Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in 1984 in Krefeld, West… Read Full Bio ↴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. Nine musicians have been a part of the band's lineup in its history, which currently consists of singer Hansi Kürsch, guitarists André Olbrich and Marcus Siepen, and, since 2005, drummer Frederik Ehmke.

Blind Guardian is a part of the German heavy metal scene that emerged in the mid-1980s. The band was formed in 1984 as Lucifer's Heritage by Kürsch (then also bassist), Olbrich, other guitarist Markus Dörk, and drummer Thomas Stauch. Dörk and Stauch both left the following year and were replaced by Christof Theißen and Hans-Peter Frey, respectively, who left as well before the end of the year. In 1987, Siepen joined, and Stauch returned; under this lineup, which lasted 18 years (the longest in the band's history), the band changed their name to Blind Guardian and released their first album, Battalions of Fear, in 1988. They have since released ten more studio albums, including an orchestral album that was released under the name Blind Guardian Twilight Orchestra.

Over the releases, Blind Guardian established themselves as a notably successful band and as pioneers of the power metal movement. In 1996, Kürsch stopped acting as the band's bassist to focus on vocals. Various session members replaced him, mainly Oliver Holzwarth. However, in 2005, Stauch left the band, disapproving of Blind Guardian's transition into a more complex progressive sound with a heavy use of backing vocals, and was replaced by Ehmke.

Most of Blind Guardian's albums were well received by fans and critics alike: Somewhere Far Beyond (1992), Imaginations from the Other Side (1995), and Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998), are especially seen as influential works. The music is mostly composed by Kürsch and Olbrich together, and the lyrics, written by Kürsch, are mostly inspired by the fiction of fantasy authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, and Robert Jordan, as well as traditional legends and epics. Over the years, a theme has developed which personifies the band members as traveling storytellers, leading fans to refer to the band affectionately as "The Bards." Blind Guardian has been referred to in one article as one of power metal "big four" bands, along with Helloween, Sabaton, and DragonForce.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Guardian

Discography
Battalions of Fear (1988)
Follow the Blind (1989)
Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)
Imaginations from the Other Side (1995)
Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)
A Night at the Opera (2002)
A Twist in the Myth (2006)
At the Edge of Time (2010)
Beyond the Red Mirror (2015)
Legacy of the Dark Lands (2019)
The God Machine (2022)

The Minstrel
Blind Guardian Lyrics

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So I stand still
In front of the crowd
Excited faces
What will be next?

I still don't have a clue
I still don't have a clue

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Blind Guardian's song The Minstrel are intriguing and open to interpretation. It seems that the singer in the song, who is presumably the minstrel, is standing still in front of a crowd of excited faces. The singer seems to be at a loss for what to do next, as indicated by the repeated line "I still don't have a clue." This could suggest that the minstrel is feeling overwhelmed by the expectations of the crowd, or it could be interpreted more broadly as a reflection on the uncertainty of life and the feeling of not knowing what lies ahead.

The use of the first-person point of view in the lyrics puts the listener in the shoes of the minstrel, allowing them to empathize with the singer's uncertainty and vulnerability. The mention of the excited faces of the crowd creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, which is contrasted with the singer's own confusion and lack of direction. The repetition of the line "I still don't have a clue" creates a sense of tension and unease, as the listener wonders if the minstrel will be able to find his way.

Overall, the lyrics to The Minstrel are a powerful reflection on the uncertainty of life and the struggle to find meaning in the midst of confusion and chaos. The use of first-person point of view and vivid imagery creates a sense of immediacy and allows the listener to connect emotionally with the song.

Line by Line Meaning

So I stand still
I am frozen in place

In front of the crowd
Before an audience of many

Excited faces
Eager expressions

What will be next?
What will come next?

I still don't have a clue
I am still unaware and uncertain

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDRE OLBRICH, HANS JUERGEN KUERSCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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