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Everyone knows this band. Blind Guardian have been setting the trends in the Power Metal genre since way back in the early 90s as they made their transition from Speed to Power, and not everything they've done is on target, but this album sure is.

Somewhere Far Beyond is elven woods sword and sorcery Power Metal at its finest, and even people who hate that kind of thing will find many a jewel to cherish in its dense, glorious midst. The vocals of Hansi Kursch are the finest we will ever see them, clear and muscular at the same time, and they soar above the ballsy, pulverizing Speed Metal riffage with clarity and class to spare. The production is really fantastic, as it is sparkling and crystal-clear, while still retaining the heaviness necessary for it to pack some real power behind it. The best thing about this album is simply the fact that it has no bad songs at all, opening with the layered, introspective "Time What Is Time" and then going on into the speed assault of "Journey Through the Dark," the catchy mid-paced anthem "Theater of Pain," album highlight "Ashes to Ashes," and the monstrous romp of the title track, without stuttering at all. It's hard to pick highlights, because every fucking song on here is a highlight, and that is not hyperbole. This is a rightfully chosen classic, people, and if you haven't heard it yet, what are you waiting for? One of the genre's defining albums.