BLIND GUARDIAN: 'The Bards are back in Town' Show Review & Photos, Montreal, Canada Nov 28, 2025
- The Metal Voice
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Blind Guardian – MTELUS, November 28, 2025 Montréal, Québec, Canada
All photos by Lizane Jean / Lili Blue Photo
Show Review by The Metal Voice
Blind Guardian made a triumphant return to a sold out crowd in Montreal. Their last appearance in the city was in 2024 but judging by the electric atmosphere at MTELUS last night, from Montreal fans it seems it was like they have been gone for 20 years.
Frontman Hansi Kürsch delivered a commanding and charismatic performance, engaging and speaking to the crowd throughout the night, while the band executed a tight, precise, and powerful set characteristic of their renowned musicianship. Guitarist André Olbrich His lead work spot on, fluid, and unmistakably melodic while his harmonies with Marcus Siepen (guitarist) provided the rich, layered guitar foundation while The rhythm section bass anchored the performance.
The setlist featured the complete, critically acclaimed Somewhere Far Beyond (1992) album performed in full, alongside selections from their 2022 release The God Machine and a range of classic tracks spanning their 40-year career. The audience often sang so loudly that they overtook the band, particularly during beloved anthems such as “The Bard’s Song, In the Forest” and “Valhalla.”
The encore included fan-favorites such as “And the Story Ends,” “Sacred Worlds,” “Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill),” “Valhalla,” and “Mirror Mirror.”Blind Guardian. The fans just would not let them leave....as they band went into overtime.
Crowd reaction, as described by David Clarke, a fan at the show:
“One word… WOW. The fans were totally immersed. The vibe was an awesome mix of singing and hanging on to every word like a dedicated army.”
Photographer Lizane Jean for The Metal Voice added:
“The fans sang EVERY SINGLE SONG so loudly! Fists in the air, they chanted ‘olé, olé’ between songs. At one point the band had to wait to start the next track, Hansi declared Montreal the metal capital of the world, and the crowd gave a five minute standing ovation.”
As for the openers, Ensiferum and Seven Kingdoms helped make the night a stellar power-metal package. Seven Kingdoms delivered a full-throttle performance and came full circle, having opened for Blind Guardian in 2010 at the same venue during their first-ever tour. Ensiferum also impressed with a strong cult following present, their songs and stage presence were top notch, even for fans unfamiliar with their catalog.
Do not miss this tour!
SET LIST
Into the Storm- Intro
Blood of the Elves- Album The God Machine
Nightfall- Album Nightfall in middle earth
Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)- Album Nightfall in middle earth
(Somewhere far beyond album set)
Somewhere Far Beyond
Time What Is Time
Journey Through the Dark
Black Chamber
Theatre of Pain
The Quest for Tanelorn
Ashes to Ashes
The Bard's Song - In the Forest
The Bard's Song - The Hobbit
The Piper's Calling
Somewhere Far Beyond
Encore:
Majesty- Album Battalions of fear
Lost in the Twilight Hall- Album Tales from the Twilight World
Valhalla- Album Follow the Blind
Mirror Mirror- Album Nightfall in middle earth
Lost in the Twilight Hall- Album Tales from the Twilight World
Canada's The Metal Voice recently spoke to Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kursh about the bands upcoming tour and new music and the passing of Ozzy Osbourne
Watch full interview here
Legendary German power metal band BLIND GUARDIAN has announced its long-awaited return to North America with a headlining tour set for fall 2025. The band will perform across the United States and Canada, bringing their celebrated album "Somewhere Far Beyond" to life on stage. The band decided to re-record Somewhere Far Beyond while preparing for its tour.
The tour will kick off on November 19 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and will make stops in major markets, including New York, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles and more, before concluding on December 13 in Los Angeles, CA, at The Wiltern.
Nov. 30 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theater
Dec. 02 - Chicago, IL - The Vic Theatre
Dec. 03 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
Dec. 05 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre
Dec. 07 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
Dec. 09 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Market
Dec. 10 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
Dec. 12 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre
Dec. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
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