Blind Guardian

Blind Guardian

Blind Guardian is a Heavy Metal Band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany. Blind Guardian is one of the most influential bands in the genre of Power Metal with their lyrics about legends and epics with their main theme about J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings.

Band History

Most Important Record: Somewhere Far Beyond

After Blind Guardian's breakthrough record Tales From The Twilight World it was no wonder that their fourth record was released on the Major Label Virgin. The record was released in July 1992 and sold incredibly well, becoming an instant classic in the Speed/Powermetal genre. The painted cover artwork was designed by Andreas Marschall like the covers to the first three records; it shows a couple of bards playing at a bonfire in a dark forest. The picture refers to the highlight track on this record and Blind Guardian's signature tune: The Bard's Song - In The Forest. This accoustic ballad is inspired by Tolkiens work's and is sung entirely by the audience during a live show. This fabulous song nicknamed the band as The Bard's. But other than the Bard's Song, Somewhere Far Beyond features great Tracks that show the full musical capability of the band: There are fast speedmetal tracks like the Opener Time What Is Time or Ashes To Ashes aswell as bombastic tracks with orchestral music like the title track Somewher Far Beyond.

1. Time What Is Time
2. Journey Through The Dark
3. Black Chamber
4. Theatre Of Pain
5. The Quest For Tanelorn
6. Ashes To Ashes
7. The Bard's Song-In The Forest
8. The Bard's Song-The Hobbit
9. The Piper' Calling
10. Somewhere Far Beyond
11. Spread Your Wings (Cd Bonus Track)
12. Trial By Fire
13. Theatre Of Pain (Classic Version)

Musical Style

Facts

Lineup

Band members

   * Hansi Kürsch — Vocals (1984–), Bass (1984–1996)
   * André Olbrich — Lead Guitar (1984–)
   * Marcus Siepen — Rhythm Guitar (1987–)
   * Frederik Ehmke — Drums, Percussion, Flute, Bagpipes (2005–)

Former members

   * Thomas "Thomen" Stauch — Drums (1984–1985, 1987–2005)
   * Markus Dörk — Rhythm & Lead Guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1984–1985)
   * Christof Theißen — Rhythm Guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)
   * Hans-Peter Frey — Drums (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)

Guest musicians

   * Oliver Holzwarth — Bass (touring/studio) (1997–)
   * Niko Trznadl — Bass (live) (1988)
   * Alex Holzwarth — Drums (live) (2002–2003)
   * Mathias Wiesner — Keyboards (studio) (1989–)
   * Michael Schüren — Keyboards (live) & Grand Piano (studio) (1997–)
   * Kai Hansen — Vocals & Guitar Solos (1989–1992)
   * Thomas Kelleners — Vocals (Lucifer's Heritage) (1984)
   * Rolf Köhler, Thomas Hackmann — backing vocals (1989–)
   * Olaf Senkbeil, Billy King — backing vocals (1990–)

Discography

Demotapes (as Lucifer’s Heritage)

   * 1985: Symphonies Of Doom (5-Track-Demotape)
   * 1986: Battalions Of Fear (5-Track-Demotape)

Studio Records

   * 1988: Battalions of Fear
   * 1989: Follow the Blind
   * 1990: Tales from the Twilight World
   * 1992: Somewhere Far Beyond
   * 1995: Imaginations from the Other Side
   * 1998: Nightfall in Middle-Earth
   * 2002: A Night at the Opera
   * 2006: A Twist in the Myth

Liverecords, Compilations and Box Sets

   * 1993: Tokyo Tales (Live)
   * 1996: The Forgotten Tales (B-Sites, Rerecordings and Covertracks)
   * 2003: Live

Singles and EPs

   * 1995: A Past and Future Secret
   * 1996: Mr. Sandman
   * 1996: Bright Eyes (Japan)
   * 1998: Mirror Mirror
   * 2001: And Then There Was Silence
   * 2003: The Bard’s Song (In The Forest)
   * 2006: Fly
   * 2007: Another Stranger Me

Promos

   * 1989: Banish From Sanctuary / Hall Of The King (Green Vinyl)
   * 1990: Tales From The Twilight World (Promo-EP)