I have followed the blind, read the tales from the twilight world, traveled somewhere far beyond to nightfall in middle earth. After many many years (since 1988) of adventures, by album twelve there is no shortage of topics and lyrics taken from the imagination and literary content written by singer Hansi Kursch. Original guitarists Andre Olbrich and Marcus Siepen taking those identifiable guitar harmonies and riffs back to the 90s, with the rhythm section in tow. Even the album artwork different from the wide palette and imagery and colors from previous albums, monochromatic with splashes of red for emphasis. Aesthetically it back to the roots after the symphonic scope of Legacy Of The Dark Lands.

'Deliver Us From Evil' bursts from the speakers with those Blind Guardian focused riffs and harmonies directed to the chorus, with a couple tempo changes. Kursch also showing both sides of his vocal, the grit and smooth melody. 'Violent Shadows' and 'Blood Of The Elves' also a perfect choice as a single setting the tone for the album. Guitar melody at the start to 'Damnation' and into the fiery primary driving riffs, hard and heavy without sacrificing the big vocal harmonies. 'Secrets Of The American Gods' references Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods, less aggressive and melodic in the verses with the orchestral layer chorus and triumphant accents.
'Life Beyond The Spheres' brings down the energy, ghostly vocal harmony parts and mixed drum patters and a different tone compared to the rest of the album. As does 'Let It Be No More' with acoustic guitar ballad-eque, and no it does not have that folk/Middle Earth feel. 'Architects Of Doom' (about the TV show Battlestar Galactica) pulls in the rhythm section quickly transitions into the verses and razor sharp mid tempo. 'Destiny' closes the album balancing between the hard hitting and lighter parts, dark riff and lead parts, proggy Guardian.
Only question, there is no title track. Who or what is the God Machine?