The Forgotten Tales - Blind Guardian

The Forgotten Tales

- Blind Guardian

(1996)

This album is a compilation of songs which includes one live Blind Guardian song, a few covers but mostly of acoustic versions of the band’s previous songs. I would rate these acoustic pieces much higher than the originals. This is a decent album to get introduced to the band with but it doesn’t give a true image of the band. I mean, the first two songs are completely uncharacteristic of BG. I started listening to BG about two years ago (I guess) and have been a huge fan for a long time now. I would recommend you to start with Nightfall in Middle Earth or Imaginations From The Other Side or their recent Another Night At The Opera.

The band has written some really amazing lyrics and Hansi is one of my favourite vocalists. Blind Guardian must be THE greatest melodic metal band of all time. But here in India, its really difficult to find any of their stuff. So unless you have no problems with online shopping, you might find it hard to get hold of such stuff.

1. Mr. Sandman

Its a cover song which is much much better than the original but apart from that, its nothing really spectacular.

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1. Surfin’ U.S.A.

This is a Beach Boy cover and believe me, its much better. Its a very weird choice by the band, but well...

Ratings -

1. Bright eyes (acoustic)

Believe me, this is a really amazing song. I liked the electric version but this one beats the earlier by miles. It has remained one of my favourite songs for a long time. Amazing https://lyrics.

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1. Lord of the Rings

Another great BG song. This was the very first BG song I heard and so it has a special place in my heart. I really like the song.

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1. The wizard

Its a cover of Uriah Heep’s The Wizard. And of course, much better. I like the way Hansi sings.

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1. Spread your wings

Its a Queen’s cover and quite decent as well.

Ratings -

1. Mordred’s song

Although the guitars are quite good, I prefer the original version by the band.

Ratings - 1/2

1. Black chamber

I find this a bit boring.

Ratings -

1. The bard’s Song (live)

I can’t praise this song enough. Although I prefer the original, you have to admit that its really amazing that whenever the band performs this live, its the audience who ends up singing this song and not Hansi.

Ratings -

1. Barbara Ann/Long tall Sally

I’ll ignore this one.

Ratings - Why bother?

1. A past and future secret

Another one of my BG favourites. Its a great song about King Arthur (The Once And Future King), and the part where Hansi sings - ’’I will wait and guard... the future king’s crown’’ must be one of my top 10 moments in all BG songs.

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1. To France

This is a Mike Oldfield cover. Its really quite decent.

Ratings - 1/2

1. Theatre of pain This is a remix from the band’s previous album, Somewhere Far Beyond.

Ratings - 1/2