Hansi Kürsch

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DEMONS & WIZARDS Sign With Century Media Records

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 23, 2019
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

DemonsWizards

Century Media Records is pleased to announce the signing of legendary metal band DEMONS & WIZARDS for a worldwide collaboration. Founded in 1999 by Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth), DEMONS & WIZARDS released two highly acclaimed albums in 1999 (“Demons & Wizards”) and 2005 (“Touched by the Crimson King”). Currently, the band is busy recording the highly anticipated yet untitled third studio album, which is scheduled to be released in early 2020.

Hansi Kürsch comments:

“It is a great pleasure and a big honor for me to finally become a full part of the Century Media family. Jon and I both feel that Century Media is the perfect match for our upcoming DEMONS & WIZARDS missions. And there will be plenty of them. Right at the moment we have not only finalized a re-boot of our first two albums, but are also working with full forces on the successor of “Touched by the Crimson King”. Good things are on its way. Expect nothing but the best and do not miss us on the road this summer, unless you want to risk another 20 years of waiting …”

Philipp Schulte (Century Media Records) adds:

“To say that we are stoked to be finally working with Hansi and Jon on a new DEMONS & WIZARDS album would be an understatement. This is a very important signing to the label: A top-tier metal band and a great addition to the label’s roster. The fans have been patiently waiting for DEMONS & WIZARDS’ return. And now the time is near! We start our cooperation by re-releasing the band’s two classic albums, before they are conquering the festival stages all across Europe. And then, in the beginning of 2020, after 15 years of waiting, DEMONS & WIZARDS will finally return with a new studio album. It is time to hoist the sails for the storm to come. Welcome aboard!”

Prior to the release of the new studio album, Century Media Records will release DEMONS & WIZARDS’ sold out first two albums as reworked special editions. Remastered by Zeuss (Iced Earth, Queensrÿche, Sanctuary), these two releases will be out on June 7th, 2019 as Limited Edition Digipak and limited Deluxe 2LP releases with bonus material and liner notes by both members. 

Already on March 29th, 2019, the digital standard versions of the remastered albums will be made available in order to promote the band’s festival run in Europe.

DEMONS & WIZARDS live:

31.05.2019 Garage, Saarbrücken (DE)
01.06.2019 Z7, Pratteln (CH)
02.06.2019 Batschkapp, Frankfurt (DE)
19.06.2019 Copenhell Festival, Copenhagen (DK)
21.06.2019 Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel (B)
21.06.2019 Hellfest, Clisson (FR)
29.06.2019 Dokk’em Open Air, Dokkum (NL)
30.06.2019 Islington Assembly Hall, London (UK)
04.07.2019 Barcelona Rock Fest, Barcelona (ES)
06.07.2019 Chania Rock Festival, Chania (GR)
21.07.2019 Metaldays, Tolmin (SVN)
01.-03.08.2019 Wacken Open Air, Wacken (DE)
05.09.2019 ProgPower, Atlanta (US)

ORPHANED LAND Release Single And Video “Like Orpheus”, Feat. Hansi Kürsch

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 11, 2017
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OrphanedLand-Photo-ZoharRon

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

OrphanedLand-cover

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

Fan-Filmed Video From AYREON Universe Shows Posted, Featuring ARJEN LUCASSEN, FLOOR JANSEN, DAMIAN WILSON, ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN And Many More

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 17, 2017
Posted in: Int. News. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Ayreon-universe-by-CristelBrouwer

Photo by Cristel Brouwer

AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen chose the best songs from the AYREON albums and Star One to create an exclusive live Ayreon show: Ayreon Universe, issues Bravewords.com. The show was performed over three nights at the 013 venue in Tilburg by the very best original Ayreon vocalists and instrumentalists including Floor Jansen and Marco Hietala from Nightwish, Praying Mantis’ John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers (who replaced Russell Allen), Damian Wilson (Threshold), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gentle Storm), and many other original Ayreon singers on stage, as well as an appearance by Arjen Lucassen himself.

Ayreon-universe-video-footage

Fan-filmed video from the show is available below.

The setlist was as follows:

“Dreamtime”
“Abbey of Synn”
“River of Time”
“Prologue: The Blackboard”
“The Theory of Everything, Part 1”
“Merlin’s Will”
“Waking Dreams”
“Dawn of a Million Souls”
“Valley of the Queens”
“Ride the Comet”
“Star of Sirrah”
“Comatose”
“Day Sixteen: Loser”
“And the Druids Turn to Stone”
“The Two Gates”
“Into the Black Hole”
“Actual Fantasy”
“Computer Eyes”
“Magnetism
“Age of Shadows”
“Intergalactic Space Crusaders (Star One cover)
“Collision”
“Everybody Dies”
“The Castle Hall”
– Arjen’s Speech –
“Amazing Flight”
“Day Eleven: Love”

Encore:
“The Eye of Ra” (Star One cover)

More information at https://www.facebook.com/ArjenLucassenOfficial

In contrast to The Theater Equation, Ayreon Universe was fully organized and arranged by Arjen Lucassen personally, assisted by Joost van den Broek.

“After the huge success of the four sold-out Ayreon theater shows in 2015, Joost and I decided to boldly go even bigger,” says Arjen. “This is a full-on ‘best of Ayreon’ rock show in a big venue with as many original Ayreon singers and musicians as possible. We’re calling it Ayreon Universe, and as you might guess, it’s a huge undertaking. We’ve had an entire team working on it for over a year already. Ayreon fans have high expectations, and we want to be sure to give them an once-in-a-lifetime experience that they’ll never forget.”

There were 16 original Ayreon singers: Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Damian Wilson (Threshold), Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Marco Hietala (Nightwish), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Mike Mills (Toehider), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gentle Storm), Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion), Irene Jansen, Robert Soeterboek (Star One), Edward Reekers (Kayak), Jan van Feggelen, Magali Luyten (Nightmare) and Lisette Marije (Scarlet Stories). The hand-picked band of 8 of Arjen’s favorite Ayreon instrumentalists includes Ed Warby (drums), Johan van Stratum (bass), Marcel Coenen (lead guitar), Ferry Duijsens (guitar), Joost van den Broek (keyboards), Ben Mathot (violin), Jeroen Goossens (flutes, woodwinds) and Maaike Peterse (cello).

BLIND GUARDIAN’s Hansi Kürsch Discuss Concept Of Orchestral Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 27, 2017
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TheMetalVoice-Hansi-BlindGuardian

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.”

The Metal Voice Interview: Hansi Kursch – “New BLIND GUARDIAN album will be orchestral and released in 2019”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 9, 2016
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TheMetalVoice-BlindGuardian

Canada’s The Metal Voice  spoke to BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kursch at Heavy Montreal 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Hansi told The Metal Voice  Blind Guardian’s about their plans to release a new album in 2019, “Charlie Bauerfeind (producer) was a great help there, we have had many ideas, but he at a certain point came up with the idea to drive things into a stronger direction even into the the orchestral direction. So that is where we would go next. I believe it will be easier for people to consume what we are doing with the orchestral album because that is plain orchestral with me singing and typical Blind Guardian songs, you will immediately recognize. And maybe even easier to consume than Beyond the Red Mirror because Red Mirror is very massive, very progressive.  The next album will be very melodic, very intense but classical intense.”

Hansi continued. “It’s all new songs, we started with these songs when we did Nightfall in Middle-Earth. We got the first two songs back then and I was really pushing to have them on Nightfall in Middle-Earth and  André Olbrich said they would not fit and Andre said why not work on a whole album in that style and we will release that in five years from now. So 20 years later we are still working on it but composing wise we are almost working on the second album after this one. The new orchestral album will be release in 2019 because we recorded a lot of shows  last year and we are going to release a double live album in 2018.”

Watch the whole interview here:

BLIND GUARDIAN: Congratulate FC BARCELONA On Winning The Champions League

Posted by aliblackdiamond on June 9, 2015
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Progressive power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN recently played a show in Barcelona on their “Beyond The Red Mirror” tour. Before the show, FC BARCELONA invited them into Nou Camp and the band was allowed to cheer with the Champions League trophy. Then they all got a blue/red FC BARCELONA jersey. Guitar players André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen wore theirs on the stage instantly.

Blind Guardian Barcelona

Singer Hansi Kürsch states:

“We congratulate FC Barcelona from the bottom of our hearts on winning the UEFA Champions League. What an awesome club! We had a great day in Camp Nou. Messi plays like a god and the fans in Barcelona worship him like one.“

Kürsch adds with his typical irony:

“The young German goalkeeper Ter Stegen originates in Niederrhein like us. So the success of FC BARCELONA is a logical consequence of it.“

Order your copy of BLIND GUARDIAN’s current output “Beyond The Red Mirror” here: http://nblast.de/BGUARDIANMirror

BLIND GUARDIAN live 2015:

11.06. BY Minsk – Republic Club

19.06. AUS Melbourne – HiFi-Club

20.06. AUS Sydney – HiFi-Club

23.06. J Osaka – Big Cat

24.06, J Nagoya – Bottom Line
25.06. J Tokyo – O-East

02.10. BR Fortaleza – Siara Hall

04.10. BR Recife – Baile Perfumado

06.10. BR Porto Alegre – Opiniao

07.10. BR Curitiba – Master Hall

09.10. BR Rio de Janeiro – Vivo Rico

10.10. BR Belo Horizonte – Music Hall

12.10. BR Sao Paulo – HSBC

14.10. AR Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores

16.10. CL Santiago de Chile – Teatro Caupollican

18.10. CR San Jose – Pepper’s Club

20.10. MEX Mexico City – Circo Volador

27.10. USA Baltimore – Baltimore Soundstage

29.10. CDN Toronto – Danforth Music Hall

30.10. CDN Montreal – Corona

31.10. USA Worcester – Palladium

01.11. USA Philadelphia – Union Transfer

03.11. USA New York – Webster Hall

04.11. USA Munhall – Carnegie Of Homestead Music Hall

06.11. USA Pontiac – The Crofoot

07.11. USA Cleveland – House Of Blues

08.11. USA Chicago – Concord Music Hall

09.11. USA Minneapolis – Mill City Nights

11.11. USA Denver – The Summit Music Hall

13.11. CDN Calgary – MacEwan Hall

14.11. CDN Edmonton – Union Hall

16.11. CDN Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom

17.11. USA Seattle – Studio Seven

19.11. USA San Francisco – The Fillmore

20.11. USA Sacramento – Ace Of Spades

21.11. USA Anaheim – City National Grove Of Anaheim

22.11. USA Tempe – The Marquee

24.11. USA Dallas – Gas Monkey Live

25.11. USA Houston – Warehouse Live

27.11. USA Atlanta – The Masquerade

28.11. USA Orlando – The Plaza Live

17.12. NL Utrecht – Tivoli Ronda

18.12. D Osnabrück – Osnabrück Halle

19.12. D Karlsruhe – Knock Out Festival @Schwarzwaldhalle

http://www.blind-guardian.com I http://www.nuclearblast.de/blindguardian

Blind Guardian