Many bands, from Battlelore and Isengard to Summoning and Gorgoroth, have delved into the rich fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany, Blind Guardian would also tap into the world of Tolkien while refining its sound from up-front speed metal to more melodic power metal with speed-metal underpinnings.
Fantasy has played a critical role in Blind Guardian’s lyrics from the beginning. For example, the band’s debut album, 1988’s Battalions of Fear, features the song “By the Gates of Moria,” which was inspired by the works of Tolkien. Another album, 1989’s Follow the Blind, tapped into the Eternal Champion series by Michael Moorcock, with the tracks “Damned for all Time” and “Fast to Madness.” And the latest Blind Guardian album, 2010’s At the Edge of Time, features songs inspired by Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series (such as “Ride into Obsession” and “Wheel of Time”) and George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series (“War of the Thrones” and “A Voice in the Dark”).
In 1998, Blind Guardian fashioned their first concept album, Nightfall in Middle-Earth. Overall, this sixth full-length studio album showed the band moving from a raw, speed-metal-driven sound to a more epic, loosely symphonic, and power-metal-based style. Lyrically, this album is a challenge, given that Tolkien’s source material can be complex. Nevertheless, Blind Guardian demonstrated with Nightfall in Middle-Earth that they were indeed a metal force to be reckoned with.
Although all the songs are critical, as Nightfall in Middle-Earth was a concept album, my favorite track remains the opener, “Into the Storm.” Introduced by the short narrative “War of Wrath” (in which Melkor charges Sauron as his successor: “Go. I release thee. My servant you’ll be for all time”), the song proper kicks off with an epic guitar riff, which is quickly subsided as the first verses come into play. Right from the start, “Into the Storm” reeks of the epic, with drummer Thomen Stauch setting down some bombastic rolls and fills while guitarists Andre Olbrich and Marcus Siepen set down some monstrous rhythms, power-driven riffs, and speed-metal leads that incorporate facets of Middle-Eastern music. And then there’s vocalist Hansi Kursch, whose soaring but harsh croons add to the epic quality of the song.
Lyrically, the song introduces events chronicled in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, a book of tales that chronicle the First Age of Middle-Earth, including the War of the Jewels. “Into the Storm” follows events after which Melkor has lost the War of the Jewels, with the Valar moving in on his domain. With the help of Ungoliant (an evil spirit taken spider form), Melkor has successfully stolen three silmarils, jewels of immense beauty and power, poisoned the Two Trees of Valinor, and killed the king of the Noldor, Finwe.
“Into the Storm” deals directly with Melkor and Ungoliant, both of whom covet the silmarils and argue over them. Ungoliant at first pleads for one of the jewels (“Give it to me/I must have it/Precious treasure/I deserve it”) while Melkor, ever devious, struggles over his next move (“Where can I run/How can I hide/The Simlarils/Gems of twilight/Their life belongs to me”). In the end, Ungoliant traps Melkor in her webs, forcing Melkor to call out his Balrogs (“We are following/The Will of the one/Through the dark age/And into the storm). The Balrogs successfully scourge Ungoliant with their whips of flame. She flees to Ered Gorgoroth, where she gives birth to a race of giant spiders, including Shelob (who plays a key role in Return of the King). As for Melkor, he endured, although he was utterly defeated in the ensuing War of Wrath.
Fans of epic fantasy, particularly those who enjoy the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, would do well to acquire Blind Guardian’s Nightfall in Middle-Earth. This CD remains one of my all-time favorite power-metal CDs, often serving as a guidepost for all other works in the genre.
About the Song of the Week: Every week, I will pick a metal song that has captured my attention above all others. I hope you enjoy this series, so please leave a comment after you have read this article and others.
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