Wacken Open Air
Everything was set for the hugest metal festival and the 25th visit since 1997 of the writer of these lines. For another time after 2023 the organization had to count on its decisions as team as on the spectators because this year the weather didn’t cooperate at all. After a few times the days before it strongly rained on wednesday turning all opened grounds into mud under ten thousands of feet. The orgnizers tried to save and improve the conditions, but over the days it rained again and again. Anyway, organization as fans made the best of it to celebrate the open air although several ones left the festival area. Those ones who had stayed until sunday got the opportunity to get pulled out by a tractor for free.
Headlined by Machine Head, Gojira, Papa Roach, Saltatio Mortis and a 3.5 hours lasting show of WOA- debutants Guns n’ Roses the billing left no reason to worry.
Besides that WOA 2025 this time set a focus on astronautics and turned the holy ground into a space camp. The rocket between the Faster Stage emphasized this, several highlights as stage interview guests like former ISS-astronaut Alexander Gerst offered a tremendous variety of information as entertainmend alternatives.
At this year’s Wacken Open Air more than 200 acts appeared on the ten regular stages besides three occasionally played ones in four days (+ two pre-days) for 85000 visitors (Sold out!).
Wednesday
Faster Stage
Wind Rose The five „Trollslayers“ from the Leaning Tower of Pisa had the honor to open the program on the main stages area. And suited in ther costumes they did well by their best of set and funny animating announcements. Highlight became the Yogscast-cover „Diggy Diggy Hole“ together with the vocalist of Saltation Mortis as special guest letting the fans celebrate the self-proclaimed „Day of Dwarf Metal“.
Apocalyptica After the recent „Plays Metallica Vol. 2“ the cellists from Helsinki returned with a completeset of their Metallica-interpretations to Wacken. The trio set high standards by beginning with the classics„Ride The Lightning“, „Enter Sandman“ as „Creeping Death“ and could hold the level. For perforning „Seek & Destroy“ they got support by Tina Guo before closing by the mighty „One“.
Beyond The Black The Symphonic Metal fivepiece can be described as regular guests in Wacken. For their 8th WOA-appearance they performed with several show effects. In the end of „Dancing In The Dark“ they got supported by eleven golden masked percussionists, the following „Break The Silence“ got accompanied by lots of pyros. Later on an LED-backdrop on the drum riser astonished. In the middle of this their voice Jennifer Haben showed her stage presence in different costumes and convinced musically as by animating the audience to jump on the mud and sing along before biding farewell by „Hallelujah“.
Saltatio Mortis The Folk Metal formation celebrated its 25th anniversary which became a battle against a strong rain during the whole headliner set. The mentionable crowd seemed to not care about that jumping and singing along. Fronter Alea flow on ropes from the roof of the stage down to its floor while the opener „Finsterwacht“. In the middle of the set he crowsurfed on a little dragon boat performing „Rattenfänger“. For a second time of the evening Tina Guo („Feuer Und Erz“), Tabernis („Heimdall“), Miracle Of Sound („My Mother Told Me / Valhalla Calling“) as Deine Cousine („Für Immer Jung“) supported the Folk sixpack which enthused by their cover versions of Electric Callboy’s „Hypa Hypa“ as well. So “Spielmannsfluch“ concluded a remarkable anniversary show under worst weather conditions.
Louder Stage
Dogma Like in 2024 the Louder Stage got run by female power on wednesday. The five nuns of Dogma started this program by mainly playing songs of their self-titled debut release. More popular was their cover version of Madonna’s „Like A Prayer“ gaining more applause.
Enemy Inside The Moden Metal quintet from South Germany had to appear after the rain had started again. Mainly focussing on material from their new album „Venom“ the Bavarians convinced by their tight performance as by the variable voice of Nastassja Giulia between shouts and clean vocals.
Lita Ford An old German non-Metal-classic says that life’s just beginning with the age of 66. So may have thought the grande dame of Hard Rock, Lita Ford. Completely suited in red she and her co- musicians played a best of set combined with three cover versions of Elton John’s „The Bitch Is Back“, Sex Pistols’ „Black Leather“ and Alice Cooper’s „Only Women Bleed“. Highlights became the The Runaways classic „Cherry Bomb“ and the ballad „Close My Eyes Forever“ which got dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne.
Hanabie The very own sound of this young formation from Tokyo between Pop and Metalcore became abit too edgy title by title. Especially the voice of fronter Yukina sounded pretty too much that way in the high tones. Combined with the Lolita-performance I couldn’t get used to this. But they caused a circle-pit in the crowd anyway.
Tarja & Marko Hietala Announced as duet show Tarja Turunen started the first half of the show as a solo one. For the second half she got support from her former Nightwish-bandmate Marko Hietala. Together they enthused by their classics „Wishmaster“ as „I Wish I Had An Angel“ and covered „The Phantom Of The Opera“. To me it’s always difficult to deal with Tarja’s yodeling voice, so it became again. But the numerous Tarja-/Nightwish-fans jubilated loudly anyway.
Deine Cousine The Punk combo from the close Hamburg returned to Wacken and tried to hold the party atmosphere. Their cover versions of Ozzy Osbournes „Crazy Train“ as „Dreamer“ gained applause and jubilation, but later on many visitors left the place to get into something warm and dry, clothes as place.
Thursday
Faster Stage
BAP The Classic Rock band from and icon of Cologne was the big suprise under the confirmations for WOA 2026. Numerous visitors had come to the infield to watch BAP. They especially applauded and sang along to the band hymn „Verdamp Lang Her“.
Michael Schenker Under the „My Years With UFO“ – slogan Mr. Schenker focussed on this part of his career including several hits as „Rock Bottom“, „Doctor Doctor“ and „Lights Out“. During „Mother Mary“ he got support by Slash from Guns ‘n’ Roses, for „Let It Roll“ by singer Michael Voss. Together with a tight band and the strong voice of Erik Grönwall the musical trip back to his UFO-phase became a nice one.
Harder Stage
Skyline The former band of one WOA-organizer traditionally opened the thursday program on the infield. In contrast to most of the years before they mainly played own tracks, but also coverred Disturbed’s „Stricken“, Whitesnake’s Fool For Your Loving No More“, Judas Priest’s „You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’“ and Linkin Park’s „In The End“. The people were happy anyway under the returning sun.
Grave Digger Under the „Night To Remember“ thursday theme this appearance was declared as one for the 45th anniversary of the band. So mainman Chris Boltendahl and his comrades considered their new record „Bone Collector“ just by „Kingdom Of Skulls“ and „The Devils Serenade“ and focussed on a best-of-set. For „Excalibur“ and „Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)“ they got support from their former guitarrist Uwe Lulis before concluding by „Heavy Metal Breakdown“.
Guns ‘n’ Roses The time had come for the huge Wacken-premier of Los Angeles kings’ of Hard Rock. The announced slot over more than 3 hours astonished in conjunction with the latest live reviews about the band. But first of all they started on time by their classic opener „Welcome To The Jungle“. Tha band performed tight, Axl Rose obviously just had problems with the higher tones. Besides that he had to deal with technical problem wich maybe were the cause for a mic drop while „Sweet Child O’ Mine“. But he made it over the maximum show with several different jackets, of course with a few instrumental breaks,
and so did both Rock icons – Slash and Duff McKagen – next to him as the whole backing band including long time keyboarder Dizzy Reed. Mentionable was that the screens switched from stage broadcast to showing a twisting skull instead of furthermore showing the musicians during the short breaks. Playing the two Black Sabbath classics „Never Say Die“ and „Sabbath Bloody Sabbath“ and dedicating them to Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed nine days before, was a wonderful gesture and harmonized with Axl Rose’s nowaday’s voice. They also rocked by „Yesterdays“, „Civil War“, „You Could Be Mine“, „Estranged“ as Bob Dylan’s „Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door“ to the moment when Axl Rose sat down at the piano playing and singing „November Rain“ getting a coughing fit twice between his lyrics. It turned out to a great atmospheric moment anyway. So Guns ‘n’ Roses concluded by „Paradise City“ the record appearance after nearly 200 minutes with all hits. Thumbs up for their new drummer Isaac Carpenter who nearly performed the whole time on a high level.
Louder Stage
Smoke Blow Lead by a vocalist duo the Hardcore Punks from the pretty close city of Kiel opened this day’s program on Wacken’s third biggest stage to inspire some party mood after the sun had returned. After the heavy rain of the night before just a smaller crowd watched the show and sang along with the cover version of Billy Idol’s „Rebel Yell“.
Prong Lots of more fans welcomed the following trio from New York City. By „Beg To Differ“ they opened a clear old school set just considering by „The Descent“ from their latest release „State Of Emergency“. This turned out to a good decision causing many headbangers as a moshpit. Especially the final neckbreakers „Prove You Wrong“, „Whose Fist Is This Anyway?“ and „Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck“ got much support.
Ugly Kid Joe The Californians attracted sunny weather and a filled up Louder Stage ground starting with the debut classic „Neighbor“. In a well-balanced set the quintet inspired the loudest singalongs during the ballad „Cats In The Cradle“. Lead by great vocalist as entertainer Withfield Crane and a still tight band they bid farewell by the Motörhead-cover „Ace Of Spades“ and their 90ies chart hit „Everything About You“.
Clawfinger Next act in today’s over-50-program on the Louder Stage was the Crossover-pioneers from Stockholm. They doubtlessly kicked ass by „Rosegrove“, „Warfair“, „The Prize We Pay“, „Biggest And The Best“ and considered with „Ball & Chain“ a still unreleased song from the long awaited forthcoming new album. Co-vocalist Jocke Skog pointed they’re on the highest and so dryest point of Wacken, bassist André Skaug did his helicopter-headbang-jump-stunts and fronter Zak Tell entertained very well. After a crowdsurf excursion he advised on his slipped pants and a few fingers at his butt describing it as typically german while laughing. The quintet finished by „The Truth“ and „Do What I Say“ being sung by the whole crowd continuing after being switched off because of being out of stage time.
Static-X How authentic it is to come back with a band years after their mainman had died may be arguable. The new fronter XerO obviously tried to repoduce the style of original vocalist Wayne Static, but to me that wasn’t the real thing. So the Californians concluded by their hits „I’m With Stupid“ and „Push It“ being celebrated by their die-hard-fans.
Ministry The Industrial Metal institution from Chicago invited to a contrast program while the maximum show of Guns ‘n’ Roses in the neighborhood and first of all pointed out nobody of them had voted for their president. Good to know, musically Al Jourgenson and his band spread an aura by their grooving sound into the dark night in Wacken from the opener „Thieves“ over „Just One Fix“ to the final „So What“.
Friday
Faster Stage
Dominum The whole day turned out to become pretty dry, but in the noon it heavily rained. A big disadvantage for the Franconians to attract the visitors on the infield. On the other hand the whole show looked like a b-zombie-version of the vampires from Powerwolf. Different monsters, same Power Metal sound, just worse. So to me the Scorpions cover „Rock You Like A Hurricane“ became the highlight of the gig.
Landmvrks Entering the stage by an a-capella-Rap held in French is not what the WOA-metalheads are used to. But they are open-minded for authentic bands being innovative, and so did Fronter Florent Salfati and his comrades. By the opener „Creature“, „A Line In The Dust“, „Sulfur“ as „Blood Red“ they played four songs from their new album „The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been“ and enthused by „Blistering“, a second French Rap introduction into the semi-ballad „Visage“, the hit „Lost In A Wave“ and the final „Self-Made Black Hole“.
Krokus Switzerland’s finest replaced the canceling Saxon and so found the ideal place to celebrate their 50th anniversary from last year. By „Long Stick Goes Boom“, the Neil-Young-cover „Rocking In The Free World“, „Easy Rocker“ and „Live For The Action“ their short-term-scheduled appearance became a worthy birthday party.
Papa Roach Not everybody in Wacken had been sure about the WOA-headliner-debut of the quartet from Sacramento, but the infield was pretty packed when they started with „Even If It Kills Me“. Fronter Jacoby Shaddix and his band showed all entertaining abilities for this position. „Getting Away With Murder“ became the first highlight being sung by ten thounsands of fans. The dedication for Ozzy Osbourne and Chester Bennington covering songs of their bands Black Sabbath and Linkin Park in a medley containing „Forever“, „In The End“ and „Changes“ was great, By a suicide prevention video they set a strong statement before playing „Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark“) and letting follow a moment of silence for people that got left behind and those who got lost. A little minus-aspect of the show became the medley containing Nu-Metal-hits from Korn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit and System Of A Down killing time for own material. The other encores „Between Angels And Insects“, „Infest“ and „Last Resort“ ruled anyway, so this headliner convinced completely.
Bad Loverz The second question mark on today’s billing on the huge stages besides Peyton Parrish was this Glam Rock cover ensemble impersonated by members of wednesday’s Folk Metal headliner Saltatio Mortis. Covering Roxette, Blur, Black Sabbath as Electric Cowboy the Hard Rock way might be funny under special conditions, but this night it wasn’t. While the show it started to rain, somehow these guys seemed to attract it this weekend.
Harder Stage
Brothers Of Metal It had stopped to rain before the eight vikings entered the stage. So best conditions for the Swedish warriors to celebrate their Pagan Power Metal with the fans. Lead by their female voice Ylva Eriksson they considered by its title track as „Flight Of The Ravens“ two tracks from their recent output „Fimbulvinter“ and got even more fan singalongs for „Yggdrasil“ and the final „Defenders Of Valhalla“.
Peyton Parrish I don’t know how this guy got into the Wacken-billing, but the following hour became a bit weird. By his breakthrough song „My Mother Told Me“ for the „Vikings“ series, his interpretation of „I’ll Make A Man Out Of You (Be A Man)“ from the „Mulan“ movie and the cover version of „Leave Out All The Rest“ from Linkin Park his band could offer well-known tracks to take part in. But the vocalist’s speech about Jesus Christ seemed a little displaced like the whole appearance at all.
Dirkschneider celebrated the 40th anniversary of the „Balls To The Wall“ album he had produced together with his former band Accept. After starting with „Fast As A Shark“, „Living For Tonite“ and „Midnight Mover“ mainman Udo Dirkschneider and his band performed „Balls To The Wall“ in its entirety from the title hit over „London Leatherboys“ to the ballad „Cold Winter Nights“ the German tank wearing white gloves on his hands sang together with guest star Doro Pesch. After this Dirkschneider concluded the historic trip by the all-time-classics „Princess Of The Dawn“, „Up To The Limit“ and „Burning“.
Dimmu Borgir In the deepest dark of the night the right time had come for the Norwegians suited like monks celebrating an amazing ride through their albums. „Puritania“, „The Serpentine Offering“ as „Stormblast“ got much headbanging as jubilating support. Shagrath, Silenoz & Co seemed to be happy (as a Black Metalhead can feel and show) with the reactions which became louder while the final „Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse“ and „Mourning Palace“.
Louder Stage
Forbidden The „40 Years Of Twisted Evil“ participation of the Bay Area legend in Wacken could have deserved more fans. Those ones who were there enjoyed the sunny weather and Thrash classics like „Twisted Into Form“, „Forbidden Evil“, „Through Eyes Of Glass“ as „Chalice Of Blood“ and took part in a birthday singalong for the mother of drummer Chris Kontos before headbanging again during „March Into Fire“.
Nailbomb More than thirty years after their only release the side-project of Max Cavalera returned on stage with younger sidekicks around him, and obviously many fans had been waiting for this. Besides the debut tracks they covered Doom’s „Exploitation“ and Dead Kennedy’s „Police Truck“. The vibe didn’t really seem to reach the majority of the crowd. As in his latest days with Sepultura Max Cavalera put by his son a family memeber in a band’s position what’s still a bit strange to me.
Fear Factory The Industrial Metal icon from Los Angeles celebrated the 30th anniversary of their classic album „Demanufacture“ playing it in its entirety. Just guitarist Dino Cazares was left from the line-up which had produced it. The fans needed to get used to the new shouter Milo Silvestro, but seemingly had fun with the title song, „Self Bias Resistor“, the hit „Replica“ and the lower „Dog Day Sunrise“ cover. After the „Demanufacture“ set the quartet returned for the jubilated „Linchpin“.
Saturday
Faster Stage
Trollfest Usually the numerous flamingos from Oslo are a safe party reactivator attracting the people back in front of the stage at festivals. But it had rained over the night, and many visitors had other issues, the first decided to let pull their cars from the campground. Those who went to the infield had fun with „Pina Colada“ and „All Drinks On Me“.
August Burns Red The Metalcore institution from Pennsylvania opened by an energetic cover of System Of A Down’s „Chop Suey!“ Agrressive shouts and a tight as hard riffing band set lots of pressure affecting motion in the pit. „Composure“, „Back Burner“, „Marianas Trench“ and „White Washed“ left no wishes open after an awesome peroformance. The sympathic appearance also contained songs from her solo album, but „Energize Me“ and „Face Your Demons“ from her earlier band After Forever were the special highlights of this set.
Mastodon The Prog Sludger appeared for their very first time in Wacken. After 25 years together they had to replace guitarrist Brent Hinds, and his successor Nick Johnston did his job very well. Acting for their very first time in Wacken the fourpiece from Atlanta enthused by their groove monsters „Crystal Skull“, „Megalodon“ as „Blood And Thunder“ and set a final highlight by covering Black Sabbath’s „Supernaut“.
Within Temptation Surrounded by ancient pillars and under chandeliers hanging at the roof the stage set looked pretty historic while on the other hand the Dutch Symphonic Metal sixpiece had a huge video wall behind them. Singer Sharon den Adel entered the stage suited in red with a golden mask and a crown letting her look a bit like the Statue of Liberty. The band acted tight as very intensive. A highlight became when Sharon Den Adel waved the flag of Ukraine for „Stand My Ground“, and the whole show became pretty emotional. After the encores „Our Solemn Hour“ and „Shed My Skin“ (performed together with Christoph Wieczorek fom Annisokay) they finished by their classic hymns „Ice Queen“ and “Mother Earth“.
Machine Head When Oakland’s finest opened this year’s last WOA-headliner show many fans were already on their way back home due to the weather conditions of the weekend. But those who had stayed shouldn’t regret it getting kicked from the start by the smashing „Imperium“ and „Ten Ton Hammer“. With „Outsider“ and „Bonescraper“ the quartet considered two songs from their new masterpiece „Unatoned“ which caused motion in the crowd as well. Mainman Robb Flynn threw a couple of beers into the audience and adviced the fans to help each other in the mud pit. After the mighty final consisting of „Bulldozer“, „From This Day“ and „Davidian“ they returned for the epic encore „Halo“ to leave their fans
completely satisfied.
Harder Stage
Warkings When the warriors entered the stage the rain started again. So just a small audience celebrated the title track, „Genghis Khan“ and „Kings Of Ragnarök“ from their brand-new release „Armageddon“ as „Sparta“ and „Gladiator“.
Floor Jansen While Nightwish were pausing their singer came to Wacken performing a show considering all parts of her career including Nightwish-classics even from the phases before she was joining the band. With her brilliant voice every song shined over the infield while her backing band did a good job. The quintet from Atlanta enthused by their groove during „Crystal Skull“, „Megalodon“ as „Blood And Thunder“ after which they set a remarkable end of the set by covering Black Sabbath’s „Supernaut“.
W.A.S.P. Amazing setlist, low stageacting may describe this show well. Playing their self-titled debut in its entirety caused the awesome opening by „I Wanna Be Somebody“ and „L.O.V.E. Machine“. After finishing this set and returning on stage Blackie Lawless & Co performed further classics from their following albums as encores by „The Real Me“, „Forever Free“, „The Headless Children“ and „Blind In Texas“. The question of what was live or not is a specific one.
Gojira The four Metal innovators had even become bigger since their memorable appearance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Summer Games 2024 in Paris performing the Marie Antoinette episode in French history. So it became a highlight of the show playing „Mea Culpa (Ah! Ca Ira!) together with opera singer Marina Viotti. But of course a Gojira gig always consists of numerous highlights, so by „Backbone“, „Stranded“, „Flying Whales“, „Another World“, „Silvera“ as „Amazonia“. Lead by the Duplantier brothers the band showed another intensive as tight performance of their thrilling compositions.
Die Kassierer The final show on the infield couldn’t haven been better fulfilled than by the Punk weirdoes from Bochum. They appeared with the classic fronter Wölfi and his much younger successor who did pretty well. Main issues were alcohol, sex and „Kuckuck!“.
Louder Stage
Callejon For another time the sixpiece from Düsseldorf showed their noon opener abilities. Their innovative Metalcore in German as English caused the first moshpits of the last festival day by „Snake Mountain“, „Mary Shelley“, the ballad „Kind Im Nebel“, the Die Ärzte cover „Schrei Nach Liebe“ and the final „Porn From Spain 2“.
Annisokay The quartet from West Germany had evolved to a stable Metalcore band filling the clubs on their headliner tours and big festival stages. By „My Effigy“ they presented a live premier including video production. Besides that „Like A Parasite“, „Coma Blue“ and „STFU“ got the most support.
D-A-D When darknes started to return the Danish fourpiece also returned to Wacken. This time they astonished by their drum riser looking like a huge Wacken skull. Furthermore the gold-suited bassist Stig Pedersen enthused by his sseveral bass editions as his spark spreading helmet and fronter Jesper Binzer by his funny announcements held in German. „Bad Craziness“, „Sleeping My Day Away“ and „It’s After Dark“ marked the end of another very well-entertaining Hard Rock show.
Conclusion:
Big respect to the 85000 fans! How they handled the rain-mud-caused situation couldn’t get mentioned enough. Let’s just hope they as the organizers can deal with more usual weather conditions. The prices for food and beverages stayed about the same, e.g. 5.50 € for a beer and 5,30 € for a softdrink.
After showing an amazing dedication to Ozzy Osbourne in the sky the night before the WOA- organization let start the drone show for announcing bands for WOA 2026:
Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Allt Airbourne, Any Given Day, Blood Command, Blood Fire Death – A tribute to Bathory (only show in Germany), Broken By The Scream, Einherjer, Emperor (best-of-set + „As the Shadows Rise“ – set in original-line-up). Europe, Faun, Future Palace. Gutalax. Grand Magus. Insanity Alert, H-Blockx, Kupfergold, Lamb of God, Luna Kills, Mantar, Nevermore. Orbit Culture, Paleface Swiss, Pig Destroyer, Running Wild, Sepultura (last festival show in Germany), Ten56, The Gathering (only show in Germany for 2026), The Hardkiss, Thundermother, Thrown, Tryptikon (exclusive special-best-of-set with several world live premieres.
Although all circumstances we enjoyed our Wacken 2025! So we’re looking forward to WOA 2026! Special thanks go out the WOA-team & ICS Marketing GmbH! In Wacken rocked, drank and partied Mr. Welldone and Tobi WanKenobi.