The Band
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984. They were very influential in later heavy metal bands. Their lyrics are mostly based on books of fantasy authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, and also by traditional legends and tales.
Band Members
- Hansi Kürsch – vocals
- André Olbrich – lead guitar
- Marcus Siepen – rhythm guitar
- Frederik Ehmke – drums
The Album
The God Machine is Blind Guardian’s twelfth studio album. It was released on September, 2nd, 2022 by Nuclear Blast.
The album cover is a drawing of Gadreel, Angel of War from the American fantasy artist and illustrator Peter Mohrbacher and his Angelarium series
The tone of this album is more aggressive than Blind Guardian’s previous works since it deals with the frustration and anger that its members felt because of the pandemic
The Songs
1. Deliver Us from Evil. The first song of the album. Heavy and powerful start, with some rhythm changes throughout the song. Epic. He begs God to save them from evil. It refers to Salem witches and the devil. Based on The Crucible, by Arthur Miller.
2. Damnation. Heavy speeding track. About fighting demons and doing everything necessary to survive. It was inspired by The Kingkiller Chronicle, the fantasy series written by Patrick Rothfuss.
3. Secrets of the American Gods. It’s a more symphonic song. Love the first guitar solo. The lyrics refer to Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel American Gods.
4. Violent Shadows. I first heard this song and watched them perform it, by streaming, when they played it as a preview of this album, at the German Metal Festival, Wacken 2020, which was filmed without an actual audience, because of COVID-19 restrictions. It’s aggressive and with a super catchy chorus. The song is about Kaladin Stormblessed and his life as a Bridgeman in Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy book series The Stormlight Archive.
5. Life Beyond the Spheres. An epic symphonic track. Nice guitar solo. It’s about the creation of the universe, the Big Bang. The beginning of everything and the evolution of space and time. But it’s from the point of view of some aliens that were watching everything as it unfolded.
Huge chorus vocals that give that epic feel, that would be amazing for being played live with the help of the audience.
A positive song about keeping hope.
6. Architects of Doom. Super fast-paced song. Power metal. It has some rhythm changes during the song and a great guitar solo. About someone seeking salvation, a miracle, even though he is condemned. It refers to the cycle of violence.
Inspired by the science fiction franchise Battlestar Galactica.
7. Let It Be No More. It starts as a ballad. Speaks about the rapture, the ones that were saved and the ones that were left behind and await their destiny. It’s inspired by the death of the singer Hansi Kürsch’s mother, and also by the TV series The Leftovers.
8. Blood of the Elves. My favorite song on the album. Brings back Blind Guardian’s old sound. Epic, fast, heavy, with good riffs. The galloping sound of the drums, double pedal, leads the rhythm of the song, which is super intense from the first moment. It’s based on The Witcher series, Blood of Elves, written by Andrzej Sapkowski.
9. Destiny. A softer song to end the album nicely. A love song, but of an obsessive love. In Blind Guardian’s style, with an epic feel and big chorus. It’s inspired by the tale The Ice-Maiden by Hans Christian Andersen.
Final Thoughts
The German power metal machine created, once again, a great album, that takes us back to their old sound, speed metal with thrash elements. Outstanding vocals that show Hansi’s storytelling capacity. Perfect orchestration and choirs for that epic feeling. Powerful drums. And phenomenal harmonies and melodies created by the guitars.
As with any Blind Guardian album, this work overflows with epic tone and lyrics, even though they’re mostly based on books and TV series, they all have the theme of the search for God’s help.
Tracklist
1) Deliver Us From Evil
2) Damnation
3) Secrets Of The American Gods
4) Violent Shadows
5) Life Beyond The Spheres
6) Architects Of Doom
7) Let It Be No More
8) Blood Of The Elves
9) Destiny