Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Blind Guardian - Imaginations From the Other Side (1995)
So I've just moved out of The Gateway back into The Guardians, and there's no better time than now to revisit one of the greatest albums in power metal, Blind Guardian's Imaginations From the Other Side. This was one of the most important albums for me when my power metal interest was at its height 10 years before this review. If you enjoy 90s power metal, you've come to the right place!
Power metal allows your imagination to run wild through these themes of fantasy, sci-fi, and sometimes reality. And classics like this one (following the fantasy theme) are no exception. Imaginations From the Other Side marks the beginning of the complex structures from subsequent albums while having some of their earlier speed.
The opening title track is one of the best album openers and power metal songs I've heard in my life. It picks up where things left off from the end of their previous album Somewhere Far Beyond, this time with more atmospheric structure. The vocal density would be further displayed in the next album Nightfall in Middle-Earth, as well as those harmonic guitar leads. EPIC!!!! "I'm Alive" takes the band's earlier sound further alongside occasional acoustics, a strong upgrade from the speed of Follow the Blind. I'm not as much of a ballad lover as I used to be, but another one of the greatest highlights is the short and soft yet epic "A Past and Future Secret". Unlike "The Bard's Song", this sounds like a true bard's song in the acoustics, orchestration, percussion, and Hansi Kürsch's clean singing, with the lyrics based on the legend of King Arthur.
"The Script for My Requiem" is the closest we have to the melodic speed metal of Battalions of Fear. "Mordred’s Song" has a blend of acoustic and electric guitar. The folk-ish vibe maintains the similarities to "The Bard's Song". If "A Past and Future Secret" is this album's "In the Forest", then "Mordred’s Song" is this album's "The Hobbit". Then we have another fast song in "Born in a Mourning Hall". The monstrous riffing gives that track more in common with Tales from the Twilight World while having some melodic leads later used in Nightfall in Middle-Earth and lyrics against televangelism. The music might remind some of a blend of Black Sabbath and 80s Metallica.
"Bright Eyes" has more anthemic triumph within the lurking darkness. There's even some twisted keys appearing in the verses to add to the eerieness. "Another Holy War" is filled with pure riff-wrath, while making way for the usual melodic chorus. The precise drumming by Thomas Stauch is what gave power metal a more speedy light. "And the Story Ends" has a truly epic chorus hinting at the grandeur of their later symphonic era. The guitars and vocals are the stars of this simple yet spectacular show.
I think we can all agree that Imaginations From the Other Side is Blind Guardian at their very best. Such a shame that I broke away from this album and this band when I had that long on-off hiatus from power metal and other Guardians genres. But now I can remember the glory of this masterpiece that is the transition album between the speed era that ended with Somewhere Far Beyond and the symphonic era that started with Nightfall in Middle-Earth. The risks the band face when making this album has paid off. It's an essential recommendation for both longtime power metal fans and the newcomers wanting to explore more of the genre. See you on the other side!
Favorites: "Imaginations From the Other Side", "A Past and Future Secret", "Born in a Mourning Hall", "Bright Eyes", "And the Story Ends"