Blind Guardian--Nightfall in Middle Earth

Blind Guardian--Nightfall in Middle Earth (1998/Century Media) Rating--8.7

A strong release from the somewhat underground fave Euro power titans, as this release is a concept album based on J.R.R. Tolkien's story of "The Silmarillion." Spoken interludes mixed into the fray add to the storybook effect-- there are eleven of them in all. Musically, the mixing is much better than on the band's previous release-- though the rhythm guitar sections could still be more defined. The vocals are strong, and hold an almost minstrel-like aura at times. A thorough listening experience.
"Into the Storm" is a strong and intricate beginning, and songs like "Mirror Mirror," "The Eldar," and "When Sorrow Sang" are moving and heavy.
The melodic and winding "Noldor" is good, as is the intricate "Time Stands Still."
"Nightfall," while not being especially heavy, is still a thick and formidable tune.
TRACK LIST: War of Wrath/Into the Storm/Lammoth/Nightfall/The Minstrel/The Curse of Feanor/Captured/Blood Tears/Mirror Mirror/Face the Truth/Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns)/Battle of Sudden Flame/Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)/The Dark Elf/ Thorn/The Eldar/Nom the Wise/When Sorrow Sang/Out On the Water/The Steadfast/A Dark Passage/Final Chapter (Thus Ends...)

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