World Cup of Maidenfans 2.0: Opening Round 25

[mckindog]

The last round (Heart versus Rainbow in the biggest mismatch the tourney has seen so far) remains open for voting here:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads/the-world-cup-of-maidenfans-2-0-opening-round-24.27952/

As usual, vote for your favourite. Winner moves on, loser goes home.

In the blue corner, from Krefeld Germany, weighing in with nine albums of folk-flavoured epic power metal and fantasy-based lyrics

Spoiler

In the red corner, from Belfast Ireland, weighing in with 20 albums of virtuoso guitar playing in settings that range from blues to heavy jazz fusion to metal and hard rock

Spoiler

 

[Ariana]

Guardian

 

[Perun]

It's tough.

 

[The Flash]

Pass

 

[Black Wizard]

Blind Guardian of course. I'm rooting for them to win since Dream Theater have been eliminated. They won't win though, it'll be Sabbath or Priest.

 

[MrKnickerbocker]

Moore

 

[Saapanael]

Guardian

 

[Moon Child]

Pass

Same here. Unless there is need for a tie breaker.

 

[Brigantium]

Same here. Unless there is need for a tie breaker.

Likewise. Unless I change my mind later.

 

[Crimson Idol]

All the tracks from Blind Guardian that I can actually remember enjoying are covers tbh. Moore takes this one for me no questions really, Out in the Fields is awesome as anything not to mention Over the Hills and Far Away (good as the Nightwish version is, I still prefer the original). Very few people haven't heard Parisienne Walkways / Still Got the Blues, even if they don't know them by name. Personal favourite track is "There's a hole".

 

[LooseCannon]

Blind F'n Guardian

 

[Perun]

I like Blind Guardian a lot, and seeing them live was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. They're way more than the Tolkien cliché everybody associates with them, and I put on one of their albums every once in a while.

However, my vote has to go to Gary Moore, for the sole reason that he initially sparked my interest and love for guitar-based music.

 

[Forostar]

Blind Guardian. Even though Moore might have made the best song, namely Out in the Fields (blueprint for Helloween's I Want Out), I am not into the other work I've heard, especially not the bluesy stuff.