Review by Michael on January 24, 2021.

Meanwhile black metallers Sarkrista from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany are about to release Sworn To Profound Heresy, their third album. Stylistically not much has changed, it is and remains the usual OSBM of Scandinavian kind (especially the Finnish scene seems to influence the band), sometimes some black-thrash borrowings in the style of Desaster and consorts sound through. The songs are consistently well thought out and oscillate between extremely fast and mid-tempo passages. The guitars create an icy atmosphere and the drums are played thunderously. The voice is full of aggression and hate and is performed very convincingly. The lyrics are about Satan and blasphemy, also here nothing has changed compared to the good predecessor Summoners of the Serpents Wrath. This is only logical, if according to Sarkrista they make "a great homage to our great master, and eternal leader SATAN!".

This time the band has brought some colleagues from the international black metal scene into the studio for vocal support. On the one hand Lord Lokhraed of Nocturnal Depression (France) may raise his voice on 'The Chosen Ones Of Satan', 'Destroyer Of The Sun' is refined by The Infidel of Curse upon a Prayer (Finland) and AntimateriA supports the band on 'A Whisper From Forgotten Coffins'.

The production is quite punchy, though I miss the bass a bit. But all in all it is worthy of a black metal album. Those who know the previous album should know how this album sounds, nothing has really changed in the sound.

The cover is also kept very blasphemous, it shows a burning church from which the smoke rises and manifests itself to the dark lord. In front of this four hooded figures pay homage. Here, too, the Scandinavian influence clearly comes to light.

Particularly noteworthy songs are 'Lair Of Cursed Remains', a pretty fast black metal cracker, which comes across incredibly hateful, 'Destroyer Of The Sun' is a pretty atmospheric song, which is almost dragging for Sarkrista standards and 'A Whisper From Forgotten Coffins' - a pretty catchy and almost rocking song.

If you like OSBM without big experiments and surprises, Sworn To Profound Heresy is the right choice for you. There is nothing new here, nothing innovative, but just cool black metal without frills.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Michael on January 24, 2021.

Meanwhile black metallers Sarkrista from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany are about to release Sworn To Profound Heresy, their third album. Stylistically not much has changed, it is and remains the usual OSBM of Scandinavian kind (especially the Finnish scene seems to influence the band), sometimes some black-thrash borrowings in the style of Desaster and consorts sound through. The songs are consistently well thought out and oscillate between extremely fast and mid-tempo passages. The guitars create an icy atmosphere and the drums are played thunderously. The voice is full of aggression and hate and is performed very convincingly. The lyrics are about Satan and blasphemy, also here nothing has changed compared to the good predecessor Summoners of the Serpents Wrath. This is only logical, if according to Sarkrista they make "a great homage to our great master, and eternal leader SATAN!".

This time the band has brought some colleagues from the international black metal scene into the studio for vocal support. On the one hand Lord Lokhraed of Nocturnal Depression (France) may raise his voice on 'The Chosen Ones Of Satan', 'Destroyer Of The Sun' is refined by The Infidel of Curse upon a Prayer (Finland) and AntimateriA supports the band on 'A Whisper From Forgotten Coffins'.

The production is quite punchy, though I miss the bass a bit. But all in all it is worthy of a black metal album. Those who know the previous album should know how this album sounds, nothing has really changed in the sound.

The cover is also kept very blasphemous, it shows a burning church from which the smoke rises and manifests itself to the dark lord. In front of this four hooded figures pay homage. Here, too, the Scandinavian influence clearly comes to light.

Particularly noteworthy songs are 'Lair Of Cursed Remains', a pretty fast black metal cracker, which comes across incredibly hateful, 'Destroyer Of The Sun' is a pretty atmospheric song, which is almost dragging for Sarkrista standards and 'A Whisper From Forgotten Coffins' - a pretty catchy and almost rocking song.

If you like OSBM without big experiments and surprises, Sworn To Profound Heresy is the right choice for you. There is nothing new here, nothing innovative, but just cool black metal without frills.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by TheOneNeverSeen on February 7, 2023.

While I enjoy Blind Guardian's more prominent and acclaimed works like "Somewhere Far Beyond" and "Nightfall in Middle-Earth", this album is, at least to me, unmatchable. While being a transitional album in the band's discography (the more recognizable clear sound is not yet developed, while the rawness of "Battalions of Fear" and "Follow the Blind" is gradually fading), it offers some of the band's best material, and some of their most epic, remarkable songs, at the same time incorporating all beloved elements of Blind Guardian's music.

The album is opened by one of the band's best songs, "Traveler in Time". It has a cool riff, interesting development with a typical speedy solo and an immensely catchy chorus with one of the most genius ways of rhyming I have ever seen. The following song, "Welcome to Dying" also bomBARDs you with an epic guitar melody (especially at 0:21 and 1:55) and another remarkable chorus that I just can't help but want to sing whenever I listen to the album. The rest of the album is consistent in its excellence with the chaotic and indeed weird interlude "Weird Dreams", the acoustic "Lord of the Rings" and the constantly changing in terms of the tempo and feeling "Altair 4" adding to its diversity. But even when the album follows the structure of the first two tracks, it's successful at keeping the listener engaged and excited (especially on "​​Lost in the Twilight Hall", "Tommyknockers" and "​​The Last Candle"). All songs are awesome, highly atmospheric and inspiring.

In terms of the sound, the album is also impeccable. Sure, the production is not as clean as on the band's later works, but personally I believe it fits its melodies perfectly. Hansi's vocals, while not being too high-pitched like the ones of some other famous power metal vocalists, sound powerful and... angry?, at the same time staying very melodic and clear. Clearly, this album wouldn't be half as cool without the genre's best vocalist. The backing vocals are also decent, particularly on "Welcome to Dying" and "Goodbye My Friend". Other band's members have also done a great job. I highly enjoyed Thomas's energetic drumming, which adds to the album's energy a lot. The atmosphere of an exciting yet dangerous journey created by the album cannot be overestimated. The classic Tolkien adventurous, mysterious spirit is incarnated in both the album's cover art and the music itself.

I've always appreciated Blind Guardian's lyrics a lot. Classical flying-dragons-with-my-heart-made-of-steel kind of lyrics would probably not fit the band's spirit. "Tales from the Twilight World" is a perfect example of Blind Guardian's simple yet mysterious and engrossing style of writing lyrics. By the way, the reference to "Guardian of the Blind" from the band's debut in "The Last Candle"'s opening lines is simply genius.

So, this album is brilliant in terms of nearly everything. One of my favorite works in the genre and in metal as a whole.

Rating: 9.9 out of 10

Review by Allan on July 24, 2002.

Since they debuted in 1989 with “Battalions of Fear”, Blind Guardian has been a band that have progressed intensely. Not only did they push themselves to their limits every time, but they challenged the rest of the metal scene to keep up with them. With that progression they’ve lost and gained fans and created many mixed feelings amongst their following. Though, no matter what period in time, Blind Guardian has always followed up to fan's expectations. “Tales From The Twilight World” is no different, and maybe THE highlight of the band's career and of the power genre. It holds something for everyone that listens. It is a piece of history that fans of new Blind Guardian can look into, and an album that other Guardian fans can reminisce over.

There are an overwhelming number of excellent things about this album. One of the greatest things about “Tales From The Twilight World” is that it’s just one hundred percent, pure, stripped down heavy metal. Nothing on this album is overdone and you won’t find one drop of the pretentiousness that clouds the bands latest efforts. The performance is bombastic, but it’s not like you’ll be spending a night at the opera. Few bands can walk into that studio space and create something that radiates with true emotion like it did when the band first heard it inside them. When Blind Guardian went into the studio for “Tales...” there was something special happening; no fan of Blind Guardian will deny that. It was that emotion that was conveyed so strongly that pushed this album over the edge. Not only that, but the execution of the spectacular ideas made “Tales...” meaningful. From start to finish, not a ripple will be seen on the surface. What it comes down to is that “Tales...” is an album that is free of any excess rubbish, surprisingly well thought out, and a lot deeper than it may appear on the initial listen.

What truly makes Blind Guardian work is the line-up. When Hansi Kursh sings out with his mid range vocals he wraps himself around the listener to create a presence that is memorable and ultimately nostalgic. Guitarists André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen perform amazingly. The rhythm is impeccable and was something that I saw as an old Guardian trademark. Combined with an astounding lead guitar player who writes some of the most amazing riffs and solos that bleed with feeling, this duo is unstoppable. After the smoke clears it comes down to this, and not one piece of the puzzle is missing.

Bottom Line: I truly miss the old days of Blind Guardian, but at least Blind Guardian is progressing with style. “Tales From The Twilight World” is a timeless gem that many people will never forget and it deserves a place in every metal fans collection.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 8
Originality: 8
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Review by Luka on April 12, 2002.

Every album Blind Guardian have made helped get them where they are today, and as a fourth entry into their impressive and spotless discography "Twilight World" once again raises the band’s quality up considerably, it’s no wonder these guys are called “Iron Maiden of the 90’s.” Such a beneficent honor came from years of persistence as well as remarkable musicianship and talent that is matched by few in today’s metal scene. These boys know how to crank out fine music!

The production has again seen improvement from their previous works and this time there is great focus on making the songs more energetic and lively as well as keeping the tradition of careful mixing and proper integration of each instrument into the whole. Hansi’s voice is more confident and assertive than ever, you’ll find yourself happily singing along to the merry vocal lines of songs like 'Traveler in Time' and the catchy rhymes of 'Tommyknockers'. This is a fun album to listen to and while many parts may sound silly it’s nowhere near as cheesy as traditional German power metal. Blind Guardian have always had a harder edge and tougher shell and they rise well above the vast power metal crowd of Europe.

Musicianship is top notch, as it has been from the very first album. The fast double-bass drumming pumps the songs with adrenaline while carefully composed guitar harmony and fine melody gives them breath and life. The concept and importance of solos has all but died out in the last decade of heavy metal but Blind Guardian say different. Axemen Olbrich and Siepen utilize their supreme talents to conjure some damn fine lead sections and licks, most notably in the short, freestyle-ish instrumental 'Weird Dreams'. Kai Hansen of Helloween fame also performs some lead guitar and vocals as a guest musician. My special enjoyment came from the tracks 'Tommyknockers' and 'Altair 4', based on a great Stephen King novel that I had read just weeks before buying this album.

Bottom Line: You can’t go wrong with this album! But that goes without saying; when have Blind Guardian ever made a bad recording?

Originality: 8
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.3 out of 10