Fans of power metal will be happy to know that Blind Guardian have got themselves a new bassist. Barend Courbois had been the German band’s touring bassist, but he’s officially been named as their full-time bassist, also having played on the band’s forthcoming tenth album, Beyond the Red Mirror. The Dutch bassist explained how he came to join the band in a press release:
“One day I got an unexpected phone call from [Blind Guardian] producer Charlie Bauerfeind, whom I had met at a project we both were involved in the early ‘90s,” recalls Courbois. “He asked if I was available during the next six months to tour with a major metal band. He wouldn´t tell me the band´s name at first, though.” Two weeks later, Courbois was part of Blind Guardian’s touring line-up. “I was a total wreck before my first gig. It’s a real challenge to play Blind Guardian songs, but I love it!”
Courbois has played in a variety of bands already, having worked with Adrian Vandenberg, Zakk Wylde, and Atma Anur, who’s played with Tony Macalpine, Jason Becker and Greg Howe. Beyond the Red Mirror will be released on Nuclear Blast on February 3rd on Nuclear Blast in North America, and January 30th everywhere else.
