Blind Guardian – Imaginations From The Other Side

The overwhelming impression that "Somewhere Far Beyond" made in me, left me wanting more and eagerly searching for more music Blind Guardian might had released up to that point (early 1998).

And the next step, after a fairly difficult search in a pre- internet, godforsaken Mediterranean small city (luckily at that time the band was under the Virgin banner, which was a fairly well- distributed label), was "Imaginations From The Other Side" found in a tiny, heavy metal specialized record store, after I got the "Blind who?" response at the city's main shopping malls' record departments.

Long story short, got the album, went back home and, by the time the album was hitting the closing "And The Story Ends", I was firmly convinced I had just witnessed the living story of the world's greatest heavy metal band.

I just couldn't believe these guys were not huge like, say, Iron Maiden or Metallica.
Because "Imaginations From The Other Side" had just taken the expectations created after the shock of "SFB" and blew them off the roof.

Killer riff after killer riff, unforgettably perfect chorus after chorus, imaginative solo after solo, all founded by an unmatched and unstoppable thunderous rhythm section and topped by Hansi's versatility and dramatic performance, what was deploying in front of me was an epic masterpiece by all means, a collection of perfectly crafted metal songs, all balanced by the perfect amount of aggressiveness and raw power ("I'm Alive" was the most aggressive song I had ever heard up to that point), crowned by Fleming Rasmussen's sharp as a razor yet alive, soulful production and mix (it's still one of my favourite sounding albums by the band).

24 years later I still get goosebumps when I listen to the opening effects at the beginning of the title song, followed by another 8 immortal hymns that are since then considered some of the most solid achievements by any metal band, with their roots deeply settled within many albums and bands that came afterwards.

I find myself drawn to this album again and again, knowing full well that with each spin I will discover something new. This album is loaded with Progressive Power Metal that is both impressive instrumentally and emotionally evocative with its bombastic all male choir vocalizations and mythically charged lyrical depth. The opening title track is not only the longest song here (a gutsy move) but the most lyrically nostalgic. But the second track, "I'm Alive," is where this album reaches the stratosphere with an intense chorus that makes all within earshot want to in the choir. The rest of the album is a roller coaster ride filled with some of the finest Power Metal ever recorded. The musical arrangements throughout suggest nothing less than thoughtfully crafted, intelligent songwriting. The production is superb and grandiose, highlighting each musician's skill but never at the cost of the song itself. Power Metal done right is a wholly remarkable experience, and Blind Guardian are masters of the genre. Highly recommended.

Crappy 2018 vinyl reissues, nothing to do with the original Blind Guardian sound. Atmosphere and feeling is completely lost. It's all just too pitched up and polished in a bad way. I wonder if the band had anything to do with this and how the hell agreed for such a lame sound. This is not Blind Guardian in any way! I strongly regret having sold the originals and buying these instead. Invest in sound and not in package.