Hobbits, Orcs, and Other Tolkien Related Fantasy

Since the new Blind Guardian album is coming out soon (if it hasn't already), today's album is a 1998 Blind Guardian classic called Nightfall in Middle Earth.  The album is a concept based on the J.R.R. Tolkien book The Silmarillion.  With 22 tracks running over an hour, there would be some fairly high expectations as far as the album goes.  Throw in the band's penchant for going all out on their albums, both musically and songwriting wise, there is much pressure to succeed.  In many respects, this album does that and more, as Hansi Kursch shows why he is considered one of the best vocalists in the last 15 years or so.  Obviously, since this album is based on a Tolkien work, some people who haven't read any of his works may not get the idea while those who are familiar will gain much from the album.  One of the things that makes this album great is that the band is so naturally good at making grand sounding albums that they don't even need to try to overextend themselves.