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Powermetal. Un sottogenere che divide i metallari di tutto il mondo da sempre: c'è chi lo odia, affermando che si tratta di uno stile musicale che rovina il buon nome della categoria; c'è chi lo ama incondizionatamente. Un modo di intendere il Metal nato verso la fine degli anni '80, in piena era thrash, grazie anche ad una straordinaria band tedesca: i Blind Guardian.
Dopo il semisconosciuto EP Lucifer's Heritage: Symphonies Of Doom e l'ottimo album d'eserdio The Battalions Of Fear, nel 1989 i 4 teutonici capitanati dal cantante (e allora anche bassista) Hansi Kursch, danno alla luce la loro terza fatica, ovvero Follow The Blind. Un album in cui si può apprezzare la tecnica della band che, nonostante sia ancora sostanzialmente grezza, lascia facilmente intuire le sue grandissime potenzialità, potenzialità che a mio parere raggiungeranno il culmine nel 1995, con Imaginations From the Other Side, il vero capolavoro dei Blind Guardian.
Follow The Blind è comunque un album eccezionale, che vede anche la partecipazione di quel grande artista che risponde al nome di Kai Hansen, scaricato dai "suoi" Helloween, e in procinto di dare vita agli ottimi Gamma Ray.
L'incipit dell'album è Inquisition, un intro dal sapore medioevale, un coro in latino che ci introduce a Banish From Sanctuary: la batteria è frenetica, il basso un pilastro, i riff di chitarra semplici ma azzeccatissimi, il ritornello vi si stamperà in testa a vita. Un inizio migliore non poteva esserci.
Non c'è pausa e Damned For All Time si presenta con un ottimo riff di chitarra. E' un pezzo cattivo e Hansi lo interpreta alla perfezione. Batteria e chitarre, Hansi e coro si alternano senza sosta, ma l'apice si raggiunge con il riff centrale, eccezionale e velocissimo (sarà opera di Hansen?).
La title track è epica: la batteria è martellante, il giro di basso crea un'atmosfera quasi doom e le chitarre sembrano trascinarsi rendendo ancora più cupo il suono, per sfociare in brevi ma ottimi riff ben studiati, che rendono Follow The Blind forse il miglior pezzo dell'album. Il pezzo si chiude come aveva incominciato con una splendida chitarra acustica.
Hall of The King ci riporta violenza e velocità di esecuzione, però non è un pezzo che emoziona come i precedenti, velocissimo riff centrale a parte.
Anche Fast to Madness non è un brutto pezzo, ma non emerge dalla media, nonostante l'ottima batteria che provoca un "pericoloso" headbanging e la solita chitarra tiratissima, essendo un po' piatto come il precedente. Si fanno piacevolmente ascoltare, ma difficilmente li ricorderete appena finito di ascoltare tutto l'album.
Nei suoi 3 minuti e mezzo lo strumentale Beyond the Ice sa emozionare come pochi altri suoi simili: un crescendo che tecnicamente non ha rivali all'interno del disco.
Ed ecco che Hansen e Hansi (eheheheh) duettano in Valhalla, dove l'ex zucca all'inizio tira un acuto da paura. E' un pezzo che riprende il carattere epico della title track, e Hansen gli dà quel tocco in più, rendendolo eccezionale.
Gran finale con due cover: la bella e veloce Don't Break the Circle, dei Demon, e l'ultima traccia che è da rimanere basiti: la cover di Barbara Ann dei Beach Boys. Mi son sempre chiesto che cosa c'entrasse.
In conclusione un ottimo album di powermetal, con i Blind Guardian che sfruttano al massimo la loro grande vena creativa e si fanno aiutare da Kai Hansen, che certo non ha guastato. Imperativo possederlo per i fan, consigliatissimo per chi vuole "istruirsi" su questa band, naturalmente dopo aver ascoltato Imaginations From the Other Side.
P.S.- ...è impossibile procurarselo dalle mie parti. Nell'unico negozio di dischi della mia città il settore metal è pietoso...
Elenco tracce testi e video
02 Banish From Sanctuary (05:28)
In deserts I was preaching
The hand of God was with me
Baptized with water and I praised
The one who came behind me
To save us all with the holy ghost
-A prophet of the fools I've been lost
I'm sure you're there wandering around
But do you care for me
I'm alone
You talk of love not for me
In my dungeon cold I could think about
All the things you've said
But I can't understand you famous son
(Lead: Andr?
I left the way of heaven
Or did you lead me from it
Ref.:
No No turning back
I'm banished from Sanctuary
The darkness in me is filling me with pain
There's no way to turn back for eternity
In shadows I'm walking
And caught in loneliness
Deliverance I wait for but how long?
Are you the one who should come
Show me the light in you
Or should we wait for someone?
Another!
Ref.
(Solo: Andr?Lead: Marcus/Andr?
Your reich should come to this world
Your way smoothed by my blood, friend
My might will decrease but you'll get
High, yes so much higher
Be careful of the rats, friend
Cause they'll never sleep
Before they catch you, too
The blind can see the sun
Cripples walk alone
The deaf can hear my words
They believe just believe
They believe in me
Look! The signs are near
To perform my task
To perform my way
To perform the way I walked
The way of the crucifix
(Lead: Andr?
I hear the hangman coming
I wait for execution
Ref.
06 Fast to Madness (05:58)
White hair and red eyes
he's holding the crown
the king of the island
Elric of Melniboné
he's born for destruction
he's ruled by the gods
eternal hero
the scale of the universe
Blood on his hands
he's born a thousand times
why don't we feel the signs
from the dragon king
Before the end of fire his journey starts
the eagle's spreading his wings
following his fate
he's ruled from anywhere
leads him to the truth
it's deep inside
Hail to the king
they'll bless tonight
he's the Saviour of our time
In a dark land far behind
no one knows it's name
there's a dark sword cold as ice
a blade created for him
Stormbringer cries
for the soul of everyone
Stormbringer cries
"The ending has begun"
Ref.:
Run fast to Madness
Forever I
Run fast to Madness
Leave him alone
Ref.: Run...
Destiny's calling him back to the island
And time? Time is standing still
time is not real
time is not real
Armed with weapons awaiting the fight
he's leading the dragon
the sun will never rise
creatures are lurking
in darkness they hide
high in the sky the dragon king is flying
Hail to the king of Melniboné
he's the Saviour of our time
Mourning deserts rottingness
blade of dark will rise
gods devine
are hiding in the dark
needing Elric's hand
Stormbringer cries:
"I'm forged in darkest time"
Stormbringer cries:
"The ending has begun"
Ref.: Run...
08 Valhalla (04:55)
High in the sky where eagles fly
Morgray the dark enters the throne
Open wide the gate, friend
the king will come
blow the horn and praise
the highest Lord
who'll bring the dawn
he's the new god
in the palace of steel
persuade the fate of everyone
the chaos can begin
let it in
(Lead: André)
Bridge:
So many centuries
so many Gods
we were the prisoners
of our own fantasy
but now we are marching
against these Gods
I'm the wizard, I will change it all
(Lead: André/Marcus)
Ref.:
Valhalla - Deliverance
Why've you ever forgotten me
(Solo: André)
Ref.:
Valhalla - Deliverance
Why've you ever forgotten me
Magic is in me
I'm the lost magic man
never found what I was looking for
now I found it but it's lost
The fortress burns
broken my heart
I leave this world
all Gods are gone
Bridge:
So many centuries
so many Gods
we were the prisoners
of our own fantasy
but then we had nothing
who'll lead our life
no, no, we can't live without Gods
Ref.:
Valhalla - Deliverance
Why've you ever forgotten me
09 Don't Break the Circle (04:18)
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle
Concentrate!
I'm your contact link across the great divide
Many voices in my ear
Hold on I think there's something coming through
From the other side. It's for all those who believe
The chain is stronger if the lifeline is unbroken
So beware the presence of The Unexpected Guest
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle
Unexplained
Many things we thought were lost may come to light
On a higher plain in the spirit world
Where only a few of us possess the second sight
Now the messenger awaits
The chain is stronger if the lifeline is unbroken
So beware the presence of The Unexpected Guest
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle.The circle must keep going on and on
But wait
Is there one amongst us here who believes?
A stranger to the sign
Take care, for all the things you fear
May be revealed
Within the forces of the night
The chain is stronger if the lifeline is unbroken
So beware the presence of The Unexpected Guest
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle
Don't break the circle
The circle must keep going on and on
The circle must keep going on and on
10 Barbara Ann (01:42)
A Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Oh Barbara Ann take my hand
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Barbara Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Went to a dance looking for romance
Saw Barbara Ann so I thought I'd take a chance
Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Oh Barbara Ann take my hand
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Barbara Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Say Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Oh Barbara Ann take my hand
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Barbara Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Tried Betty Sue
Tried Betty Sue
Tried Betty Sue but I knew she wouldn't do
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Oh Barbara Ann take my hand
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Barbara Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Oh Barbara Ann take my hand
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
Barbara Ann
(Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann)
You got me rockin' and a rollin'
Rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann
Bar bar bar bar Barbar Ann
Barbar Ann
Barbar Ann
11 Surfin' USA (02:25)
If everybody had an ocean
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californi-a
You'd seem 'em wearing their baggies
Huarachi sandals too
A bushy bushy blonde hairdo
Surfin' U.S.A.
You'd catch 'em surfin' at Del Mar
Ventura County line
Santa Cruz and Trestle
Australia's Narabine
All over Manhattan
And down Doheny Way
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
We'll all be planning that route
We're gonna take real soon
We're waxing down our surfboards
We can't wait for June
We'll all be gone for the summer
We're on surfari to stay
Tell the teacher we're surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
Haggerties and Swamies
Pacific Palisades
San Anofree and Sunset
Redondo Beach L.A.
All over La Jolla
At Waimia Bay
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
12 Bright Eyes (04:23)
Fool just another
fool just another
...
I've been waiting
for signs of god
create- enslaved- behaved-
everything is out of control
Leave me alone
isolation bears hope
there's something else waiting
a promised destiny
freezing me
I feel restless and low
these days full of sadness
had joyfully changed
into fear
My freakshow will start tonight
don't miss the right time
Ref.:
Bright eyes
blinded by fear of life
no Merlin is by my side
everything is out of control
everything is out of control
in my future plans
everything is out of control
noone's left to hurt
everything is out of control
sorrow's gone away
Broken memories
walking upstairs
step by step
I see the whole world burning
the poet dies in Neverland
how it burns
Hey, mother stubborn
I really hate you
if you say yes I will say no
ashes to ashes
but dust won't be dust
if you go there
I will go back
Ref.:
Bright eyes
blinded by fear of life
betrayed by sunrise
bright eyes
blinded by fear of life
no Merlin is by my side
Hey, father stubborn
you're ying
and I'm yang
I feel alone
who really cares
Born into ashes
to lose all the games
with a smiling face
Ref.:
Bright eyes
blinded by fear of life
and dark dragons rise
bright eyes
blinded by fear of life
no Merlin is by my side
So I sit still in my room, today
winter's here
in summer's season
shall I say
I was wrong
if I'm right
farewell to my last hope
13 Mordred's Song (05:18)
I've lost my battle before it starts
My first breath wasn't done
My spirit's sunken deep
Into the ground
Why am I alone
I can hear my heartbeat
Silence's all around
See hate will rise
So don't come closer
Fear your child
Born with a king's heart
But fate fooled me
And changed my cards
No one asked if I want it
If I like it
Chorus:
Pain inside is rising
I am the fallen one
A figure in an old game
No Jokers on my side
I plunged into misery
I'll turn off the light
And murder the dawn
Turn off the light
And murder the dawn
Nothing else,
But laughter is around me
Forevermore
No one can heal me
Nothing can save me
No one can heal me
I've gone beyond the truth
It's just another lie
Wash away the blood on my hands
My father's blood
In agony we're unified
I never wanted to be
What they told me to be
Fulfill my fate then I'll be free
God knows how long
I tried to change fate
Chorus
I plunged into misery
I'll turn off the light
And murder the dawn
Turn off the light
And murder the dawn
14 The Wizard (03:15)
He was a wizard of a thousand kings
And I chanced to meet him one night wandering
He told me tales and he drank my wine
Me and my magic man kinda feeling fine
He had a cloak of gold and eyes of fire
And as he spoke I felt a deep desire
To free the world of its fear and pain
And help the people to feel free again
Why don't we listen to the voices in our hearts
'Cause then I know we'd find we're not so far apart
Everybody's got to be happy everyone should sing
For we know the joy of life
Peace that love can bring
So spoke the wizard in his mountain home
The vision of his wisdom means we'll never be alone
And I will dream of my magic night
And the million silver stars,
They're guiding with their light
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