Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kürsch has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

Hi there,

First of all I would like to say how much we all appreciate the way you are dealing with the split. It is, as some of you have pointed out, not the end of the world but a new beginning. I am really proud about each step we have made in the past but as time moves on we must move on as well.

The future is wide open...

And now a couple of short statements in reply to your concerns and questions:

There will be no delay of the next Blind Guardian production. As you probably know: a Blind Guardian album is ready when we feel it is ready. This makes it somewhat difficult to come up with a precise schedule. I can guarantee the release of the next Blind Guardian album for 2006. If it finally turns out to be spring, summer or fall I don't really dare to say. If you had asked me about the release date for the next Demons and Wizards album two months ago I would have said April. Now it will be June. Things like that happen and it doesn't take a lot for a delay to be introduced. The orchestra album is scheduled for 2007. I do not see any reason for delays there.

Regarding a new drummer we have a few options at the moment which we will check out. I will keep you updated.

And finally for all the drummers who are sending e-mails to our webmasters asking them for information on how to apply for the job: from our side there is no need for auditions at the moment since we have some preferences already. Thanks for asking anyway.

All the best,

Hansi

Source:	blind-guardian.com
Band profile:	Blind Guardian