Blind Guardian - Nightfall In Middle-Earth (1998) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hansi Kursch - Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass Andre Olbrich - Lead, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars Marcus Siepen - Rhythm Guitars Thomas Stauch - Drums, Percussion The Choir Comapany: Billy King, Rolf Kohler, Thomas Hackmann and Olaf Senkbeil Olver Holzwarth - Bass, Fretless Bass Markus Wiesner - Keyboards, Orchestral Effects Michael Schuren - Grand Piano Max Zelzner - Flutes, Alto-Flute Narrators: Norman Eshley and Douglas Fielding. Produced by Blind Guardian. Recorded at Twilight Hall Studios, Krefeld, Karo Music Studios, Brackel (HH, Germany) and Sweet Silence Studios (Copenhagen, DK) from September 1997 - March 1998 except Piano Recorded at Vox Studios, HH, Germany in January 1998. Narration Recorded at Air edel-Studios, London. Drums, Percussion, Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass, Paino and Interludes Recorded and Engineered by Charlie Bauerfeind. Lead, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard and Orchestral Effect Recorded and Engineered by Piet Sielck. Vocals Recorded and Engineered by Flemming Rasmussen. Flutes, Alto-Flute and Vocals Recorded and Enginnered by Cuny. Mixed by Flemming Rasmussen at Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen (Denmark). Interludes Mixed by Charlie Bauerfeind at Sweet Silence Studios. Mixing Engineers: Flemming Rasmussen, Charlie Bauerfeind and Piet Sielck. Paintings by Andreas Marschall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Nightfall In Middle Earth" is based on the story "The Silmarillion" by J. R. R. Tolkien. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This album is dedicated to J. R. R. Tolkien. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track Listing 1) War Of Wrath (Olbrich, Kursch) 1:50 2) Into The Storm (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:24 3) Lammoth (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:28 4) Nightfall (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:34 5) The Minstrel (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:32 6) The Curse Of Fëanor (Olbrich, Kursch, Stauch, Siepen / Kursch) 5:41 7) Captured (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:26 8) Blood Tears (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:23 9) Mirror Mirror (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:07 10) Face The Truth (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:24 11) Noldor (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:51 12) Battle Of Sudden Flame (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:44 13) Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill) (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:53 14) The Dark Elf (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:23 15) Thorn (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:18 16) The Eldar (Olbrich, Kursch, Schuren / Kursch) 3:39 17) Nom The Wise (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:33 18) When Sorrow Sang (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:25 19) Out On The Water (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:44 20) The Steadfast (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:21 21) A Dark Passage (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:01 22) Final Chapter (Thus Ends...) (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) War Of Wrath (Olbrich, Kursch) 1:50 Sauron: The field is lost Everything is lost The black one has fallen from the sky and the towers in ruins lie The enemy is within, everywhere And with him the light, soon they will be here Go now, my lord, while there is time There are places below Morgoth: And you know them too I release thee, go My servant you'll be for all time Sauron: As you command My king Morgoth: I had a part in everything Twice I destroyed the light and twice I failed I left ruin behind me when I returned But I also carried ruin with me She, the mistress of her own lust ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Into The Storm (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:24 Give it to me I must have it Precious treasure I deserve it Where can I run How can I hide The Silmarils Gems of treelight Their life belongs to me Oh it's sweet how the Darkness is floating around We are following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm And we're following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm Lord I'm mean Blackheart show me What you hold in hand I still hunger for more Release me From my pain Give it to me How I need it How I need it How I need it Where can I run How can I hide The Silmarils Gems of treelight Their life belongs to me Oh it's sweet how the Darkness is flouring around We are following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm And we are following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm Lord I'm mean I did my part Now it's your turn And remember What you've promised Where can I run How can I hide The Silmarils Gems of treelight Their life belongs to me Oh it's sweet how the Darkness is flouring around We are following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm And we are following The will of the one Through the dark age And into the storm Lord I'm mean ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Lammoth (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:28 Instrumental ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Nightfall (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:34 No sign of life did flicker In floods of tears she cried "All hope's lost it can't be undone They're wasted and gone" "Save me your speeches I know what you want "They blinded us all" You will take it away from me Take it and I know for sure The light she once brought in Is gone forever more" Like sorrowful seagulls they sang "(We're) lost in the deep shades The misty cloud brought (A wailing when beauty was gone Come take a look at the sky) Monstrous it covered the shore Fearful into the unknown" Quietly it crept in new horror Insanity reigned It spilled the first blood When the old king was slain Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Immortal land lies down in agony "How long shall we mourn in the dark The bliss and the beauty will not return Say farewell to sadness and grief Though long and hard the road may be" But even in silence I heard the words "An oath we shall swear by the name of the one Until the world's end It can't be broken" Just wondering how I can still hear these voices inside The doom of the Noldor drew near The words of a banished king "I swear revenge" Filled with anger aflamed our hearts Full of hate full of pride We screamed for revenge Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Immortal land lies down in agony "Vala he is that's what you said Then your oath's been sworn in vain (But) freely you came and You freely shall depart (So) never trust the northern winds Never turn your back on friends" "Oh I'm heir of the high lord! "You better don't trust him" The enemy of mine Isn't he of your kind and Finally you may follow me Farewell" He said Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Quietly crept in and changed us all Nightfall Immortal land lies down in agony Back to where it all began Back to where it all began ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) The Minstrel (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:32 So I stand still In front of the crowd Excited faces What will be next? I still don't have a clue I still don't have a clue ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6) The Curse Of Feanor (Olbrich, Kursch, Stauch, Siepen / Kursch) 5:41 Taken the long way Dark realms I went through I arrived Vy vision's so clear In anger and pain I left deep wounds behind But I arrived Truth might be changed by victory Beyond the void but deep within me A swamp of filth exists A lake it was of crystal beauty But Arda's spring went by I've heard the warning Well curse my name I'll keep on laughing No regret No regret Don't fear the eyes of the dark lord Morgoth I cried All hope is gone but I swear revenge It's my oath I will take part in your damned fate I will always remember their cries Like a shadow which covers the light I will always remember the time But it's past I cannot turn back the time I don't look back There's still smoke near the shore But I arrived Revenge be mine I will take part in your damned fate Morgoth I cried Hear my oath So don't fear the eyes of the dark lord "Suddenly I realized Soon you will be free The prophecies Set your spirit free I've never believed in My deeds were wrong I've stained the land And slain my kin (Burning Soul) There's no release from my sins It hurts The curse of Feanor runs long Time and only time will tell us Tell, was I right or wrong? When anger breaks through I'll leave mercy behind" I will take part in your damned fate Morgoth I cried Hear my oath So don't fear the eyes of the dark lord I will always remember their cries Like a shadow they'll cover my life But I'll also remember mine And after all I'm still alive I'm still alive Morgoth I cried All hope is gone but I swear revenge Hear my oath I will take part in your damned fate He said ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7) Captured (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:26 Morgoth: You are now my guest, forever ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8) Blood Tears (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:23 Welcome to my realm We are both condemned to live It's a dark fate I can hear your calls I can hear your calls The eternal life I see it still burns Each night I cry in pain Alive Though the end appears my friend And blood tears I cry You've searched and you've found Cut off your old friends hand My mind's In frozened dreams The rotten flesh Of bitter lies Welcome to where time stands still No one leaves and no one ever will Can't hold it It burns Each night I cry in pain And blood tears I cry Endless grief remained inside And blood tears I cry Endless grief remained inside It seems so clearly Bent the bow Cause life in me is gone And a cruel wind's blowing cold And a cruel wind's blowing cold In blame And life it shall wane Each night I cry in pain And blood tears I cry Endless grief remained inside And blood tears I cry Endless grief remained inside And blood tears I cry Endless grief remained Cut off your old friends hand ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9) Mirror Mirror (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 5:07 Far, far beyond the island We dwelt in shades of twilight Through dread and weary days Through grief and endless pain It lies unknown The land of mine A hidden gate To save us from the shadow fall The lord of water spoke In the silence words of wisdom I've seen the end of all Be aware the storm gets closer Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That the winds will change Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That tomorrow bears insanity Gone's the wisdom of a thousand years A world in fire, in chains and fear Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I'll better keep it safe Shall I leave my friends alone Hidden in my twilight hall I know the world is lost in fire Sure there is no way to turn it Back to the old days Of bliss and cheerful laughter We're lost in barren lands Caught in the running flames Alone How shall we leave the lost road Time's getting short so follow me A leader's task so clearly To find a path out of the dark Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That the winds will change Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That the winds will change Even though The storm calmed down The bitter end Is just a matter of time Shall we dare the dragon Merciless he's poisoning our hearts Our hearts How shall we leave the lost road Time's getting short so follow me A leader's task so clearly To find a path out of the dark Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That the winds will change Mirror mirror on the wall True hope lies beyond the coast You're a damned kind can't you see That the winds will change ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10) Face The Truth (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:24 Narrator: The moon, the sign of hope It appeared when we left the pain of the ice-desert behind We faced up to the curse and endured misery Condemned we are We brought hope, but also lies, and treachery ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11) Noldor (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:51 Noldor Blood is on your hands Your bane's A tearful destiny Black clouds will carry Rain of blood I've seen it rain We were lost On grinding ice In fear and hunger Dead winter reigns In Araman (You) can't escape From my damnation (Nor) run away From isolation Guilty spoke the one This deed can't be undone Hear my words Fear my curse I know where the stars glow (And the) sky's unclouded the water runs my friend (But) Noldor Blood is on your hands Tears unnumbered You will shed and dwell in pain Your homeless souls Shall come to me There's no release Slain you might be Slain you will be Slain you will be And the lost Who will not reach the House of spirits (Will) grow old and weary (You) can't escape From my damnation (Nor) run away From isolation Guilty spoke the one This deed can't be undone Hear my words Fear my curse I know where the stars glow (And the) sky's unclouded Sweet the water runs my friend (But) Noldor Blood is on your hands Tears unnumbered You will shed and dwell in pain I've seen this bitter end As I've foreseen The storm and ice And I could see it (How) a million died And I? The blame's on me Cause I was not there (You) can't escape From my damnation (Nor) run away From isolation Guilty spoke the one This deed can't be undone Hear my words Fear my curse I know where the stars glow (And the) sky's unclouded Sweet the water runs my friend (But) Noldor Blood is on your hands Tears unnumbered You will shed and dwell in pain Dead winter reigns And tomorrow's still unknown Lies Condemned and betrayed Now everything is said See my eyes Are full of tears And a cruel price We've paid But still I can't claim That I'm innocent Lost ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12) Battle Of Sudden Flame (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:44 Oh lord here I stand Suddenly everything's gone For all Noldor From now on my life Is my gift to you Just lead my fate To the victory Of elves ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13) Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill) (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:53 Light fails at dawn The moon is gone And deadly the night reigns Deceit Finally I've found myself In these lands Horror and madness I've seen here For what I became a king of the lost? Barren and lifeless the land lies Lord of all Noldor A star in the night And a bearer of hope He rides into his glorious battle alone Farewell to the valiant warlord The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill I stand alone No one's by my side I'll dare you Come out You coward Now it's me or you He gleams like a star And the sound of his horn's Like a raging storm Proudly the high lord Challenges the doom Lord of slaves he cries Slowly in fear The dark lord appears Welcome to my lands You shall be damned Lord of all Noldor A star in the night And a bearer of hope He rides into his glorious battle alone Farewell to the valiant warlord The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The iron crowned Is getting closer Swings his hammer Down on him Like a thunderstorm He's crushing Down the Noldor's Proudest king Under my foot So hopeless it seems You've troubled my day Now feel the pain Lord of all Noldor A star in the night And a bearer of hope He rides into his glorious battle alone Farewell to the valiant warlord The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The Elvenking's broken He stumbles and falls The most proud and most valiant His spirit survives Praise our king Praise our king Praise our king Praise our king Lord of all Noldor A star in the night And a bearer of hope He rides into his glorious battle alone Farewell to the valiant warlord The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill The Fate of us all Lies deep in the dark When time stands still at the iron hill ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14) The Dark Elf (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:23 A dark seed of evil is grown ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15) Thorn (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:18 A black swan Is born in that night The misty pond (Has) got a new king Get a new king So what can we do With our lives When it all begins It's hard and It's cruel Will grace die in pain? Will light ever rise again? Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll pray at the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns Let us march on To the fields of sacrifice (I'm) wondering why I'll carry on Will I betray myself To rise In the silence It's time to explain (And) Search for truth in lies Useful lies Needless love's damned What can we do with our lives When it all begins Come follow me And you will se How it will be When all the pain is gone away Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll pray at the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns Let us march on Though there's no hope at our side Let us be brave Though by glory we are denied But Don't you think It's time for us To bring to and end Come play the song of death The wisdom in us both Will make it Special guaranteed Play the song of death I'm lost in the depth of his eyes I can't flee Inner pain caused insanity It's deep within The fear and the hunger Enslaved and denied By my love and my enemies I'm the ill-gotten son Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll pray at the edge of thorns Oh at dawn I'll face the edge of thorns ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16) The Eldar (Olbrich, Kursch, Schuren / Kursch) 3:39 I've seen the moon And the first sunrise I'll leave it to the memories And kiss the wind goodbye For the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream Of the Eldar's Song of doom I've tasted poison When I drank the wine of fate But fear was in my heart I realized too late The house of spirits' call For the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream Of the Eldar's Song of the doom High's the fee Soon my spirit will return Welcome dawn Your light will take me home I say farewell To the Eldar I'm trapped inside this dream Of the Eldar's Song of doom ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17) Nom The Wise (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:33 Beren: Thus he died Nom the Wise Lord of the caves and friend of man Fair, and noble Most beloved of the Noldor race Paid the price, he redeemed the oath Farewell my friend, farewell ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18) When Sorrow Sang (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 4:25 So let me out of it Out of the cold To bring back light and hope for all And so if I could get you in Just for a little while Into the songs of sorrow You might understand Where am I now Beyond the dawn (Where) hope's turned to dust At all Immortal love's Fooled by the hands of doom That love means death I realized too soon Caught in the afterlife I've gone too far When sorrow sang softly and sweet The air was filled with tears Full of sadness and grief When sorrow sang softly and sweet I feel like screaming But I can't breath in Shall I wane right now I will not leave this World of living Till she has said Goodbye Out in the cold I still wait for her call And her last kiss It shall be release I cant' forget her Her face will not leave From the depths of my soul I long for her Caught in the afterlife I've gone too far When sorrow sang softly and sweet The air was filled with tears Full of sadness and grief When sorrow sang softly and sweet So, I heard all about it Her voice's so clear She's woven both themes in there Moved me to tears The world shall hear this sad song Song of sorrow song of grief Can't change the way of his kind Can't change the way of her kind Caught in the afterlife I've gone too far When sorrow sang softly and sweet The air was filled with tears Full of sadness and grief When sorrow sang softly and sweet ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19) Out On The Water (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 0:44 Out on the water The island of the dead that live There they dwelt Until they left the world and Still there deeds live forth in songs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20) The Steadfast (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:21 Morgoth: Now truly I am king of the world Master of fate Damned shall thy house be Thou shall not question my power Nor shall thou defy me further ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21) A Dark Passage (Olbrich, Kursch / Kursch) 6:01 I feel cold Facing the darkness The light's gone away Deep in his castle he said All land'll be mine There's one thing for survey The triumpth of shadow is near Deep in his castle they sang We shall not rest Until all will be thyme All land is mine You can be sure Don't dare me The mighty one screamed Smashed down the light I will not rest till I'm king Valinor's empty now Allied the elves and men They shall be damned Rise of Fall A dark tale ends Just wondering how In the darkness They found their way To the right place Children of the sun Second kindred We call their race Treat them kindly Born in the east (Are the) nightfearer They moved westwards Towards the sunshine (They are) morning breath like Short's their life (Like) dawn passes by When the day comes The field was lost (And) hope had past away The sun went down Beyond the sea Dark was the hour But they shall come again Smashed down the light I will not rest till I'm king Valinor's empty now Allied the elves and men They shall be damned Clean my wounds Wash away all fear Let carriage be mine No one hears me crying No song no tale Which contains all the grief (But) Renowned the deeds And the victims of defeat Sit down on your chair And look out for your kin With my eyes you'll see And with ears you'll hear You troubled my day And you've questioned my strength (But) don't mess With the master of fate Smashed down the light I will not rest till I'm king Valinor's empty now Allied the elves and men They shall be damned I smashed down the light And dared Valinor I smashed down the light revenge will be mine Slowly marching on Still we're marching Slowly marching on Still we're marching Slowly marching on Still we're marching Slowly marching on Still we're marching ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22) Final Chapter (Thus Ends...) (Olbrich, Kursch) 0:48 Narrator: Thus ends the fifth battle By the treachery of men the field is lost The night falls and great is the triumph of evil The league is broken The last vestige of hope lives in the hidden king Only he troubles the dark one's mind Only he could bring ruin to the black foe Though the land lies down in agony and the curse lives on A new star shall arise And a new day shall come, again ------------------------------------------------------------------------