Review: At the Edge of Time by Blind Guardian

Blind Guardian is:
Hansi Kürsch - Vocals
André Olbrich - Lead Guitar
Marcus Siepen - Rhythm Guitar
Frederik Ehmke - Drums

Track Listing:

1.Sacred Worlds
2.Tanelorn (Into The Void)
3.Road Of No Release
4.Ride Into Obsession
5.Curse My Name
6.Valkyries
7.Control The Divine
8.War Of The Thrones
9.A Voice In The Dark
10.Wheel Of Time


My children, this may very well be the hardest review for me to write. Blind Guardian was one of the first metal bands I ever heard (I heard Iron Maiden at about the same time, so I can’t really tell who was truly the first). The first metal album I ever bought was A Twist in the Myth and the first metal show I ever attended was in support of that album. As I’ve gotten more into the genre, it’s been interesting to hear BG’s discography and their sonic progression.

I would call At the Edge of Time a return to classic Blind Guardian form. It recalls the sounds of Night At the Opera, a bit of Nightfall in Middle Earth, there’s an orchestra, there’s folky breakdowns, and you will not find a single song less than four minutes and thirty seconds. It’s less thrashy than A Twist in the Myth, less heavy perhaps, but it’s epic and a terrific album. To me, a band like Blind Guardian has only varying levels of good.

Before I get too caught up in gushing (if I haven’t reached that level yet), let me say that the album does have a few songs that don’t particularly grab me. Ride Into Obsession and Curse my Name give the album a bit of a lull. The Lull returns with War of the Thrones and A Voice in the Dark.

The following is taken directly from the official Behemoth Facebook page

Singer's main goal is to raise awareness and get people involved by registering to be a bone marrow donor

Since news on Nergal's recent health issues has been released, the band, management, and label has received an overwhelming response from fans and bands all over the world asking how they can directly help Nergal. In response to everyone offering his or her help in terms of setting up benefits and shows to raise money for the frontman of the Polish blackened death metal band BEHEMOTH, Nergal has issued the following statement:

"I haven't intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words. Regarding my personal low opinion of humankind, I'm shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations. I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I'm unable to reply to all of them. The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time. The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states. If you know the history of Behemoth you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his 'Art of War' said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!

Time to feast your ears for the first time on the upcoming live DVD: Get a FREE MP3 of Opeth's "Dirge For November (Live)" taken from ´In Live Concert At The Royal Albert Hall´ exclusively at Roadrunner Records

Also dont forget to pre-order your copy of the highly limited vinyl box set or the 2DVD/3CD box.

North American buyers can pre-order here and anyone outside North America or if you like a bundle deal with the Ltd ed. concert t-shirt can pre-order here

"All great truths begin as blasphemies" - George Bernard Shaw

The new STARGAZER album “A Great Work Of Ages”, the much anticipated follow-up to “The Scream  That Tore The Sky”, is finally available exclusively through our website, a few weeks prior to its official Sept 7th release date.

Known as one of the most unique and creative bands that have dwelled within the death metal underground since the Australian horde’s inception almost 20 years ago, STARGAZER’s brand of complex esoteric death metal is unlike anything out there; a bizarre entity that create magik through intricately woven musical chaos. Almost like a summoning that conjures a mix of Coroner’s “Mental Vortex”, Atheist’s “Unquestionable Presence”, and Morbid Angel’s “Blessed Are The Sick”.

Over the many years that STARGAZER have been a force, the band have amassed quite the reputable cult following through their demos, the many splits and EP’s they’ve released (“A Great Work Of Ages” is technically their second full-length album). Hence, STARGAZER are a band who pretty much attract death/black/extreme metal fans who are looking to indulge in bands that like to push the envelope even further within the genre. They are a band within death metal that, along with their fellow countrymen Portal, are tearing the boundaries within the genre expanding what it has to offer and destroying all limitations and conceived perceptions on death metal as a whole. Nonetheless, STARGAZER are a band who embody an aesthetic that emanates a gesture of sophistication through sheer and utter musical chaos.

Tracklisting for “A Great Work Of Ages” goes as follows:

In advance of the release of the sophomore album by Midwest thrash maniacs VINDICATOR, Heavy Artillery Records are making the entire album available for streaming at the label’s Bandcamp profile as of today. Entitled, The Antique Witcheries, the new album hits store shelves worldwide August 31st.

Preview The Antique Witcheries at:  http://heavyartillery.bandcamp.com/album/the-antique-witcheries

In support of The Antique Witcheries VINDICATOR will be hitting the road with their “Recipe for Anarchy Tour”. Listed below are the tour dates and stay tuned for additional dates.



September 17th          Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt

September 18th          Worchester, MA @ The Raven

September 21st          Richmond, VA @ TBA

September 22nd         Newport News, VA @ Buddah’s Place