Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song & Valhalla ( Wacken 2016) FIRST TIME REACTION

[@erwinamesz7642]

7 years later, when you are wandering at the Wacken area, and you listen very carefully, you will hear the echos of the crowd singing this song.....

[@TheMindofBruce]

That’s so epic. The ghosts of Wacken 2016 crowd! Sheeesh

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

...and a few dozen meters away, you can still hear a crowd of metalheads sing Otto's "Friesenjung" from two years later ☺🤘

[@cahdesosabakota795]

@@TheMindofBruce Saw them 2 days ago in Toulouse, France! Awesome, everyone sang this song :p

[@PavlozKapeliz]

@erwinamesz7642 U R right... nowadays travelers through the Wacken area report that it still echoes "Valhalla"....

[@johnsmoke1785]

If you enjoyed the vibe, check out their live performance of "Mirror Mirror". And btw. : Wacken is a festival and not a concert if you shouldn't know it. On a concert, fans gather to enjoy the band. But on a festival, bands gather to enjoy the crowd ^^

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@adrianailiescu4627]

Blind Guardian is a legendary metal power band!! We are waiting for as many reactions as possible to the songs of this band!!

[@TheMindofBruce]

There will be much more, I was enthralled how the crowd was so into it. Crushed those songs. There will be more.0

[@chriso6719]

Blind Guardian has been around since 1984. German power metal. Their 12th album, The God Machine was released last year. It is 2 songs. The Bard's Song is from the 1992 4th album, Somewhere Far Beyond. Valhalla is from the 1989 2nd album, Follow the Blind. Lead singer is Hansi Kursch, yes he is one of the 11 singers in the Ayreon song you just recorded. His voice still sounds awesome after almost 4 decades of this band. Check out "Secrets of the American Gods" or "Blood of the Elves" from the newest album. Or "Mirror Mirror" from the 1998 Nightfall in Middle Earth album, that record is a concept album based on J. R. R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Always coming correct! Appreciate you! As I was recording Ayreon last night I thought to myself, this guy looks and sounds familiar then I did the research and was like ahhh makes sense. He sounds amazing!

[@chriso6719]

@@TheMindofBruce 🤘🤘

[@jimharris367]

Love me some Blind Guardian, and at the world's biggest Metal party they absolutely kill it 🤘

[@TheMindofBruce]

The crowd, sheeeeesh. They absolutely killed it

[@juxtapoxymoron]

The biggest choir I have ever joined, such a unifying experience. Kudos from Germany 🤘

[@TheMindofBruce]

I couldn’t even imagine what that was like.

[@svenjensen9770]

Welcome to that rabbit hole called Blind Guardian 🤘🏼. It's the same on every show. I'm so glad they are billed for Wacken Open Air 2024 and I have a ticket.

[@sartian]

My first big metal festival was Wacken 2011, and Blind Guardian's set is to this day one of my best festival experiences

[@tribblefluffer]

So glad you found Blind Guardian! I've been fortunate enough to have been listening to them since the late 90s and I'm so grateful that they're still here with us. Should definitely check out their album Nightfall in Middle-Earth if you're a fan of Tolkien. That album is my go-to for almost any mood and makes me feel as if I'm in a medieval fantasy tavern listening to a legendary bard spin their tales.

[@TheMindofBruce]

I will for sure take that up! Love the bard spin to songs, especially about Middle-Earth. I always set the scene in a tavern drinking Meade as well lol. Thx for the recommendation!!

[@alexandremaireno-ni4ec]

Also, check out some of their earliest stuff (Valhalla's one good example)...now, if I may suggest, do Follow The Blind, Majesty or Battalions Of Fear

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@alexandremaireno-ni4ec Always taking suggestions! 🤘

[@tribblefluffer]

@@alexandremaireno-ni4ec All amazing suggestions!

[@alexandremaireno-ni4ec]

@@tribblefluffer I absolutely love Majesty! The 1st track of the 1st album...not many artists start their recording careers with such an amazing song

[@NerdishNature]

“I was there Gandalf… I was there 2000 (7) years ago.” It’s so epic. Blind guardian are so very special in how they frame their music. Each album is like a tale of its own. Listen to nightfall in middle earth if you get the chance ;) I had the privilege to see them multiple times here in Germany and it’s a sing along every damn time. Like a dream.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Will do! Might do some of the nightfall album next! I bet that was such a wild experience to be there!

[@nuclear.musicaddict]

I not only hear the crowd, I have been in a similar crowd two times and am going to see them again in two days time! Check out some of their newer things, like Violent Shadows. But if you want actual vikings drinking out of horns, you need the band Amon Amarth.

[@TheMindofBruce]

I like Amon Amarth a lot, Viking metal for sure!!! I’m half tempted to book the cruise 70,000 Tons of metal in January, Blind Guardian, Epica, Infected Rain and a bunch of others. Only 37/60 bands released. I really want to see those bands lol

[@YEAH8891]

It's SO much fun seeing all of you clueless Americans getting yourself educated to this German treasure. I love that you actually take the time to look at the lyrics, but in this case I have to burst your bubble: you probably put more thought into it than Hansi (the lead singer responsible for the lyrics). He once said that the lyrics were written by some 20+ year old who didn't really know what he was doing. 😅 In general the band themselves aren't actually high on Valhalla. It's off their 2nd album and almost got left out because the band didn't feel it was good enough. The only put it on the album because they didn't have enough material at the time. These days it's a classic in every live set. Just this week I have been to their show in Munich and the feeling in the crowd hits just as hard in Wacken as it does in a little club with a couple of hundred people....

[@TheMindofBruce]

Ya, I always think about lyrics, because I often find different meaning in them than the intended meaning, I am a lyric analysis channel for the most part haha. Ya I’m glad someone suggested Blind Guardian, I absolutely love the vibe of the band, and Hansi’s voice is so good! I blame record labels for the music we hear mostly here, but since starting this channel I’m finding such incredible bands. Just recorded a Demons & wizards song that’s gonna release this week!

[@fenrisulfur842]

Hansi and the Guardians are just 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 for decades!

[@parkerd3915]

Best. Reaction. Video. Ever. I looove how you get into the lyrics.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Thanks so much!! I’ve been slacking gonna record more this week!!

[@stephanjulich8094]

Their concerts are the place where the audience is accompanied by the band. 😁 I have been there and still got goosebumps.

[@swenartmann1670]

Hey man, I love your reaction. U are great and lovely. I ' ve been there live in Wacken. And I' ll never forget this night. The crowd is still singing. Even some years later. 😊 U did a great job. Greetings from Germany.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Rock on! I hope I can get to Wacken one day! 🤘

[@weshoward450]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Blind Guardian. There is no escape (but that's OK, because we LOVE it here!) Dive in anywhere - it's hard to find a mediocre song by them, much less a bad one. If you want to hear how they sound now, "Violent Shadows" is a great song from their last album.

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘🤘

[@bandoupthebung]

One of my favourite bands. Looking forward to watching you check them out.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Rock on! More to come!!

[@Brendo2386]

I saw them in Melbourne Australia. Was amazing

[@TheMindofBruce]

I need to see them before they stop touring

[@Brendo2386]

@@TheMindofBruce I don't see that happening any time soon. Hansi still has it. Seeing him at Ayreon in Netherlands in September was amazing

[@RobertWich]

Demons & Wizards - 2 Songs - Live at Wacken Open Air 2019 🤟

[@TheMindofBruce]

Just added it to the list!! Thanks 🤘🤘

[@BrandonMcLean-mn9ik]

The closest thing, Gathering of the Juggalos. Attendance and security. Never gone outta country. Waken is my only reason!

[@muskovylore]

You might have pulled up the other Bard Song. Blind Guardian has two songs called the Bard Song. The first, The Bard Song-In the Forest, is what they played and is pretty much their iconic song. The second, The Bard Song-The Hobbit, is pretty much a retelling of The Hobbit.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Ya I ended up finding it mid song lol. I was looking for it, because the lyrics were off haha, luckily I found it tho. Such a good song!!

[@thibauthanson7670]

He won, he got rid of the god(s). But in doing so he realized what was lost. A way of living, a code to adhere to. I say that as an atheist. If there's nothing left to pick up the pieces, a loss of faith can be devastating.

[@WilliamCoyle-ll6bq]

Yes Valhalla is where we want to go but not easy to get into

[@TheMindofBruce]

Sure isn't lol

[@epicmage82]

They're touring. I plan on seeing them in May. Pretty excited!

[@Hammox]

I was at a show in Stuttgart a few days ago, right up front with some self painted flags and it was fucking magical

[@TheMindofBruce]

I bet!! Totally wish I was there with ya!

[@Hammox]

@@TheMindofBruce well that’s really what it’s about right? All the people being united through and with the band, and you really get that once you’ve been on a concert like that… for me it was only my third, ever! Well I hope you’ll react to more BG soon cos I’m here for it! Also small tip: their show imaginations through the looking glass is probably their best live performance, I’d grab reaction material from there:)

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@Hammox yes! I plan to do some more BG this week for the following week. I have stuff recorded till next week. I’ll take a look at the concert you mentioned! Thanks 🤘🤘🤘

[@GodfatherManni]

I was there and had no voice the next day😌 Blind Guardian is unbelievable...so kind guys❤ Cheers from Germany 🤘🇩🇪

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘

[@yellowpfeiffer123]

Nice reaction, will look forward to your channel :)

[@TheMindofBruce]

Thanks! 🤘

[@Andrey_K70]

Not bad, but in 2006 crowd during Valhalla's was absolutely crazy

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘

[@Andrey_K70]

@@TheMindofBruce Full version that song kzbin.info/www/bejne/pauogouibauVm9ksi=f_E_Pw4yZ-en5s_c

[@MatzePMC]

they totally won

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘

[@MikeyMike1999]

FIREEE the crowd!!!!

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@RuizEleutério]

Nice react, bro. Two great suggestions: Angra - Nova Era (Live in SP) and Shaman - Fairy Tale (Ritualive)

[@djbenkinobi1]

you like storys? try "unleash the archers - awakening"

[@TheMindofBruce]

Ya that song is sick, I think I might do some of their stuff I haven’t heard first, then dk Awakening since I’ve heard it before. The song is so sick, the musicians rip in that song so hard. And Brittney Slayes sheeeesh. 🤘🤘🤘

[@djbenkinobi1]

if you like blind guardian...maybe you can check out some great german bands like electric callboy ( mc thunder 1+2)@@TheMindofBruce

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@djbenkinobi1 never heard of electric callboy, I’ll check it out!

[@djbenkinobi1]

oh dude, you have aa wild ride with them, im sure

[@RaoulKunz1]

Just last Saturday I was at a the Blind Guardian concert in Offenbach (Ger.) and it has been like this since my first attendance in 2005 - *everybody* knows *every* song, even the new ones - it's just obligatory and *of course* everyone always sings *the Bards Song* (In the Forrest, there's also the bards Song: The Hobbit; just not as popular) in the later third of *any* BG show.^^ Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@TheMindofBruce]

That is incredible, I am really thinking about going on the 70,000 tons of metal cruise, just trying to figure out if I can get off work. I'd love to see Blind Guardian!

[@RaoulKunz1]

@@TheMindofBruce BG live is always a treat, but it's also exhausting... my arm is still sore from throwing the horns and I'm still a bit hoarse from singing along (but then, I'm almost 40...^^), they also closed as they've done "recently" (as in: roughly since ~2015) with Valhalla - do yourself a favour and check out any of the live versions of "Nightfall", this one broke my voice - Kürsch (mild if slightly uneasy sounding: "The words of the banished king..." Everyone with unsuppressed (if artificial😉) rage: *"...I SWEAR REVENGE!"* - such fun times every time^^. I wouldn't be too worried, I'm certain they'll get transatlantic again at some point, heck, they've been to Japan, so...^^ Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@RaoulKunz1 I will keep my eye out for sure!! Thx for the suggestions!

[@Moleman0815]

The Bards song is somewhat like the unoffical Anthem of Blind Guardian. You don't have to be a fan of the band to know this song by your heart, i think every german metalhead can sing this song word by word. Source, i'm no BG fan and i can sing the song with eyes closed. :D

[@TheMindofBruce]

Haha, I can sing it now to 🤣 the crowd blew my mind with that

[@donni281]

This is how we Germans were, are, and will be!!!!

[@kookoo9235]

If you think this is sick you should see them live. Being absolutely shitfaced shouting valhalla chorus or singing bards song with god knows how many other shitfaced people is something else. The show i was at people kept singing valhalla for good 15-20 minutes after the song was already over, it was the funniest shit. They tried to start the next song but everyone was going so loud they couldn't really start, Hansi was laughing his ass off and asking people if they could start the next song and people just kept going with the valhalla. Good times, pissed my pants that night too.

[@wimvank.7463]

You see Bruce, this will not happen in the US. Europe festivals are different!

[@TheMindofBruce]

I might have to make my way over there for a festival if I can save enough cash and get off work for like 2 weeks lol.

[@wimvank.7463]

Give it a try. Worthwhile@@TheMindofBruce

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@wimvank.7463 🤘🤘it’ll happen before I croak, I’m 37 so I got some time!

[@nightwishlover8913]

Please stop reading the lyrics out loud - either put CC on (if it's there), or else we can look them up...

[@TheMindofBruce]

My channel is based on lyrical analysis, if you want to watch the full version uninterrupted the link is in the description. We talk about lyrics here. :) thanks for the input and comment! 🤘

[@3534538]

I like him reading the lyrics out loud. Yes we could look them up but this is a nice service from Bruce 🙂 On your own channel you can do as you please and not read them 🥰

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@3534538 ❤️

[@jasonblodgett8769]

They did not win. It’s a lament. They lost their Norse gods to…Christianity and it’s new god.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Oh dang. Thanks for that! 🤘🤘 I always thought the Norse Gods were cooler

[@Calumetto]

I've been listening to them for a LONG time. I'm thankful for their endurance. If you like LOTR, you'll enjoy their lyrics a lot. ••• Thanks! PEACE!!!

[@TheMindofBruce]

I love LOTR, so I can see loving this band a lot. Super amazing performance there.

[@tribblefluffer]

@@TheMindofBruce Definitely need to check out the album Nightfall in Middle-Earth. ;)

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@tribblefluffer That sounds sick. I will def have to do that!

[@Morgan_Black]

​@TheMindofBruce Don't be mistaken. The album in itself is great, and it's probably even greater if you enjoy LOTR, however content/lyrics-wise it's not about LOTR. It's an album entirely about Tolkien's Silmarillion. If you've read the Silmarillion, the album ascends from "Great" to eternally phenomenal. Anyways, if you haven't read it, it's still worth checking out Nightfall in Middle-Earth, so my little rambling here is somewhat irrelevant :D

[@M4tti87]

The great message in my opinion here is that "Dont be afraid of the dark and cold, the bards songs will remain" . You will leave something for someone or sombody behind. For your kids or for someone else. The bards will sing your name when you are gone. Its a great message. Simple play. You told your best buddy in highschool something great about your greandfather? THen you were the bard after he was gone. Such a simple, but a powerful meaning.

[@TheMindofBruce]

So powerful

[@thedrunkbard4772]

This message really hit me hard. I never thought of it this way. Wow! Cheers and huzzah 🍻

[@uwelohr7958]

One of the best german bands there ever will have been. The drummer is a monster, the guitarists are magicians, the bass is THE bass and Hansi is the voice itself. I do prefer their early stuff, my fav album is "Tales from the twilight world". Later on they started to cover their music with atmosphere and keyboard sounds . Still insanely great, but not my 100% taste tbh. Great reaction. Always interesting watching especially Americans discover the "outer space". Kinda sceptical in the beginning until the eyes start to open up and smiles get wider and wider

[@alexandremaireno-ni4ec]

Goosebumps!!! Every freakin' time!

[@TheMindofBruce]

🤘🤘I was covered in them lol

[@hyperwolf7899]

pretty sure that this has been recommended by other people, but Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down is worth a look 😉 a project by Arjen Anthony Lucassen. This is the first song from the concept album The Source, the story is about humanity giving control over to machines and then realising what they had done and the battle to regain control of the planet. The song is written by Arjen, he plays guitars and synth, and he brings in 11 singers (you will already know a couple of them) and other musicians for this album. Prog rock at its best

[@TheMindofBruce]

I actually recorded that 2 nights ago it’s dropping Sunday. That song was an epic journey, holy smokes. But Blind Guardian is killer and the lead singer rips!

[@robynturnham2706]

Love Ayreon. It is how I discovered Hansi and Blind Guardian.

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@robynturnham2706 they blew me away. Arjen is such a sick composer.

[@thiogarces]

My man Blind Guardian y Magic MAAAAAAGICCCC

[@secretarchivesofthevatican]

People paid a lot of money and then did the singing themselves...could have done that at home! (Only joking!)

[@TheMindofBruce]

Hahahaha 🤘🤘🤘

[@Muschelschubs3r]

What I love about Blind Guardian is that it is so freaking obvious they adore their fans. I am so thankful for, oh, (for me) nigh on 30 years of awesome music from them....

[@TheMindofBruce]

I am thankful for you all suggesting dope music to me I have been oblivious to for so long! Blind Guardian is amazing!

[@oliverdonder7616]

I visited a Blind Guardian Show last Friday ... ok, the crowd was a "little" bit smaller, but the feeling was the same .. a big party. And a whole venue singing the Bards Song and Valhalla almost a capella for minutes does something with you .... i had goosebumps on my goosebumps

[@TheMindofBruce]

That’s so cool. The crowd participation always gets me lol

[@WNYretiree]

Blind Guardian is such a great band. Their lead singer, Hansi Kursch, has such a great voice. I'm glad that you have discovered them and look forward to hearing more from them, and you.

[@TheMindofBruce]

You know, I recorded Ayreon last night and I thought to myself this guy looks like the blind guardian singer, sure enough it was. I dig this band hard. Def more to come

[@WNYretiree]

Oh good! Ayreon is great. I love Hansi's voice, almost as much as I love Marko's and there are a couple of songs where they sing together from Ayreon. Will be looking forward to the Ayreon drop. @@TheMindofBruce

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@WNYretiree Yaay! It’s 10/1.

[@matzek.3220]

​@@TheMindofBruceCan't wait! I saw Hansi with Ayreon two weeks ago and will see him again with Blind Guardian next week. Awesome vocalist 🤘🏻!

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@matzek.3220 Have fun!! I’d love to see them both!

[@stephsteph4574]

Blind Guardian 🤘 they are touring their new album right now! Go check the new stuff out, too!

[@TheMindofBruce]

Oh ya of course!! I am not going anywhere haha, there will be tons more BG coming. I looked they aren't touring in the US. RIP LOL

[@MattiasF-w9p]

I really like watching faces confronted with the 'Bard's song'. 😮😊😂

[@ChrisSeilerLFD]

Reaction to "The Bard's Song & Valhalla" There's only one thing left to do. Just hit the like button. ;)

[@TheMindofBruce]

Hehehe, much more Blind Guardian coming!

[@ChrisSeilerLFD]

@@TheMindofBruce Hope so!

[@ursmetzger]

Wacken is one of my goto festivals. I've been there in 2005, 2011, 2013 (Nightwish/Rammstein), 2016 (Blind Guardian), 2019 and 2022. 2023 we were on the way to Wacken (10 hour car drive), but about one hour before we arrived at the holly ground they closed the camping ground and festival as there was too much rain, mud, wind etc. so we had a few nice days in Hamburg and were sad that we had no chance to attend the festival. well, at least we have tickets for 2024. see'ya all there.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Wow, I can't imagine being there so many times. So amazing!! I need to go one of these years, I am in Florida in the US, but I am sure I can make it one of these years. The crowd looked incredible. The fact you were at the 2013 festival is incredible. Cheers!! 🤘

[@ursmetzger]

@@TheMindofBruce well, speaking of Florida. Hope to see you next year on the 60000 tons of metal cruise. that's also a cool "festival"/event with a unique twist.

[@TheMindofBruce]

@@ursmetzger I was actually looking at that this week, blind guardian and epica. I might just have to do it :)

[@karolbartos8869]

Great reaction! I'd love to see you react to more Blind Guardian. Songs like The Last Candle, Imaginations from the Other Side, or Deliver us from Evil from thr latest album. But really, every song of theirs is amazinf for me.

[@TheMindofBruce]

Thank you! I for sure will react to more of a Blind Guardian. No question about that, I really enjoy the sound and the lyrics. 🤘🤘

[@mikegershon8528]

In 1998 Blind Guardian did a concept album based on Tolkien's "The Silmarillion". I would suggest the live Wacken version of Nigfhtfall from that album. I think its Wacken 2011.

[@TheMindofBruce]

That’s so sick, I’ll definitely do that!

[@hakanjonsson1478]

Now go to "en livstid I krig" by sabaton. Allmost as powerfull crowd engagement

[@TheMindofBruce]

I have to do a lot more Sabaton and BG on the channel, I’ll take a look at it, thanks!