Nightfall in Middle-Earth

Nightfall in Middle-Earth is a concept album by Blind Guardian, released in 1998. It is also Blind Guardian’s sixth studio album.

The album is based upon J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, a book of tales from the First Age of Middle-earth, recounting the War of the Jewels. The album contains not only songs but also spoken parts narrating parts of the story.

The music is more “melodic” on this album, compared to previous works such as Somewhere Far Beyond, and the songs have much more fluency, without losing any of the traditional speed or guitar solos and leads. It is also the first album with Oliver Holzwarth, as guest musician.

Nightfall in Middle-Earth was the first album by Blind Guardian to be released in the U.S. The sales encouraged Century Media to release their entire back catalog in the U.S. In 2007, it was remastered and re-released, with one bonus track.

Track listing
All music written by Olbrich/Kürsch except track 6 written by Olbrich, Kürsch, Stauch, Siepen and track 16 written by Olbrich, Kürsch, Schüren. All lyrics written by Kürsch.
1. “War of Wrath” – 1:50
2. “Into the Storm” – 4:24
3. “Lammoth” – 0:28
4. “Nightfall” – 5:34
5. “The Minstrel” – 0:32
6. “The Curse of Fëanor” – 5:41
7. “Captured” – 0:26
8. “Blood Tears” – 5:23
9. “Mirror Mirror” – 5:07
10. “Face the Truth” – 0:24
11. “Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns)” – 6:51
12. “Battle of Sudden Flame” – 0:44
13. “Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)” – 4:53
14. “The Dark Elf” – 0:23
15. “Thorn” – 6:18
16. “The Eldar” – 3:39
17. “Nom the Wise” – 0:33
18. “When Sorrow Sang” – 4:25
19. “Out on the Water” – 0:44