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This is basically the national anthem for metal heads and Wacken is the Capitol city 😊

Legend says that you are not allowed to enter the Wacken festival unless you can sing The Bard's Song on demand. The reality is that you can still enter, but when you leave you WILL know the song.

Hansi looks like proud dad when he watches and smiles to audience 😄🤘 Awesome singer 🤘

To the question "why's he not emotional"....look at his smile, those are big emotions for a German xD

The one time Blind Guardian was not at Wacken, they played a section of the Bard's song on a big screen and people stopped what they were doing, started singing it to the finish, then went back to doing what they were doing before.

Blind Guardian was formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. And, as you guessed already, this is how most - if not all - of the concerts look alike. They mention Helloween, Iron Maiden, and Metallica (amongst others) as their influences. I personally find it also very noteworthy that the lineup is almost the original one, from when they formed. They are still going strong, being on tour, and it is said that they are working on a new album, which might come out in the next one or two years. On a sidenote: I don't have the exact number, but the crowd there is something around 70,000 people. As you maybe can tell, Blind Guardian is very dear to me, I've grown up to Blind Guardian, it's probably the band I've listened to continuously the most. "The Bard's Song" is also the funeral song of one of my best friends, which unfortunately passed away too early.

As a metalhead in germany knowing "The Bard's Song" is mandatory. ;)

the legend says that the crowd still sings until Wacken ends forever. Great reaction. Blind guardian and especially the Bards song is always a piece of childhood for me. greets from germany

As a musician, i cant even begin to describe just how incredibly powerful and emotional it can be to stand on the stage and have a response from the audience like that. There is something truly magical about music and how it brings people together in unison. And i'm pretty sure he chooses to let the audience sing so much because even as professional singers, we can get emotional and it does affect our ability to sing properly to some extent. Crowds like this makes me emotional! The power of so many voices in unison is very special.

When going home to your tent at Night after a long day of Concerts at Wacken Open Air, you can from time to time hear people sing these Songs from the tents...even if Blind Guardian are not a part of the Festival.

the crazy thing its not even a "BG" concert.. its a festival but everyone can sing the songs!

What Hansi is saying at the start of the video (roughly translated, I'm Belgian not German): "We would love to let you shout some more but our time is limited. That time we will spend on music. I think most of you know what’s coming next, it was already legendary here (in Wacken). I have a feeling that this will be the icing on the cake. Let’s sing The Bard Song".

Oh damn - Blind Guardian. Didn't expect this. Some context - this was filmed at Wacken Open Air, one of the world's largest heavy metal festivals. Blind Guardian are a staple of heavy metal from Germany and Europe and have been for decades. As you can see the crowd loves them and they make awesome music. The Bard's Song is one of heavy metals best ballads and one of my favorite songs ( was also "our song" of an ex of mine).

You are correct about the love in the metal community. We're like one big family and concerts are just better versions of your typical family reunions. Most other large music events have multiple fights on a regular basis. Metal heads rarely get into fights at shows, and when they do, security is rarely needed because everyone else comes together to end it quickly. Truly some of the best people you will ever meet.

Legends say on silent winter nights at the snow covered acre in Wacken you can still hear the crowd singing the bards song.

Blind Guardian from Germany are part of the European 'power metal' genre that is defined by high range vocals, fast double bass tempos and lyrics based on fantasy fiction (Tolkien books being an inspiration) from medieval times & battles... swords & sorcery... dragons & wizards... fantasy voyages... etc. Usually, the songs have catchy choruses that metal fans can sing along to... Formed in 1984 in (West) Germany, Blind Guardian was originally named Lucifer's Heritage... They renamed themselves after the 1986 album 'Awaken the Guardian' by Fates Warning, one of the underrated American metal bands... Blind Guardian were signed in 1988 and debuted w/ 'Battalions of Fear'... They hoped to follow the careers of German bands like Helloween ... Running Wild ... Grave Digger... as heavy metal was exploding in popularity in the 80's... The band consisted of Hansi Kursch (vocals), Marcus Siepen (guitar), Andre Olbrich (lead guitar) and Thomas Stauch (drums)... Hansi Kursch played bass but eventually wanted to be the band's frontman and Blind Guardian eventually hired a live bass player. 2nd album 'Follow the blind' was released in 1989... 'Valhalla' was a song from the record. But Blind Guardian was not seeing their records being distributed outside of Europe... 3rd album 'Tales from the Twilight World' in 1990 incorporated more folk and classical influences into their music. Signing w/ Virgin Records in Europe, Blind Guardian released 4th album 'Somewhere far beyond' in 1992 ("The Bard's song: In the forest" was from this record) and toured Japan for the first time, releasing the live album 'Tokyo Tales' in 1993. However, the 90's brought about the decline in popularity of the heavy metal genre and power metal bands like Helloween, Gamma Ray and others were left without any American distribution for years. 5th album 'Imaginations from the other side' in 1995 was produced by Metallica producer Flemming Rasmussen and became their most successful record to that point. Blind Guardian finally scored worldwide distribution of their albums w/ Century Media Records which released their 1998 concept album 'Nightfall in Middle Earth' in 1998... and their past catalog in America... It produced some of their popular songs - 'Mirror mirror' ... 'Nightfall'... 'Into the storm'... They also began touring the US after the 2002 album 'A night at the opera'... and the subsequent double live album 'Blind Guardian Live' in 2003... The band parted ways w/ drummer Thomas Stauch and hired Frederik Ehmke (drums) ... Blind Guardian toured using session bassists and keyboardists on the road. 'A twist in the Myth' was released in 2006 and Blind Guardian were actively touring the US as well as Europe and Asia as headliners... 'At the Edge of Time' was released in 2010... and record sales continued to grow for the band. Their 10th album 'Beyond the Red Mirror' was released in 2015 and was another successful metal release. In 2019, Blind Guardian completed and released an orchestral album 'Legacy of the Dark Lands'... and performed w/ the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Their latest (and 12th) studio 'The God Machine' was released in 2022 and Blind Guardian just completed a US tour in 2024 and r still on tour.

This was at Wacken Open Air 2016, where 84500 visitors were in attendance, and this was on the main stage where the majority of those people fit in front of. And I didn't see a lot of empty space. So if there weren't 60000 then call it 50000 people, all gathered there, who almost universally know the song by heart well enough to sing along. Largely in tune and in time. Hansi, the man with the mic, was honestly mostly superfluous to the proceedings. What greater accomplishment could a musician aspire to, than to have your music so ingrained in the souls of so many people? And this is off an album that is over 30 years old (released june 30th 1992). Therefore I confidently dare call it a truly timeless classic.

Hansi (the singer) told in an interview, that they can make a gig without him, because the crowed can sing every song and the have just played the melody. You should check out Finsterwacht from Saltatio Morties. There Hansi sings a part of the song. It's in German but they have very good subtitles. They exists since the mid 80's and belive it or not, Hansi has had very long hair a long time! Their song are often inspirated from fantasy lyric like Tolkins Lord Of The Rings.

The singer Hansi Kürsch is also called "The Bard" for his voice and his lyrics just like Tuomas Holopainen from Nightwish is called "Metal Mozart" for his compositions. Some Blind Guardian suggestions: - "A Past and Future Secret" from the album "Imaginations from the other Side" from 1995; - "Nightfall" and "Mirror, Mirror" from their album "Nightfall in Middle Earth" from 1998 that was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkiens book "The Silmarillion"; - "Sacred Worlds" (Official Video), the video is the final reward when you successfully finish a side quest-chain in the video game "Sacred 2: Fallen Angel" released in 2008 (not the best graphics quality though as it is 16 years old now); - "Deliver us from Evil" or "Secrets of the American Gods" are two more recent songs from the album "The God Machine" from 2022.

I was at the festival, and I am 90% sure they came back out after this and closed with Mirror Mirror as the encore. Guardian is always a treat at Wacken, the crowd goes insane.

I stood in this Wacken-Bard's Song-crowd some years before and it was one of the most overwhelming moments of my life (only the birth of my daugther can compete). Even after about 15 years the memory leads to goosebumps and send tears in my eyes.

Their audience starts singing their songs before they get on stage. Blind guardian are the shadow king of metal.

I'm one of the biggest Maiden Fans in earth but I have to say, Blind Guardians crowd interaction is on absolute different Level of its own. Blind Guardian has the most acurate singing crowd on earth, it's more like a big coir. And it's always funny to See how professinal singers react to the voice of the frontman.

There is the legend that the crowd is still singing valhalla 🙂 If you want more drums listen to "Mirror Mirror" Another Band with crazy fans: Helloween kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z6mhlK-is9-qdH0.html

Blind Guardian formed in the 80's, and these two songs are hits of theirs from the early 90's. I discovered the band in about 1998, when I decided to look for metal bands outside the most mainstream, and I happened across them first. They like to write songs about fantasy subjects, and in 1998 they released 'Nightfall in Middle Earth', a concept album based upon The Silmarillion. Andre Olbrich is the guitarist, and a founding member along with Hansi. I find Andre's guitar tone to be instantly recognizable, just from a single note. Frederick is their current drummer, fantastic player, though I also loved his predecessor Thomen Stauch. Those were two songs that every Blind Guardian fan can sing along with easily. When I got to hear them live in a small venue, and they played 'Valhalla', the band walked off the stage and turned off the lights, and we in the audience kept singing without them for what felt like 10 minutes before they came back out. If you want to dig deeper into them, I would go with something from their 2022 album, like 'Secrets of the American Gods', which is inspired by the Neil Gaiman fantasy novel.

After 40 years they are still rockin hard. Their most recent album still has the energy that the first albums had. Explore more! they have a massive discography.

Such a legendary band, I see them live last year and the Bard's Song was again sung almost entirely by the crowd

Fan since 1984. I remember going to school with them blasting on my Sony tape player in the bus. The memories .. been fan for 40 years now haha

Legends of Power Metal!

I was once lucky enough to watch a Blind Guardian show here in Brazil and it was the same thing that happened in the song The Bard's Song, it was incredible One song that I think is the band's coolest is Bright Eye

What Hansi is saying at the start (roughly translated, I'm Belgian not German): "We would love to let you shout some more but our time is limited. That time we will spend on music. I think most of you know what’s coming next. It was already legendary here (in Wacken). I have a feeling that this will be the icing on the cake. Let’s sing The Bard Song."

I saw them a couple weeks ago and it is so magical being a part of the crowd singing The Bard's Song.

Little fun fact: Blind Guardian have also been NPCs in the video game Sacred 2. They gave you quests to return their instruments and microphone and then gave a concert for all the inhabitants and Monsters in Ancaria. You can watch the concert (one song) on their YT page. It´s called "Sacred worlds"

When the crowd sings your songs with such enthusiasm, there's not much more to achieve as a musician (imo). Those are are legends!

somewhere in that crowd there was a much younger me ^^ that was so chilling and amazing experience, the song is so beautiful and BG is a really og. for a german he is emotional ;)

One of the greatest experiences in life. Right in the middle of this crowd.

I was in a Blind Guardian concert in my hometown in Brazil in 2002, the energy was the same... Amazing as always.

i just saw them live a few days ago. it was fantastic and singing the bards song with the crowd is a fantastic experience

I read the lyrics one time. Heard the song the 3rd time, (going back to this festival version). I understood the crowd so clearly in every word. I still have goosebums!

Well,....Blind Guardian has been here for a while. Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. This song ("The Bard's Song") is a must learn, if you want to go to Wacken (Holy Land of METAL) !!! 🤘😎🤘

When you asked what he said around 16:50 - "Looks cool, sounds cool" roughly translated. At around 19:30 - "Sweep us from the stage"

I get goosebumps everytime i watch this Performance

"Is this what a blind guardian concert entails?" Yes. Yes it is.

The bass player goes off in this video when you watch the Valhalla segment he goes nuts on the bass guitar

Legend says You still can here the Crowd Sing at Night ;-)

Leyends say that the crown still singing ❤

I saw them live in Denver a few weeks ago. They always play these 2 songs, and we always love them.

If you talk about German Metal Bands,HELLOWEEN is a MUST next ! For Example Halloween" or "Keeper of the Seven Keys" Reunion Concert Live !

And Then There Was Silence..from A Night At The Opera

These 2 songs are the most iconic jams to blind guardian's fan as you can see on this video they're power speed metal band and has been around since a long time ago one of the pioneers of this metal subgenre I'll recommend you listen to the entire "nightfall in middle earth" album if you enjoy Tolkien work.

Blind Guardian was founded in 1984. The bard's song came out 1992. Unbelievable that it's 30 years old.

Blind Guardian fans have always belted out the songs, even before they were popular. Like in this clip from '92, when they usually drew a few hundred people at best: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f62fpc2Qx9vMcqM.html The closest thing I've ever had to a religious experience was when I saw them live in a venue that seated 200 or so back in '03. When half of the crowd sings the same song you're just kind of drawn into it, and start singing yourself, even when you don't know any of the lyrics.

You should listen to "Harvest of Sorrow". It's been played in at least 4 different languages (possibly 5). t's very impressive to see a song that can be translated that much and still keep the lyrical meaning and the timing across all those languages. 1) English: “Harvest of Sorrow” - Album: Nightfall in Middle-Earth 2) Spanish: “Mies Del Dolor” and “La Cosecha Del Dolor” - Album: A Night at the Opera 3) Italian: “Frutto Del Buio” - Album: A Night at the Opera 4) French: “Moisson de Peine” - Album: A Night at the Opera 5) Mixed: “Harvest of the World” (a mix of all of the versions except the English acoustic and Italian) - Album: A Night at the Opera And I'm fairly sure there's a German version as well, but I don't see it on any album track listings in the U.S., might have been a B-side / Bonus track, or maybe a bootleg from a different show. If anyone knows, I wouldn't mind a reply with the info.

"How is he not emotional, is this just what a Blind Guardian concert entails?" As a matter of fact, it is. The crowd singing to "The Bard's Song" has been a staple of BG shows for many years. For a similar experience, check out any live recording of "Goldilox" by King's X. In fact, just check out King's X, you'll thank me for it. ;)

Gracias !!! Good reaction !! SDS desde Chile 🇨🇱 preciosa 🎸 🙋❤️❤️🎸

Try Blind Guardian "Secrets of the American Gods" ^^

I have seen this twice it allways gets me

Hi Stacey! Keep in mind that this song was released in early 90s. When metalheads knew about Tolkien, dwarves, hobbits and elves they were looking at us as we were aliens! And then...came Hollywood! Since you like learning new things I"ll be glad to join my new website, coming on October, where you may listen to metal music...diffetently! Cheers and❤ from Greece!

Absolute Classic!!! On the holy Ground! And yes- Metalheads are top!

You want a translation? First part: I would also like to let you scream longer, unfortunately we have little time left. Of course, we want to spend it with music. I think most of you will know what comes next. It was already legendary here (in Wacken) one or the other time. I have the feeling that you will "put the crown on" this time. (german phrase for: it will be even better). Let`s sing: the bards song! Second: You are fucking crazy.... Wacken! I dare not say it: You are even more awesome than usual! We had a great time up here. We always liked to come to Wacken. At some point it's time to move on. The time has come now. See you somewhere! At the end of "Valhalla": Looks cool. Sounds cool. I think Marcus (Marcus Siepen, Guitar) have done enough work. We can bring Frederik (Frederik Ehmke, Drums) into the picture. You'll have to sing a little louder for that. "sing louder" "mega" "the last three" "sing us off the stage"

Great reactions..Love this song🥰

I cannot wait to sing this sunday! Check out my favourite Blind Guardian songs (some will be requested a lot, some get a little forgotten): Fly, Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill), Into The Storm, Blood Of The Elves, Imaginations From The Other Side and Bright Eyes. Yes it is normal to sing the Bard's Song, sing Valhalla's chorus and to shout for Majesty at a Blind Guardian concert.

Their first drummer Thomen left the band in 2005. He was one of the best drummers that ever played in a Metal band and they had to pause for a while to find somebody who was just as good or better. Frederik is a lot younger than the rest of the band, but they still gave him a chance and it worked out great.

I saw them that year and it was glorious! I can just recommend to watch them live!

For an intro to Blind Guardian, you picked a good one

They are on tour in the US/Canada right now

You nailed the Iron Maiden comparison- made me think immediately of Iron Maiden. Awesome audience/crowd participation

saw these guys live a few weeks ago, was an incredible show

Honestly you don't even really need to understand German when you're in the crowd at Wacken during a Blind Guardian concert... People from all over Europe (and more) are there and you just get the energy from people around you ! Although it helps knowing the band, I went to Wacken years ago with a bus from France, most of the ~10h drive was spent singing Blind Guardian songs !

Wow huge crowd, I remember being at a really small BG concert years ago.

Hi Stacey, Blind Guardian is in the german speaking area and in japan a garant for metal at its best since the late 1980. so all we metalheads in germany and austria grew up with blind guardian. they are located in speed metal or power metal with wonderful melancholic and heroic parts. some would call it "old metal" in the 1990s the look like real metal heads. leather and long hais :) thanks for your reaction! greatings from austria

I have taken in this anthem so many times and every time it gives me chills, Danke Hansi 🤘🤘🤘

Looking forward to see them this saturday in Koblenz. Blind Guardian allways delivers top live performances and the chemistry with the crowd is allways amazing.

i saw them a month ago in london and the show was absolute brutal

This today selection is one of the best for sure. The bard's song is no a song, it's an hymn. And the main guitarist won a place in the top 75 (not 100) of the best metal guitarist. Love your Iron Maiden reaction, but i was really waiting for this one. Like a french guy i can suggest "Indochine - l'aventurier" or "j'ai demandé la lune".

The Bard's Song is a Metal Classic. It is probably among all Metal Songs, the one most people know the lyrics to.

Imagine being a musician and a 60'000+ people crowd singing your song while you're on stage.

This reaction remind me my first Blind Guardian concert in Florence! 🤘 Cheers from Italy🇮🇹

i remember when Blind Guardian had a Easter Egg in the game Sacred 2 and that's how i discovered them

If you liked this, react to "Mirror Mirror" of Blind Guardian. Choose any live version.

If I could, I would give it a thousand thumbs up.

I finally got to see Blind Guardian last week. Drove to Cleveland from Buffalo for it. So worth it!

Yes, thats a BG concert! I'm frome Brasil! Same thing! Amazing

Seen then a few times, last time about a month ago. Yes this is every concert.

"How are they not emotional?" They probably are but they are also German, so it doesn't show. They are also used to this, they've always written very thematic lyrics (a huge amount of them based on books and movies, including a whole album dedicated to just one book) so their fanbase has always been encouraged to engage with and learn the lyrics to their songs.

Yes. This is just normal for a Blind Guardian concert. Saw them at the request of my 16 year old son a couple of weeks ago, and had no idea what I was getting into. It's amazing.

Translations for Hansi: 2:20 "I would love to let you scream longer but we are short on time and should spend it with music. I think most of you will know whats up next."....."That (whats comming up) was already legendary often here" (they played waken often) "but i think this time you will top it even more" "Lets sing the Bards song..." 16:47: "Looks nice, Sunds nice" 18:00 onwards "wow awesome etc" "sing us of the stage"

been alive 48 summers, first time knowing about this band

This song was already legendary when I was in school >30y ago, it must be the most loved song of them

In the end Blind Guardian is one of the best German bands ever. I love every song since 1990 with the Release of Tales from the Twilight world. They have so much unbelievable good songs, no one can’t resist to sing with. Till now, somewhere far beyond is the best album, I ever heard. No chance to stop this album, when it’s playing. Play another holy war and I can’t resist. 😅

Blind Guardian are one of the headliners at Wacken 2024. come to Germany and be a part of the crowd and the Camp.

Hansi is the G! I met him at the gasstation a few weeks back (I live in Kreefeld Germany where they are from). The most down to earth guy. Looks like a guy from the office next door BUUUT is a badassssss

Hope to see Guardian (again) this saturday 25.5. @ Festung Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz Germany. Thank you Stacey.

Super Band, super Stacey😉👍

Already in the early nineties, when I saw them in a small nightclub in Sweden, this was a thing.

Your welcome to us Metalheads!

This is the perfect moment to suggest Saltatio Mortis "Finsterwacht" - it features Hansi on guest vocals.

Blind Guardian is playing at Wacken Festival this summer again :D Iam sure there will be videos of it PS: I know you have reacted to Nightwish at Wacken a lot. You should see the whole show and at the end. Its on youtube. Were Nightwish is awwwed and teary in 2013 of the response of the crowd. The things you describe can be seen in Nightwish. Floor still says it was their "greatest" show meaning the most impacful for ehr personally because she was also new to the band and then such a large crowd for all of them. The whole band is really emotional at the end.

that's the biggest metal festival in the world. people all around from go to wacken, so crowd being crazy is expected.