10-4-2015 Effenaar Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Orphaned Land
I had to wait a long time for this, but finally I get to see Orphaned Land live. After the shaped a new style of Middle-Eastern metal the last few decades, they also stand out for their mission. A mission to shape a world of peace, not trough war or violence, but using only music.
Starting with the title song of their latest album “All is One” the evening had begun.
The Effenaar is already crowded for Orphaned Land but definitely needs to warm up, unless that it’s already really hot at the venue.
Vocalist Kobi Farhi is doing some great work on stage by getting the crowd going. Also his vocals are sublime! The band looks really excited too and this makes a great show.
Unfortunately the sound wasn’t quite perfect in the beginning of the show but it got better and better during it.
Up second it was Simple Man also from the new album of which they played quite some songs.
I really think it’s wonderful to see these guys, dedicated to the band and the music and the message they want to bring across the globe.
The third song Barakah was from the album “The Never ending way of the OrwarriOR” of which they would also play Olat Ha’tamid and of course Sapari, because they just can’t skip that one!
I think the crowd really got into it when they kicked in with Let the Truce be Known, what a wonderful song that is. A song about how we could have handled war and violence in the world. Somehow this seems hard for many people to do this according to the news.
After just playing one such great song they play a beautiful emotional song called Brother.
Then we got a few songs in Arabian languages which I think is one of the most unique parts of Orphaned Land. Kobi is also capable of singing these things wonderfully which shows what a great vocalist that man is. I’ve really enjoyed myself with Orphaned Land and everyone who’s into this powermetal/heavy metal/Middle-Eastern music should go and check them out!
Score: 8/10

Blind Guardian
The main act of today is one of the biggest metal bands from Germany, Blind Guardian. Their first album dates from 30 years ago and in the mean while they’ve made quite some name for themselves. This resulted in a completely packed Effenaar, which was way too crowded in my opinion. There was no way of reaching the bar and finding our way to the far back of the venue to find a bit more space was quite an adventure. Due to the many many people it was also terribly hot inside. This however didn’t effect the masters of German power metal Guardian. After a long and epic tune they got on stage and the party got started. The Ninth Wave from their new album Beyond The Red Mirror. Personally I’m not as much of a fan of the last album but fortunately they have time enough for all the old stuff too. Hansi can’t wait telling us a story after the first song about how we Dutch people are conquering Blind Guardian by replacing the German crew and bandmembers one by one. That it’s time for the 26 year old song Banish from Sanctuary of the amazing Follow the Blind album. Next up was the first of the big songs, Nightfall, I always wandered what it would be like to see one of these songs live with Guardian, since everyone knows the videos of their live shows where everyone in the crowd knows every single word and Hansi doesn’t even have to sing. To be in the middle of all that was just awesome! I was very delighted too when they started to play Tanelorn, since At the edge of time was possibly my favorite Guardian album. Of course there where some more songs of the latest album, but just two more, Prophecies and Mordred’s Song. Unfortunately since it was terribly hot in De Effenaar this evening, we where forced to try and find our way from the front of the stage to the far back to cool down and get some drinks halfway the show. Eventually this night with Guardian came to an end with Imaginations from the Other Side. Another 20 year old song that still kicks ass and blows everyone away.
A great gig by the grandmasters from Germany.
Score: 9/10