Recently, on November 30th, the progressive power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN released the remixed and remastered versions of “Imaginations From The Other Side”, “Nightfall In Middle-Earth” and “A Night At The Opera”, which also entered the German charts: “Imaginations From The Other Side” on #89, “A Night At The Opera” on #77 and “Nightfall In Middle-Earth” even landed on #52!
Today the band reveal the second documentary trailer, this time talking about “A Night At The Opera”. Watch it here:
“Out of the three recent re-releases ‘A Night at the Opera’ surely benefits the most from the remixing. It is such a rich album with so many things to discover. The album is a commitment to quality and an achievement. I am enjoying each and every re-visit, especially now with the new” vinyl version. Check it out!”, comments Hansi Kürsch.
Germany based progressive power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN recently re-released their first four studio Albums. Today they start the pre-order for the next reissues, “Imaginations From The Other Side”, “Nightfall In Middle-Earth” and “A Night At The Opera”, which will be released on November 30th via Nuclear Blast! The back-catalogue has been remixed and remastered, and is available in 2CD-digi and 2LP gatefold vinyl format with individual colours.
More re-issues are due to follow, in total there will be 10 BLIND GUARDIAN re-releases.
Singer Hansi Kürsch comments: “All these albums will not only be available as beautiful 2CD-digipak versions but can also be purchased as gatefold vinyl. Since the vinyl versions of our back catalogue have become so rare over the years, people have kept on asking us about re-issues. Now your wish is granted. The CD version will contain two CDs. One will feature an up to date sounding re-mix and the other will contain the original mix. Both sound great! In comparison to the original mixes, our input on the re-mix versions has been far greater, and therefore have been used for the vinyl versions. They sound fresher, richer and more exciting than the original ones and still pay tribute to the original recordings. It is 100% old school BLIND GUARDIAN with a modern twist. What more can you ask for?.”
The band have also revealed their second historical episode/documentary chapter in which they talk about their early days. Hansi Kürsch comments: “If you always wondered how Lucifer’s official successor turned in the mighty Guardian then listen to these six wise men speaking. Enjoy another round of facts, myths and long-forgotten gossip.”
Watch it here:
If you missed part. 1 – please watch it here:
The previously mentioned re-issues can now be pre-ordered in the following formats:
»Imaginations From The Other Side« (1995), remixed 2011/2012, remastered 2012 – 2CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD+original CD) – LP in gatefold
Tracklist: 01. Imaginations From The Other Side 02. I’m Alive 03. A Past And Future Secret 04. The Script For My Requiem 05. Mordred’s Song 06. Born In A Mourning Hall 07. Bright Eyes 08. Another Holy War 09. And The Story Ends Bonus: 10. The Wizard 11. System’s Failing
»Nightfall In Middle-Earth« (1998), remixed 2011/2012, remastered 2012 – 2CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD+original CD) – LP in gatefold
Tracklist: 01. War Of Wrath 02. Into The Storm 03. Lammoth 04. Nightfall 05. The Minstrel 06. The Curse Of Feanor 07. Captured 08. Blood Tears 09. Mirror Mirror 10. Face The Truth 11. Noldor (Dead Winter Reigns) 12. Battle Of Sudden Flames 13. Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill) 14. The Dark Elf 15. Thorn 16. The Eldar 17. Nom The Wise 18. When Sorrow Sang 19. Out On The Water 20. The Steadfast 21. A Dark Passage 22. Final Chapter (Thus Ends…) Bonus: 23. Doom 24. The Tides Of War
»A Night At The Opera« (2002), remixed 2011/2012, remastered 2012 – 2CD-DIGI (remixed/remastered CD+original CD) – LP in gatefold
Tracklist: 01. Precious Jerusalem 02. Battlefield 03. Under The Ice 04. Sadly Sings Destiny 05. The Maiden And The Minstrel Knight 06. Wait For An Answer 07. The Soulforged 08. Age Of False Innocence 09. Punishment Divine 10. And Then There Was Silence Bonus: 11. Age Of False Innocence (demo) 12. Under The Ice (demo)
Germany-based progressive power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have re-released their first four studio albums via Nuclear Blast! The back-catalogue has been remixed and remastered, and is available as 2CD-Digi and black vinyl formats, as well as individual coloured vinyl for each album.
Singer Hansi Kürsch comments: “It took a little while, but finally, today, we proudly announce the spectacular re-release of our first four album classics. These albums will not only be available as beautiful 2-CD-digipak-versions but can also be purchased as gatefold vinyl versions. Since our vinyl versions of the back program have become so rare over the years, people kept on asking us for such a re-release. Now your wish is granted. The CD-version will contain two CDs. One will feature an up-to-date- sounding re-mix and the other one presents the original mixing. Both are sounding great. In comparison to the original mixings, our input on the re-mixings was far bigger. and therefore have been used for the vinyl versions. They sound fresher, richer and more exciting than the original ones and still pay tribute to the original recordings . It is 100% old school BLIND GUARDIAN in a modern garment. What more can you ask for? So far it has been a long journey, but it is not over, yet: We will continue with the next 3-classic-BG-albums, soon. Same band, same set up. Enjoy and stay tuned.”
The band also reveals their first history episode, talking about their early days:
The Gathering ‘Long shadows are cast by great events. On the occasion of the re-release of our first four albums, in double-CD and vinyl versions, we were urged to find answers to questions which no one had ever dared to ask. It was total mayhem! Enjoy the first part of the big Blind Guardian History Talk’.
Comments Hansi Kürsch.
At the end of this year and also in early 2019, more re-issues are due to follow, so in total there will be 10 BLIND GUARDIAN re-releases.
Oriental metal pioneers, ORPHANED LAND, have just released a video and digital single for their new song “Like Orpheus”, taken from their upcoming album “Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs”, which will be released on January 26th, 2018, via Century Media Records. “Like Orpheus” features guest vocals by no other than Blind Guardian’s Hansi Kürsch!
Hansi Kürsch comments, “What a marvelous song. I heard it and fell in love with it immediately. What keeps me so thrilled about it is this perfect blend of different musical cultures and the constant wave of emotions these guys have woven together in a stroke of genius. This song, as all their works, is a strong statement for humanity. I am really proud to be a part of such a fantastic family. All is One!”
Kobi Farhi explains, “It is a little bit hard for us sometimes to release only one song, especially as there is a whole concept album to follow. But if we have to choose one song to start with, it’ll be ‘Like Orpheus’. In Greek mythology it is told that Orpheus’ singing was so beautiful, that even the stones and the earth fell in love with his voice, to a point that the earth was open and that’s how he ended up going down straight to hell. At the chronology of the concept of our story, this is the story where the hero leaves Plato’s cave for the first time, and it is the first time he exposed to the light, to the new truth of all the shadows he considered to be the truth before. Being overwhelmed from this revelation he describes the world and his feeling with singing, and his singing is so beautiful that he is like Orpheus himself in a way. We are so happy to feature one of the most humble gentleman on the planet, a real rock star and a simple beautiful soul – Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian. Hansi is such a singer, he and his singing is literally like Orpheus’.
The story of the cave of Plato and the use of Orpheus are just allegories. In this video clip we chose to tell the true story of some metal heads from the Middle East. Their daily lives is some sort of a cave, their culture, the way they dress and their customs may give an impression that they are utterly different, while the truth is that they escape to the same world, the world of metal, while they never met each other and cannot start to imagine how similar and one they are.
On a personal note: Metal today is still considered as Satanism in many societies and countries, especially in the Middle East and it is still banned in many countries from our region.Metal is one of the best co-existing communities we ever get to know, so all of you metal heads out there – think about those metal heads from the Middle East, cause they are here to stay!”
Watch the video for “Like Orpheus” here:
“Like Orpheus” is available as a digital single on all download and streaming platforms and also as Instant Grat Track on iTunes and Amazon. All physical formats of the new album “Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs” are also available for preorder as of now. Use this link to direct you to a selection of streaming and download platforms and physical preorders: https://OrphanedLand.lnk.to/UnsungProphetsAndDeadMessiahs
“Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs” will be available as a Ltd. Edition 2CD Mediabook including “Orphaned Land & Friends” as bonus disc, as 2LP+CD Gatefold and Jewelcase CD.
The vinyl will also be available in the following exclusive colors:
– golden vinyl (limited to 100 copies)
– clear vinyl (limited to 200 copies), only available at the official band store (www.orphaned-land.com/shop.html) and on tour
ORPHANED LAND are looking forward to meeting all of you on the upcoming European Tour to celebrate great nights with outstanding tunes and music about anger, tragedy, protest and joy, breaking the boundaries of any racial, cultural and religious divide. They will be supported by In Vain, Subterranean Masquerade and Aevum. Here are the exact dates:
23.02.18 Wacken (Germany) – Wacken Winter Nights
24.02.18 Arnheim (Netherlands) – Willem Een
25.02.18 Essen (Germany) – Turock
26.02.18 London (UK) – Underworld
27.02.18 Paris (France) – Petit Bain
28.02.18 Nantes (France) – Le Ferrailleur
02.03.18 Madrid (Spain) – Copérnico
03.03.18 Barcelona (Spain) – Bovedo
04.03.18 Montpellier (France) – Secret Place
06.03.18 Cologne (Germany) – Jungle
07.03.18 Berlin (Germany) – Bi Nuu
08.03.18 Bratislava (Slovakia) – Randal Club
09.03.18 Cluj Napoca (Romania) – Flying Circus
10.03.18 Krakow (Poland) – Zet Pete
11.03.18 Budapest (Hungary) – Dürer Kert
13.03.18 Munich (Germany) – Backstage
14.03.18 Borgo Priolo (Italy) – Dagda Live Club
15.03.18 Rome (Italy) – Jailbreak Live Club
16.03.18 St. Maurice (Switzerland) – The Manoir Pub
17.03.18 Zug (Switzerland) – Galvanik
18.03.18 Pagney (France) – Chez Paulette
Germany-based progressive power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN have re-released their first 7 studio albums as well as the first two live albums and their compilation via Nuclear Blast!
The re-issues contain:
1. »Battalions Of Fear« (1988), remastered 2017
Bonus Tracks:
Brian (demo)
Halloween (The Wizard’s Crown) (demo)
Lucifer’s Heritage (demo)
Symphonies Of Doom (demo)
2. »Follow The Blind« (1989), remastered 2017
Bonus Tracks:
Majesty (demo)
Trial By The Archon (demo)
Battalions Of Fear (demo)
Run For The Night (demo)
3. »Tales From The Twilight World« (1990), remastered 2007
Bonus Tracks:
Lost In The Twilight Hall (demo)
Tommyknockers (demo)
4. »Somewhere Far Beyond« (1992), remastered 2007
Bonus Tracks:
Ashes To Ashes (demo)
Time What Is Time (demo)
5. »Tokyo Tales« (1993), remastered 2007
6. »Imaginations From The Other Side« (1995), remastered 2007
Bonus Tracks:
A Past And Future Secret (demo)
Imaginations From The Other Side (demo)
The Script For My Requiem (demo)
7. »The Forgotten Tales« (1996), remastered 2007
Bonus Tracks:
Hallelujah
Beyond The Realms Of Death
Don’t Talk To Strangers
8. »Nightfall In Middle Earth« (1998), remastered 2007
Bonus Track:
Harvest of Sorrow
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke with BLIND GUARDIAN‘s Frontman Hansi Kürsch while he was promoting their new 3cd 4LPS “Live Beyond The Spheres” album which will be out on July 7 2017 on Nuclear Blast.
Watch the interview here:
When asked about an update on the progress of Blind Guardians yet to be released Orchestral Album
“The Orchestral album is in the making for 20 years and we are getting closed to an end. I sang two songs already. I am suppose to be done at the end of December 2017 which means all the music will be done at that time. So basically, we will be ready to go for mixing the album and we are intending on release the whole thing in the beginning of 2019 I would say.”
When asked about the concept of the Orchestral album
“Basically I am working with a German ensemble. What I can tell you about the concept is to a certain extent it is connected to the Czech Republic, so it will play an essential role I the story telling as well. It’s going to be a fictional story connected to history too. I’m anxious to see where we end up. The first two songs I sang were quite interesting. There will be a lot of science there will be a lot of history there will be a little bit of everything and if things are rolling like they do at the moment then it will be a very pleasant experience. I can guarantee that you have not heard anything like that before.”
When asked if there will be a new traditional Blind Guardian Studio album
“That will be released most probably in 2020 and believe it or not. We have finished two songs. One is called ‘American Goth’ and the other one is called ‘Architect of doom’ ”
When asked if there will be a Blind Guardian Festival and who would he like to participate in it
“I would love to do it with Iced Earth and would like to connect it to the orchestral album.”
