BLIND GUARDIAN (Live)

Blind Guardian has been one of the favorite bands of Greece’s Metalheadz since the Somewhere Far Beyond era. The band has built strong bonds with the Greek audience … a fact that is proven whenever Blind Guardian make a pass through the land of the gods. Indeed, they played 1 gig in Thessalonica and 2 in Athens that ended up being SOLD OUT!

The Athenian gigs were held in a club called Fuzz that definitely raised some complaints, especially due to the insufficient ventilation (it’s really hot in Greece) and the small stage where the band has to be stationary. Adding to the above, the volume was a little bit low for a Metal concert, although it was clear with minimal distortion.

The German band took over the stage after a 15-minute delay with the intro off Nightmare In The Middle Earth that lead to the fast-paced “Into The Storm.” The light show was really poor, having just the essentials, but this is a constant situation in Greece.

The band seemed to be in good shape despite the fact that this was the third show in a row that was accompanied with loads of traditional food and alcohol. Hansi Kürsch was very energetic and talkative, while his performance was top-notch, without signs of tiredness. The audience turned the heat up during the “older” songs with relentless headbanging and engaging into classic mosh-pit rituals.

The band performed 3 songs from their last rather “weak” album, A Twist In The Myth, that sounded heavier than the studio versions. The latest addition, Frederik Ehmke, in the company of elves proved to be a solid drummer and seemed to adapt easily in this “magic” atmosphere.

Among the highlights of the show were ”Valhala,” ”Lord Of The Rings,” and, of course, ”The Bard’s Song” — traditionally sung by the audience.

After almost 2 hours and some liters of sweat, Blind Guardian left the stage stoned by the satisfied audience’s response with the promise that they will definitely visit Greece again in the not so distant future.

The complete setlist was:

1. War Of Wrath
2. Into The Storm
3. Welcome To Dying
4. Nightfall
5. I’m Alive
6. Fly
7. Valhalla
8. Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)
9. A Past And Future Secret
10. This Will Never End
11. Mordred’s Song
12. Banish From Sanctuary
13. Another Stranger Me
14. Ashes To Ashes
15. Lord Of The Rings
16. Imaginations From The Other Side
17. Punishment Divine
18. The Bard’s Song-In The Forest
19. Mirror Mirror