Nightfall

Blind Guardian, by many considered the best representatives of speed/power metal, by others simply another epic metal band. The one thing that cannot be argued is that you can clearly identify them, either from the first albums like Tales from the Twilight World, all the way to A Night at the Opera. This german band has shown a very interesting approach to revitalize all those stories, myths and tales of old, which for some reason seem to attract the metal community: Arthurian lore, Fantasy in general and perhaps the theme which more identifies them, J. R. R. Tolkien. And here is where Nightfall cuts in.

The album Nightfall in Middle-Earth is a theme album describing the events told in the Silmarillion written by J. R. R. Tolkien, specifically the War of the Jewels. What makes this album such a huge hit (many discovered Blind Guardian through this album, including myself) is the more instrumental and orchestral approach, which perhaps is not as heavy, speedy or powerful as preview releases like Somewhere Far Beyond or Imaginations from the Other Side, but the actual power comes forth from these arrangements mixed in with choir-like vocals, narrations and interludes which make the album a bit long (22 songs crossing the hour-threshold) but quite different as well. Just pay attention to the drums through the whole song Nightfall, the bells in the background of the chorus and the changes in all the different voices and you'll realize how amazing this song is. I could say that it's perhaps one of the most complex songs written by this band.

Nightfall, tells us the story of Fëanor and his seven sons mourning all the mayhem and destruction brought upon by Morgoth and their oath to revenge on him, in spite to the mighty Valar.

No sign of life did flicker
In floods of tears she cried
"All hope's lost it can't be undone
They're wasted and gone"

"Save me your speeches
I know (They blinded us all)
What you want
You will take it away from me
Take it and I know for sure
The light she once brought in
Is gone forevermore"

Like sorrowful seaguls they sang
"(We're) lost in the deep shades
The misty cloud brought
(A wailing when beauty was gone
Come take a look at the sky)
Monstrous it covered the shore
Fearful into the unknown"
Quietly it crept in new horror
Insanity reigned
And spilled the first blood
When the old king was slain

[chorus:]
Nightfall
Quietly crept in and changed us all
Nightfall
Quietly crept in and changed us all
Nightfall
Immortal land lies down in agony

"How long shall we
Mourn in the dark
the bliss and the beauty
Will not return
Say farewell to sadness and grief
Though long and hard the road may be"
But even in silence I heard the words
"An oath we shall swear
By the name of the one
Until the world's end
It can't be broken"

Just wondering how
I can still hear these voices inside

The doom of the Noldor drew near

The words of a banished king
"I swear revenge"
Filled with anger aflamed our hearts
Full of hate full of pride
We screamed for revenge

[chorus]

"Vala he is that's what you said
Then your oath's been sworn in vain
(But) freely you came and
You freely shall depart
(So) never trust the northern winds
Never turn your back on friends"

"Oh I'm heir of the high lord!"
"You better don't trust him"
The enemy of mine
Isn't he of your kind and
Finally you may follow me
Farewell
He said

[chorus]

Back to where it all began

Artist: Blind Guardian
Album: Nightfall in Middle-Earth
Year: 1998