Blind Guardian Will Focus on a New Album and Studio Projects in 2026
The German metal legends Blind Guardian are preparing to enter a new creative phase: after several years of intensive touring, the band announced that most of 2026 will be dedicated to fully focusing on writing new material and pursuing parallel studio projects. This decision follows the conclusion of an extensive tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the album Somewhere Far Beyond, which lasted longer than originally planned.
In an interview with Brutal Planet Media, frontman Hansi Kürsch emphasized that three consecutive years on the road forced the band to postpone their songwriting efforts, and now they intend to make up for that gap. According to him, after the final shows in North America and the closing concert in Krefeld on December 19, the group will shift its attention to creating fresh compositions. Songwriting, Kürsch said, will be the top priority throughout the year.
The musicians expect that the next studio album will be released no earlier than late 2026, and more realistically in 2027. This aligns with their earlier statements that completing a full release any sooner would be overly optimistic. Sources within the band confirm that some early ideas for the album were reworked, and Blind Guardian prefer to “start with a clean slate” to preserve a sense of freshness and creative momentum.
At the same time, the group continues to develop several significant studio projects. Progress is moving steadily on the acoustic version of the iconic album Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)—one of the most anticipated releases for fans of the band’s classic era. Additionally, members are discussing other concepts they plan to revisit once the main writing sessions are underway.
Blind Guardian’s latest studio album, The God Machine (2022), marked a return to a heavier and more dynamic sound following the orchestral project Twilight Orchestra: Legacy of the Dark Lands (2019). Judging by Kürsch’s comments, the band’s new work may also continue exploring a more aggressive and energetic style, although the final direction will be defined during the creative process.
Thus, 2026 promises to be a year of deep internal renewal for Blind Guardian. Minimal concerts and maximum focus on music—this approach will form the foundation of the upcoming album, which fans have been anticipating for several years. And if the band’s creative plans unfold as intended, listeners may receive one of the most significant releases of the decade.
