Style: Power metal, speed metal, classic rock, surf rock, oldies
Primary Emotions/Themes: This is like that crazy old uncle who tells the wild stories at family get togethers. Always entertaining, if maybe a bit far fetched
Thoughts: Albums like this one are a bit of an anomaly to me. Compilation albums of "rarities" and unreleased tracks are always so hit and miss with me. Normally they are an easy pass. Blind Guardian's entry into this field is one of the very few "collections" albums that I would consider essential to the bands discography.
As one would expect from a random assortment of songs, the style of Forgotten Tales is all over the place. You have everything from oldies covers of Mr Sandman and Surfin' USA. Both are true to the source material while still incorporating Guardian's trademark sound. Honestly they are some of the better covers that I've heard in the metal genre.
Acoustic versions of Bright Eyes, Mordred's Song and Lord of the Rings are excellent rerecording's of these now classic tracks. The live songs... I'm a bit torn on these. On one hand it's cool to listen to the audience sing The Bard's Song, on the other hand it's annoying because it completely overshadows Hansi's amazing voice.
Overall the album is a fun collection of oddities that flows strangely well for tracks that were never meant to be put together. It's the missing piece to Guardian's discography that is often overlooked. I personally love it because it gives me a peek into the bands not so serious side. Sometimes even bard's need to relax and have fun.
Written May 10th 2024
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