Nuclear Blast

It's been four years since Blind Guardian released A Twist In The Myth which saw the band trying out new things. The end result got a mixed reaction. While I found much to enjoy from the album, many others thought it was poorly written and disjointed, not up to the pedigree that the band had built up to that point. In any case, it was another step in their evolution and if its only positive was being the impetus that drove the band to write At The Edge Of Time, then I'd have to call it a success.

Now, if you're not already a Blind Guardian fan, then this album isn't going to sway your opinion. At this stage in their career they aren't looking for the approval of their detractors, instead forging ahead for those chosen few who already understand the majesty from which their music is born.
Sacred Worlds sets the pace for At The Edge Of Time. It is a completely bombastic song, not unlike what they were doing on A Night At The Opera. The song has an aura that displays pure epicness. It begins with a orchestral intro not unlike that of a movie score. Even though they've dabbled in this before, it was never this intricate or ornate. After a minute and a half the guitars break through the symphonic barrier and the band goes into familiar territory. The chorus is a triumphant call that fans will inevitably get stuck in their head after a single listen. The song ebbs and flows throughout its 9 minute length, resulting in one of the band's most complex compositions.

They aren't just about the over-the-top numbers, there are also plenty of what can be considered classic style Blind Guardian songs, starting with Tanelorn (Into The Void). This song harkens back to their sound from the mid-90's, back when they were showing everyone how to excel at power metal. The big sing-along chorus suggests that this one will be a part of their live set. Next is Road Of No Release, a more mid-paced song with another grand chorus. A little bit more aggression is found in Ride Into Obsession, which brings to mind the heavier songs from Imaginations From The Other Side. This song allows drummer Frederik Ehmke some room to be inventive behind the kit.

Every Blind Guardian album seemingly is required by law to have at least one medieval ballad and this one has two, the first of which is Curse My Name. These songs are typically rather simple in their structure, the main purpose behind them seems to be to give the live audience an opportunity to chant along with the song. Curse My Name is probably the most elaborate of these songs, being structured more as a regular song but with the medieval sounding instruments. I can't picture it replacing The Bards Song in the live set anytime though.

The second half of the album begins with Valkyries. If I had to name any song on the album as the weakest, it would be this one. It doesn't really come together like the other songs do, though it is salvaged by another one of their trademark infectious choruses. Following that is Control The Divine. It takes a while for this one to really sink in, but when it does you'll find that it is among the strongest on the album. War Of The Thrones is the other medieval ballad on the album. It might be a bit much to have another one of these on the album, though this one better fits the template that has been set before.

Nearing the end of the album you'll find A Voice In The Dark, the album's first single. It is a highly energetic song that hits all of the trademarks that Blind Guardian is known for. I do have to question it's placement near the end though. War Of The Thrones feels like a more fitting prelude to the album closer than this one does. It might have been better served if placed earlier in the song order. At the tail end of the album is Wheel Of Time, Sacred Worlds' stylistic twin. Like Sacred Worlds it is a huge sounding, utterly shameless celebration of bombast. The orchestration on this has a more ethnic flavor to it, particularly in the horns. Hansi erupts in the chorus:

"It keeps on spinning / There's no beginning / Turn the wheel of time"

A fitting way to close the album, as once the album ends all I want to do is start it all over again.


01. Sacred Worlds
02. Tanelorn (Into The Void)
03. Road Of No Release
04. Ride Into Obsession
05. Curse My Name
06. Valkyries
07. Control The Divine
08. War Of The Thrones
09. A Voice In The Dark
10. Wheel Of Time

Score: 9/10