Man, I didn't post here in ages! I even had to change my location a bit!!
I intentionally didn't post my review right away because I wanted this album to sink in. I didn't want to make any judgement based on initial hearings but now after about 3 weeks of the release. I'm happy to review it
Beyond the Red Mirror is a great album! like some of few mentioned earlier. Blind Guardian has grown and matured musically and personally and I' changed too. I first listened to BG when I was 12 and I was an angry teenager looking for speed and heaviness and I found just that in albums like Nightfall and Imaginations. throughout the years, I've grown and BG have grown with me. through the bombastic Grand ANATO, all the way into the modern progressive ATITM and of course the old/new ATEOT. and I loved every one of these albums because they meant something to me. I was no longer the teenager but rather an adult with a great passion for classic rock, progressive rock, jazz and classical music so listening to BG growing into other types of metal while maintaining their integrity was and still is amazing.
Going back to Beyond the Red Mirror. I just love it! It is a masterpiece! the symphonic approach is completely fresh and awesome! the moments of beauty and magic in each and every song is breathtaking. and the lyrics are great story telling at its peak!
of course like most of you I find the At the Edge of Time and The Grand Parade so damn epic. I also a huge fan of Ashes of Eternity even though I'm into speedy songs. I like it because there's a good vibe about it. fresh and bombastic!
I'm also in love with Distant Memories! like hansi said, it's the most beautiful song Bg have ever made. it almost brings a tear to my eye every time I listen to it.
One cannot of course hide his fondness of the lyrics and the story telling. for example when Twilight of the Gods was released I just thought that it's a real good song but after the album and putting it in the order of the story, it turned to be a masterpiece. thinking about the emotions and the context of this song in terms of the story just gives it a deeper appreciation. way to go Hansi
Another important factor why I highly regard this record is the fact that even in songs that I don't appreciate much there's some magical great moments! there's no weak songs in this album I think, which is a huge advantage.
In terms of production. I think Charlie did a great job on this one. I really love the guitars and Bass sounds (more pronounced bass this time yeeahh!) but I think the drums sound especially the snare is not good nor natural. the symbals sound is good but I think the snares can be a point to improve on in the future (I play drums so that's why I pay extra attention)
And last but not least. Holy shit! I thought that ATEOT artwork could not be topped but how mistaken I was! Beyond the Red Mirror art work (the ear book edition at least) is fucking amazing! nice job Felipe!
So there you go. my overall review of the album and my first post in ages! hope to be more active in the forum again!
All those plans and hopes and dreams what happens to them? it's only a handfull of the lucky ones who can look back and say that they even came close.
You can't take it with you. act III,scene I