@@simpleviking Blind Guardian is phenomenal. First was introduced to them 19 years ago...then I got into Nightwish. But like other people of commented, they have an album & several songs about Lord of the Rings material & folklore
Yes!!! "Bard's Song" The HYMN of European Metal 😁. Wacken is the biggest Heavy Metal Festival in Europe. Blind Guardian is German and famous and more than 25 years in stage. Singer is Hansi Kürsch. Now you have only EPICA left. 😁
Hello from Germany, first a few facts to Wacken, it´s a festival in Germany since 1990. 2016 was 84.500 people there. It's one of the biggest heavy metal festivals in the world and perhaps the most important. If played at Wacken as an metal band, you made it. Now the band: Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984. They have cult status like Scorpions, Kreator, Sodom and Helloween. They may not be as well known worldwide as Rammstein, for example, but they headline Wacken, that says a lot. Lead singer Hansi Kürsch also worked with guitarist Jon Schaffer from the american metal band Iced Earth. They created the Demons & Wizards project. After the storming of the capitol in 2021, in which Schaffer was involved, Hansi Kürsch ended the collaboration immediately. Thanks for your reaction.
So cool! I knew you would like it. Blind Guardian is a German power metal band. They founded in the 80s. Hansi Kürsch is the singer. He has such an awesome recognizeable voice. Almost all of their songs are fantasy themed. They also did songs with Lord of the rings themed. They also did a soundtrack to a fantasy game called Sacred 2 and The Dwarves Children of the Smith 😉 Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
Thanks for reacting. Blind guardian is a german metal band formed 1984. They are considered Godfathers of power metal in Germany and had very mutch influence on a lot of metal bands. They are also huge Tolkien nerds and have a whole album (Nightfall on middle earth) that is Tolkien inspired. And obviusly they are the masters of crowd controll. There are concerts where Hansi (Singer) doesn't have to sing at all. Wacken is the greatest metal festival in Germany and even world wide with 82 k people. Fun fact there is a train in Germany that collects the peolpe to go to Wacken and usualy people sing on this train, Wallhalla is one of the songs that is sung there. You should do "Mirror Morror" next. Also "Heeding the call" from Hammerfall could be your cup of tea. And if you want to see an insane guitarrist "Through the fire and the flames" by Dragonforce. Great reaction. Have fun exploring. Greetings from Germany.
Scifi you say? Ayreon - The Day that the World breaks down from Arjen Anthony Lucassen's channel. He's the main guy behind Ayreon. You'll recognize some familiar faces there...
Wacken is one of the greatest Metal Festivals all over the world its literally easier to win in the lottery then get a Ticket for Wacken:) If get Tickets somehow take me with:) Its again a great reaction you did i think you get a silver Play-Button Yes blind Guardian is an German Band
Hi Max, here is a Lotte pro tip from me top getting a Ticket für the WOA order in the night from the sunday after the Festivalend top the monday around 3am germantime after a small time in the waiting que you will get the tickts - regards of someone who hast been there seven times a row and Will go there again 😁
The Lead Guitarist, Andre Olbrich, is ranked #76 of the best Metal Guitarists of all times in GuitarWorld Magazine, he is truly amazing. Seen them live 5 times and it is always a truly great show.
I was there that night and I sang along. The "Circle of the Bards" was the BG-fanclub and every member had to learn the Bard's Song by heart. :D BG are from Germany and have been internationally famous for over 20 years. The singer's name is Hansi Kürsch. You should listen to Nanowar's song Norwegian Reggaeton, it is also totally different from "normal" Metal!
Also a huge fantasy nerd. Blind guardian definitely explore that realm and have a whole middle earth album I think and they even wrote a song about wheel of time which is one of my favorites
If Blind Guardian are in town and sometime during that day you start chanting "Now you all know..." there's a very good chance you'll have BG fans chiming in instantly. Been there, done that!
So glad you liked it! I was in the middle of that crowd, it's been a "long time" life goal to see them there since I was a teenager. Many minutes after the concert ended and the masses left for their tents the people still chanted the chorus of valhalla. That was so epic. :D
Blind Guardian was formed in 1984 under a different name and partially different members but really stabilized in 1987 under the new name and released their first studio album 1988, so yeah, they've been around for a while :-) BG is known for having a lot of crowd interaction and this goes double for Valhalla and even more for The Bard's Song - I doubt Hansi Kürsch (the singer) has sung the entire Bard's Song Live in decades. Even when NOT playing for their home crowd like this. Blind Guardian has seen a lot of member changes over the year, Hansi Kürsch (singer, also Bass on the earliest albums) and André Olbrich (Lead Guitar, Backing vocals) are the remaining founding members. Since you really liked The Bard's Song I'll recommend something in a similar vein that I suspect you'll also like... NIghtwish - The Islander (Live At Tampere). The official video is fine, though many prefer Edd Joss version since it starts ~40 seconds earlier so it includes Mark explaining the setup is explained. But if you think the official video is less likely to cause copyright issues you can go with that and possibly check the explaination afterwards. So either th-cam.com/video/Zo8ncK_5kzc/w-d-xo.html or th-cam.com/video/ciLVx51IZjM/w-d-xo.html
I always love to see the reactions to songs like this. Blind Guardian is still one of my favorite bands and I am happy to see your reaction to one of their greatest songs. Happy X-Mas and all the best for you - best regards from germany 🙂
These songs have accompanied me since puberty (since 32 years)... They just dont get old! The first 5 CDs/albums from BlindGuardian are very underrated and totally outstanding!!! BTW, they sing about TheLordOfTheRings before PeterJackson made his great Films. ------> 4ever love them🥰 Greets from Germany P.S. there is another "BardsSong" from them, called "TheHobbit" on the "SomwhereFarBeyond"Album... Hear it... the full album!!!👍
Blind Guardian is an german band and the Singer ist Hansi Kürsch, one of the best in ths genre! He' also part of Ayreon ("The Day The World Breaks down")
Hah I knew you would love it. The Crowd interaction always drives me too tears...so toucing.And I feel you about sliping into Fantasy books. This Song has a heavy vibe of this Fantasy.
20 minutes of watching you fall in love with this band was a fantastic way of spending this time 😊 if you're a history & fantasy guy, you're gonna love the adventure - these German giants are truly a rare breed!
Since you are from Sweden, Wacken is actually very easy to reach since its in Northern Germany. Been there since 2006 and every year there are bus tours with big groups from Sweden or you can come alone or with a few friends no problem. If its sold out as it often is those bus tours even though its a bit more expensive might still have tickets for a package deal and you meet lots of interesting peoples to enjoy the festival with already on the travel.
The perfect video and mix of songs to introduce people to European, and German, metal! From the gentle "bardic" song to some solid thrash metal! Gotta show your range and this video does it very well to me.
Your reaction and my reaction were basically mirror images. I've liked blind guardian for years but the first time I listened to their live album beyond the spheres changed my brain musically. You have a better chance than us Americans at seeing them at a huge venue. Greetings from new jersey and horns up.
Hy Michael, its my name too. I am from German. You such a Cool Guy and i wish i had had a Teacher in the Past like i Think You are ! Wacken Open Air is the Greatest Metal Open Air every Year in Germany and even in Europe.
When i first heard the live version of the bards song almost 30 years ago on their forgotten tales album i was just as in awe as you were here. The fan chorus and the medival vibes resonated so much - that cd was on very heavy rotation for me. Nowadays it's also bringing back a lot of memories. Just like you described - i also was a fanatsy-book-devouring teenager back then, and thats the soundtrack attached to that time. I also visited wacken for a couple of times ~20 years ago, so thats a double-whammie memorywise. Btw: I even remember hearing that song during my only trip to sweden. Your country is beautiful - despite the mosquitos. Greetings from germany!
19:55 Well this was the best description of speechlessness I have heard in a long time! :) BLIND GUARDIAN deservee it, and more. With a back catalogue as large and varied as theirs, you are in for a ride of discovery! And if you like this style of early Thrash-infested metal of "Valhalla" molding into epic Power metal with Medieval undertones - all the while singing about things ancient, fantastic, heroic and just plain human at the core - you will not find a really "weak" song among all of them. That leaves you with well over 100 songs to dig up and discover, some more amazing than others. I am sure many will recommend tracks from the Tolkien album ("Nightfall in Middle-Earth") that tells the prequel to the "Lord of the Rings" saga. Off that one, a great example is the song "Nightfall", which connects the band's "bard" qualities with epic story-telling. Another popular one, for all the good reasons and energy, is "Mirror Mirror". But my personal favorite from the world of Tolkien might just be "When Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)". This is BLIND GUARDIAN at their most cinematic! There are some Live versions around, but you don't even need to SEE it to be able to feel it. \m/ That aside, for all it's worth, my favorite GUARDIAN album is "Imaginations from the Other Side" - ANY song off its tracklist is a gem, but try the namesake opener - from the tolling bells that accompany the riff, to Hansi's powerhouse vocals, you will feel entranced into fantasy, just as intended. Hansi Kursch, while possibly not the most "polished" vocalist of the heavier style, is certainly among the top-10 most recognizable Metal / Rock voices, along with the likes of Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS), Ronnie James Dio, Udo Dirkschneider (ex-ACCEPT), Floor Jansen (you know her...) et al. His voice is a chameleon, ranging from suave, intimate chords, to demonic, intimidating screams, but mostly just possessing that unmistakable tone of "a prophet on the mountain" (to vaguely quote the Dutch Prog legend Arjen Lucassen - more on him later. :)). Once you have heard Hansi - like the other ones named - you will know him. If there was ever a Metal band that deserved the tag of "bards", this is it. And their poetic and complex texts, based on all sorts of myths and epic stories, from the Ancient Greece to "The Game of Thrones", just beautify and enhance those songs immensely. Come back to BLIND GUARDIAN often to explore their "Sacred Worlds"....
That's the thing... it does not matter if you are a good singer or not when you are watching a live show. You just sing along, just like everyone else!
Skalds and Shadows got me into Blind Guardian. I listened it for the first time as the credit song of the B-Movie "Die Schwerter des Königs"/ "In the Name of the King" with Jason Statham. It got me instantly hooked!
The crowd interaction was the reason why I suggested this one here at your Sabaton reaction (En Livstid i Krig) Andre Olbrich was ranked number 76 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time by "Guitar World". He is also ranked number 64 in Joel McIver's The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists. When you pass Wacken grounds and listen cerafully, you can still hear them singing :-)
Awesome reaction! Welcome to the world of the Bards 😂. A great follow up to this band would be Nightfall. It has that ‘bardish’ quality you liked (actually all of their songs have it lol) but this one is based on the Silmarillion.
Hello sir, as a teacher I strongly believe you should react to "And than there was scilence" for Blind guardian, it tells a story about Troy and its also my favourite song from them. Btw yove the honest reaction
Wacken is the most awesome metal and rock festival in Europe! It starts traditionally with a concert of the local brass band of the local fire department… The crowd is so empathetic and awesome! After this pandemic it will be back hopefully, always a great lineup for three (or more?) days! 👍⚡️🤘
Wacken is an annual Metal festival held at the village Wacken (a small village with less than 2000 inhabitants in Schleswig-Holstein, the nothernmost state of Germany - and actually not far from Sweden ;-) ). However at the time of the festival there's more than 80.000 metalheads - and the entire village participates in some form or another. Unfortunately the 2020 and 2021 editions had to be cancelled because of a certain virus.
Now you have to react to the live version of "Valhalla" from their "Imaginations Through the Looking Glass" concert. I won't say much, but there is a reason it's 8 minutes long...
I could imagine their is another "rabbit hole" for your search on good vibes. Maybe "Wardruna" and stuff like this? Or another german band? Take a look at the band "Faun" and their song "Federkleid". I'm sure you gonna like it....anyway....greetings from germany ;-)
Love your reaction videos :D You seem to be such a nice person (and maybe the first "Reacts to..."-channel i will subscribe to :P) PS: I bet you have a long list of videos to reacto to, but here is a little recommendation: "For Better Or For Worse" from Brother Firetribe... Its like metal mixed with a bit of 80's disco :D
Blind Guardian are a Metal band from a town called Krefeld. They formed the band in about 1984 und the name "Lucifer's Heritage" and changed into "Blind Guardian" in 1986. The singer is called Hansi Kürsch. The guitarists are called André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen. The drummer is called Frederik Ehmke. Agewise they are in their 50s...except Frederik, he is mid 40. They are very big...especially in Germany and Japan. The lyrics are mostly about the World and Characters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Wacken Open Air is the biggest Metal Festival. First held in 1990. About 75000 Visitors each year.
Wacken is Germanys biggest Heavy Metal Open Air Festivals. And Germany has MANY of those. Like, from May to August there are several each weekend. It's one of the biggest worldwide and (maybe except for americans) it's the final goal for every metal musician: When you were invited to Wacken, you made it. As for the band Blind Guardian: They are a german Power Metal band, in the way Power Metal is seen by most of the world: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, imagination and whatever else you want it to be. They never sing in german (at least i never heard of it). They are one of the most famous, popular and loved metal bands in and outside of Germany. The Vocalist is called Hansi Kürsch. His singing voice is very unique and one of the reasons for why this band is so great. Also, notice how EVERYONE has a microphone in front of them? Every band member is also a background singer. As for these 2 songs: They are iconic. Valhalla has become something like the 'Blind Guardian Hymn'. You are a fan of the band, you know this song by heart. And as for 'The Bard's Song': This is more than a hymn. It's pretty much the german Metal Open Air hymn. That i learned on the way to my very first metal open air festival at the age of 16. It's the song that people listen to and sing after the concerts, at the camping site. It's one of these songs that united the metal, fantasy, medieval and gothic community into one.
I know it's not the same, but Fiddler on the Green by Demons and Wizards is a great one too! Hansi is a god! Another cool one where Hansi collaborates is Like Orpheus by Orphaned Land, the song and the story told in the video are really good!
Blind Gurdian is heavily influenced by JRR Tolkien and Fantasy in general, esp. the early Works! I First heard this song in the early 90 in a School Bus on a Walkman! They are Legend! They are around since the 80s and are one of the founders of what we call now "Power Metal" Please check out more of their Songs, they deserve it! Are you a LOTR Fan? This is yours!
Wacken is a small village in north germany Once a year it turns into one of the biggest metal festivals in the world If you realy want to go to the festival you must be quick the last 5 or 6 years it was sold out after a few hours (like 2 or 3h)
Damn, I love your reactions!! it's so cool to see someone enjoy the epicness. My Suggestion for a different style of Metal-Experience would be this: "Wagakki Band - 千本桜 (Senbonzakura) / Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai 2020 Yokohama Arena" Japanese Concerts are wild on a different scale, so to speak ;) (Just to get away from Europe for while on your Journey :))
I've been a pretty big BG fan for years (and they've been my absolute favorite band for most of that time), a couple other songs of theirs that I recommend are 'Mirror Mirror' (my fave song of all time) and 'Sacred Worlds' (possibly the most epic sounding song ever written IMO). And if you or anyone else here is interested in other bands that have a somewhat similar sound I would like to recommend checking out Demons and Wizards (same vocalist as BG), Savage Circus (started by a former BG member), ORDEN OGAN (probably my second fave band, after BG themselves), Judicator, Persuader, and Iron Savior.
Blind Guardian is in fantasy, what Sabaton is to history. Great storytellers who plays with extremely well done musicianship and badassery. React to Mirror Mirror, and if you want something near to The Bard's song ballad style, A past and Future Secret (is about Camelot and King Arthur).
would love see ur reaction to this ^^ IN EXTREMO - PIKSE PALVE or HELLOWEEN - Halloween or someting from Tanzwut / Feuerschwanz well done gettting blind guaridan here its my all times favorites^^
loving your journey discovering metal :-). next up i would recommend Epica, either sancta terra or consign to oblivion ( or you could check out their new album). After that you might be ready to jump into Ayreon, the day that the world breaks down, which will blow your mind 🙂
On and another recomandation. if you like the Fantasy genre, especially Lord of the Rings, you might love Clamavi de profundis-Song of Durin. An absolutly stunning Piece where you are pulled into a beautiful Fantasy Athmosphere.
Wacken ist Not only a little Village in the north of Germany....... Once a year it's Population increases about 70 Times....officially. Every year Sold Out ( before the pandemic) the Wacken Open Air Festival makes the biggest Heavy Metal Festival in this Planet and the place of pilgrimage for those who cherish the heavy music. I enjoyed your reactions. You obviously appreciate a good piece of music....
Blind Guardian har gjort några andra låtar som är i samma stil som The Bard's Song också. Curse My name, Past and Future Secret och Skalds and Shadows. Mordred's Song och Blind Eyes har båda en hårdare och en akustisk version.
Want a request? Blind Guardian + Saltation Mortis - Finsterwacht! Its based on Jrr Tolkiens motives and a PnP Game Das Schwarze Auge or The Black Eye, short for fans DSA
Blind Guardian...KINGS OF POWER METAL !!! And here is something new from them BLIND GUARDIAN - Deliver Us From Evil (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) th-cam.com/video/d1mkqz422lg/w-d-xo.html !!! AND here is another one (Band) , MANOWAR - Warriors Of The World United (Live) - OFFICIAL VIDEO th-cam.com/video/G1G9D8A4Fiw/w-d-xo.html Wacken ( pronounced Vahken) Open Air festival in Germany an audience of 82,000+ people
Hey, just found your channel. I always like Reactions to Nightwish and other stuff i dig. If you wanna branch out a bit i would suggest Epica - Consign to Oblivion (live at the Zenith) and also Ayreon - The Day that the world breaks down. Both are very interesting Songs to react too. Especially Ayreon.
If your open to and interested in more „unusual/different“ music I feel like I have to recommend „Apocalyptica“. A three man cello metal band that started out covering Metallica. A good introduction might be „Hall of the Mountain King“ originally for orchestra by edvard Grieg. But I also can highly recommend their newer own stuff 🤙🏻
If you like Sci-Fi (and more Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian from Germany (formed in 1984)), then I hope you can find the time to react to this TOP LINEUP OF MANY MUSICAL INTRUMENTS/SINGERS: The Source is the 9th studio album from *AYREON* , a progressive metal/rock opera project by Dutch musician Arjen (Ahr-Yun) Anthony Lucassen, released on April 28, 2017. *_”The Day That The World Breaks Down”_* is a song that features all 11 (quite well known) main guest singers (you’ll be surprised) and is taken from that album. Arjen himself is telling (in subtitles) who the singers are and which instruments are used and by which standards. Btw. This creative original clip is 13 min. long and I think you won’t regret it !! Official (Arjen’s) clip: th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html
You need to react to one of the biggest band inn the world. Iron maiden. Here are some songs: Hallowed be thy name, Rime of the ancient mariner, Afraid to shoot strangers, fear of the dark, Seventh son of a seventh son, Wasted years
Great reaction. Anyway, can i request your reaction to superb band from japan? The band is call "Lovebites" They all The Beautiful Queens heavy metal band right now in the earth. They are really really World class musicians. Phenomenal. And they have a lot diehard fans like me😁. The fans called Wolfpack. The song is "Set the world on fire" Hope you check out, and can enjoy it too. Big thanks🙏
If you like fantasy, Blind Guardian will be your band of choice. Besides an album dealing with Lord of the Rings, they also have one of the Simillarion, one of Wheel of Time and other literary classics. I would recommend "Wheel of Tiime" next. Unfortunately, there is no good video in terms of sound. But the album version is great. th-cam.com/video/wJtFXTIEwYQ/w-d-xo.html
If you like the crowd singing along, you should check it out. Agnieszka Chylinska - Kiedy powiem sobie dość (Poland Rock Festival 2019) th-cam.com/video/9pAh-PMWz8Y/w-d-xo.html
As you reacted to some great bands, I could recommend you some great german bands who doesn´t give a s##t and having fun doing their thing. Maybe "eskimo callboy" with "you got the moves" th-cam.com/video/D1NdGBldg3w/w-d-xo.html and "Feuerschwanz (Firetail)" with a great cover of "I see fire" th-cam.com/video/omeQqHsg-dY/w-d-xo.html or a cover of "warriors of the world" th-cam.com/video/-rKOoM7S6mw/w-d-xo.html You won´t be disappointed I think. Great reactions by the way, I love your pure "astonished" face
Blind Guardian have achieved Cult status in such a degree that at night you'll be able to hear "the bards song" among the Tents. If Blind Guardian have played at that Festival have little to say in this matter.
![A MASS OF HUMANITY!! | Blind Guardian "The Bard's Song & Valhalla" [REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9y2ZT-xVR9I/mqdefault.jpg)
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![The American Revolution - OverSimplified (Part 1) [REACTION]](/img/n.gif)
The Album Nightfall In Middle-Earth is inspired from the Simarillion by Tolkien. You find a lot of Fantasy by Blind Guardian. Greetings from Germany!
Thank you! I definitely have to check them out! This was truly epic!
@@simpleviking Blind Guardian is phenomenal. First was introduced to them 19 years ago...then I got into Nightwish. But like other people of commented, they have an album & several songs about Lord of the Rings material & folklore
Nightfall In Middle Earth is the first album I heard from them and I have been hooked ever since
Wacken is the metal Mecca, three days, many bands and the tickets disappear in minutes every year.
In Wacken, Germany
Awesome!!
Yes!!! "Bard's Song" The HYMN of European Metal 😁. Wacken is the biggest Heavy Metal Festival in Europe. Blind Guardian is German and famous and more than 25 years in stage. Singer is Hansi Kürsch. Now you have only EPICA left. 😁
He wasn't even anywhere near Ayreon yet though.
I was on the somewhere far beyond tour in 1992... 1000 people in the audience
Hello from Germany,
first a few facts to Wacken, it´s a festival in Germany since 1990. 2016 was 84.500
people there.
It's one of the biggest heavy metal festivals in the world and perhaps the most important. If played at Wacken as an metal band, you made it.
Now the band: Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984. They have cult status like Scorpions, Kreator, Sodom and Helloween.
They may not be as well known worldwide as Rammstein, for example, but they headline Wacken, that says a lot.
Lead singer Hansi Kürsch also worked with guitarist Jon Schaffer from the american metal band Iced Earth. They created the Demons & Wizards project. After the storming of the capitol in 2021, in which Schaffer was involved, Hansi Kürsch ended the collaboration immediately.
Thanks for your reaction.
So cool! I knew you would like it. Blind Guardian is a German power metal band. They founded in the 80s. Hansi Kürsch is the singer. He has such an awesome recognizeable voice. Almost all of their songs are fantasy themed. They also did songs with Lord of the rings themed. They also did a soundtrack to a fantasy game called Sacred 2 and The Dwarves Children of the Smith 😉
Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland!
Thanks for reacting. Blind guardian is a german metal band formed 1984. They are considered Godfathers of power metal in Germany and had very mutch influence on a lot of metal bands. They are also huge Tolkien nerds and have a whole album (Nightfall on middle earth) that is Tolkien inspired. And obviusly they are the masters of crowd controll. There are concerts where Hansi (Singer) doesn't have to sing at all. Wacken is the greatest metal festival in Germany and even world wide with 82 k people. Fun fact there is a train in Germany that collects the peolpe to go to Wacken and usualy people sing on this train, Wallhalla is one of the songs that is sung there. You should do "Mirror Morror" next. Also "Heeding the call" from Hammerfall could be your cup of tea. And if you want to see an insane guitarrist "Through the fire and the flames" by Dragonforce. Great reaction. Have fun exploring. Greetings from Germany.
Scifi you say? Ayreon - The Day that the World breaks down from Arjen Anthony Lucassen's channel. He's the main guy behind Ayreon. You'll recognize some familiar faces there...
Wacken is one of the greatest Metal Festivals all over the world its literally easier to win in the lottery then get a Ticket for Wacken:) If get Tickets somehow take me with:)
Its again a great reaction you did i think you get a silver Play-Button
Yes blind Guardian is an German Band
Hi Max,
here is a Lotte pro tip from me top getting a Ticket für the WOA order in the night from the sunday after the Festivalend top the monday around 3am germantime after a small time in the waiting que you will get the tickts - regards of someone who hast been there seven times a row and Will go there again 😁
@@benjaminzehner685 thank you i will try it
Somebody says, Hansi Kürsch looks like a teacher
The Lead Guitarist, Andre Olbrich, is ranked #76 of the best Metal Guitarists of all times in GuitarWorld Magazine, he is truly amazing. Seen them live 5 times and it is always a truly great show.
I was there that night and I sang along. The "Circle of the Bards" was the BG-fanclub and every member had to learn the Bard's Song by heart. :D BG are from Germany and have been internationally famous for over 20 years. The singer's name is Hansi Kürsch. You should listen to Nanowar's song Norwegian Reggaeton, it is also totally different from "normal" Metal!
I was 2016 there too, greetings from Bavaria 🙏🍻🤘
Also a huge fantasy nerd. Blind guardian definitely explore that realm and have a whole middle earth album I think and they even wrote a song about wheel of time which is one of my favorites
You need to check out Ayreon with all these singers..The Day That The World Breaks Down , Age Of Shadows, everybody Dies..
this is exactly what I wanted to recomend
lol
Yea, Ayreon is way to go. Like metal all stars!
If Blind Guardian are in town and sometime during that day you start chanting "Now you all know..." there's a very good chance you'll have BG fans chiming in instantly. Been there, done that!
"The Bard's Song" always gives the same feeling I got the first time I went to a convention. "This is my people!" Just everyone there for one purpose
So glad you liked it! I was in the middle of that crowd, it's been a "long time" life goal to see them there since I was a teenager.
Many minutes after the concert ended and the masses left for their tents the people still chanted the chorus of valhalla. That was so epic. :D
Blind Guardian was formed in 1984 under a different name and partially different members but really stabilized in 1987 under the new name and released their first studio album 1988, so yeah, they've been around for a while :-)
BG is known for having a lot of crowd interaction and this goes double for Valhalla and even more for The Bard's Song - I doubt Hansi Kürsch (the singer) has sung the entire Bard's Song Live in decades. Even when NOT playing for their home crowd like this.
Blind Guardian has seen a lot of member changes over the year, Hansi Kürsch (singer, also Bass on the earliest albums) and André Olbrich (Lead Guitar, Backing vocals) are the remaining founding members.
Since you really liked The Bard's Song I'll recommend something in a similar vein that I suspect you'll also like... NIghtwish - The Islander (Live At Tampere).
The official video is fine, though many prefer Edd Joss version since it starts ~40 seconds earlier so it includes Mark explaining the setup is explained. But if you think the official video is less likely to cause copyright issues you can go with that and possibly check the explaination afterwards. So either th-cam.com/video/Zo8ncK_5kzc/w-d-xo.html or th-cam.com/video/ciLVx51IZjM/w-d-xo.html
I always love to see the reactions to songs like this. Blind Guardian is still one of my favorite bands and I am happy to see your reaction to one of their greatest songs. Happy X-Mas and all the best for you - best regards from germany 🙂
These songs have accompanied me since puberty (since 32 years)... They just dont get old!
The first 5 CDs/albums from BlindGuardian are very underrated and totally outstanding!!! BTW, they sing about TheLordOfTheRings before PeterJackson made his great Films. ------> 4ever love them🥰 Greets from Germany
P.S. there is another "BardsSong" from them, called "TheHobbit" on the "SomwhereFarBeyond"Album... Hear it... the full album!!!👍
Blind Guardian is an german band and the Singer ist Hansi Kürsch, one of the best in ths genre! He' also part of Ayreon ("The Day The World Breaks down")
Hah I knew you would love it. The Crowd interaction always drives me too tears...so toucing.And I feel you about sliping into Fantasy books. This Song has a heavy vibe of this Fantasy.
20 minutes of watching you fall in love with this band was a fantastic way of spending this time 😊 if you're a history & fantasy guy, you're gonna love the adventure - these German giants are truly a rare breed!
I have been there, it was legendary
The Bard Song is like our Hymne
Since you are from Sweden, Wacken is actually very easy to reach since its in Northern Germany. Been there since 2006 and every year there are bus tours with big groups from Sweden or you can come alone or with a few friends no problem. If its sold out as it often is those bus tours even though its a bit more expensive might still have tickets for a package deal and you meet lots of interesting peoples to enjoy the festival with already on the travel.
The perfect video and mix of songs to introduce people to European, and German, metal! From the gentle "bardic" song to some solid thrash metal! Gotta show your range and this video does it very well to me.
Your reaction and my reaction were basically mirror images. I've liked blind guardian for years but the first time I listened to their live album beyond the spheres changed my brain musically.
You have a better chance than us Americans at seeing them at a huge venue. Greetings from new jersey and horns up.
Hy Michael, its my name too. I am from German. You such a Cool Guy and i wish i had had a Teacher in the Past like i Think You are !
Wacken Open Air is the Greatest Metal Open Air every Year in Germany and even in Europe.
When i first heard the live version of the bards song almost 30 years ago on their forgotten tales album i was just as in awe as you were here. The fan chorus and the medival vibes resonated so much - that cd was on very heavy rotation for me. Nowadays it's also bringing back a lot of memories. Just like you described - i also was a fanatsy-book-devouring teenager back then, and thats the soundtrack attached to that time. I also visited wacken for a couple of times ~20 years ago, so thats a double-whammie memorywise.
Btw: I even remember hearing that song during my only trip to sweden. Your country is beautiful - despite the mosquitos.
Greetings from germany!
19:55 Well this was the best description of speechlessness I have heard in a long time! :)
BLIND GUARDIAN deservee it, and more. With a back catalogue as large and varied as theirs, you are in for a ride of discovery! And if you like this style of early Thrash-infested metal of "Valhalla" molding into epic Power metal with Medieval undertones - all the while singing about things ancient, fantastic, heroic and just plain human at the core - you will not find a really "weak" song among all of them. That leaves you with well over 100 songs to dig up and discover, some more amazing than others. I am sure many will recommend tracks from the Tolkien album ("Nightfall in Middle-Earth") that tells the prequel to the "Lord of the Rings" saga. Off that one, a great example is the song "Nightfall", which connects the band's "bard" qualities with epic story-telling. Another popular one, for all the good reasons and energy, is "Mirror Mirror". But my personal favorite from the world of Tolkien might just be "When Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)". This is BLIND GUARDIAN at their most cinematic! There are some Live versions around, but you don't even need to SEE it to be able to feel it. \m/ That aside, for all it's worth, my favorite GUARDIAN album is "Imaginations from the Other Side" - ANY song off its tracklist is a gem, but try the namesake opener - from the tolling bells that accompany the riff, to Hansi's powerhouse vocals, you will feel entranced into fantasy, just as intended.
Hansi Kursch, while possibly not the most "polished" vocalist of the heavier style, is certainly among the top-10 most recognizable Metal / Rock voices, along with the likes of Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS), Ronnie James Dio, Udo Dirkschneider (ex-ACCEPT), Floor Jansen (you know her...) et al. His voice is a chameleon, ranging from suave, intimate chords, to demonic, intimidating screams, but mostly just possessing that unmistakable tone of "a prophet on the mountain" (to vaguely quote the Dutch Prog legend Arjen Lucassen - more on him later. :)). Once you have heard Hansi - like the other ones named - you will know him. If there was ever a Metal band that deserved the tag of "bards", this is it. And their poetic and complex texts, based on all sorts of myths and epic stories, from the Ancient Greece to "The Game of Thrones", just beautify and enhance those songs immensely. Come back to BLIND GUARDIAN often to explore their "Sacred Worlds"....
Hi Mike
First Album i heard in 1992:) So they are older:)
BG is the only band that supports the audience and not the other way.
If you are very quiet you can still hear them sing.
That's the thing... it does not matter if you are a good singer or not when you are watching a live show. You just sing along, just like everyone else!
Hansi used to have long hair 😁, now he works in a bank 😂😂
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West Germany.
What a beautiful heartfelt reaction. Bravo
For a nostalgic book experience, check out their song Imaginations from the Other Side
Thx u did it.Great live band.Wacken is a big metal festival in germany.
Thank you for your great reaction! I get goosebombs every time I hear this songs since many, many years...Viele Grüße aus Deutschland
Mordreds Song, past and the futur secrets, skalds and shadows, welcome to dying and much much more of BG. 85% of all songs are rly awesome
Skalds and Shadows got me into Blind Guardian. I listened it for the first time as the credit song of the B-Movie "Die Schwerter des Königs"/ "In the Name of the King" with Jason Statham. It got me instantly hooked!
You are wrong 100% of Blind Guardian songs are rly awesome. 85% of their songs put awesome on a whole new level.
Just found your channel, great reaction! Keep it up! Blind Guardian just released a new song "Deliver us from evil" and it's nothing but awesome!
The crowd interaction was the reason why I suggested this one here at your Sabaton reaction (En Livstid i Krig)
Andre Olbrich was ranked number 76 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time by "Guitar World". He is also ranked number 64 in Joel McIver's The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.
When you pass Wacken grounds and listen cerafully, you can still hear them singing :-)
Awesome reaction! Welcome to the world of the Bards 😂. A great follow up to this band would be Nightfall. It has that ‘bardish’ quality you liked (actually all of their songs have it lol) but this one is based on the Silmarillion.
Check out „Raven Child“ by Avantasia, he is one of the singers in the song 😊
Hello sir, as a teacher I strongly believe you should react to "And than there was scilence" for Blind guardian, it tells a story about Troy and its also my favourite song from them. Btw yove the honest reaction
Wacken is the most awesome metal and rock festival in Europe! It starts traditionally with a concert of the local brass band of the local fire department… The crowd is so empathetic and awesome! After this pandemic it will be back hopefully, always a great lineup for three (or more?) days! 👍⚡️🤘
Ow, Hansi Kursch the singer also sang at Wacken with his side project: Demons and wizards; Should appeal to a fantasy fan like you :-). check it out!
THE BARD SONG is something like the band anthem that is sung exclusively by the fans.


Wacken is an annual Metal festival held at the village Wacken (a small village with less than 2000 inhabitants in Schleswig-Holstein, the nothernmost state of Germany - and actually not far from Sweden ;-) ). However at the time of the festival there's more than 80.000 metalheads - and the entire village participates in some form or another. Unfortunately the 2020 and 2021 editions had to be cancelled because of a certain virus.
Now you have to react to the live version of "Valhalla" from their "Imaginations Through the Looking Glass" concert. I won't say much, but there is a reason it's 8 minutes long...
I could imagine their is another "rabbit hole" for your search on good vibes. Maybe "Wardruna" and stuff like this? Or another german band? Take a look at the band "Faun" and their song "Federkleid". I'm sure you gonna like it....anyway....greetings from germany ;-)
Love your reaction videos :D You seem to be such a nice person (and maybe the first "Reacts to..."-channel i will subscribe to :P)
PS: I bet you have a long list of videos to reacto to, but here is a little recommendation: "For Better Or For Worse" from Brother Firetribe... Its like metal mixed with a bit of 80's disco :D
Blind Guardian are a Metal band from a town called Krefeld. They formed the band in about 1984 und the name "Lucifer's Heritage" and changed into "Blind Guardian" in 1986.
The singer is called Hansi Kürsch. The guitarists are called André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen. The drummer is called Frederik Ehmke. Agewise they are in their 50s...except Frederik, he is mid 40.
They are very big...especially in Germany and Japan.
The lyrics are mostly about the World and Characters of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Wacken Open Air is the biggest Metal Festival. First held in 1990. About 75000 Visitors each year.
Wacken is Germanys biggest Heavy Metal Open Air Festivals. And Germany has MANY of those. Like, from May to August there are several each weekend. It's one of the biggest worldwide and (maybe except for americans) it's the final goal for every metal musician: When you were invited to Wacken, you made it.
As for the band Blind Guardian: They are a german Power Metal band, in the way Power Metal is seen by most of the world: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, imagination and whatever else you want it to be. They never sing in german (at least i never heard of it). They are one of the most famous, popular and loved metal bands in and outside of Germany. The Vocalist is called Hansi Kürsch. His singing voice is very unique and one of the reasons for why this band is so great. Also, notice how EVERYONE has a microphone in front of them? Every band member is also a background singer.
As for these 2 songs: They are iconic. Valhalla has become something like the 'Blind Guardian Hymn'. You are a fan of the band, you know this song by heart. And as for 'The Bard's Song': This is more than a hymn. It's pretty much the german Metal Open Air hymn. That i learned on the way to my very first metal open air festival at the age of 16. It's the song that people listen to and sing after the concerts, at the camping site. It's one of these songs that united the metal, fantasy, medieval and gothic community into one.
I know it's not the same, but Fiddler on the Green by Demons and Wizards is a great one too! Hansi is a god!
Another cool one where Hansi collaborates is Like Orpheus by Orphaned Land, the song and the story told in the video are really good!
Blind Gurdian is heavily influenced by JRR Tolkien and Fantasy in general, esp. the early Works! I First heard this song in the early 90 in a School Bus on a Walkman! They are Legend! They are around since the 80s and are one of the founders of what we call now "Power Metal" Please check out more of their Songs, they deserve it! Are you a LOTR Fan? This is yours!
The name of the singer is Hansi Kürsch.
Try with Soulforged , is a song for Raistlin Majere
Ayreon - Everybody Dies (Ayreon Universe)
Imagine..... playing after this performance .... oO
Latest reports from travelers passing through Wacken, read that the greatest area still echoes "Valhalla"...
Powermetal since 1984! Renamed Blind Guardian in 1987! Nearly 75000 People in Wacken, Heavy Metal Festival, i was there in 2009. ;-)
Lucky you!! Ive read that its almost impossible to get tickets :O
Great reaction thankyou.
Wacken is a small village in north germany
Once a year it turns into one of the biggest metal festivals in the world
If you realy want to go to the festival you must be quick the last 5 or 6 years it was sold out after a few hours (like 2 or 3h)
Damn, I love your reactions!! it's so cool to see someone enjoy the epicness.
My Suggestion for a different style of Metal-Experience would be this:
"Wagakki Band - 千本桜 (Senbonzakura) / Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai 2020 Yokohama Arena"
Japanese Concerts are wild on a different scale, so to speak ;) (Just to get away from Europe for while on your Journey :))
I've been a pretty big BG fan for years (and they've been my absolute favorite band for most of that time), a couple other songs of theirs that I recommend are 'Mirror Mirror' (my fave song of all time) and 'Sacred Worlds' (possibly the most epic sounding song ever written IMO).
And if you or anyone else here is interested in other bands that have a somewhat similar sound I would like to recommend checking out Demons and Wizards (same vocalist as BG), Savage Circus (started by a former BG member), ORDEN OGAN (probably my second fave band, after BG themselves), Judicator, Persuader, and Iron Savior.
Blind Guardian is in fantasy, what Sabaton is to history. Great storytellers who plays with extremely well done musicianship and badassery. React to Mirror Mirror, and if you want something near to The Bard's song ballad style, A past and Future Secret (is about Camelot and King Arthur).
Til this day, the crowd has been singing these 2 songs :)
would love see ur reaction to this ^^ IN EXTREMO - PIKSE PALVE or HELLOWEEN - Halloween or someting from Tanzwut / Feuerschwanz
well done gettting blind guaridan here its my all times favorites^^
loving your journey discovering metal :-). next up i would recommend Epica, either sancta terra or consign to oblivion ( or you could check out their new album). After that you might be ready to jump into Ayreon, the day that the world breaks down, which will blow your mind 🙂
On and another recomandation. if you like the Fantasy genre, especially Lord of the Rings, you might love Clamavi de profundis-Song of Durin. An absolutly stunning Piece where you are pulled into a beautiful Fantasy Athmosphere.
Wacken ist Not only a little Village in the north of Germany....... Once a year it's Population increases about 70 Times....officially.
Every year Sold Out ( before the pandemic) the Wacken Open Air Festival makes the biggest Heavy Metal Festival in this Planet and the place of pilgrimage for those who cherish the heavy music.
I enjoyed your reactions. You obviously appreciate a good piece of music....
Yes wacken is in germany the Band blind Gardian is from Hildesheim Germany have fun
For a "Viking" Christmas song you have to listen to Nanowar of Steel's "Valhallelujah" ;).
If you enjoyed it, i recommand any of their songs from the "Imaginations through the looking glass tour" Its blind guardians live aid ;)
40 years in business
Blind Guardian har gjort några andra låtar som är i samma stil som The Bard's Song också. Curse My name, Past and Future Secret och Skalds and Shadows.
Mordred's Song och Blind Eyes har båda en hårdare och en akustisk version.
Want a request? Blind Guardian + Saltation Mortis - Finsterwacht! Its based on Jrr Tolkiens motives and a PnP Game Das Schwarze Auge or The Black Eye, short for fans DSA
Young middle age or old so much people love this music it's not only for young people.
The day time travel will become available I'll attend this event
Blind Guardian...KINGS OF POWER METAL !!!
And here is something new from them BLIND GUARDIAN - Deliver Us From Evil (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) th-cam.com/video/d1mkqz422lg/w-d-xo.html !!!
AND here is another one (Band) , MANOWAR - Warriors Of The World United (Live) - OFFICIAL VIDEO th-cam.com/video/G1G9D8A4Fiw/w-d-xo.html
Wacken ( pronounced Vahken) Open Air festival in Germany an audience of 82,000+ people
its somewhere around 80 000 ppl
I was there live
Hey, just found your channel. I always like Reactions to Nightwish and other stuff i dig. If you wanna branch out a bit i would suggest Epica - Consign to Oblivion (live at the Zenith) and also Ayreon - The Day that the world breaks down. Both are very interesting Songs to react too. Especially Ayreon.
Oh, this is so good❤️ Please react to Ayreon The Day the World Breaks Down, you will be so surprised!
If your open to and interested in more „unusual/different“ music I feel like I have to recommend „Apocalyptica“. A three man cello metal band that started out covering Metallica. A good introduction might be „Hall of the Mountain King“ originally for orchestra by edvard Grieg. But I also can highly recommend their newer own stuff 🤙🏻
At the same time a more soothing introduction to them might be a Metallica cover like „one“, „nothing else matters“ or „fade to black“
Did you perhaps read any of Patrick Rothfuss Kingkiller Chronicles? If so then I have a song for you, Nightwish Edema Ruh.
So try :Null positiv - wo Rauch ist, ist auch Feuer /it's simmilar, but German wit female singer... 🎸📻🍺Enjoy with a german beer 😁🐱
If you like Sci-Fi (and more Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian from Germany (formed in 1984)), then I hope you can find the time to react to this TOP LINEUP OF MANY MUSICAL INTRUMENTS/SINGERS: The Source is the 9th studio album from *AYREON* , a progressive metal/rock opera project by Dutch musician Arjen (Ahr-Yun) Anthony Lucassen, released on April 28, 2017. *_”The Day That The World Breaks Down”_* is a song that features all 11 (quite well known) main guest singers (you’ll be surprised) and is taken from that album. Arjen himself is telling (in subtitles) who the singers are and which instruments are used and by which standards.
Btw. This creative original clip is 13 min. long and I think you won’t regret it !!
Official (Arjen’s) clip: th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html
You need to react to one of the biggest band inn the world. Iron maiden. Here are some songs: Hallowed be thy name, Rime of the ancient mariner, Afraid to shoot strangers, fear of the dark, Seventh son of a seventh son, Wasted years
Blind Guardian was formed in 1984
one does not simply leave a Guardian gig and has some voice left!
Great reaction. Anyway, can i request your reaction to superb band from japan?
The band is call "Lovebites"
They all The Beautiful Queens heavy metal band right now in the earth. They are really really World class musicians. Phenomenal.
And they have a lot diehard fans like me😁. The fans called Wolfpack.
The song is "Set the world on fire"
Hope you check out, and can enjoy it too. Big thanks🙏
Wacken is a liddel Town in my homeland Germany
GO VIKING!
🔥AMON AMARTH - Raise your horns🔥
Your friendly viking neighbours from Tumba.
(You'll see Joakim and Floor there)
(You may need the lyrics)
Link: th-cam.com/video/Ndu33Uv7Aco/w-d-xo.html
If you like fantasy, Blind Guardian will be your band of choice. Besides an album dealing with Lord of the Rings, they also have one of the Simillarion, one of Wheel of Time and other literary classics. I would recommend "Wheel of Tiime" next. Unfortunately, there is no good video in terms of sound. But the album version is great. th-cam.com/video/wJtFXTIEwYQ/w-d-xo.html
Do you know Wadruna? Try Helvegen with guest singer Aurora. Norse tribal at is best. 🇩🇰🇸🇪
Please react to The Raven child by Avantasia it features this singer and Jorn Lande and also Avantasia is also such a great band, you'll like them.
If you like the crowd singing along, you should check it out.
Agnieszka Chylinska - Kiedy powiem sobie dość (Poland Rock Festival 2019)
th-cam.com/video/9pAh-PMWz8Y/w-d-xo.html
As you reacted to some great bands, I could recommend you some great german bands who doesn´t give a s##t and having fun doing their thing. Maybe "eskimo callboy" with "you got the moves" th-cam.com/video/D1NdGBldg3w/w-d-xo.html and "Feuerschwanz (Firetail)" with a great cover of "I see fire" th-cam.com/video/omeQqHsg-dY/w-d-xo.html or a cover of "warriors of the world" th-cam.com/video/-rKOoM7S6mw/w-d-xo.html
You won´t be disappointed I think.
Great reactions by the way, I love your pure "astonished" face
Blind Guardian have achieved Cult status in such a degree that at night you'll be able to hear "the bards song" among the Tents. If Blind Guardian have played at that Festival have little to say in this matter.