BLIND GUARDIAN
The God Machine NUCLEAR BLAST
Blistering comeback from Germany’s most powerful
Blind Guardian’s photo gimmick was a little on the nose
A PERENNIAL
BENCHMARK
for power metal excellence, Blind Guardian have arguably tested their fans’ patience in recent times. Although plainly an impressive achievement, 2019’s
Legacy
Of
The
Dark
Lands
(billed as Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra) offered 75 minutes of drumless, guitar-free indulgence that was big, bombastic and ambitious, but also a bit boring. In stark and rather glorious contrast,
The
God
Machine
has clearly been designed to smash naysayers’ faces in, while reminding the faithful that no one can touch this band when they’re on top form. Seven years on from the last ‘proper’ Blind Guardian album,
Beyond
The
Red
Mirror,
Hansi Kürsch and his comrades have located a generous supply of the elixir of youth and have each chugged a few pints of it. Their 11th album is an outright, spine-shattering triumph as a result.