André Olbrich
André Olbrich (born 3 May 1967) is a German musician, best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of power metal band Blind Guardian, in which he serves as one of the main composers with other founder Hansi Kürsch. Olbrich was ranked number 76 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time by Guitar World. He is also ranked number 64 in Joel McIver's The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.
Also recorded as Andre Olbrich
André Olbrich
Alfred Nitsch · CC BY-SA 3.0 at
- Name
- André Olbrich
- Born
- 3 May 1967
- Birthplace
- Düsseldorf, West Germany
- Occupation
- Musician, songwriter
- Nationality
- Germany
- Fields
- power metal
- Languages
- German
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
André Olbrich (born 3 May 1967) is a German musician, best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of power metal band Blind Guardian, in which he serves as one of the main composers with other founder Hansi Kürsch. Olbrich was ranked number 76 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time by Guitar World. He is also ranked number 64 in Joel McIver's The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.
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André Olbrich (born 1967) is a guitarist and musician, of German nationality. The guitarist was born in Düsseldorf. André Olbrich is a member of Blind Guardian.
The work spans power metal. Languages used include German.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q2068496 · wikipedia · André Olbrich
In this article
Biography
Biography
Olbrich's guitar work often reflects vocalist Hansi Kürsch's singing. Olbrich's style is influenced by his favourite bands, which include Queen, Judas Priest, Metallica and Black Sabbath. Additionally, Olbrich relies heavily on staccato technique.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — André Olbrich • Born — 3 May 1967 • Birthplace — Düsseldorf, West Germany • Genre — Power metal, speed metal, heavy metal • Occupation — Musician, songwriter • Instrument — Guitar • Years Active — 1984–present • Current Member Of — Blind Guardian
Equipment
Equipment
Olbrich's gear • ESP Guitars Original Series Horizon Custom • Body: Alder • Neck: Maple (Neck-thru) • Pickups: 2x EMG 81 • Floyd Rose Tremolo System • 24 Jumbo Frets • Original Jackson-style pointed headstock • ESP Guitars Original Series M-II Neck Thru • Body: Alder with Maple Top • Neck: Maple (Neck-thru) • Pickups: 1x EMG 81 (bridge) 1x EMG SA (neck) • Floyd Rose Tremolo System • 24 Jumbo Frets • ESP Guitars Original Series Explorer Custom • Body: Mahogany • Neck: Maple (Neck-thru) • Pickups: 2x EMG 81 • Floyd Rose Tremolo System • 24 Jumbo Frets • Ovation Guitar Legend • Strings: D'Addario.010 -.046 • Picks: Jim Dunlop Nylon 1 MM • Amp: Engl Straight • Cabinets: 2x Marshall 1960 (A & B) • Amplification He is believed to use Marshall amps for his distortion/lead riffs: • Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb • Marshall TSL 60 (Triple Super Lead) • Marshall cabinets 4x12 (with Celestion V30 speakers) • Rack • ENGL savage • Furman Powerconditioner • Shure LX Wireless System • Rocktron Patchmate • Yamaha SPX 990 • Ibanez Tubescreamer • Hughes & Kettner "Red Box" Pro • Morley Power Wah • Dunlop crybaby 535q (used during A Twist In The Myth tour) • Boss AC2 Acoustic Simulator
Trivia
Trivia
In 2020, Russian malacologist Alexander Fedosov named four new species of Clavus canalicularis mollusk in honour of four rock guitarists. One of them, Clavus andreolbrichi, was named in honour of Andre Olbrich.
Identity
Identity
André Olbrich is recorded with the occupation guitarist. Classed in the genre power metal. Recorded as musician and guitarist.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1967
André Olbrich was born on 3 May 1967.
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2068496: André Olbrich
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “André Olbrich”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.André Olbrich. www.blind-guardian.com.
- 2.Roadrunner Records. Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time. Blabbermouth.net. 23 January 2004.
- 3.www.blind-guardian.com. Blind Guardian Official Website – André Bio.
- 4.Fedosov A.E. Integrative taxonomy of the Clavus canalicularis species complex (Drilliidae, Conoidea, Gastropoda) with description of four new species
- 5.Post of A.Fedoseev about new species's taxonomy
References
Citations
References
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authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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