A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album) explained

A Night at the Opera
Type:studio
Artist:Blind Guardian
Cover:A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album - cover art).jpg
Caption:Cover art by Paul R. Gregory
Released:25 March 2002
Recorded:January–December 2001 at Twilight Hall Studios, Grefrath and Hammer Music Studios, Hamburg, Germany
Length:67:01
Label:Virgin/Century Media
Producer:Charlie Bauerfeind
Prev Title:Nightfall in Middle-Earth
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:A Twist in the Myth
Next Year:2006

A Night at the Opera is the seventh studio album by the German power metal band Blind Guardian, released in 2002. It is named after the 1975 Queen album of the same name, which is itself named after the Marx brothers film of the same name.[1]

This album continues a stylistic change from power metal into a more progressive sound, with multiple overlaid vocals, choirs, orchestral keys and guitar leads and less emphasis on powerful guitar riffs and heavy rhythms.[2] As a result, drummer Thomen Stauch would leave the group, citing dissatisfaction with the direction the group was going in.[3]

Album content

There are seven different studio versions and two official live versions of "Harvest of Sorrow" – two in English, two in Spanish ("Mies Del Dolor", "La Cosecha Del Dolor"), one in Italian ("Frutto Del Buio"), one in French ("Moisson de Peine"), and one in a mix of all of the versions except the English acoustic and Italian (also called "Harvest of the World").

The song "Battlefield" is featured as the music in the heavy metal edition of the Adult Swim game Robot Unicorn Attack.

Lyrical references

The album features the concepts and themes familiar to Blind Guardian fans, such as historical battles and religious references.

Personnel

Blind Guardian

Guest musicians

Production

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heim . Frank . A Night At The Opera . 2022-10-28 . Blind Guardian . en-US.
  2. Web site: W . Bear . 2022-03-25 . (2002) Blind Guardian – A Night At the Opera: Anniversary Special . 2022-10-28 . Tuonela Magazine . en-US.
  3. Web site: Exclusive Thomen Stauch interview . 2022-10-28 . Drummerszone.
  4. Pizek, Jeff (5 April 2002). "Blind Guardian's new CD has the ring of Queen", Daily Herald, p. 4.
  5. Book: Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Oricon Entertainment. Roppongi, Tokyo. 2006. 4-87131-077-9. ja.