Blind Guardian Album: “A Twist In The Myth”

I don't have an awful lot to say about this album. BG have pulled things back a bit here, and 'Twist in the Myth' is definitely a bit more restrained and less over the top than the last album. They've made it more purely metallic with a greater emphasis on the rhythm guitar, and just the electric guitar in general. (Though it's still, by rational standards, extremely over the top and dramatic. This is BG, after all.) I'm neither disappointed nor pleased with this change; every sound BG has used has worked, it's just a matter of songwriting and, to a lesser extent, production. And, unfortunately, both of these are relatively weak here. Most significantly, with regards to the production, the rhythm guitars here just don't have any crunch. They're way to clean sounding, to processed and artificial. (Alright, that doesn't technically make much sense, but I can't come up with any other way to put it.) Just compare, say 'This Will Never End' to 'Welcome to Dying' or 'Journey through the Dark' or whatever. The rhythm guitar just doesn't propel you the same way now as it did then, and this drive is very important. It doesn't cripple the album, but it doesn't have the same impact it could've either. Drums are a bit weak sounding too.

As far as songwriting goes, it's consistently good, but they rarely blow you away the way they can at their best. The opener, 'This Will Never End' is excellent, easily the best thing here, but it's really not as good as the best tracks on just about any of their other albums. Other than that I have a hard time picking out any particular standouts. ('Fly' is one, I suppose, and 'The Edge' and perhaps 'Otherland' .) The songs all sound good when you're listening to them, but they don't stick with you the way they should. I've probably listened to this, I dunno, a dozen and looking over the track list there are still a few songs I can't really think of what they sound like specifically. This really shouldn't be the case for a power metal album, much less a Blind Guardian album. That all said, 'A Twist in the Myth' really doesn't have any particular tracks which should obviously be pulled, which isn't the case with some of their earlier albums. Nevertheless, it should probably be pared back by 2 tracks or so, just because it's got so many tracks which are just pretty good that they blend together a bit. Beyond all this, there really isn't anything at all new to find here, just the standard compilation of huge chorus, medieval melodies, fast alt-pick riffs and so on. I don't really mind when a band doesn't progress much, but the repetition here really serves to heighten the good but not remarkable songwriting. If some of these more average songs had a bit of novelty to them they might stand out more, but they don't.

Still, though I've complained a lot, this is definitely a good album and a worthwhile pick up for any Blind Guardian fan. There really isn't anything wrong with it, but it doesn't really come out and grab as much as it ought to either.

Rating any given Blind Guardian album is rather difficult, because they vary so much from album to album. People often whine about this, and I don't quite understand it. Looking at many of their interviews and such, BG has made it quite clear since their conception that they are the type of band who seeks new sounds and experiments in different means of musical presentation with every project they do.

"A Twist in the Myth" is definitely a lot of new stuff, but this album is definitely reminiscent of past BG themes and styles. This particular album is unique in that it brings a lot of the softer elements of BG music and intensifies them, and by that I mean this album is not very "crunchy." Am I still not making sense? The sound here has quite obviously reached a level of digital remastering (some would say editing) that is unprecedented in this band's history. Guitars are a little less solo-oriented (although guitarist Andre Olbrich certainly does not fail to deliver in songs where we do hear him in all his glory!), and a little more attention is spent on background patterns or melodic chord progression. This album is the maiden album of BG's new drummer Frederik Ehmke, and I for one am not disappointed in the least...the drum patterns are smooth and work very well with what the rest of the band is doing. Perhaps the biggeset part of this album is BG's beloved lead vocalist, Hansi Kursch, and rightfully so. The grand majority of BG fans simply can't get enough of this man's power and diverse styles. He absolutely delivers on "Myth." It is in Hansi's voice that the digital work is most apparent, but do not mistake that for a derogatory remark! He sounds GREAT - you get a taste of his immense power and fantastic range on virtually every song. One thing you won't hear, however, is the throaty screaming sound Hansi pulled off in previous albums (think "Another Holy War" from "Imaginations from the Other Side" and the like), but the greatness seen here makes it completely forgivable (some are glad of the lack thereof).

1. "This Will Never End" - good sound, probably the speediest song on the track, but still doesn't have a complete thrash sound. Imagine a more melodic, less frantic "I'm Alive."

2. "Otherland" - my personal favorite song on the album. Listen to the vocals on this one, it's what you're going to be hearing for most of the album (that isn't to say if you don't like this give up! then again, it's hard -not- to like this one)

3. "Turn the Page" - another one of my favorites. This is an interesting one, as it completely captures that jovial medieval melody style, yet has all the energy of the best of BG.

4. "Fly" - well done, BG. this was the single that preceded the album, and I would argue (as the band did) that this a completely new sound for BG. give it a shot - I bet you'll like it.

5. "Carry the Blessed Home" - this one starts off just a wee bit weak, but wait til it's 30 seconds in - you'll start to like it in a hurry. Chorus is a bit reminiscent of previous album. Did I mention the bagpipes? :)

6. "Another Stranger Me" - probably the most guitar-oriented song. The vocals here are a lot more gruff than the last song too, and Hansi just sounds amazing. It's different from the rest of the album (less epic and more head-bangin), but very good as well.

7. "Straight Through the Mirror" - classic BG. this one could is something you would hear on "Nightfall in Middle-Earth" with bit 'happier' melody to it. vocal editing very evident, but very well done.

8. "Lionheart" - the freshman drummer shines on this one. it's a just a wee bit buried, but if you listen to what he's doing it's great. the musical rhythms all around the band in this one are fun (tri-ple-et, tri-ple-et).

9. "Skalds and Shadows" - you know you're not going to get away from a BG album without a ballad. It's definitely going to remind you of "The Bard's Song" or "A Past and Future Secret," but it's unique. Definitely not their best ballad, but it's still fun if you're into that sort of song.

10. "The Edge" - another one of my favorites...energy just radiates all over this song, from drums to guitars..everything. Once again, musical rhythms are lots of fun, even if you don't consciously recognize they're there and changing up on you. Have fun listening to this one :)

11. "The New Order" - this one is less tempo, but all the same it's beautiful. The chorus of this song is simply phenomenal, from drums to guitars to vocals - not to say the rest of the song isn't good, but the chorus is just such a highlight here!

12. "Dead Sound of Misery" - this is basically Fly again, except a lot darker and new lyrics. a good song, lots of classic BG stuff ("Opera"/"Nightfall" elements present).

That having been said, it really depends on what kind of BG fan you are (or, if you have never heard these guys before, read on nonetheless). For example, if you are into the thrashy crunchy sound BG has to offer, this album is probably not for you. The speed-thrash metal sounds of oldies like "Majesty" and "Valhalla" won't be found here. Nor should you expect the high wailing vocals of the previous album "A Night at the Opera". For BG regulars, by that I mean don't expect the vocals you heard on the chorus of "Age of False Innocence," but rather expect to hear a -lot- of what Hansi managed to do on "Curse of Feanor" (remember how awesome that chorus was?).

The bottom line is this: if you're a BG fan, you're probably going to get this album anyway, and you very well should. If you're the dark speed-thrash type, you're going to scratch your head a bit, but eventually you'll like it. If you're the melodic, major-key energy type, you'll fall in love with this album 7 times over again. I'm giving it 5 stars, some might disagree, but I can't imagine anyone who likes metal in general will give this masterpiece any significant grief.

There's simply too much to appreciate. Enjoy!!

Not many bands can match the pure majesty and epic power of Blind Guardian, and after almost 20 years it's good to see that they still reign as kings of power metal. A Twist in The Myth does not deviate too much from their previous work but neither is it stagnant. It is a continual refinement of their classic sound, honing it to a fine edge. And despite power metal's notorious reputation for wankery and pompousness, BG exhibits grandeur without bloat.

Opener "This Will Never End" barrages you from the first second with blistering guitar and thundering double bass drum. It's clear they're going for the throat here but just when the assault is at its most severe, one of those soaring harmonized choruses breaks in like a breath of fresh air. BG deftly dances between the styles like true masters.

The only stinkers on Twist are the requisite ballads "Carry The Blessed Home" and "Skalds and Shadows." As usual, they are cheesy as all get-out - the synth strings kill me every time I hear them (if Dimmu Borgir could get an actual stringed instrument, surely Blind Guardian could as well). You know, I don't think I could ever get used to them. Images of Ren Faires and fat dudes in loin-cloths just turn me off completely.

But the rest of Twist shows these Germanic metal virtuosos in top form. If death and black metal explores the darkness within ourselves, Blind Guardian shines as a beacon that we can't help but be drawn to. A Twist in The Myth is another solid and masterful album that will not only please die-hard fans but could easily guide the uninitiated to-ward the light. Sometimes it's okay to root for the good guys.

The Good

Emotional, powerful, and melodic all come to mind upon hearing the albums opening track "This Will Never End." All metal albums should start off with this much energy. There's just something about the vocal tone that draws you in. Dark riffs dominate the tale of "Otherland." The rhythm section is a bit subdued in the beginning, but it hits you full force when the song reaches its peak. The multi-part harmonies and doubled up vocals of "Turn the Page" are sure to move you. There are also some great guitar runs thrown in on the breaks. "Fly" is just a melodic metal powerhouse with an infectious chorus. Keyboard runs, pounding drums, and enduring vocals run rampant on the anthemic "Lionheart." Thunderous drums and monstrous guitar riffs bring "The Edge" to life, while over-the-top vocals sustain its vital signs.

The Bad

"Skalds & Shadows" is a little too medieval for me. This acoustic number makes me imagine a leprechaun dancing around a pot of gold. Save your letters, I know it's because I don't "get" the music.

The Verdict

The only other album I've heard from Blind Guardian was A Night at the Opera and I wasn't impressed. A Twist in the Myth however, blows that album away! If you like powerful guitars, booming double kick-drums, pumped-up melodic vocals, and fantasy driven lyrics, then you won't be disappointed.

This is a very solid, typical Blind Guardian record.

So why only 4*? Because I love the rougher earlier records of Blind Guradian slightly better. This is a very good one, but it could have used slightly less choruses and a little more aggressiveness.

If you don't know Blind Guardian yet, you should check out 'Imaginations from the other side' first, if you know them - this is a no regret buy.....