Okay, so you have to listen to Into the Storm by Blind Guardian. I know, I know, it’s easy to dismiss power metal as just another fantasy genre, but trust me on this one. This track is the perfect storm of aggression and melody, and it kicks off the Nightfall in Middle-Earth album with such incredible energy that you’ll be hooked from the first riff. It’s a furious, catchy, and surprisingly deep dive into the lore of The Silmarillion, capturing the raw desperation of Morgoth and Ungoliant squabbling over the Silmarils. But seriously, don’t let the subject matter intimidate you; just let the music do its thing and you’ll be chanting along to the chorus before you know it.

The track is a masterclass in how to build intensity, but the real reason I’m writing this is to talk about the guitar solo by André Olbrich. It is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated moments in their entire catalog. If you pull up the remastered version, the solo hits right at the 2:37 mark and doesn’t let up until about 3:07. It’s a short, sharp shock of pure melodic bliss. What makes it so special is that it completely eschews the typical speed-demon shredding you might expect. Instead, it’s a soaring, beautifully constructed lead that sounds like it’s carrying the entire weight of the song’s story on its shoulders. It perfectly mirrors Hansi Kürsch’s vocal style, acting as another voice in the track to carry you forward into the chaos.

André is often listed among the greatest metal guitarists for a reason, and this solo is a prime example of his genius. He’s not interested in showing off; he’s interested in serving the song and elevating the epic feel. During those 30 seconds, his guitar weeps and soars over the frantic rhythm section, creating this incredible feeling of hope and tragedy all at once. It’s a moment of pure clarity and emotion amidst the storm, and it’s the perfect payoff to the frantic energy that came before it. It’s a piece of music that gets stuck in your head for days, and it’s a big part of why this track is such a fan favorite.

So, if you consider yourself a fan of powerful, storytelling metal or just appreciate a killer guitar solo, do yourself a favor and cue up Into the Storm. Turn it up loud, wait for that solo to hit, and let yourself get swept away. It’s a gateway into one of the most epic albums ever written, and I promise you, that brief, beautiful guitar break will be the moment that makes you understand exactly what Blind Guardian is all about.

Into the Storm

Give it to me
I must have it
Precious treasure
I deserve it

Where can I run
How can I hide
The Silmarils
Gems of treelight
Their life belongs to me
Oh it’s sweet
how the Darkness is floating around

We are following
The will of the one
Through the dark age
And into the storm
And we are following
The will of the one
Through the dark age
And into the storm
Lord I’m mean

(guitar solo @2:37)

Blackheart show me
What you hold in hand
I still hunger for more
Release me
From my pain
Give it to me
How I need it
How I need it
How I need it

I did my part
Now it’s your turn
And remember
What you’ve promised

Great Guitar Solos Series

• Master of Puppets (by Metallica)
• Free Bird (by Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Hotel California (by The Eagles)
• Stairway to Heaven (by Led Zeppelin)
• Texas Flood (by Stevie Ray Vaughan)
• Comfortably Numb (by Pink Floyd)
• Powerslave (by Iron Maiden)
• Fade to Black (by Metallica)
• Bohemian Rhapsody (by Queen)
• Sweet Child o’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses)
• Mr. Crowley (by Ozzy Osbourne)
• Rainbow in the Dark (by Dio)
• Róisín Dubh (by Thin Lizzy)
• Rock You Like A Hurricane (by Scorpions)
• Whipping Post (by Allman Brothers Band)
• Carry On Wayward Son (by Kansas)
• War Pigs (by Black Sabbath)
• Since I’ve Been Loving You (by Led Zeppelin)
• Satch Boogie (by Joe Satriani)
• Rambin’ Man (by The Allman Brothers Band)
• Sympathy for the Devil (by The Rolling Stones)
• Little Wing (by Jimi Hendrix)
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (by the Beatles)
• The Rocker (by Thin Lizzy)
• Bulls on Parade (by Rage Against the Machine)
• Eruption (by Van Halen)
• Killer Queen (by Queen)
• Something (by The Beatles)
• Maggot Brain (by Funkadelic)
• Cliffs of Dover (by Eric Johnson)
• Black Magic Woman (by Carlos Santana)
• Layla (by Derek & The Dominoes)
• Dazed and Confused (by Led Zeppelin)
• Blue Sky (by The Allman Brothers Band)
• Southern Man (by Neil Young)
• Know Your Enemy (by Rage Against the Machine)
• Highway Star (by Deep Purple)
• Sharp Dressed Man (by ZZ Top)
• Black Hole Sun (by Soundgarden)
• Aqualung (by Jethro Tull)
• Scuttle Buttin’ (by Stevie Ray Vaughan)
• All Along the Watchtower (by Jimi Hendrix)
• Paranoid (by Black Sabbath)
• Any Way You Want It (by Journey)
• Light My Fire (by The Doors)
• Falling In Love (Is Hard on the Knees) (by Aerosmith)
• Simple Man (by Lynyrd Skynyrd)