The German power metal band BLIND GUARDIAN was formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany and is one of the most innovative and influential bands in the power metal and speed metal genres. BLIND GUARDIAN is also considered one of power metal’s “Big Four” along with Helloween, Sabaton and DragonForce.

From the beginning, singer Hansi Kürsch (who also acted as bass player for a while) and guitarist Andre Olbrich had named the band Lucifer’s Heritage. But to get people to stop speculating if they were into Satanism and wanting to distance themselves from the black metal movement (their demos were placed next to black metal albums in local record stores) a name change took place. The first album under the new name BLIND GUARDIAN was “Battalions of Fear” which was released in 1988 and their remaining records were well received by both fans and critics. Records such as “Somewhere Far Beyond” (1992), “Imaginations from the Other Side” (1995) and “Nightfall in Middle-Earth” (1998) are particularly seen as influential works.

The music is mostly written by Kürsch and Olbrich and the lyrics are written by Kürsch. Inspiration for the texts is taken from traditional legends and epics but also from various fictions written by fantasy authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Stephen King, George R. R. Martin and Robert Jordan.

SATOR, originally called Sator Codex, is a Swedish punk band from Borlänge that came to life in 1981. In connection with the name change in 1987, the band also changed its style. Dear child has many names and SATOR has also been called “Hultfred’s only husband” during the 80s and 90s when they were a constantly recurring part of the Hultsfred Festival.

The band has released a total of nine studio albums and 23 singles during their career. The album “Headquake” won a Grammy in 1992 for best hard rock album.

Since their debut in 2008, H.E.A.T has been one of the brightest stars in Swedish hard rock. With world tours, headline slots at festivals and participation in Melodifestivalen with the song 1000 Miles, they are now an incredibly experienced and established band.

Now the original singer Kenny Leckremo has also rejoined the band.