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Live

Blind Guardian - Live Audio CD

A fair review of the Blind Guardian "Live" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Blind Guardian reviews here, or go back to the Blind Guardian tabs.

Band: Blind Guardian
Title: Live
Rating:

Release Date: 2003-10-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: War of Wrath 2: Into the Storm 3: Welcome to Dying 4: Nightfall 5: Script for My Requiem 6: Harvest of Sorrow 7: Soulforged 8: Valhalla 9: Majesty 10: Mordred's Song 11: Born in a Mourning Hall 12: Under the Ice 13: Bright Eyes 14: Punishment Divine 15: Bard's Song (In the Forest) 16: Imaginations from the Other Side 17: Lost in the Twilight Hall 18: Past and Future Secret 19: Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill) 20: Journey Through the Dark 21: Lord of the Rings 22: Mirror Mirror

The Travelling Bards
I saw them last year here in San Diego and they put on quite a show! Two hours and twenty minutes of pure power metal - are you joking me? 2+ hours of Guardian! That was intense, and these guys know how to put on a show. Blind Guardian's live sound is amazing. After hearing them live, I wanted to see another live show from them, but I don't think they'll be coming back to America within the next year - I'll give it a few. So I decided to pick up the Live 2CD set from them and you won't regret this thing - Guardian live like you're in the crowd! The sound quality of this is excellent, and Hansi's voice is so Godly and powerful and brings more life into their performances of earlier songs (Valhalla, Majesty, Lost In The Twilight Hall. . . ) - it's all so melodic, powerful, and heavy. If you're a fan of Blind Guardian and have seen them live, then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't heard their live sound then you need to get this - you won't be let down by them!.

Bards of the World Unite!
I love the sound they produce in their studio albums, and this live CD doesn't fail to produce. Ever since a friend introduced me to Blind Guardian five years ago, I've been a huge fan. I think one of the best things about Blind Guardian live (been to one of their concerts here in the states, and waiting for them to come around again) is the audience participation and enthusiasm. Combine that with the band's love for what they're doing, and you have a great CD.

An Above-Average Live Album
This is, however, most definitely not the case with power metal giants Blind Guardian, whose live show really brings out the best in all the instrumentalists. I'm not a big fan of live albums, mostly because the songs don't sound as good as they would on a studio album and some artists can't hold their own on stage. I haven't been a fan of power metal for very long (Blind Guardian's "A Night At The Opera", which I purchased in early December 2005, was my introduction to the genre), but I knew right away that it blew most of the music I was listening to at the time right out of the water. Though I was worried that some of the more grandiose pieces like "Majesty" and "Born In A Mourning Hall" would suffer because of the rawer sound, but the crowd more than makes up for a lack of a live choir and highly improves the song. If you're a Blind Guardian fan then I would highly recommend this, along with its DVD companion "Imaginations Through The Looking Glass" to add to your collection.

Let's go through all the things that make this album great. First off is lead vocalist Hansi Kursch, whose voice sounds excellent even on stage. He will often change the key in which he sings on some of the songs as not to strain his voice too much, such as on the verses of "Born In A Mourning Hall", and on most of the tracks this technique makes the songs sound almost better than the original. He also communicates with audience at various points, but most of it is in German and therefore I cannot understand it, but the crowd seems to be pumped up following his short bursts. Second are the guitarists; lead guitarist Andre Olbrich seems to play his solos a lot higher than the normal studio versions and it sometimes sounds worse than the originals, but they are enjoyable nonetheless. Rhythm guitarist Marcus Siepen plays some intense riffs and the live settings add an extra thickness beyond the studio albums, especially when the band plays classic tunes like "Valhalla" and "Majesty" that really needed a tuneup from their somewhat low-quality production. The bass provided by Oliver Holzwarth is much more audible here than on the albums, although it still sometimes gets lost among the epic orchestrations. Last but always certainly not least is Thomen Stauch, who is arguably one of metal's greatest drummers; he never lets up on his powerful double-bass and intense drumming, balancing his skills so that he doesn't sound gimmicky and leaving all those God-forsaken metalcore bands in the dust. One of the album's few flaws is the overuse of audience cheering after the songs are done, particularly following their performance of "The Bard's Song - In The Forest": the applause doesn't die for well over five minutes, and while this may be fun to be involved in at the concert itself, it just gets annoying on the CD. It does add to the experience in some ways, but it would have been better left minimized.

Bottom line: if you're a fan of Blind Guardian but haven't gotten to see any live shows by them or similar others, then this compilation of their World Tour is the best deal out there for you (next to the aforementioned DVD, of course). Even if you're just a fan of metal in general or are wanting to get into the wonders of this genre, then pick this up and let yourself be immersed in all its great beauty. Also, if you like what you hear and haven't listened to any of Blind Guardian's studio albums, I would highly recommend purchasing their recent effort "A Night At The Opera" (not to be confused with Queen's album of the same name) as well as their 1995 milestone "Imaginations From The Other Side". Both will leave you with a sense of amazement perhaps even more so than this live album.

10/10.

awesome
and i think that blind guardian sounds much better live. this cd is one of blind guardians work and the level energy and participation from the crowd is unparalleled by any other band.
LONG LIVE BLIND GUARDIAN.

Very good, but there's a better buy.
If you already have some of BG's albums, the tracks are really just more of the same, with a couple of Hansi's high-pitched vocals tuned down. This was my second Blind Guardian album(after Nightfall) and it can act somewhat like a greatest hits album, to judge whether or not you like the band. BG's sound is as good as ever, with Andre, Marcus, and Oliver, pumping out great guitar work, Thomen(the second best drummer ever, it's true) drumming on his. . . well. . . drums, and Hansi singing his heart out, especially in Mordred's Song and Time Stands Still(at the Iron Hill) The most impressive tracks are easily Valhalla and The Bard's Song: In the Forest, due to the audience's participation.

But I feel the need to mention Imaginations through the Looking Glass, their live DVD. It has more tracks(including And Then There Was Silence), Hansi's vocals are mostly the same as on the studio tracks, and, hey, it's a great performance. I reccommend getting both items, but if you're on a budget, just pick up IttLG.

You can see a complete list of all Blind Guardian discography, or go back to the Blind Guardian tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.