Finally one of the most awaited albums in metal history is my hands. Every single metal fan that enjoyed NiME knew that this 4 years of wait were not going to be in vain. I'll start saying that this isn't my favourite BG album, but there will be a before and after ANatO. This album has everything a BG fan wants, the mighty epic choruses of NiME & the power and strength of TftTW. Let's start with the cover. There was a big controversy about it. But when you see the final product it results not only convenient but also funny (you have to see Gandalf in the opera seats at the back of the cd). The album begins with "Precious Jerusalem" wich has a unusual intro for a Bg album, but then everything finds its way and becames a great epic song with really catchy choruses. When you hear this song you realize that this will be the way BG will make their albums from now on. Not regular power metal but instrumental   virtuosity and powerful vocals,the way Hansi is used to amaze us. Then "Battlefield" , what a marvelous power metal song! Pure courage and exciting lyrics like: "The clash of Iron can be Heard" make of this song a sure classic! After that "Under the Ice" another track full of strenght and bravery and a great message:"No more Pain, no more Gods!!". The 4th song is "Sadly sings Destiny" wich once again starts very weird for a Bg song. But the powerful voice of Hansi is on it's peek when the band performs this hard rock influenced track. A nice "ballad" follows, "The maiden and the Minstrell knight" is just one of those midtempo songs you have to listen to enjoy a whole BG album."Wait for an answer" starts without notice with great drums and a marvelous catchy chorus with a nice keyboard melody. But not everything in this song is "nice" it's also raw and powerful like in FtB. After that comes "the Soulforged" this one a characteristic BG song with all it's trademark power metal style, this one is also one of my favourites.To continue, "Age of false innocence" a great song with fantastic lyrics and also great music. Here´s where the guitars sound almost exactly like in NiME.We are almost done but not yet, we still have tree killers song to review.We start with "Punishment divine" maybe the best song in the entire album. It has fierce,rage and also wisdom in their interesting lirycs. The last track "And then there was silence" is just a 14:05 minutes work of art! It's Blind guardian from the heart. It has slow parts, fast parts,even headbanging riffs and amazing choruses.The "Nananana" part must be amazing when played live, with all the crowd chanting together!!.To finish the latinamerican bonus track: "Cosecha del dolor" sunged by a Hansi and Adrian Barilari (Rata Blanca,Alianza) in a fantastic duet!! This is the Bard song of this album. A true hymn I can't stop listening to it. So we reach the end of this review. What can we say about this album but marvelous, not groundbreaking but it shows an innovation in BG style. Like I said before, BG metal from the heart of the band directly to the hearts of the fans. If you don't buy this one you'll be missing one of the best releases of the german band that has amazed the whole metal scene since they release that great "Batallions of Fear" back there in 1989. Well you might be wondering, why I said this isn't my favourite BG release.It's because my BG favourite album has not been made yet. I know that BG can do better always and I will not be satisfied untill they make either a LotR or a Star Wars concept album.Then I'll be able to die in peace
Score:9.5/10

Review by Jerec