Metal Reviews :: View topic - My Blind Guardian "problem" ...

Obviously, you're allowed to have your opinions, even if I can't understand them :wink:

There are production problems on some of their albums, but that's the same with many bands. There are plenty of beloved bands who feature albums, even newer ones, with production issues.

As far as the music goes, it's still just a matter of taste. I personally think most PM melodies are pretty generic, and that includes bands I like alot. I still admit that while it's great to have metal with a sense of melody, the melodies by many bands are pretty easy listening. Blind Guardian's are more original to me than most - partially due to the often-Celtic approach, partially due to the fact that they simply don't always take the obvious way out. I don't quite understand how you can't make the melodies out because the melodies were the very first thing that drew me to them. Still, to each his own. There is also alot more layering in BG than in most bands of any type, starting a bit with Imaginations From the Other Side and reaching its apex with A Night at the Opera. It's alot to take in and is not for everyone. Some will say that some prog bands are more "technical", so this shouldn't be the case if they like prog, but a prog band like Dream Theater rarely layers beyond the 5 instruments there. there are few guitar harmonies or backing vocals beyond a couple of voices. Each instrument is technically astounding, but the arrangements are not nearly as extensive.

While Hansi is one of the more highly trained singers out there (again, from Imaginations on), he also has a very unique timber and style that is not for everyone. It's okay to appreciate talent while not being particular to a style. You can respect something without liking it. The same goes for Andre's playing. He is also of a very unique style. he uses alot of wah, which is not normally a big PM thing. he doesn't noodle around and wax neo-classical like some prog and PM players. His solos are usually just an extention or an elaboration of the melodies already present in the song, often layered in a Brian May-esque way. Again, it's about what works for each individual. What makes BG tough for you to listen to is what also makes them original amonst their peers. Bands that stand out as original often are difficult for some fans because they are different than what those people are accustomed to listening to. It's not a bad thing.

Example: I hate Gamma Ray (mostly due to Kai's vocals), and I know alot of PM fans love them. There's one or two things about the band I just can't get past, so I end up in the minority. Oh well. I'm happy with my own opinions

Author:	Antonakis [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:13 am ]
Post subject:	My Blind Guardian "problem" ...
I know this post is going to sound totally weird to some but I'm gonna try it anyway. I have a problem with Blind Guardian. No matter how hard I've tried, I can't like their music. Now you're going to say "So why sweat?". The point is that I consider myself to be a prog-power-melodic-heavy metaler more than any other kind of metal. I've been listening to metal (and not only ofcourse) for about 15 years now and I have listened to really many many stuff, starting with the classics of those early years and going through most kinds of metal during the latest 6-8 years. Still, I can't like/understand/appreciate the music of Blind Guardian. Normally, I would not care much since I've never been one to follow trends. But when I see and hear people talking so passionately about a band in "my" musical taste, I should at least be able to know why they do this. Magazines and web-sites give crazily high ratings to most of their albums, people are talking about musical majesty, timeless compositions, ingenious masterpieces and techically perfect musicians but I can't get any of those. I tried listening (and liking) them when I was 16-18 but it didn't work out. Then I tried again when I was 20, again at 23, now one more time at 28.... and every time the experience is worse. I tried listening to them while driving, when I wake up, when I go to sleep, when I read or play computer games.... NOTHING works! For me there's hardly any coherent melody, the production sounds messed up in most of their albums, I can hardly separate what each instrument plays - the whole thing is a jungle of unrelated "metal" sounds. And the weirdest thing since most people say the opposite, the vocals and the guitar solos are simply unbearable to my ears. I even sometimes need to fast-forward the solo parts... Now, I'm not saying that their music sucks! No no, I'd never make a thread for such a stupid reason since I'm pretty sure that their music DOESN'T suck and negativism isn't my thing. I'm only saying that I'm the one responsible for not being able to understand their music when apparently everybody else does. So what do I do/think wrong ? Are there more like me out there ? Why can't I understand/appreciate their music ? Any constructive comments are welcome.

Author:	Cú Chulainn [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:44 am ]
Post subject:
start with Lord of The Rings. Then work from there.

Author:	derncare [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:45 am ]
Post subject:
Obviously, you're allowed to have your opinions, even if I can't understand them There are production problems on some of their albums, but that's the same with many bands. There are plenty of beloved bands who feature albums, even newer ones, with production issues. As far as the music goes, it's still just a matter of taste. I personally think most PM melodies are pretty generic, and that includes bands I like alot. I still admit that while it's great to have metal with a sense of melody, the melodies by many bands are pretty easy listening. Blind Guardian's are more original to me than most - partially due to the often-Celtic approach, partially due to the fact that they simply don't always take the obvious way out. I don't quite understand how you can't make the melodies out because the melodies were the very first thing that drew me to them. Still, to each his own. There is also alot more layering in BG than in most bands of any type, starting a bit with Imaginations From the Other Side and reaching its apex with A Night at the Opera. It's alot to take in and is not for everyone. Some will say that some prog bands are more "technical", so this shouldn't be the case if they like prog, but a prog band like Dream Theater rarely layers beyond the 5 instruments there. there are few guitar harmonies or backing vocals beyond a couple of voices. Each instrument is technically astounding, but the arrangements are not nearly as extensive. While Hansi is one of the more highly trained singers out there (again, from Imaginations on), he also has a very unique timber and style that is not for everyone. It's okay to appreciate talent while not being particular to a style. You can respect something without liking it. The same goes for Andre's playing. He is also of a very unique style. he uses alot of wah, which is not normally a big PM thing. he doesn't noodle around and wax neo-classical like some prog and PM players. His solos are usually just an extention or an elaboration of the melodies already present in the song, often layered in a Brian May-esque way. Again, it's about what works for each individual. What makes BG tough for you to listen to is what also makes them original amonst their peers. Bands that stand out as original often are difficult for some fans because they are different than what those people are accustomed to listening to. It's not a bad thing. Example: I hate Gamma Ray (mostly due to Kai's vocals), and I know alot of PM fans love them. There's one or two things about the band I just can't get past, so I end up in the minority. Oh well. I'm happy with my own opinions

Author:	The_Voice [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:55 am ]
Post subject:
Why force it?, thats really wrong, if you dont like something, you dont have to feel like you just have to, leave it like that and listen to the things that you like, thats the metal way, and if you really have been listen to metal for that long, you should have realized this by now, people have different tastes and it would be really boring if we all liked the same things.

Author:	Eyesore [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:37 am ]
Post subject:
I know. You don't like Blind Guardian, but you like similar bands. So what? Move on.

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Author:	EpicMetalFan30 [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:11 am ]
Post subject:
derncare wrote: Obviously, you're allowed to have your opinions, even if I can't understand them There are production problems on some of their albums, but that's the same with many bands. There are plenty of beloved bands who feature albums, even newer ones, with production issues. As far as the music goes, it's still just a matter of taste. I personally think most PM melodies are pretty generic, and that includes bands I like alot. I still admit that while it's great to have metal with a sense of melody, the melodies by many bands are pretty easy listening. Blind Guardian's are more original to me than most - partially due to the often-Celtic approach, partially due to the fact that they simply don't always take the obvious way out. I don't quite understand how you can't make the melodies out because the melodies were the very first thing that drew me to them. Still, to each his own. There is also alot more layering in BG than in most bands of any type, starting a bit with Imaginations From the Other Side and reaching its apex with A Night at the Opera. It's alot to take in and is not for everyone. Some will say that some prog bands are more "technical", so this shouldn't be the case if they like prog, but a prog band like Dream Theater rarely layers beyond the 5 instruments there. there are few guitar harmonies or backing vocals beyond a couple of voices. Each instrument is technically astounding, but the arrangements are not nearly as extensive. While Hansi is one of the more highly trained singers out there (again, from Imaginations on), he also has a very unique timber and style that is not for everyone. It's okay to appreciate talent while not being particular to a style. You can respect something without liking it. The same goes for Andre's playing. He is also of a very unique style. he uses alot of wah, which is not normally a big PM thing. he doesn't noodle around and wax neo-classical like some prog and PM players. His solos are usually just an extention or an elaboration of the melodies already present in the song, often layered in a Brian May-esque way. Again, it's about what works for each individual. What makes BG tough for you to listen to is what also makes them original amonst their peers. Bands that stand out as original often are difficult for some fans because they are different than what those people are accustomed to listening to. It's not a bad thing. Example: I hate Gamma Ray (mostly due to Kai's vocals), and I know alot of PM fans love them. There's one or two things about the band I just can't get past, so I end up in the minority. Oh well. I'm happy with my own opinions Wow! nice job explaining BG from a technical standpoint. I am impressed and agreed 100% with every sentence. Fortunatley for me, I get Blind Guardian and they are the sole reason that "power metal" is now, by far!!!! my favorite Metal...i mean "musical" genre!

Author:	ganeshaRules [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:28 am ]
Post subject:
Everybody has bands that "has" to like, but does not. I can't stand Lamb of God, for example. Just don't bother, there's a lot of great bands (past and future) to discover & like. Pass over the ones you don't like. And the same is applicable to records inside a band. I'm a great fan of Imaginations from the other side, for me is one of the best metal albums. But A night in the opera is not for me. Well, I hardly listen to it. And I know there's a lot of people that will listen to it lots, but I'm just not one of them. So, don't try more (or well, if you want, try it again later, as you like) and listen to what you like, trying always to discover new bands (and albums) that enter into that category.

Author:	Rhys [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:34 am ]
Post subject:
Mines Xasthur. Should like it, but i hate it.

Author:	Dago [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:45 am ]
Post subject:
following the reaper wrote: Mines Xasthur. Should like it, but i hate it. The problem is not liking Xasthur but getting into the atmosphere he makes.

Author:	derncare [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:
I should revise my wording about Gamma Ray though. I can't really say I hate them because there are certain aspects I relly like about their music, but there are others that just keep me from listening to them.

Author:	Thy Serpent [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: My Blind Guardian "problem" ...
Antonakis wrote: I tried listening to them while driving, when I wake up, when I go to sleep, when I read or play computer games.... NOTHING works! Try listening to them while making love

Author:	Ness [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:37 pm ]
Post subject:
I like Xasthur, Blind Guadian, and Gamma Ray. I win!

Author:	derncare [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:
metalNESS wrote: I like Xasthur, Blind Guadian, and Gamma Ray. I win!

Author:	Legacy Of The Night [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:
Fag. Just kiddin'. So you don't like Blind Guardian, but you "should?" I don't like Kreator, but I "should." Nothing wrong with that.

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Author:	Ness [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:
A band I don't like that everybody else seems to like is Iced Earth. I can't stand them. I've tried to get into them, but I just can't. It isn't all Barlow's voice, b/c I'm not that big of a Demons and Wizards fan either.

Author:	Cú Chulainn [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:31 pm ]
Post subject:
metalNESS wrote: A band I don't like that everybody else seems to like is Iced Earth. I can't stand them. I've tried to get into them, but I just can't. It isn't all Barlow's voice, b/c I'm not that big of a Demons and Wizards fan either. same here.

Author:	Thy Serpent [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:
I have listened to just a couple of BG songs, Journey Through The Dark( think that was the song name) and Welcome To Dying. Both live versions. I liked them, especially Journey Through The Dark, but the vocals bothered me. Dint like them much.

Author:	fluffy_ferret [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:
Well, first as yourself, what kind of metal do you like? I think blind guardian can be divided into two or three periods, early middle and new blind guardian. The new would be the first two albums (german speed metal), middle the next two (where blind guardian branch more heavily into power metal), and new the next four (where blind guardian really create their own style --- and each of them sound different). Personally, what i did was begin with 'lord of the rings' and then listen to their first two albums... the juicy bits being (a few examples) Majesty, Run for the Night, Battalions of Fear, Banish from Sanctuary, Follow the Blind, Valhalla -- check those songs out! Middle, you got Goodbye My Friend, Traveler in Time, Lord of the Rings, Lost in the Twilight Hall... From 'Somewhere Far Beyond' every song is good and to be recommended... New blind guardian i should leave to you, as every album sounds and feels quite different. Some people have difficulty getting into some of those albums. If you don't like what you're hearing, then skip Blind Guardian, ffs! Plenty of other good bands out there, speed and power...

Author:	noodles [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:
I feel like I should like Isis because theyre the most well known bands in the whole progressive/post-hardcore/metal scene, but none of their songs go anywhere. btw I wouldn't worry about it, just spend your time listening to music you actually like.

Author:	Tlaloc [ Sun Oct 01, 2006 10:41 am ]
Post subject:
Quote: For me there's hardly any coherent melody, the production sounds messed up in most of their albums, I can hardly separate what each instrument plays - the whole thing is a jungle of unrelated "metal" sounds. And the weirdest thing since most people say the opposite, the vocals and the guitar solos are simply unbearable to my ears. I even sometimes need to fast-forward the solo parts... +100 They're just downright boring. Hell, even Dragonforce kick BG's arse.