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'''Blind Guardian''' is a power metal (and more recently epic metal) band started in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, Germany. Before calling themselves Blind Guardian, the band released two demos under the name ''Lucifer's Heritage'' in 1986 and 1987.  
{{band
| image=[[Image:Blind-guardian.jpg|250px]]
| name=Blind Guardian
| orgin=Krefeld, Germany
| genre=Power metal, speed metal, progressive metal
| years_active=1984-present
| labels=No Remorse, Virgin, Century Media, Nuclear Blast
| website=[http://www.blind-guardian.com/ www.blind-guardian.com ]
| members=Hansi Kürsch<br>André Olbrich<br>Marcus Siepen<br>Frederik Ehmke
| former_members=Thomas "Thomen" Stauch<br>Markus Dörk<br>Christof Theißen<br>Peter Frey
|}}
'''Blind Guardian''' is a power metal (and more recently epic metal) band started in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, Germany. Before calling themselves Blind Guardian, the band released two demos under the name ''Lucifer's Heritage'' in 1986 and 1987. There were negotiations with the band to do soundtrack work for [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] but this fell through.<ref name=high>Kenneth Morton, "[http://www.highwiredaze.com/blind.htm A New Twist in the Blind Guardian Legacy (Interview)]" at [http://highwiredaze.com/ HighwireDaze.com] (accessed 4 September 2011)</ref>


From the very beginning, Blind Guardian have been inspired by the fictional worlds of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and other fantasy authors, as well as traditional legends and epics. The 1998 album ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'', for example, is a concept album based on Tolkien's ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', while the 2002 album ''[[A Night at the Opera]]'' features a 14-minute song about the Trojan War, titled "''And Then There Was Silence''." Over the years, a running theme has developed associating the band members with traveling bards.
From the very beginning, Blind Guardian have been inspired by the fictional worlds of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and other fantasy authors, as well as traditional legends and epics. The 1998 album ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'', for example, is a concept album based on Tolkien's ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', while the 2002 album ''A Night at the Opera'' features a 14-minute song about the Trojan War, titled "''And Then There Was Silence''." Over the years, a running theme has developed associating the band members with traveling bards.


Blind Guardian's music is characterized by the classic fast guitars and double bass drumming of power metal, but is relatively unique in its use of overdubs to create an extremely 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.  Considering the already anthemic and singalong quality of their choruses, it is unsurprising that the band's 2003 live album, ''Live'', sounded much like their studio recordings: although the overdubs of vocalist Hansi Kürsch were lost, the live audience reproduced them faithfully and enthusiastically. On several occasions the audience has been known to sing along even to André Olbrich's guitar solos.
There were plans on releasing a CD of ''The Lord of the Rings'' orchestral music in [[2008]].<ref name=high/>
 
Blind Guardian's popularity has continued to grow from an initial following in Europe and Japan to one of the most well-known power metal bands in the world. The single for "And Then There Was Silence," for example, reached #1 in Spain and #7 in Canada, despite its length.
 
Together with Jon Schaffer - leader and founder of Iced Earth - Kürsch is part of a side project called Demons and Wizards.
 
They are relatively unique in that until April of 2005 (a twenty year period), the band's original lineup did not change. However, due to differing musical preference, their long time drummer Thomen Stauch exited the band.


==Line-up==
==Line-up==
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*André Olbrich - guitars
*André Olbrich - guitars
*Marcus Siepen - guitars
*Marcus Siepen - guitars
*Frederik Ehmke – drums, percussion, flute and bagpipes
*Oliver Holzwarth - bass (touring member)
*Oliver Holzwarth - bass (touring member)
*Michael "Mi" Schüren - Keyboards (touring member)
*Michael "Mi" Schüren - Keyboards (touring member)


==Former members==
==Former members==
*Thomas "Thomen" Stauch - drums]] (1986-2005)
*Thomas "Thomen" Stauch - drums (1986-2005)
*Markus Dörk – rhythm and lead guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1984&ndash;1985)
*Christof Theißen – rhythm guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)
*Hans-Peter Frey – drums (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)


==Discography==
==Discography==
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* ''Tokyo Tales'' (1993)
* ''Tokyo Tales'' (1993)
* ''Imaginations From the Other Side'' (1995)
* ''Imaginations From the Other Side'' (1995)
* ''[[The Forgotten Tales]]'' (1996)
* ''The Forgotten Tales'' (1996)
* ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'' (1998)
* ''A Night at the Opera'' (2002)
* ''A Night at the Opera'' (2002)
* ''Live'' (2003)
* ''Live'' (2003)
* ''Imaginations Through the Looking Glass'' (DVD) (2004)
* ''Imaginations Through the Looking Glass'' (DVD) (2004)
* ''A Twist in the Myth'' (2006)
* ''At The Edge of Time'' (2010)
==See Also==
*[[Imaginations from the other Side]]
*[[:Category:Songs by Blind Guardian|Songs by Blind Guardian]]


==External Links==
==External Links==
[http://blind-guardian.com Official Site]
*{{WP|Blind Guardian}}
*[http://blind-guardian.com Official Site]
*[http://www.myspace.com/blindguardian Official Myspace]
*[http://www.the-following.com/ Fan Site]
{{references}}
[[Category:Bands]]
[[Category:Heavy metal]]


[[Category:Music]]
[[de:Blind Guardian]]
[[Category:Bands]]

Revision as of 16:40, 10 December 2012

File:Blind-guardian.jpg
Blind Guardian
Background Information
GenrePower metal, speed metal, progressive metal
Websitewww.blind-guardian.com
Members
Current membersHansi Kürsch
André Olbrich
Marcus Siepen
Frederik Ehmke

Blind Guardian is a power metal (and more recently epic metal) band started in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, Germany. Before calling themselves Blind Guardian, the band released two demos under the name Lucifer's Heritage in 1986 and 1987. There were negotiations with the band to do soundtrack work for The Lord of the Rings (film series) but this fell through.[1]

From the very beginning, Blind Guardian have been inspired by the fictional worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien and other fantasy authors, as well as traditional legends and epics. The 1998 album Nightfall in Middle-Earth, for example, is a concept album based on Tolkien's The Silmarillion, while the 2002 album A Night at the Opera features a 14-minute song about the Trojan War, titled "And Then There Was Silence." Over the years, a running theme has developed associating the band members with traveling bards.

There were plans on releasing a CD of The Lord of the Rings orchestral music in 2008.[1]

Line-up

  • Hansi Kürsch - lead singer and (formerly) bass
  • André Olbrich - guitars
  • Marcus Siepen - guitars
  • Frederik Ehmke – drums, percussion, flute and bagpipes
  • Oliver Holzwarth - bass (touring member)
  • Michael "Mi" Schüren - Keyboards (touring member)

Former members

  • Thomas "Thomen" Stauch - drums (1986-2005)
  • Markus Dörk – rhythm and lead guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1984–1985)
  • Christof Theißen – rhythm guitar (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)
  • Hans-Peter Frey – drums (Lucifer's Heritage) (1986)

Discography

  • Symphony of Doom (demo) (1986)
  • Battalions Of Fear (demo) (1987)
  • Battalions of Fear (1988)
  • Follow the Blind (1989)
  • Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
  • Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)
  • Tokyo Tales (1993)
  • Imaginations From the Other Side (1995)
  • The Forgotten Tales (1996)
  • Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)
  • A Night at the Opera (2002)
  • Live (2003)
  • Imaginations Through the Looking Glass (DVD) (2004)
  • A Twist in the Myth (2006)
  • At The Edge of Time (2010)

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kenneth Morton, "A New Twist in the Blind Guardian Legacy (Interview)" at HighwireDaze.com (accessed 4 September 2011)
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