Search - Blind Guardian :: Imaginations From the Other Side

Amazing power metal album - remastered

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 06/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just when we thought Blind Guardian couldn't possibly get any better, they hit us with 1995's Imaginations From the Other Side, which is arguably the best power metal album ever released. I know that's a bold statement, but I did say "arguably". I know there are more important power metal albums out there, and that Nightfall in Middle Earth is widely considered the best Blind Guardian album, but Imaginations is just so...powerful. No other power metal album has hit me quite like it, and I doubt any ever will.



Coming on the heels of the excellent Somewhere Far Beyond, Imaginations From the Other Side shows Blind Guardian perfecting their power metal style. All of the elements are in place - the fantasy-themed lyrics, epic song arrangements, blistering guitar riffs, and of course Hansi's unique and intensely powerful vocal delivery. Songs like I'm Alive, the Script for My Requiem, Born in a Mourning Hall, Bright Eyes, and the epic title track hit you like a heart attack, while ballad A Past and Future Secret leaves you amazed at the band's talent and versatility. There is not a weak moment on the entire album. Every song, and indeed the entire album, is power metal perfection.



Imaginations From the Other Side is nothing short of a must-have power metal album. Once you hear it, it will no doubt become the standard by which you judge all other power metal albums.



NOTE: This is the first Blind Guardian album since their debut not to feature a Kai Hansen guest appearance, but Pretty Maids vocalist Ronnie Atkins was on board providing background vocals.



NOTE 2: The 2007 reissue of Imaginations From the Other Side features digitally remastered sound (not that it really needed it), a trio of bonus demo tracks, and videos for Bright Eyes and Born in a Mourning Hall. I'm not usually a big fan of demo tracks, but these are fairly interesting. The videos are the best bonus feature, though the Flash format prevents you from storing them on an iPod or similar device."

Imaginations

Charles | San Diego, CA | 08/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Blind Guardian CD of all time as well as one of the all time favorite power metal albums. I don't find a single track in this record bad, all of it its an awsome musics! I really recommend this along with all the other BG CDs the most though!"

One of my favorites

Charles | San Diego, CA | 12/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blind Guardian's "Imaginations From The Other Side" is my favorite Blind Guardian CD as well as one of my favorites in general not just in power metal. Blind Guardian mixes traditional speed metal sounds with melodic guitar riffs and leads that blend together with the dynamic vocals of Mr. Hansi Kursch. To me they are one of the most unique of all power metal bands - they don't sound like typical power metal bands like HammerFall or Gamma Ray with high clean register vocals. Hansi has a strong melodic throaty vocal style that still sounds melodic. Blind Guardian also mixes medieval style music as heard in the melody of the vocals and acoustic guitar in "A Past And Future Secret." You also get some dark sounding tunes like "Imaginations From The Other Side" and speed metal as well with "I'm Alive." Blind Guardian is a power metal band who's music does not sound samey throughout - they have a good mixture of fast and slow songs to midtempo as well as a variant structure in songs and melody. "Imaginations..." was their album that continued to define their distinctive style following "Somewhere Far Beyond." This album is fairly more melodic than "Somewhere Far Beyond" which was more melodic and variant compared to the works that came before that. 5 stars for the album content.



The 2007 remaster gives the entire album a boost in volume although I admit the album did not need remastering as the sound quality was already great - this just turns the volume up to make it a bit louder, and you get 3 demo songs. Still overall great album! Highly recommended for all Blind Guardian fans and metal fans especially those of power metal."