BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch discusses the band's new album, At The Edge Of Time, in a new interview with Metallus Maximus An excerpt from the story is available below.

At The Edge Of Time takes an unexpected but welcome step back to Blind Guardian’s aggressive straight-laced metal roots even as the trademark orchestral arrangements are given room to breathe. Imagine NIGHTWISH’s hit record Dark Passion Play executed by Land Of The Free-era GAMMA RAY and you get some idea of what’s in store.

“We had the impression that there would be a wide variation of songs on the album, so we just had to fill in the gaps,” says Kürsch. “But again, there was no pattern, so we could have gone onto the wrong track at some points. Luckily, we had very open discussions about how the songs were progressing and where they should go, and we followed that line all the way through the production. I’d say that in 90% of all cases we were very successful. Once we came to a decision we went for it. That wasn’t necessarily the case with albums like Night At The Opera or A Twist In The Myth.”
“This album. I think it features all the great qualities that make up Blind Guardian; the let your hair down stuff we did at the beginning on the ‘90s, the more epic stuff from the end of the ‘90s, and the more progressive stuff we did on the last two albums. There’s a little bit of everything, and I feel it’s the proper way to go. People who didn’t like A Night At The Opera or A Twist In The Myth, I think they’ll find it easier to relate to the songs connected to this period of our career.”
“People I’ve spoken to consider At The Edge Of Time to be more driven in an older direction,” he adds. “That is the case at certain points; there are a lot of older qualities that weren’t featured on A Twist In The Myth, but I agree that the variety we have in the direction of the music has been moved forward on At The Edge Of Time.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

As previously reported, Blind Guardian have reached their highest German chart entry in their career at #2! "Unbelievable," says vocalist/bassist Hansi Kürsch. "With each new record we get closer to the top and I am quite happy that quality still counts. „At The Edge Of Time“ is a milestone in our history and I am proud, that so many people share this opinion. Our fans are the best!“

At The Edge Of Time, is now available for pre-order on iTunes. Sale pricing runs from August 10th – August 23rd.

The ten-track standard version is available for the pre-order price of $7.99. On August 24th (North American street date), it will increase to $9.99.

The deluxe edition with bonus tracks is available for the pre-order price of $11.99. On August 24th (North American street date), it will increase to $9.99.

At The Edge Of Time features album artwork created by Colombian artist Felipe Machado Franco. View the video for the single 'A Voice In The Dark', directed by Ivan Colic and produced by Stanimir “Staca” Lukic, below.

Download the free Blind Guardian iPhone / iTouch app at this location. View the album e-card here.

At The Edge Of Time tracklistings:

Regular jewel case version:

'Sacred Worlds'

'Tanelorn'

'Road Of No Release'

'Ride Into Obsession'

'Curse My Name'

'Valkyries'

'Control The Divine'

'War Of The Thrones'

'A Voice In The Dark'

'Wheel Of Time'

The digi-pak version will include a unique download code where fans can gain access to a password-protected page for exclusive Blind Guardian content!

Digipak Bonus CD tracklisting:

'Sacred Worlds (Extended 'Sacred' version)

'Wheel Of Time (Orchestral version)

'You’re The Voice (Radio edit)

'Tanelorn (Into the Void) (Demo version)

'Curse My Name (Demo version)

'A Voice In The Dark (Demo version)

Enhanced Part:

'Sacred' (Video clip)

'Studio documentary

For more info visit and sound samples visit the newly re-launched Blind-gaurdian.com.