In the ‘80s, German group Blind Guardian sent rippling waves of destruction through the world of metal, ushering in new attitudes in the forms of power and speed metal. Blending ideas from prog and thrash, songs like “Nightfall” and “Prophecies” feel like distorted, medieval ballads interpreted by modern guitar wizards; “Welcome to Dying” pulls threads from Metallica and Iron Maiden, giving off a rollicking but distinctly dark vibe. These tracks show why the electric combo of Hansi Kürsch's soaring vocals and André Olbrich's wailing guitars is etched into metal's very DNA.