Renaissance Faire Music Celtic Music Classical Early Music: Harp Classical Early Music: Lute Classical Early Music Power Metal Soundtracks

A Night at the Opera Blind Guardian Century Media (7995-2) A band whose name is synonymous with quality, integrity, and impeccable musicianship, Blind Guardian has achieved great status in the Power Metal world. After nearly three years in production, A Night At The Opera is their most complex work to date. Their artistic vision is undeniable, and has a technicality and complexity which is second to none. " Precious Jerusalem" opens the album with pummeling drums, Middle Eastern guitar harmonics, and an epic chorus, a Blind Guardian trademark. The opener is followed by the equally heavy "Battlefield," a classic medieval battle song. Fans of the Dragonlance saga, a series of fantasy novels by authors Tracy and Laura Hickman and Margaret Weis, must also take note of "The Soulforged," a metal anthem based on the character Raistlin Majere from the saga. It is these songs that round out the quartet's ambitious, multi-layered CD. The album also features two ballads, "The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight" and "Mies del Dolor." Surprisingly, vocalist Hansi Kursch's Spanish pronunciation is excellent in this song, quite an accomplishment for a German-born singer. All in all, this CD is further proof that Power Metal can cross a wide range of sounds, so as to appeal to a large audience. --Daniel Dees

Click here to order: A Night at the Opera       To order Renaissance Magazine, click here.     To order medieval tapestries and other period products, click here.