'' is the fourth studio-album by German Power/Speed-Metal act
Blind Guardian .
It was published in
1992 and produced by
Kalle Trapp . The cover artwork was created by
Andreas Marschall , who has also drawn the artwork for some more of Blind Guardian's releases (''
Tales From The Twilight World '', ''
Nightfall In Middle-Earth '', etc.).
The album saw the band creating its own original sound, while still employing some of their speed/power metal techniques. Thus its popularity with old time fans,by whom it is usually considered the best Blind Guardian album.
The strong songwriting of the album (including fan favorite The Bard's Song) made the album a power metal staple. The image of the cover and the two Bard's Songs gave the band it's nickname "The Bards". The use of the nickname has been also extended to the fans of the group, Circle of the Bards being the now defunct fan club and Hansi frequently calling the fans Bards.
The album was acclaimed by
Power Metal fans all across Europe and especially Japan, allowing them to tour for the first time outside Germany. The tour in the Far East led to the first live album of the band,
Tokyo Tales .
#Time What is Time - 5:42
#Journey Through the Dark - 4:45
#Black Chamber - 0:56
#Theatre of Pain - 4:15
#The Quest for Tanelorn - 5:53
#Ashes to Ashes - 5:58
#The Bard's Song (In the Forest) - 3:09
#The Bard's Song (The Hobbit) - 3:52
#The Piper's Calling - 0:58
#Somewhere Far Beyond - 7:28
- Bonus Songs
#Spread Your Wings - 4:13
#Trial By Fire - 3:42
#Theatre of Pain (Classic Version) - 4:13
- ''Somewhere Far Beyond'' is based on Stephen King's '' The Dark Tower '' series.
- ''The Bard's Song: The Hobbit'' is based on the J. R. R. Tolkien story of the same name.
- ''Quest for Tanelorn'' is based on the works of Micheal Moorcock.
