Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian |
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Blind Guardian is a German power metal band which formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, Germany.[1] Before calling themselves Blind Guardian, the band released two demos under the name Lucifer's Heritage in 1985 and 1986.[2]
From the beginning, Blind Guardian has been inspired by the fiction of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Stephen King, and Michael Moorcock, as well as traditional legends and epics.[2] Over the years, a running theme has developed associating the band members with traveling bards.
History
Blind Guardian was originally formed in 1984 as Lucifer's Heritage. They released two demos entitled Symphonies of Doom (1985) and Battalions of Fear (1986).[2] Their first studio album, Battalions of Fear, was released in 1988. The band's first tour took place shortly after its release. At this point the band had between 150 and 300 fans at their shows, which was a display of their early success in the realms of power metal.[1]
When the international chart-topper Somewhere Far Beyond was released, Blind Guardian achieved comparatively great success. For the first time, the band played in Japan to a crowd of 4000 fans.[2]
In 1997, Hansi decided that a different bassist would allow for more complex parts, and allow himself to further his vocal technique. Oliver Holzwarth was hired as a bassist for the album and for the tour. He is not a full member of the band, because Hansi may decide to play bass again, and has said he does not have the heart to put Oliver in the position that he may be fired.
Blind Guardian is relatively unique in that until April of 2005 (a twenty year period), the band's original line-up had not changed. However, due to differing musical preference, in April their long time drummer Thomen Stauch left the band to continue his work in Savage Circus, the band he formed to perform more straight-forward music like older Blind Guardian.
Musical Style
Blind Guardian's first two albums, Battalions of Fear and Follow the Blind, were more in the style of speed metal than their following works. Beginning with their third album Tales from the Twilight World, Blind Guardian gradually turned to a more sophisticated sound, including vast use of choirs and sometimes orchestral arrangements, heavily influenced by the English rock band Queen.[3][4]
Blind Guardian's music features the staccato guitars and double bass drumming characteristic of power metal, as well as the use of overdubs to create a dense, "epic" sound. This technique, especially notable in the guitar and vocal tracks, creates the impression of a vast army of musicians playing in unison and singing in harmony.
Side Projects
Together with Jon Schaffer (the leader and founder of Iced Earth) Kürsch is the lead singer of a side project called Demons & Wizards.
Hansi has been working on and off for 8 years on an orchestral project writing music about The Lord of the Rings (negotiations failed to be included on the famous The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as the soundtrack). The album will be released in 2008, and although it will not be a power metal album (meaning that there won't be any drums or electric guitars and bass), it will be published under the name of Blind Guardian because it matches the theme of the band's lyrics, according to Hansi[5] and Andre.[6]
Line-up
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 — Lead & Rhythm Guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)
- Hans-Peter Frey — Drums (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)
- Thomas Kelleners — Vocals (Lucifer's Heritage) (1984)
Guest musicians
- Oliver Holzwarth — Bass (touring/studio) (1997–)
- 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)
- Rolf Köhler, Thomas Hackmann — backing vocals (1989–)
- Olaf Senkbeil, Billy King — backing vocals (1990–)
Discography
Studio Albums
- Battalions of Fear (1988)
- Follow the Blind (1989)
- Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
- Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)
- Imaginations from the Other Side (1995)
- Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)
- A Night at the Opera (2002)
- A Twist in the Myth (2006)
References
- ^ a b Blind Guardian. "Band: How it started..." Retrieved 2007-07-15.
- ^ a b c d Nuclear Blast. "Blind Guardian: Bio". Retrieved 2007-07-15.
- ^ Queen influence 'Night at the Opera', The Metal Observer
- ^ Queen influence, Blind Guardian official site
- ^ "A New Twist in the Blind Guardian Legacy" by Kenneth Morton
- ^ Andre Olbrich phone interview; April 08, 2006