Battalions of Fear

Battalions of Fear is the debut album by German metal band Blind Guardian released in 1988. The album is a raw and unpolished speed metal effort that touches on thrash metal. It lacks many of the stylistic flourishes that would mark the band's music in later years, focusing more on speed and aggression. The opening track "Majesty" remains a fan favorite and is often featured in the band's live performances. This album was remastered, remixed and re-released on 15 June 2007, with the whole first demo tape, Symphonies of Doom, of the band (at the time called Lucifer's Heritage) as part of the bonus tracks. The album was again re-released as part of the A Traveler's Guide to Space and Time boxset with minor adjustments to the mixing and with new mastering.

Battalions of Fear
Studio album by
Blind Guardian
Released17 May 1988
RecordedOctober-November 1987
StudioKaro Studios, Münster, West Germany
Genre
Length39:20
LabelNo Remorse
ProducerKalle Trapp
Blind Guardian chronology
Battalions of Fear
(1988)		 Follow the Blind
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Sputnikmusic [1]
Metal Storm8.6/10[2]
Rock Hard9/10[3]

Lyrical and musical themes

Track listing

All songs written by André Olbrich and Hansi Kürsch, except where noted. All lyrics written by Kürsch.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Majesty"7:28
2."Guardian of the Blind" (André Olbrich, Hansi Kürsch, Marcus Siepen, Thomas Stauch)5:09
3."Trial by the Archon"1:41
4."Wizard's Crown"3:48
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."Run for the Night"3:33
6."The Martyr"6:14
7."Battalions of Fear"6:06
8."By the Gates of Moria"2:52
Cassette and CD edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
9."Gandalf's Rebirth"2:10
2007 re-release bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
10."Brian" (Demo Version) (André Olbrich, Hansi Kürsch, Markus Dörk)2:41
11."Halloween (The Wizard's Crown)" (Demo Version)3:22
12."Lucifer's Heritage" (Demo Version)4:36
13."Symphonies of Doom" (Demo Version)4:08
14."Dead of the Night" (Demo Version)3:33

Personnel
Blind Guardian
  • Hansi Kürsch – vocals and bass, producer on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
  • André Olbrich – lead guitar and backing vocals, producer on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
  • Marcus Siepen – rhythm guitar and backing vocals
  • Thomas "Thomen" Stauch – drums
Guest musicians
  • Hans-Peter Frey - drums on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
  • Christof Theisen - rhythm guitar on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
  • Rolf Köhler, Michael Voss - backing vocals
Production
  • Kalle Trapp – producer, engineer, mixing
  • Holger Schreiber - engineer on "Gandalf's Rebirth"
  • van Waay Design – cover art
Lucifer's Heritage (tracks 10-14)
  • Hansi Kürsch – vocals and bass
  • André Olbrich – lead guitar
  • Markus Dörk – rhythm guitar, additional vocals on "Symphonies of Doom"
  • "Thomen" Stauch – drums

Charts
Chart (2018) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[4] 53

References
  1. Sputnikmusic review
  2. Metal Storm review
  3. Lerch, Uwe. "Rock Hard". issue 24. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  4. "Offiziellecharts.de – Blind Guardian – Battalions of Fear" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
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