1988 studio album by Blind Guardian
Battalions of Fear |
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Studio album by Blind Guardian |
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Released | 18 May 1988 |
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Recorded | October–November 1987 |
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Studio | Karo Studios, Münster, West Germany |
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Genre | - Speed metal
- thrash metal
- power metal
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Length | 39:20 |
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Label | No Remorse |
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Producer | Kalle Trapp |
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Blind Guardian chronology |
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| Battalions of Fear (1988) | Follow the Blind (1989) | |
Professional ratingsReview scores |
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Source | Rating |
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Sputnikmusic | [1] |
Metal Storm | 8.6/10[2] |
Rock Hard | 9/10[3] |
Battalions of Fear is the debut studio album by the German power metal band Blind Guardian, released in 1988. The album is a raw and unpolished speed metal effort that touches on thrash metal. It lacks many of the stylistic flourishes that would mark the band's music in later years, focusing more on speed and aggression. The opening track "Majesty" remains a fan favorite and is often featured in the band's live performances. This album was remastered, remixed and re-released on 15 June 2007, with the whole first demo tape, Symphonies of Doom, of the band (at the time called Lucifer's Heritage) as part of the bonus tracks. The album was again re-released as part of the A Traveler's Guide to Space and Time boxset with minor adjustments to the mixing and with new mastering.
Track listing
All songs written by André Olbrich and Hansi Kürsch, except where noted. All lyrics written by Kürsch.
Side oneNo. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Majesty" | 7:28 |
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2. | "Guardian of the Blind" (André Olbrich, Hansi Kürsch, Marcus Siepen, Thomas Stauch) | 5:09 |
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3. | "Trial by the Archon" (instrumental) | 1:41 |
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4. | "Wizard's Crown" | 3:48 |
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Side twoNo. | Title | Length |
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5. | "Run for the Night" | 3:33 |
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6. | "The Martyr" | 6:14 |
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7. | "Battalions of Fear" | 6:06 |
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8. | "By the Gates of Moria" (instrumental) | 2:52 |
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Cassette and CD edition bonus trackNo. | Title | Length |
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9. | "Gandalf's Rebirth" (instrumental) | 2:10 |
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2007 re-release bonus tracksNo. | Title | Length |
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10. | "Brian" (demo version) (André Olbrich, Hansi Kürsch, Markus Dörk) | 2:41 |
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11. | "Halloween (The Wizard's Crown)" (demo version) | 3:22 |
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12. | "Lucifer's Heritage" (demo version) | 4:36 |
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13. | "Symphonies of Doom" (demo version) | 4:08 |
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14. | "Dead of the Night" (demo version) | 3:33 |
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Lyrical and musical themes
Personnel
- Blind Guardian
- Guest musicians
- Hans-Peter Frey – drums on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
- Christof Theisen – rhythm guitar on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
- Rolf Köhler, Michael Voss – backing vocals
- Production
- Kalle Trapp – production, engineering, mixing
- Holger Schreiber – engineering on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
- van Waay Design – cover art
- Lucifer's Heritage (tracks 10–14)
- Hansi Kürsch – vocals and bass
- André Olbrich – lead guitar
- Markus Dörk – rhythm guitar, additional vocals on "Symphonies of Doom"
- Thomas "Thomen" Stauch – drums
Charts
References
- ^ Sputnikmusic review
- ^ Metal Storm review
- ^ Lerch, Uwe. "Battalions of Fear review". issue 24. Rock Hard. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Blind Guardian – Battalions of Fear" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- Thomas Kelleners
- Markus Dörk
- Christoph Theissen
- Hans-Peter Frey
- Thomas Stauch
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Studio albums | |
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Live albums | |
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Compilations | |
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Singles | |
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Related articles | |
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Authority control databases | - MusicBrainz release group
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