Blind Guardian - Mirror Mirror (REACTION!!)

[@soikkam693]

Everyone loves Power Metal... They just don't know it yet.

[@lordrassilon7742]

Agreed. This is Middle Earth Inspired Album.

[@dickovdk]

Been loving powermetal for decades and blind guardian is among the best. But yeah didn't think youbwoukd praise "that" kind but truly show the concept of free thinkers. Great review guys

[@chewiesarmy4833]

So many great power metal bands. Many people don't give them their due because they are "geeky", but they have great melodies, and very well written music. Helloween is a great power metal band...many say they have the 2 greatest power metal albums ever...Keeper of the Seven Keys parts 1 and 2.

[@seani1473]

Chewies Army how many Helloween clone bands did those 2 keepers albums generate?? I can't even count.

[@dickovdk]

This is so true - But basically everything Kai Hansen have touched - Gammaray, Helloween and all those he aided in the german market. Powermetal is however more than just the german part (like Manowar) but Powermetal in it self startes with Keeper of the Seven keys (which btw is insanely good)

[@DaddyTwoFoot]

That choir sound is primarily the lead singer multi-tracked. He has an insane vocal range and can record the whole choir himself.

[@HannesHenkelmann]

Hansi Kürsch is great! If you see him in person or read his name you'd never guess he's the frontman of a metal-band and has such an insane voice!

[@MajinSit]

Especially since he cut his hair. Hansi at least looked like someone you'd expect to play in a metalband before, now he's basically just a dude.

[@freakazoid4691]

If he has such an amazing voice then why hide it behind all the multitracking? I really like Blinf Guardian before they lost all their creativity to that shit. Those multi-tracked choirs sound like cheap garbage to me. This record was the first one where it's obvious the put more time into mixing than actual song writing.

[@joaogarcia6170]

Freakhead X It's not like hansi only sings with the choir in the background, they are mostly used in the chorus to encourage the crowd to sing along. But in my opinion there are some sections of certain tracks that lose a lot of power since the choir is used so often, like mirror mirror itself. Hansi is still using his high notes to this day, just hear tanelorn, sacred worlds and wheel of time from at the edge time album if you think he doesn't, and a good example of well done choir is battlefield from a night at the opera, the chorus sounds really powerful

[@TheSquareOnes]

Did it sound like he was hiding? There was clearly a prominent lead vocal all the way through, and all of the other voices (which again are all him anyway) are much lower in the mix so the effect isn't to make one "stronger" vocal in the way most pop or commercial rock bands would use multitracked vocals but rather to create the impression of... a choir, as heard here. It's a deliberate textural effect that perfect evokes the kind of epic fantasy sound they're going for, if you're not into that then that's totally cool but to act like he's somehow doing it to cover for some lack of technical ability is absolutely ridiculous.

[@StephenBecker]

It's exactly a heavy metal fairy tale. The whole album this song is from is a concept album based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion.

[@lou5y]

"This sounds like a heavy metal fairytale." Says a lot about Blind Guardian's style that you can nail their essence in the first minute.

[@CosmicG777]

"Heavy metal fairytale" is EXACTLY what makes power metal, power metal. There's a reason there's a reason why it's also called "fantasy metal".

[@darephish2413]

truth!

[@low_vibration]

It's straight hard mithril

[@alexn4309]

Brilliant description!

[@frankgrantham480]

I love that they mentioned that before the chorus.

[@buttoningbenjamin5687]

The album is a concept album telling the story of "The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien, aka early Lord of the Rings lore. It's epic and bombastic and fantastical, like you keyed on.

[@petercordasco3231]

Nice pfp

[@HeyHeyDoYouLikeTacos]

A B O U T T I M E Y O U D I D B L I N D G U A R D I A N!

[@Alexander.90]

About time someone used big letters with space in between!

[@HeyHeyDoYouLikeTacos]

I A M T H E P R O G E N I T O R O F O R I G I N A L I T Y

[@Citizen_J]

HeyHeyDoYouLikeTacos should do Bards song.

[@Thulsa80]

Sadly you picked the wrong track. I'm a huge BG fan and for me the 3 must hear songs are: Banished from Sanctuary, Valhalla and The Bard's Song.

[@HeyHeyDoYouLikeTacos]

And Then There Was Silence, Somewhere Far Beyond, Thorns, Sacred Worlds, The Grand Parade, Into The Storm and so many more

[@ryandbowers]

For some reason I found myself tearing up a few times during this reaction. George hit the nail on the head when he used the word "uplifting." On the surface, power metal can be very cheesy (lyrics about slaying dragons and whatnot), but at it's very core the sub-genre is about freedom, overcoming your fears, self-actualization, and just having the confidence to grab life by the balls and achieve your goals. And the music goes along with it so well. You'll notice in many power metal choruses that the drummer will hit the snare on every "up" beat, which really gives it the "upbeat" sound. For me, that along with the blistering speed, soaring guitars, and over the top vocals are what make the music so great. Great reaction guys. I can't wait for the next power metal song you react to!

[@Carlos-ol8me]

Ryan Bowers cant agree more with you.

[@Retrorevelations]

True. The song DOES have an uplifting sound to it, which is ironic, considering that the story it's telling is rather dark and dire. Hell, the last (actual song) on the album takes that the furthest. It sounds super triumphant and uplifting, but it's the villain's perspective, celebrating his defeat of Elves and Men.

[@IcewindTom]

Indeed.

[@marcorepiso5379]

The fall of Gondolin

[@tatarrullaz]

There's a description for this song in a Turkish community dictionary which says if you play this song in the background while playing RPG, it will make the mage give up on waiting for turns to cast a spell and charge with his staff

[@nilMusic85]

That ain't no choir, son. That is the one and only Hansi!

[@denfenrir520]

Saint hansi

[@DSTkunn]

Yes! I'm a big r&b, hip-hop fan....but I've always loved power and thrash metal, and Blind Guardian is one of my favorites!

[@Slaughtered_By_Mice]

DSTkunn dope!!!

[@mustangguy8981]

DSTkunn - Favorite thrash band?

[@DSTkunn]

Mustangguy *formerly Chelsea Schear* Still very new to a lot of it and trying get a more clear understanding of the terms. My friends introduced me to a lot of bands like Slayer, Judas Priest, and Metallica. I haven't really picked a favorite just yet, but as casual as it may sound, I do like a lot of the earlier Metallica songs.

[@mustangguy8981]

DSTkunn - Nice, man. That's badass! Hope you enjoy the ride.

[@samspade8830]

DSTkunn My advice...ditch thrash and get into some death and black metal like Deeds of Flesh, Suffocation, Incantation, Exhumed, Blasphemy, Beherit, Profanatica, Antaneus and Conqueror.

[@zendragon1624]

This song is from an album based on J. R. R. Tolkein's Silmarillion - Hence, the fantasy themes. Blind Guardian are the kings of Fantasy metal!

[@blurb121]

I was a little shocked by how they went for Disney in the reaction. 😁 I always felt Tolkien the natural background for BGs music. But then, I'm a hardcore fan of both Tolkien and the Guardians for more than 25 years by now.

[@jwpipes47]

These guys don't seem like Tolkien aficionados. :P

[@alexalive9742]

This is actually the best possible pick for a first on Blind Guardian. This is Power Metal perfection to the maximum. Came to say this just because you always mention people complaining about the choice ;)

[@myewgul]

And Then There Was Silence😂

[@matrixarsmusicworkshop561]

Nah. Blind are interesting but meh to enjoy. And the better song from them is Noldor ;)... I love that song. In their context

[@caex]

I'd say something from Imaginations would be even better, it's their best imo

[@myewgul]

@@caex TFTTW I am awesome, much overlooked album. It's up there for me

[@sebbeluring9626]

Nah bruh, the best pick would be Time stands still at the Iron Hill, Mirror Mirror is fucking awesome tho

[@hellsunicorn]

Blind Guardian is considered one of the principle forefathers of the European style of power metal along with Helloween, Stratovarius and a few others that started in the late 1980s. Dragonforce is associated with the European power metal scene, though they take it in more of an extreme technical direction, whereas Helloween and Stratovarius are a bit less noodling in their approach. You basically stumbled upon one of Blind Guardian's best songs here, off their 1998 album "Nightfall On Middle Earth", which I'd argue was their best album, though popular sentiment would argue that their 1995 album "Imaginations From The Other Side" was superior. There is a distinct American power metal style that goes back a little further to the early to mid 1980s that is more focused on Sci-Fi, Horror and other themes that is a bit less choir-oriented and closer to the earlier heavy metal sound, best represented in bands like Agent Steel, Fates Warning's earlier 80s material, Helstar and Attacker. If you want to check out something that's radically different from Blind Guardian and in more of an American style but still in the broader power metal sub-genre, check out Agent Steel's "Unstoppable Force".

[@R0DisG0D]

Hipster opinion: I think Opera was their best, followed by Somewhere, though I think they are in general one of the bands with the most consistently strong discographies.

[@carsonwilson4542]

I find that I enjoy every single one of their albums almost entirely equally. They're all so distinctly different from each other, and each one has amazing elements. I am personally a HUGE fan of Beyond the Red Mirror, mostly because of their thematic return to Imaginations. But when I was a kid, Opera was my favorite. Far Beyond is also fantastic for the acoustics, and I'd say it's their first album that really, really incorporated the very best that all of them had to give. Especially Hansi.

[@hellsunicorn]

RODisGOD I don't think A Night At The Opera was bad at all (Thomen Stauch, their original drummer, hated it and cited it as his reason for leaving the band and forming Savage Circus), it was just a tad over-produced. A lot of older school fans of Blind Guardian who remember their late 80s speed metal days will often cite Somewhere Far Beyond as the best album, it's a good stylistic bridge to their later power metal bridge while still maintaining the fast-paced, impact-driven character of the first 3 albums. But yeah, they have a very consistent discography, no doubt. I discovered them around 1999, just after Nightfall came out, and that probably influenced my opinion on this a bit as that was around the time that I fully took the plunge into power metal as a style, it's been my favorite metal sub-genre ever since.

[@LordBaktor]

I am one of those who prefers Imaginations to Nightfall, but to my experience mine is the unpopular opinion. Every BG fan I've met says Nightfall hands down. Nightfall is a more immersive experience with all the narrations and stuff and the music is a bit more emotional, but Imaginations is just a beast of an album and speaks volumes to me personally.

[@hellsunicorn]

Lord Baktor You're not the first to tell me this, in my experience Imaginations is regarded as better based on the circles I run in, which are of a more purist metalhead variety (I review regularly for Encyclopaedia Metallum, which is largely considered one of the most elitist sites for metal on the internet) and Imaginations has a higher cumulative rating there than Nightfall. I would tend to agree with you that Nightfall is a bit more theatrical and dramatic, largely due to the heavy symphonic tendencies and massive vocal production, but I wouldn't necessarily say it is more emotional. There is definitely a lot of emotion at play on Imaginations, and I think it is a bit more aggressive and metallic in character, though I do tend to go for bombast in my power metal a bit more than raw, riff-driven bite. The Tolkien angle in Nightfall's lyrics is probably the main reason for its present popularity given the success of the Peter Jackson movies, but I still remember that brief time prior to 2001 when Tolkien had more of a mystique to it, and that played heavily into me gravitating towards Nightfall when I first heard it back in the late 1990s.

[@TheComicBookJoker]

So you have finally reviewed my personal favorite band of all time. So happy. Next, I’d love for you to check out “Imaginations From the Other Side” by Blind Guardian. It’s the opening track from their 1995 album of the same name. Every single song on that album is worth checking out, but let’s start there.

[@TehTime]

One of the best albums ever made. Amazing song after amazing song.

[@jaydobbelvem5007]

I agree, had hoped that was their first BG song, because they would be able to follow the lyrics :) I'm curious, what is your take on A night at the opera?

[@jeremybro1111]

Makes me want to roll a D20.

[@HTYM]

Jeremy Bro Ok, that comment won the Internet.

[@jeremybro1111]

iiXeno ha!

[@CaesarLvcivs]

This comment was a critical success.

[@davideleardi3894]

Most of Blind Guardian songs are based on Fantasy tales, mainly Tolkien stuff, this entire album (from where Mirror Mirro is extrapolated) is a concept based on the Silmarillion from Tolkien, it is one of my favourite albums of all time !!

[@Celebrintal]

Came to post this, while writing i think... it is imposible that there isn't another nerd that knows this.

[@patriksvensson2360]

Same here. Great book, great band, great song, great album.

[@roeidagan8712]

YES TO EVERYTHING

[@davideleardi3894]

Actually I have never read the book.....but I don't care, I am not a great fan of the fantasy stuff, but I LOVE the music from this band first and foremost.

[@A_Ducky]

@@davideleardi3894 I think you're missing out. You should definitely read "The Silmarillion" at some point in your life. It puts this song and the entire album on a higher & much different "shelf" & gives a better perspective about each song (as well as understanding those little interludes in-between the songs). Also, standing on its own, it's an awesome book/creation. It's a prequel to both "LOTR" & "The Hobbit". I didn't read it for the longest time, but once I finally did, I immediately wished I had done so sooner. And not (just) because of Blind Guardian, but because I now consider it one of those rare masterpieces of writing, which we don't often have the pleasure of finding/reading. Cheers! 🤘

[@xmiraculix82]

Blind Guardian are from my home town.. we did an interview for our schools "newspaper" in 9th grade or so. That was back in the 90's. Really down-to-earth, friendly guys. Great to see they are not only still around doing their thing, but even made it to this channel.

[@KCDeportes]

Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song Live Bring some tissues cause that's a tearjerking experience

[@Lepal]

Valhalla, Live. Another great song with an Epic moment.

[@Coralskipper]

It is a crime to review the studio version of that song, versus the live version.

[@styrkjarsteibjorn1860]

Yeah, but you have to go for the live version.

[@elv3a424]

Valhalla man, probably the best power metal live moment

[@thorstenlone9207]

Yeah, both are awesome!

[@DomIstKrieg]

10:36, hit the nail on the head. Power Metal and good Metal in general pulls you into their world temporarily. You go on a little journey with them. You are there in that world for a while. Its like any good fiction really, be it a book or a movie or even a tv show. You lose yourself in their story for a while. Power Metal is just fun.

[@123Heitor321]

This song is from their album inspired in J.R.R Tolkien book called Silmarilion, it's a concept album that tells a big story from Lord of The Rings universe :)

[@mmeevviinn]

Blind Guardian is one of the heaviest bands of the genre, maybe the heaviest. But they have some soft songs as well, such as "The Bard's Song: In The Forest". You guys would enjoy that, too. They're called "The Bards of the Middle Earth" for a reason.

[@RmonteiroHQ]

THe choir is the lead singer recording multiple tracks, the violin is also the guitars overlayed, and the drummer is a beast, thomas is a monster, saw them live and is a full experience. A thing of theyr own. you will never listen to nothing similar.

[@jornvallis8051]

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE, I"VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU GUYS TO DO BLIND GUARDIAN!!! I"M SO STOKED! :)))

[@Gnomeru]

Alright, so interesting to hear you say it sounds like a fairy tail. Power metal has the tendency have lyrics about literature. Mirror Mirror and the album it's from "Nightfall on Middle Earth" is all about the Lord of the Rings universe. This is one of my favorite bands and it's great to see you guys listen to it and enjoy it. If you want more blind guardian to listen to, I suggest "Imaginations from the Other Side", more old school power. If you want more orchestral sound though like this one, maybe "Wheel of Time" or "And Then there was Silence" which is a 14 minute epic.

[@DeoReloaded]

More specifically the album is based on the book "The Silmarillion", which tells the events that occurred thousand years before The Lord of the Rings. This song particularly told the story about the foundation of the hidden kingdom of Gondolin

[@yvindkorsnes2296]

They can basically choose any song from Imaginations From the Other Side and it will be EPIC

[@antonchernetsov1825]

Imaginations!

[@PennyDreadful1]

Blind Guardian albums always went on repeat when 14 year old me played World of Warcraft. Thorn is an awesome song(especially if you're into choirs). Nightfall in Middle Earth blew my mind when I was a kid. My dad came home with a hard drive full of music. And being into Fantasy and Tolkien as a kid the title of the album catched my eye and I put it on. It was like a musical nuclear blast for a geeky little kid like myself. I couldn't believe how good it was. And how different it was from that crap you always heard on the radio. Like "why didn't anyone tell me rock music could be this good and also be about a subject matter I cared about!?"

[@scromp]

ahahaha, I put "Turn the Page" on repeat endlessly in Duskwood. To this day that song makes me see Worgens and shit.

[@gabe6550]

"musical nuclear blast" - pun intended? Nuclear Blast is the name of their label! :D

[@Mehcool]

I'm playing WoW and watching this video at 29 years old, I don't think I'll ever change.

[@jimmybailey7198]

lol, i gotta throw this album on when i play WoW now!

[@TheTuita]

I'm not a die-hard Blind Guardian fan, but Thorn will never, ever be removed from my every day playlist!

[@derviscountvonouropreto4308]

I was really amazed when I saw the call to a Blind Guardian review on the channel, just because it was so contrasting with the style of music from where you guys came from. And it was a breakthrough since it started with a right foot being BG as one of the premier and most venerated bands of the Power Metal genre. The drumer Thomas ("The Omen") Stauch was a founding member of the band, playing drums on their 1985 demo, Symphonies of Doom. He remained with the band until April 2005, with his last release from the band being the live album "Imaginations Through the Looking Glass", and his last studio album being the 2002 release "A Night at the Opera". Stauch is known for his fast and technical drumming skill I've found it cool the the comparison with Mulin. But in fact BG has a habit on using scenarios created by J. R. R. Tolkien from "Lord of the Rings" and those are profusely covered throughout the band's catalog. It would definetelly be the best soundtrack for such Epic movies. The anthemic, epic melodies are mostly copied from ancient traditional trovas, ministrel and bard songs. Very natural for them since they come from Germany Now please do Accept's "Balls to Walls" or Helloween's "Sole Survivor" please! Cheers! YOU guys are freakin' EPIC

[@cIappo896]

Blind Guardian (and Demons and Wizards) are heavily inspired by Lord of the Rings and Dark Tower series'. Both are beyond godlike.

[@Malentor]

Not to mention Wheel of Time and Elric of Melniboné.

[@widdershins5383]

Demons and wizards seemed more dark tower style. Also that’s only hans(?), and a dude from iced earth....who they should also review hahahahaha

[@Suzumebachigr]

Hansi* and THE dude from Iced Earth.

[@ravciozo2137]

Jon Schaffer

[@thedarkone7110]

Yeah! Blind Guardian. You have got to do: The Bard's Song Valhalla Bright Eyes

[@talo718]

Bright Eyes! Such an underrated Blind Guardian song.

[@Nihil1990]

Let's not forget Curse my name. Wheel of Time, Imagination from the Other Side, Time Stands Still, and Ashes to Ashes.

[@Askhran]

I'd also add Valkyries, Sacred worlds, Under the Ice, Mordred's song, Trial by the Archon... the list goes on, Whelp I just might name all the songs that's how awesome they are.

[@janvanenk4374]

Especially the bard song live.

[@Askhran]

Well of course Bard Song Goes without saying.

[@kiyauambatar353]

Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song

[@alphacritter5398]

Now you all know...

[@TheDarkstormy]

The bards and their songs

[@greengaming9717]

When hours have gone by

[@TheDarkstormy]

I'll close my eyes

[@st2rseeker]

In a world far away

[@MetalianMetal]

Finally!!! Thank you guys so much for doing Blind Guardian! I've been following you guys for a long time now and have been waiting for this moment. I was filled with goosebumps during this. Blind Guardian is by far one of my favorite metal bands. Big fan of your channel. Thanks, again!

[@javgoro]

Yes! Blind Guardian! I can finally stop requesting them ;P. Awesome reaction, and indeed, the point of this is to let yourself get carried away by the songs into the fantasy (in this case, the whole album is telling parts of The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien). Oh, and by the way? Those were n't violins, but a guitar ;)

[@igor8757]

YES!! Next Blind Guardian song gotta be Nightfall guys

[@GRAHFXENO]

Tycerax Yes, Punishment Divine!!!

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

Igor Sarukhanov that's what I hoped theyd do first.

[@mercurygirl67]

I’m so glad you guys liked this. I’m a long time fan of Blind Guardian. They have many songs based around books, movies and various stories. Oxford University declared them “Bards” Smart people and history buffs as well as nerds adore them. As for operatic voices some just pierce your brain with shrillness . the singer of this band is a fantastic multi octave singer. His passion and strength seemingly effortless. The band is always spot on and play a wide and vast range of musical types . Iced Earth is also a terrific band and their former singer Mat Barlow is another fantastic multi octave singer. Their guitarist Jon Schafer and Blind Guardians singer Hansi did some side work together as Demons and Wizards. They are my personal equivalent of a “dream team” from the wicked witch to king Arthur to StevenKing to the pied piper they are great. Blind guardian. Has songs about several books from Homers Iliad to lord of the rings, King Arthur and . If you read or like fantasy reading you’ll come to truly love blind guardians music. I love watching you two thank you for doing this I hope it continues to entertain you and you come to discover a wealth of greT music Love & Well Wishes from Ruth in Battle Ground WA

[@vaggelispapadopoulos3507]

The bard's song live please

[@duhquadman]

vaggelis papadopoulos PLEASE

[@A_Ducky]

So much YES to this suggestion! 🤘

[@symphony78]

I think you are ready to listen to Symphony X. Prog+Power Metal. You'll love them.

[@Hy-jg8ow]

I have been asking that for ages, the song Egypt would probably blew them away.

[@reshpeck]

Egypt is THE song to introduce anyone to Symphony X

[@symphony78]

Agree! Egypt is a great option! I'd really love to see them reacting to SX.

[@mattberger9037]

Nah guys, it’s gotta be more modern and brutal, I don’t want them to say Sym X is fairy tale metal hahaha

[@symphony78]

Matt Berger haha! That's true! Maybe something from Paradise Lost, or Underworld.

[@irongod7855]

Fear Factory - Replica or Self bias resistor. Fear Factory are among the pioneers of industrial metal

[@Headbiter]

"Metal Fairy Tale" is head on. Blind Guardian writes songs about all sorts of fantasy/fiction or legends, from the classic Fantasy novel "Elric of Melniboné" (Tanelorn), the battle for Troy (And Then There Was Silence), to folklore like Tristan & Isolde (The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight) and "Nightfall in Middle Earth" is an entire album dedicated to the legends of Middle Earth. They also made songs for games ("Sacred Worlds" for the game "Sacred 2" and "Children of the Smith" for "The Dwarves"), although the games themselves are rather on the meh-side of things. So yeah, if you're looking for a metal version of stories at the camp fire, Blind Guardian is certainly the group to go. Excerpt of personal recommendations would be: The Bard's Song - In the Forest - Basically the evergreen-singalong song of BG. Not to be confused with the underrated "The Bard's Song - The Hobbit" And Then There Was Silence - A bombastic 14-minute (!) epic about the war of Troy Punishment Divine - A song about Friedrich Nietzsche's descent into madness The Soulforged - A song about the D&D character Raistlin Majere When Sorrow Song - Behind the heavy speed metal melody you have the retelling of one of the most moving romances in Tolkien's universe Curse My Name - Tackles John Milton's justification for the execution of King Charles I. War of the Thrones and A Voice in the Dark - Because people are still likely to gush about Game of Thrones for years Wheel of Time - Song about the fantasy series of the same name. This one has a "orchestral version" without Hansi Kürsch's singing which is just as epic as the original song. Well, almost. Again, just an excerpt, left out many great songs especially from the more recent albums but should serve for quite a bit of enjoyment.

[@oliviawilliams6204]

The part of Game of Thrones show that was written before the finale hehe. Still those songs are awesome, and the boos are still better than the show

[@giljensen1132]

Very cool list thanks

[@Headbiter]

@@giljensen1132 Anytime.

[@tartuffethesprywonderdog5883]

Primus-John the Fisherman, Jerry Was a Racecar Driver, My Name is Mud

[@JLTS76]

definitely more power metal, one of the most important bands of the whole genre: Helloween and if you want some other kind of power metal then Stratovarius

[@akilmanwaring7767]

Blind Guardian is what Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer and other bands of that era is to Power Metal The creme de la creme My pores rose because of my boy Hansi

[@santiagoz.s.1024]

The first Metal band I started listening non-stop was Blind Guardian. I already had a love for the stories of old and fantasy. This group just blew my mind when I was a little kid. Later I found out they were not just a good metal band, but one of the most iconic, important and big european-style Power Metal Bands. They got me into that world, and I found more bands like Rhapsody, Eluveitie, Alestorm, Manowar, and so on. Thanks Blind Guardian, you'll always be my first and my truest love of all the music I've ever heard.

[@tylerpike954]

Are you me?

[@Metaljonus]

The next chorus driven song you have to check out by Blind Guardian is Valhalla! But the Live at Wacken Open Air 2016. Just so you can see how much of an impact this band has made in the metal realm and how the crowd goes crazy singing the chorus with them. It is truly amazing. :)

[@Gnomeru]

Wacken 2016 was great, a better recording maybe, but I'm more partial to Valhalla from Imaginations Through the Looking Glass. I just went back and rewatched both, if you want to focus on the crowd the Imaginations recording is definitely the one to go with.

[@virgildantefrazier1]

Metaljonus4020 they should also check out sacred from the game Sacred 2.

[@Hammerhead547]

I love Imaginations For th Other Side and Nightfall along with The Ninth Wave.

[@WALDO1000]

Definitely. The Imaginations crowd is the really amazing one.

[@Satsujinki1973]

Imaginations is the perfect crowd interaction versions of Valhalla, And the Bard's Song. The two songs I was telling Ryan and George to listen to.

[@arkved]

blind guardian - imaginations from the other side

[@genderlessperson]

*otter slide

[@Defytheocean]

Without doubt their best track.

[@CelticPaladin]

Power Metal is always a guilty pleasure for me. It can be super cheesy, but if you let go and get into it it is super triumphant and a "power fantasy". Metal tends to be dark and pessimistic, so power metal is definitely a very different direction in that it is meant to be uplifting and to pump you up.

[@fernandabardchagas2887]

Blind Guardian is my favorite band ever! Your reaction made me really happy about this! This song is from de album "nightfall in middle earth" 1998.. it's about Tolkien's fantasy world ( lord of the rings) wich i'm also a big fan!

[@BernardoSolano279]

Guys, not Mulan, not Disney. This is based on the Silmarillion by J R R Tolkien. (the whole album is)

[@wunclerlaufenbumcorneliusu7047]

It's a first impression, chill.

[@ojidono8407]

This album is about the Silmarillion, a Tolkien book (creator of Lord of The Rings).

[@HaibaneRakka571]

George already starting to sing along to the chorus. Power Metal is also known as "singalong metal" because the melodies and choruses lend themselves to singing. Watch some live performances of power metal songs and you'll see thousands of people chanting along. If you're going to listen to more power metal (which is my FAVORITE genre of metal, personally) you'll also get well acquainted with the "woah ohs" If you like Mirror Mirror, try a relatively new and modern power metal song called Awakening by Unleash the Archers. It captures the same uplifting feelings that are in this, but it doesn't sound so "dated".

[@ByloBand]

Truthfully George, I was not surprised. You have a sixth sense for sniffing out greatness, and Blind Guardian is great.

[@OldSchoolGamer82]

Glad you finally gave Blind Guardian a shot! One of my favorite Power Metal/Heavy Metal bands. Top tier in their genre, there's a reason why they've been going strong for 30 years now. I pretty much enjoy everything by them, from their early more straightforward stuff to their later choir/orchestral influenced technically advanced work. The song Mirror Mirror is off the album Nightfall In Middle Earth, which is based on Tolkien's The Hobbit. It's basically the soundtrack so in your own time you should listen to the whole album. Worth it! Songs I recommend for reacting to next are Imaginations From The Other Side, Somewhere Far Beyond, Fly & Sacred Worlds

[@marcorepiso5379]

Nightfall is about "The Silmarillion", compiled by Tolkien's son.

[@OldSchoolGamer82]

Yes you are correct, my bad. I somehow came up with the wrong book.

[@IskarJalak]

Power metal is some of the most enjoyable and fun music out there imo. Thanks for finally getting to Blind Guardian! This album is from 1998, the whole thing is a concept album based on Tolkien.

[@_waveseven_]

So hyped to finally see a Blind Guardian review from you guys! This song really does capture the essence of power metal and I must say, BG is an awesome choice - many power metal bands seem totally incapable of standing out within the genre, Blind Guardian however are not one of those bands. Hope to see another BG reaction from ya!! Thanks guys!

[@zachjohnson637]

Blind Guardian is influenced by Queen...They actually have an album called A Night at the Opera (named after the Queen album). That's where the epic multi-tracked vocals come from.

[@R0DisG0D]

Hansi once said so many people were pissed and thought they wer insulting Queen or something that they considered naming their followup "A Day At The Races".

[@jerodchristiansen6917]

I would never guess Queen influences listening to Blindguardian. Thanks for the info though.

[@lucromel]

It pains me to this day that they didn't name the album "A Knight at the Opera"

[@TalussAthner]

lucromel that’d be the Final Fantay 6 version lol, now suddenly I’m sad the black mages didn’t call an album that lol

[@alexandre5882]

Helloween - Eagle Fly Free

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Alexandre this!

[@Chevymetal69z28]

Iced Earth-A Question of Heaven

[@jenniferdelp75]

I want to go run up a mountain or something.

[@jenniferdelp75]

In a lace corset.

[@cockynanderson]

Jennifer Delp carrying a giant axe or hammer

[@jenniferdelp75]

Brooks Durham Nooo. A basket of fried chicken 🐔

[@WebsterA]

Hahaha I always say the same shit about standing triumphant atop mountains wielding a sword lol

[@shoalsofficial9334]

How is your comment from a month ago? How?!?!

[@ORicardoNogueira]

Mirror Mirror is like Guardian's second phase. Earlier albums have less choir but vocals are insane too. Hansi the lead singer really set the bar up there back in the day. I havent heard any other band in the genre as good as them. Old fan here.

[@lowstryder1022]

YES - ROUNDABOUT!!! YES - ROUNDABOUT!!! YES - ROUNDABOUT!!! YES - ROUNDABOUT!!! YES - ROUNDABOUT!!! YES - ROUNDABOUT!!!

[@naturequeen2597]

Timothy Brice fucking amazing song.

[@pokeholicmaster]

Is that a mutherfucking JoJo's reference?

[@jasonallen5318]

Agreed!

[@naturequeen2597]

Matt and Shley McNeal whats that? Sounds bizarre.

[@lowstryder1022]

Matt and Shley McNeal IDK what the hell you’re talking about lol??

[@Caesar49080]

You have to see the Livevideo of their performance at Wacken of The Bards Song and Valhalla. 75000 People singing the acoustic part and they even refused to stop as the songs have ended. Epic.

[@michaelfarmer6877]

By far the funniest review you guys have had. Ryan not getting what George is getting out of the song to start with. George's funny at the red light with the jams....😂

[@mikepshena]

Michael Farmer their funniest to me is definitely Heaviest Matter In the Universe

[@npumphrey7585]

mikepshena was that the one we're Ryan pretended that he was going to do it alone, then George jumped in like nah I'm here and I'm biased as shiiiit! If so then yeah, that was the best

[@chrislatham4235]

Its like Beethoven took some acid

[@DeeFoxGaming]

Ok, now you are ready for "And Then There Was Silence"

[@michaelkister7575]

Actually i believe no one is ever really ready for "And Then There Was Silence" ;)

[@DeeFoxGaming]

@@michaelkister7575 true

[@carsonwilson4542]

14 minutes, 7 seconds of just... Amazing.

[@ZeroShot13]

Definitely one of my favorite songs by them. God, I used to listen to that song on repeat, it's so amazing!

[@marianogds1392]

No way. The're not prepared yet my young padawan. Too Much Powah....

[@DeoReloaded]

Stratovarius - Black Diamond

[@sirbobulous]

I'd agree but then....Elements is like, right there...

[@meesathesithlord]

Listen to Halloween by Helloween! Another great power metal band.

[@Chris-em7ej]

My favourite Helloween song but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for this channel because it's so long. I'd go with Eagle Fly Free or Dr. Stein instead.

[@timfrancis2130]

Eagle Fly Free or I Want Out would work for starters. Helloween is basically the fathers of Power Metal. Maiden, Priest, Rainbow were definitely the prototypes.

[@mtwice4586]

I am so glad you guys liked Blind Guardian!!!

[@Bathorynukka]

That video made me so happy. Blind Guardian is one of my all time fav bands and it is indeed uplifting music. It’s inspiring and it makes people happy .... well it certainly makes me happy.

[@Logos899]

Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King Recently discovered this band, couldn't believe what I've been missing...

[@kratos123654789]

Alexander Becker great band man, all albums are great but the Streets is the BEST.

[@petebrown3715]

George and Ryan, Glad you guys liked this. It took me time to get into this genera of metal however I started with Helloween then Blind Guardian, Hammer Fall and Stratovarious. Check out some live footage of these bands. Really good live.

[@_Korinzu]

Metal is definitely not for those with low stamina.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Metal will rise your stamina, anyway.

[@DanteZzZ]

listen to something by Eyehategod.

[@mtwice4586]

That whole album is based off of the book "The Silmarillion" by JRR Tolkien.

[@Heidenspross]

time stands still at the iron hill... FINGOLFIN!

[@MrBXXIV]

Blind guardian - the bard's song

[@d1morto]

This definitely needs more votes. It's their best song.

[@melvinhultman5518]

Amazing! Hansi Kursch is one of my alltime favourite singer. If you liked this you should check out: Blind Guardian: Bard song (in the Forest) Blind Guardian: Time What is Time Blind Guardian: Nightfall

[@Lincolnzz]

Demons and Wizards Fiddler on the green is one of my favs

[@Marie-dz5ig]

Nightfall is epic, my favorite Blind Guardian song

[@melvinhultman5518]

Lincoln Oh yeah! It Always hits me right in the feels

[@tylerpike954]

Halfway through the first chorus and George is already singing along. That's Blind Guardian for you.

[@oisinmcphillips2090]

I'd do Valhalla next, but a live version. All the songs take on a different dimension

[@Coralskipper]

Honestly, this is true with most Blind Guardian songs. They're a live band, and their music needs to be heard live (if only for the audience involvement).

[@sekobg]

This! ..or The Bard's Song - in the forest (live) but definitely a live recording.

[@tristanhejny9452]

Y’all I’m so excited y’all got around to BG! Nightfall in Middle Earth is a masterpiece of an album, and its depiction of J RR Tolkien’s Silmarillion is why it sounds like such a “heavy metal fairytale” haha. Greetings from Texas y’all! Keep up the good work!

[@davobard]

My favorite band ever!!! Thank you!!!!! Check out “Wheel of Time” or “And Then There Was Silence”. Epic stuff!

[@oftheborg]

I've mentioned them in a few posts. Good to see you guys cover this.

[@rushzil2112]

The Maiden and the Minstrel Knight is such an incredible song that I think y'all would enjoy from Blind Guardian. Hansi is a beast of a singer. Next should be Iced Earth and then Demons and Wizards after that featuring the 2 masterminds behind Blind Guardian and Iced Earth.

[@Crashking14]

Mark M yes Iced Earth..the whole Wicked album

[@alfredbuck1480]

Rick Holder - And anything from the Dark Saga album ( really anything with Matt on vocals)

[@travisgardiner8997]

Dude. Yes. The maiden is so good

[@Carlos-ol8me]

Nah, that song is not bad...but come on, these guys like more metal-trash-fast songs. Majesty, Ashes to Ashes, Somewhere, Journey through the dark, Imaginatios, Im Alive, Goodbye my friend, Lost in the twightlight hall, The curse of feanor, Script for my requiem, ect. Im sure you pick one of those and they'll enjoy it much more, and those albums are the trully great ones of BG.

[@Deliriumrock]

One of the best power metal albums ever! Review Rhapsody Holy Thunderforce!

[@marcoangileri3761]

Rhapsody - Dawn of victory !!!

[@WampaStompa1996]

Don't forget Rhapsody's song Emerald Sword, that song is amazing. Hell, all the songs I've heard from them are amazing.

[@marcoangileri3761]

The bassist is a friend of mine and most of them are from my hometown. I had the opportunity to see them live with the new singer and they are definitely amazing. I am not a big fan of the genre, but a lot of songs from them are true masterpieces!

[@Deliriumrock]

Marco Angileri patrice?

[@marcoangileri3761]

no, Alessandro, from Rhapsody of Fire

[@uBoBaMnupa]

Blind Guardian - Imagination From The Other Side

[@noneofyourbusiness3288]

3:04 hasnt heard this band for 5 minutes and already singing along, yep that is the power of Blind Guardian. ^^

[@usnationalist]

The first Blind Guardian [first Power Metal] song I ever heard was Nightfall, which is on this album. It was the first time I realized music could be 'epic'. All time favorite band. -- Also, Watching this reaction has made me late back to work from lunch, haha. Good stuff!

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

Erik Back nightfall was my first. followed shortly by feanor's curse.( or is it curse of feanor)? took a long time before I even made it through the rest of the album.

[@robertma4171]

Rhapsody - Emerald Sword. Another amaaazing power metal song

[@weirdstpodcast1750]

robertma4171 yes! Or Holy Thunderforce

[@BorkBorkDoggo]

I'd love for them to listen to Rain of a Thousand Flames, but I'd hate for them to come across the video.

[@CelticPaladin]

Oh definitely +1 to Emerald Sword, quintessential power metal.

[@PabloWDFavoritos]

robertma4171 Dawn of Victory Will be great also

[@jpmentol]

That song is so cheesy. I hate it.

[@aesheronanglvd3th309]

FINALLY. I have been hoping you guys would stumble into the power metal scene eventually. As for the subject matter, their style has earned them the nickname The Bards, as though they were wandering the land singing about the deeds of the day, if you had to use one word to describe their music it is definitely epic, in the old-school sense. This particular album has Tolkein featured on every song, most of it from the Silmarillion, which is basically the history of Middle Earth before the LotT books. I'm super glad you guys played them, favorite band I just discovered, if you guys want to revisit them Otherland is my all-time favorite song and I highly recommend it. Lots of good power metal suggestions elsewhere, but two of my favorites I haven't seen are Powerwolf and Sabaton. For some other directions, think you guys could get down with some viking metal, Man O'War, Turisas, Tyr are some good places to start, though from my dabblings, most viking metal is more on the deathmetal growls-of-doom side, those 3 at least are all more viking themed power metal. Alestorm is great for some goofy pirate-metal, with a few more serious songs too.

[@battistasforza4913]

Guys Blind Guardian shared the link to your reaction on their Instagram profile! It looks like they liked it

[@SeolianAstrionica]

Avantasia - The Scarecrow (Either the studio version or Live from The Flying Opera)

[@ryantavares5501]

SeolianAstrionica anything by them. They are primo symphonic power metal

[@SysterYster]

I like the first Avantasia the best. The later ones feel too simple(?). Too little variation. I dunno. But they are all good. :)

[@SeolianAstrionica]

"The Seven Angels" from part 2 is a melodic metal masterpiece as far as I'm concerned.

[@nathanberry4849]

Not yet. They've mentioned in the Gojira feat Devin Townsend video that they want to see more crossovers. Which if they keep going they'll get to... but before Avantasia, they probably should atleast see a side project first, before something as large as Avantasia or Ayreon. Now, I know Avantasia was initially an Edguy side project, but in my opinion edguy has been the side band for a long time and Avantasia has been Tobi's focus. So, Iced Earth, and then Demons and Wizards, then Avantasia/Ayreon. Also, I'm torn. Fiddler on the green is a fucking masterpiece but even before I knew it was a version of The Pied Piper, The Whistler is a fucking phenomenal track.

[@Orion5141987]

I'm glad you guys liked this one! They really do carry you on their journey in each and every Blind Guardian song. And they are the KINGS of Power Metal epic chorus's that you cant get out of your head. It makes me really happy you guys appreciated this for what it was, being its not exactly your thing. Free Thinkers for sure! Haha. You mentioned Symphonic Metal for a sec there, and I have a GREAT suggestion for that - one may even say the DEFINITIVE symphonic metal band and song. And that is Nightwish - Ghost Love Score. Definitely check that one out for another, albeit more orchestral/operatic journey. =D Keep the great unbiased reactions coming! Cheers

[@PierrickTranouez]

Orion5141987 I am definitely seconding the Ghost Love Score suggestion. Maybe a recent live version? This way you could see the guys playing - seeing people play is a part of the Metal experience - plus you would benefit from the awesome ending Nightwish current singer added to the song. The iconic live version of this song is Buenos Aires 2012, available on their official KZbin channel.

[@HaibaneRakka571]

Ghost Love Score is good, but it's a very LONG song for a first time listener. Dream Theatre exhausted them the first time they listened, so for Nightwish they might want something more like Nemo or Ever Dream as a FIRST song. That being said, Nightwish also has a song called Fantasmic which is an homage to Disney and it's longer than Ghost Love Score... so if George is in a Disney mood.... EDIT: I just listened to Ghost Love Score again and I take it all back, THEY SHOULD ABSOLUTELY DO THIS ONE

[@thebluriam]

I was going to say Nemo too as a first Nightwish song. That song still resonates strongly for me as a powerful example of the band.

[@barryfilter2364]

That song played live and the crowed goes berserk :)

[@TheMullimulli]

Ghost Love Score is awesome

[@RossOfRoni]

Stoner metal: Monster Magnet - Space Lord Power/thrash metal: Iced Earth - Clear the Way (December 13th, 1862) Love you guys.

[@ZeroShot13]

If you guys listen/react to more Blind Guardian, you'll quickly learn that EVERY song by them is a journey with them. I'm glad you guys used that word, because it's such a joy to experience each of their songs.

[@genderlessperson]

Iced Earth - Burnt Offerings (original version, 1995). Let's get this power metal train rolling!! This song is from 1998 btw.

[@ynwadhd]

I love the way blind guardian's vocalist sounds like he'd be at home as a travelling minstrel in medieval times 😂keeping in the power metal vein, you guys should check out sonata arctica - wolf & raven

[@SKULLEDBUICK]

DO SACRED WORLDS NEXT! One of their most epic, I guess you would say. Another good one to do, is their live performance of Valhalla. I don't often like when channels do reactions to live shows, I prefer studio versions for first listens, but that one is pretty special. Edit: Also, a little tidbit: the vocalist, Hansi Kürsch, is hugely influenced by Freddy Mercury. So, a large majority of the time, the vocal tracks & choir parts and all that are just a ton of Hansi's singing together lmao. I've been to one of their concerts & though, he obviously isn't able to recreate the multiple vocal tracks live, he kinda doesn't need to. The audience does it for him. It's really kinda surreal hearing everyone in the venue singing all the choruses. And y'all mentioned folk metal & industrial, etc. Ima throw some suggestions out there. *Folk Metal*- Korpiklaani, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Tyr, Skálmöld *Symphonic/Folk*- Turisas *Gothic Metal*- I guess that'd be like Type O Negative or something, I dunno. *Industrial Metal*- Rammstein, PAIN, Static-X & ...maybe Powerman 5000? It's gotta be like Supernova Goes Pop or When Worlds Collide, cuz not all their stuff is full-on industrial metal.

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

SKULLEDBUICK I think wheel of time is also pretty epic. I've listened to it enough that even though I don't know all the words, when listening to the instrumental version, i kow all the lyrical ques.

[@brandonholmes8655]

Ryan and George, Blind Guardian are one of the most awesome, amazing, lethal and influential bands ever. Ever.

[@danny72170]

Helloween should be your next power metal video. I Want Out, Halloween or Keeper of the Seven Keys

[@brianbierlein4747]

I Want Out would be perfect. Seconded!

[@NoirTech83]

dont make these guys listen to a 13 min song.

[@Jonkerz77]

Keeper of the seven keys

[@DOPOW9419]

Y'all need to peep "Sons of Winter and Stars" by Wintersun.

[@Varlwyll]

DOPOW9419 pretty sure they did a long time ago

[@Kanglar]

Not the best introduction to Wintersun I think, but still a great song.

[@Braxton0166]

Absolutely

[@khellendross3573]

Its sort of a thing you have to do as a reaction channel. Nearly all of them have done Sons of Winter and Stars. Is it Wintersuns best song? Eh...I dunno. Its up there for sure. But it encapsulates all that the band is in one song.

[@ControllerOfMinds]

DOPOW9419 hell yeah!

[@dasPhilvonOH]

ICED EARTH!

[@PabloPonciano]

Hello guys, last saturday a very important heavy metal singer, André Matos passed away, a wonderful singer with great songs, you should check: Angra - Carolina IV , one of his best songs.

[@jeffvallese5232]

If you like Blind Guardian, review a Demons and Wizards song (I recommend Fiddler on the Green or Crimson King). Demons and Wizards is the side project of Blind Guardian's vocalist and Iced Earth's guitarist

[@sirbobulous]

Hell yes on Crimson King. Hits you in the face with the opening and then just drives at a pace from there. Love it.

[@pedrornogueira9268]

ICED EARTH - BURNING TIMES PLEASE!

[@asgot2]

If you're looking to expand into power metal I would suggest checking out "Fallen" by Symphony X. They can be described as progressive power metal so it might be a bit more familiar.

[@jeepnut1]

Yes. You guys are ready for Symphony X.

[@uwelohr7958]

Check out their 2016 gig on Wacken Open Air. There is a double feature clip on yt which is pretty popular among you reaction guys featuring the songs "The bard's song" and "Valhalla". You won't be disappointed

[@rico4974]

Rhapsody (of Fire) - Emerald Sword

[@serolattm]

must hear

[@GreatgoatonFire]

Or magic of the wizard's dream, can't are with Agent Dragula himself Christopher Lee lending his might to a song.

[@thetravenousgamer]

Epic Hollywood Symphonic Metal!

[@dakken74]

Anything from the first album