Blind Guardian Article

04.08.2011 Blind Guardian

Wacken Open Air XXII

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

It was slowly getting dark on the festival area and Blind Guardian entered a wonderful enlightened scenery following the pyramid on the cover of the current album "At The Edge Of Time". But they did not restrict only to that album.
Overall the guys from Krefeld and Meerbusch offered an extremely varied show. Of course songs of the current album had to be presented and so these were "Sacred Worlds" as opener and "Tanelorn (Into The Void)" as well as "Wheel Of Time". These very orchestral accompanied power metal songs contrast quite considerable from the older ones. "Wheel Of Time" was additionally divided by a longer video supported instrumental part. Really great was, that also rarely live played songs like "Traveler" or "Welcome To Dying" were shown.
The whole show was very impressively put in the limelight. Pyrotechnics may also not be missing on such a performance. On the stage, just like in front it, everyone really enjoyed it and so it was not surprising that at first during "Valhalla" the audience made itself noticeable loudly and then later on during the obligatory "The Bard’s Song – In The Forest" they even piled the fire up. Unfortunately the last song "Mirror Mirror" came much too early and it was time to say goodbye to the guys around Hansi Kürsch.
In my eyes it was an absolutely successful gig and when you took a look around in the crowd you could nearly without exception look into happy faces. Personally it was the highlight of the day.

Setlist:

  • Sacred Worlds
  • Welcome To Dying
  • Nightfall
  • Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)
  • Traveler In Time
  • Fly
  • Tanelorn (Into The Void)
  • Imaginations From The Other Side
  • Lord Of The Rings
  • Wheel Of Time
  • Valhalla
  • Majesty
  • The Bard’s Song – In The Forest
  • Mirror Mirror

 

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