Tag Archives: blind guardian

Features, Milestones

Blind Guardian’s Debut “Battalions Of Fear” Hits 30 Years (1988-2018)

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Before I get started on this latest album anniversary or “music milestone” as we’ve been apt to refer to them, I must admit that way back in the days of 1988, I was NOT listening to the band Blind Guardian at all and the same applies for a lot of bands from this region of the world. We are still going to raise a goblet of our favorite drink in honor of the birthday of their debut album “Battalions Of Fear” which came out care of No Remorse Records on this very day thirty years ago. Fans of Blind Guardian who might have come on board over the last dozen years or so ago love them for the polished and exciting Power Metal that they are true masters of. Given my lack of overall background on the debut itself, I’ll be deferring readers to the official Wikipedia entry at the close

Having referenced the bands acumen as Power Metal leaders, it might surprise some of you to learn that this was not at all how the band started out. When you begin to give a listen to “Battalions Of Fear” you find instead a fast-paced, more Speed Metal meets Thrash Metal type of release. In 1988 I can honestly say that Blind Guardian had more in common with the likes of Metallica and Exodus or even Anvil in terms of how the drumming and frenzied riffs were being laid down. It was interesting to me for sure because in 1988 I was really focused on more of the US Metal, even though I did have a few bands from that side of the pond that I enjoyed quite a bit. “Majesty” rips you a new one while “Guardian Of The Blind” has some awesome layers to it and drumming that made me bang my head while I was composing this toast. Believe me that is not easy to do when you are trying to type. “Trial By The Archon” reminded me a lot of the vibe that early Iron Maiden had to them and perhaps this short instrumental number was designed to be an homage of the Brits. “Wizard’s Crown” continues the same vibe and there is a strong cohesion to the full release. The members of the band for the debut are of course singer Hansi Kursch who was also on bass at the time. Andre Olbrich was on lead guitar and Marcus Siepen on rhythm while Thomas “Thomen” Stauch played drums
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Blind Guardian & Grave Digger @ Webster Hall

Returning to the same exact venue for their second leg of the tour its Blind Guardian and Grave Digger. If you missed this one the last time you have one more chance to make it right with what is going to go down as a truly historic Metal night.

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Features, Tours and Festivals

Blind Guardian/Grave Digger Announce 2nd Leg North American Run Summer 2016

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Hey there readers, it looks like the tour dates and bands that are coming our way here in the states are really amping up before the summer even begins. I say that because we just received the press email about the return of Blind Guardian and Grave Digger which is absolutely awesome. We caught them late last year and it was a crushing display of Power Metal that needs to be seen to be believed. Take a look at the new poster and the press copy, tour dates and then I will return with more thoughts. See you soon.

Tour - Blind Guardian - NA 2016

The Press Release:
Holiday treats are arriving early this year as BLIND GUARDIAN has announced they are returning to North America this fall for the second leg of the Beyond The Red Mirror tour! Before they start the tour, they will make a stop at Prog Power Festival for a special performance on Thursday, September 9th. The following day they will kick-off their highly anticipated 19-date tour at The Orpheum in Tampa, Florida with none other than German metallers GRAVE DIGGER. Their trek will include one Canadian date as well as stops in Worcester, Milwaukee, and conclude on October 5th at The Fillmore in San Francisco!

BLIND GUARDIAN will be touring in support of their tenth album Beyond The Red Mirror which was the highest first-week U.S. sales numbers for the band. It debuted at #132 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and #6 on the Top Hard Music chart. In Canada, BLIND GUARDIAN nearly doubled their first-week numbers from 2010, resulting in Beyond The Red Mirror debuts at #49 on the Top 200 and #4 on the Top Hard Music charts.
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Blind Guardian @ Webster Hall

Blind Guardian has returned to our shores at long last and will bring along Grave Digger as well. This is a show you do not want to miss.

webster hall venue logo

Features, Tours and Festivals

Blind Guardian Announce “Beyond The Red Mirror” Tour 2015

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Logo - Blind Guardian

Spring has finally started to feel like it’s expected self and with this a healthy heaping of Heavy Metal concert tours are being announced. We recently heard about the Soulfy/Soilwork one and now its clear to me that one of the hottest tours for this Metal Year 2015 will hit us in the Fall as Blind Guardian returns to our shores with support from the one and only Grave Digger for a tour they are calling “Beyond The Red Mirror” Tour. Check out the poster and official press release about the tour below and then we can discuss a little more.

Tour - Blind Guardian - BTRM 2015

Press Release:
Triumphantly returning to North American shores in support of their Billboard-charting new album Beyond The Red Mirror, Germany’s favorite sons BLIND GUARDIAN are pleased to announce the western hemisphere’s portion of the 2015 World Tour, commencing on October 27th in Baltimore, Maryland and concluding November 28th in Orlando, Florida with special guests Grave Digger. Tickets for all of the shows go on sale on Friday, May 8th
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