What bands/albums have you listened to recently?

Blind Guardian - A Night at the Opera (2002)

1. Precious Jerusalem 6:22
2. Battlefield 5:37
3. Under the Ice 5:45
4. Sadly Sings Destiny 6:05
5. The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight 5:30
6. Wait for an Answer 6:30
7. The Soulforged 5:18
8. Age of False Innocence 6:06
9. Punishment Divine 5:45
10. And then there was Silence 14:06

On their seventh studio album, the legendary German band presented their loyal fans with a real Trojan horse (and no wonder, as two tracks are dedicated to Troy!): for over an hour of material, there wasn't a single obligatory mention of Tolkien's "sacred" legacy, but instead, unfamiliar progressive elements popped up, systematically getting rid of the outdated remnants of speed metal.

I've read so many reviews like this: listened once - rating 3, the second time - already 6-7, the third - 10 out of 10... This doesn't happen with mediocre, run-of-the-mill albums. Even skeptical S. Kastalsky, in my opinion the best Russian rock music critic, gave it a 4+ (very good, a guarantee of quality and almost a unique phenomenon according to his rating scale). What is so special about this seemingly gloomy and pompous album, with its academic nature and lack of genuine emotion, according to some superficial reviewers?

The sound... no, the Atmosphere! Dense, bright, vibrant, creating a kind of 3D effect and not letting go from the first to the last minute. As far as I remember, albums with such a consistent sound concept can be counted on the fingers of one hand (and it's not even certain that you'll need both hands!). Muffled, as if distant bass, "non-piercing" drums, slightly softened guitar lines, unobtrusive shimmering computer and symphonic effects - all this is generously coated with the powerful voices of "king" Kürsch and his backing vocal ensemble (coated in this context, like ice is coated with sunlight - creating an effect of cold, slippery shine with some joyful anticipation - anyone who has ever skated on an outdoor rink will understand me!..).

The album is full of various tricks, surprises, hidden under the icy thickness of the sound: almost a techno intro in the "opener," medieval music transitioning into a fierce melodic feast in Battlefield, and one grandmaster pause with a fade-out in The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight is worth something? Pure rock-pop, without any reservations. You find yourself thinking that a knight, clad in thick armor, in the year one thousand and something, with a guitar instead of a sword in his hands, is the most ordinary thing and there were definitely corresponding engravings in history textbooks:rolleyes: ...

I will not draw parallels between Queen and their immortal work of the same name (which I have listened to and re-listened to) and Blind Guardian with their metal opera. Let me seem tasteless and not understanding anything about music - but please forgive me for this blasphemy, the German album of 2002 still appeals to me a little more than the British album of 1975. Although how can one masterpiece be better than another?!:)

P.S. The link to the picture doesn't work, I'll fix it later...