Seems like after the huge success of Nightfall In Middle-Earth, the guys (Blind Guardian of course!) got a bit lazy! After 3 years of absence they return with a single from their -still untitled- album, with 2 brand-new songs and a video.
The title song, 'And Then There Was Silence', is actually a very weird song if you think of Blind Guardian's past. First of all, it's 14 minutes long, making it the longest Blind Guardian song. In terms of music, the song follows the paths of Nightfall In Middle-Earth, being mid-tempo, and lacking the outbreaks and speed that was their trademark.
The second song, 'Harvest of Sorrow', is a pure ballad, which was written in the Nightfall In Middle-Earth era, originally intended to be on the unreleased EP. Yet another strange song for the band. It's the first time Blind Guardian write a song like this, not in terms of speed, but in terms of mood.
Hansi's voice gets better and better by the time, Thomen's drumming in high levels, but at low speeds (still my opinion is that in Imaginations From The Other Side he gave his best), and the guitar duo, Andre and Markus, with their characteristic sound. The production is, like in almost all new albums, very clear, and adds to their songs.
There is no doubt that those two songs are the most mature songs they've ever written, and it seems that -beginning with Nightfall In Middle-Earth- they are changing their style from the more speedy power metal, to a more melodic power metal, but always keeping that personal touch, that makes them distinct from the rest. But is this change for the better? Will Blind Guardian release yet another masterpiece? We will soon find out (February 2002)!!!