those individuals that needed time to get use to the complex textures of the music and for a while thought of Blind Guardians music as noise

But why bother?

Yes, really. Well I have a theory, if I may, which is being propagated by my own current musical inclinations.

When I was younger, popular music was quite basic. Some of it still is. I liked both catchy simple and complicated songs, but it seemed that I got tired of the simpler songs fast but the complicated songs satisfied me longer.

The same analogy could probably be used in other areas too. Do you like the same simple foods you loved when you were young or do you now prefer more complicated, more exotic dishes?

Of course some of you readers are still young so this may or may not apply to you.

My point, obviously, is that some of the best and most worthwhile things are harder to achieve and of course they're certainly appreciated more. Blind Guardian is very worthwhile, so let's look at the best song (in my humble opinion) they have made to date.

"And Then There Was Silence"

Mere words cannot describe the majesty and grandeur of this fabulous creation. From the minute it starts you are treated to a preview of what is to come in this masterpiece. There is no let up no weak spots, this is total mind candy for the entire 14:07 and you will be crying for more. "And Then There Was Silence" was released as a single as well as being the finale in the exquisite album A Night at the Opera

This amazing song is an elevator ride from heavy, classical B.G. style to tranquil interludes combining broadly arranged orchestral elements, ubiquitous choirs and multiple styles and tempo for a melodious, musical sensation I have seldom experienced. "And Then There Was Silence" never loses sight of it's goal and delivers an inspiring, fourteen minute masterpiece that always remains accessible and dynamic and dramatically brilliant! And throughout the whole song you can't help but think of Queen, even though they have never done anything like this.(oh, maybe "Bohemian Rhapsody" a little bit) It's just that their timing, elevation, pitch, and delivery are so Queenish, I love it, I love it, I love it!

"We have been betrayed by the wind and the rain
The sacred hall's empty and cold
The sacrifice made should not be done in vain
Revenge will be taken by Rome"

"We live a lie under the dying moon
Pale face laughs doom
Indulge us in delight"

"It`s getting out of hand
The final curtain will fall
Hear my voice
There is no choice
There`s no way out
You`ll find out"

"We don`t regret it
So many men have failed
but now he's gone
Go out and get it
The madman's head it shall be thyne
We don`t regret it
But someone else dies hidden in disguise
Go out and get it
Orion`s hound shines bright"


"Don`t you think it`s time to stop
The chase round the ring
Just a stop running, running
Round the ring
Don`t you know that fate has been decided
By the gods
Feel the distance
Distance
Out of reach"

"Welcome to the end
Watch your step Cassandra
You may fall
As I`ve stumbled on the field
Sister mine
Find myself in darkest places
Find myself drifting away
And the other world
The other world appears"

"Find myself she dies in vain
I cannot be freed
I`m falling down
As time runs faster
Moves towards disaster
The ferryman will wait for you my dear"

"AND THEN THERE WAS SILENCE
Just a voice from the other world
Like a leaf in an icy world
Memories will fade"

Chorus:

"Misty tales and poems lost
All the bliss and beauty will be gone
Will my weary soul find release for a while
At the moment of Death I will smile
It`s the triumph of shame and disease
In the end
Iliad"

Believe it or not, all the lyrics I have shown so far are about a third and take us to the 4:40 mark

Now it doesn't say it anywhere but this monumental composition seems to be about the Trojan War.

There is a second track on this CD single called "Havest of Sorrow" which is a ballad and seems like an afterthought after listening to the emotionally draining "And Then There Was Silence"

Similar artists

You got to be Kidding. Queen

Vaguely Similar Artists

Therion, Rhapsody, Thy Majestie, Freedom Call, Mob Rules

Comments from other reviewers

"More than three years after "Nightfall In Middle-Earth" we now have it: "And Then There Was Silence", the new single of BLIND GUARDIAN. So on your knees and harken the sounds that may caress your ears...
And it has turned out to be something special, I mean, which band releases a single with a 14-minute-song? For sure not one that is vying for a chart-entry or something similar (and just think that some bands have albums that are only twice as long as this one song!)!"

"As strange and unusual the whole epos might sound in the beginning, the more power- and forceful the song unfolds its power and ingeniousness after a few rotations, to speak of a masterpiece is absolutely legitimate!"

"What this quartet is offering us in a little more than 14 minutes of this song contains more ideas and elements than many bands manage in their complete career, OK, on a full album, let's not exaggerate."

"And Then There Was Silence" has turned out to be the hammer we all had expected (or rather had hoped for), even though it takes a few listens more for ignition, but for that you'll find something new with each rotation, which speaks only for the depth of this song."

"One glorious exception, though, is Germany's Blind Guardian. Evolving quickly from primitive power metal roots, Guardian has become one of the most vital bands working in metal, layering increasingly complex and ornate instrumentation and choral vocals over structural schema that are not simple to begin with."

"There are no simple power chords and adolescent exhortations to party all night here; this is not just songwriting, but composition."

"There is one manner in which comparisons to Queen are appropriate: vocalist Hansi Kursch, who sounds nothing like Freddie Mercury, (I strongly disaree with this, If he doesn't sound similar to Freddy Mercury, why mention it) does use his voice as a complex and multifaceted instrument not wholly unlike the late great mustachioed one. Kursch's voice is delightfully unique, alternating fluidly from quiet finesse to emotive zeal."

"If you're one of those who believes that metal is dead or irrelevant, Blind Guardian will happily prove you wrong."

"The bottom line is that this is a masterpiece. There is so much to take in here (if there is a downside, that is it), so many layers and textures, melodies and riffs… It's exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I need a vacation!"

Author's Notes:

I believe that last comment says it all.

This was supposed to be a short review, being a single and all. Seven hours later I publish. Good bye!


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House