On STAGE: BLIND GUARDIAN

Support: Scardust
23.09.2023 – Offenbach, Stadthalle

Due to huge demand, the gig by Krefeld Power Metal legends Blind Guardian was moved from the Batschkapp in Frankfurt to the Stadthalle in Offenbach, transforming it into a temple of epic Metal in which 4,000 visitors paid homage to Blind Guardian.

First of all, the Israeli Progressive band Scardust glowed in front of the audience in the opening program. The intro already signaled a close connection to Nightwish, Symphony X, Epica or Dream Theater. With their complex mixture of Metal and spherical sounds, the four guys around front woman Noa Gruman quickly won over the audience. The musical animation for an auspicious and probably unforgettable evening that was to come was in place. One of the highlights of the performance was undoubtedly “Tantibus II”. This 14-minute Prog-Metal epic demonstrated the band’s versatility and sent the audience into ecstasy. With songs from their latest album “Strangers” and an impressive and fascinating light show, they created a gigantic atmosphere. After about thirty minutes, the band left the stage, leaving many an audience member visibly a new fan.

You can turn the tide however you like. The longevity and success of the current album “The God Machine” already foreshadowed what the audience in front of the sold-out Stadthalle in Offenbach could expect. As soon as Blind Guardian entered the stage, the atmosphere turned into indescribable exuberance. The fans were calibrated for an unforgettable evening full of epic melodies and rousing performances. The audience joined in with the show right from the start. No chorus remained unaccompanied. It is rare to experience such a powerful atmosphere. The Stadthalle shook and resembled an epic, musical battlefield.

The power that “The God Machine” developed over the course of the evening quickly became apparent to the eyes and ears. As usual, Kürsch proved to be a charismatic entertainer and singer. His unique, clear voice transported the audience into distant, fantastic worlds full of dragons, elves and epic battles. The band took the audience on a musical journey through their impressive discography. And of course their classics and chart-toppers of the time, such as “Nightfall”, “Mirror Mirror” and “Valhalla”, were not missing. There should be no lack of euphoric goose bumps and sing-along moments.

In the last third of the show, the Stadthalle resembled a volcano that was literally just waiting to explode under the concentrated energy of the band and their loyal followers. Imaginations from the Other Side”, the opener from the 1995 album of the same name, gave an indication of the direction the evening would take. And as the Power Metal tradition demands, Blind Guardian also performed a ballad to crown the evening. Without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was the performance of “The Bard’s Song”. This acoustic composition by André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen made the audience dream of faraway lands.

The superlative Metal event came to an end far too quickly. Scardust and Blind Guardian in the Stadthalle Offenbach: an undoubtedly blessed evening. Many a Metal heart beat faster, and probably still does. The mixture of the progressive spherical sounds of Scardust and the epic progressive Power-Metal infused force of Blind Guardian made for an explosive mix. The fans were rewarded with a breathtaking show.

Text & Photos: Fred Gasch

Setlist:
– “Imaginations from the Other Side” – “Blood of the Elves” – “The Script for My Requiem” – “Violent Shadows” – “Skalds and Shadows” – “Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)” – “Born in a Mourning Hall” – “Deliver Us from Evil” – “The Bard’s Song – In the Forest” – “Majesty” – “Traveler in Time” — “Sacred Worlds” – “Lord of the Rings” – “Valhalla” – “Mirror Mirror”