In every band's lifespan there's always that one album that makes you say "What the Hell are they doing?" For German power metal band Blind Guardian this is NOT that album. After their last release, A Night At The Opera, there was growing concern among the Blind Guardian faithful that they had reached their peak and had nowhere left to go but down. In true Germanic power metal fashion, Blind Guardian laid a massive beatdown on those concerns with it's new release A Twist In The Myth.

Title track "This Will Never End," is more than just a song, its a statement, and a strong one at that. "This Will Never End" is a straight-up kick your teeth in thrasher that takes the listener back to the days of Follow the Blind and Battalions of Fear.

The Bards follow the title track up with a mind-blowing song "Otherland". The first time I listened to "Otherland" I hated it, as it wasn't the same Blind Guardian I was used to, then I heard the chorus. In my opinion, this song is the biggest surprise of the album. I have since become addicted to this song and the Queen-like chorus blows me away everytime I listen to it. Marcus Siepen and Andre Oberlich prove why they are the best guitar duo in music today, with blistering solos and "dueling guitar" riffs.

BG follows "Otherland" up with a classic Guardian song "Turn The Page." This song has all the ingredients that make an excellent Blind Guardian song: bombastic drumming, harmonic riffs, and, of course, the amazing chorus.

The next song is the song they released as a single earlier this year, "Fly". I wasn't a big fan of "Fly" when the single came out, as it was too much of a departure from the usual Guardian sound. However, that being said, after listening to it about 100 times, I am now a believer in it.

The first ballad on the album comes in the form of "Carry The Blessed Home." When the words Blind Guardian and ballad are used in the same sentence, it conjures up visions of sitting around a fire in the 17th century and listening to a minstrel sing his tales of far off kingdoms. "Carry the Blessed Home" is not one of those ballads. In fact, if anything, the intro speaks more of an Ozzy Osbourne ballad, then it does anything else. It is my opinion, that this is the weakest song on the album, even though it rocks out towards the end.

"Another Stranger Me" sets up shop at 6th on the track listing, and for all intents and purposes, is an amazing song. The intro is something you'd expect to find on a post-Marty Friedman Megadeth album, however it is soon evident that this a far better song than anything Megadeth has put out since Risk. The vocals open up with an almost whispering Hansi Kursch, and then take off like a rocket. It's a new approach for Blind Guardian, and a new sound, but they pull it off in amazing fashion.

"Straight Through The Mirror" is another classic Blind Guardian song. Mixing in elements used on A Night At the Opera this song has become one of my favorites and the chorus is nothing short of spectacular.

"Lionheart" is the 8th track and more of an old school Blind Guardian song, it almost sounds like it belongs on their Tales From The Twilight Hall album. More of a melodic thrash song.

Remember a few songs ago when I said Blind Guardian ballads take you back to the 17th century? Enter the ballad Skalds and Shadows. Aside from the "Bard's Song", off the Somewhere Far Beyond album, I can't think of a better ballad. Complete with strings and a flute this song definitely does the job of whisking you back to the Middle Ages

From there we go to "The Edge." "The Edge" has so many layers to it, that it's almost the musical equivalent of an onion, only it doesn't stink. This song is definitely a new approach for Blind Guardian, as it has more of a "modern" sound to it.

"The New Order," which chalks in at 11th, is the second biggest surprise of the album. Like "Otherland," this song is a far cry from the usual Blind Guardian song. When the song kicked off I decided to give it a try as I had been surprised by how good "Otherland" turned out to be. Let me just say that songs like "Otherland" and "The New Order" are the reason Blind Guardian is the best metal band in the world. Instead of sticking with what had been working, they ventured out into new territory and they succeeded. "The New Order" has one of those choruses that you wish could go on forever. It is an absolutely brilliant song.

"Dead Sound Of Misery," track 13, is…well I guess it could be called a variation of the song "Fly," it has almost the same music, as well as almost the same vocal pattern. Not sure what or where they were going with this, but it's an enjoyable song to be sure. Certainly fun to try and pick out the very small differences between the two songs!

All in all, it's safe to say that Blind Guardian still rocks and that they have a long way to go before they hit their peak. For those fans worried about new drummer Fredrick Ehmke let me say this, he is every bit as good, if not better then, former drummer, Thomen Stauch. You will be very pleased.

As a special treat for fans they have included an interview at the end of the cd (track 14) in which they discuss the touring schedule and drop a bombshell on the fans (don't worry its an awesome announcement!!!)

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