Wacken Open Air
The time had come to celebrate our own 20th WOA-anniversary. From 1997 on we pilgrimaged to the Metal-Mekka year by year celebrating hundreds of shows, meeting several interesting people from all over the world and watching the evolution of a festival from an event with 10000 metalheads in 1997 to the biggest Metal event worldwide nowadays. After the mud experience of last year this time it became rainy with the start of the program. So the rubber boots became necessary again although it didn’t become as extreme as in 2015. The organization reacted professional again by metal guard support on the campgrounds as by always updated information on the several screens. The visitors reacted relaxed following the directions of the security to realize best conditions for the following weekend. And so they did according to the backpack-ban on the festivalsite, a necessary reaction to the nowadays increased terrorist attacks like in Paris. Anyway, nothing comparable happened in Wacken.
The billing might have been motivation enough: The mighty Iron Maiden returned to Wacken for another memorable show. Blind Guardian, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Saxon, the last Germany-concert of Twisted Sister and the unique Dio Disciples performance made this year’s WOA-edition very attractive. At this year’s Wacken Open Air 127 bands appeared on the five regular stages (besides several shows on the Beer Garden Stage, the Wackinger Stage, etc.) in three days for about 75000 visitors (Sold out just a few days after last year’s edition!).
Thursday
True Metal Stage
Iron Maiden The great final of their world tour got marked by this following appearance. Handicapped by the rain, but supported by a maya temple stage set and several special effects the NWOBHM-legend entered after the UFO-“Doctor Doctor“-intro the stage. The first half of their set contained by the opener „If Eternity Should Fail“, „Speed Of Light“, „Tears Of A Clown“, „The Red And The Black“. „Death Or Glory“ and the title track several songs from the current release „The Book Of Souls“. But of course they didn’t forget their classics like „Children Of The Damned“, „The Trooper“, „Powerslave“, „Hallowed Be Thy Name“ and „Fear Of The Dark“ which got sung by many thousands. The self-titled „Iron Maiden“ finished the regular set, but the metal veterans returned with the encores „The Number Of The Beast“, „Blood Brothers“ and „Wasted Years“ finishing a jubilated the set and Monty Python’s „Always Look On The Right Side Of Life“ followed as the outro. Why Jannik Gers then held a monologue nobody knew, but this performance could be called succesful anyway.
Black Stage
Skyline The traditional start of the „big-stage-program“ was set one further time by the cover band coming from Wacken. The decision for Firewind-vocalist Henne Basse (also known from his former bands Brainstorm and Metalium) letting join the slot behind the microphone was a good one. He interpreted Rock classics like Rainbow’s „Stargazer“ or Ozzy Osbourne’s „Crazy Train“ as Faith No More’s Crossover-hit „Epic“ very well. Nice warm-up for the Hardrock-giants to follow!
Saxon Opening by the title track of their recent album „Battering Ram“ the NWOBHM-heroes let follow a greatest hits set by „Motorcycle Man“, „Solid Ball Of Rock“, „Dogs Of War“ as the great final consisting of „Crusader“, „Wheels Of Steel“, „Denim And Leather“ and „Princess Of The Night“ which all got celebrated by old as young supporters. Further highlights: A camera baloon rising up while „The Eagle Has Landed“, showing amazing pictures on the screens, and „Heavy Metal Thunder“ which got dedicated to Lemmy Kilmister.
Foreigner Another best-of-set was up to follow. The Classic Rock icon everyone knows from the radio decided for the right setlist. Since at least the third song „Cold As Ice“ everybody felt an acoustic déjà-vu which got enforced by the following „Feels Like The First Time“. Lead by mainman Mick Jones on guitar and the definitely convincing vocalist Kelly Hansen these 75 minutes became magic. And when they played by „Urgent“, „Juke Box Hero“ and the ballad „I Wanna Know What Love Is“ three of the biggest Rock-classics ever the whole audience took part in singing the vocals. So an exciting performance found its end by „Hot Blooded“.
Whitesnake Another greatest hits setlist was supposed to follow after The Who’s „My Generation“ running as the intro. United Kingdom’s Hardrock-icon around singer David Coverdale didn’t even recognize one song from the current „The Purple Album“. But what made this appearance very difficult were the solos by both guitarists, the bassist as the drummer killing the atmosphere, just had been build by hits like „Love Ain’t No Stranger“ or „Fool For Your Loving“ right before, as time for about four more songs minimum. Of course: Especially Reb Beach and Tommy Aldridge are brilliant on their instruments, but in between 75 minutes for such a backcatalogue Whitesnake calls its own, it’s a shame. So most fans got bored by this. Just the final consisting of „Crying In The Rain“, „Is This Love?“, „Give Me All Your Love“, „Here I Go Again“ and the encore „Still Of The Night“ showed how awesome this show could have become instead of just these latest 20 minutes.
Friday
True Metal Stage
The Haunted After the mainly Hardrock-related evening before it had become time to raise speed as heavyness. And this got guaranteed by the Swedes from „No Compromise“, „99“ and „Trespass“ on. Lead by the agile fronter Marco Aro „The Flood“, „Undead“, „Hollow Ground“, „D.O.A.“ and „Dark Intensions“ / „Bury Your Dead“ brought the first few thousands of fans in motion. So the final „Hate Song“ showed a cool contrast to the shining sun.
Loudness Japan’s finest celebrated its 35th anniversary, but the spectatorship didn’t seem to appreciate it when you counted this by the present people on the infield. So the atmosphere wasn’t as dignified as „Heavy Chains“, the self-titled „Loudness“ or „The Sun Will Rise Again“ could have deserved it.
Axel Rudi Pell Midtempo-Hardrock was up to reign the open air festivalsite. The opener „Fire“ and the title song were the two protagonists from their new as now 17th release „Game Of Sins“ while „Fool Fool“, „Mystica“ and the two medleys „Nasty Reputation / Strong As A Rock“ and „Edge Of The World / Call Her Princess“ were well-known earning more applause. So „Rock The Nation“ defined the end of a show which bored a couple of spectators waiting for more speed and enthused the melody fraction.
Bullet For My Valentine The British fourpiece welcomed the audience by „No Way Out“ and „Skin“ from their current album „Venom“. While the new bassist Jamie Mathias looked a bit like a younger Jake Gyllenhaal fronter Matt Tuck animated the fans to interact what worked well. Several moshpits followed while „4 Words (To Choke Upon)“, „Hand Of Blood“, „Sceam Aim Fire“, „Tears Don’t Fall“ and „Alone“. The celebrated encores „Your Betrayal“ and „Waking The Demon“ finished their second successful Wacken show.
Blind Guardian A filled infield welcomed the leading Fantasy Metal band. But the fans had to be patient during the opener „The Ninth Wave“ when the sound sucked and there wasn’t nearly anything to hear. But that changed from the following „The Script For My Requiem“ and „Nightfall“ on and the crowd took part in singing the choirs. And this continued while „Lord Of The Rings“, „Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)“, „Time What Is Time“ and „Imaginations From The Other Side“. Singer Hansi Kürsch convinced totally, and so did his brilliant bandmates. An exciting concert found its overwhelming end by „The Bard’s Song – In The Forest“, „Mirror Mirror“ and „Valhalla“ which got sung by many thousands of voices. First class, musically as atmospheric!
Testament 75 minutes of high class Bay Area Thrash Metal was up to close the day. „Rise Up“, „More Than Meets The Eye“ and „Practise What You Preach“ caused massive headbanging on as in front of the stage. A tight band in its best condition and fronter Chuck Billy with the right voice as his animating air-guitar-playing-style left no doubt to get supported by the fans celebrating „Dark Roots Of The Earth“, „Into The Pit“ and „D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)“ as well. So the day found a more than worthy end by „Native Blood“, „Disciples Of The Watch“ and „The Formation Of Damnation“.
Black Stage
Pyogenesis That really was bad luck: When the quartet from the close city of Hamburg started, mainman Flo Schwarz and his tight band made the best of it and enthused by compositions from their recent comeback masterpiece „A Century In The Curse Of Time“ like „Flesh And Hair“, „Steam Paves Its Way (The Machine)“ and „This Won’t Last Forever“ as by the classics „Every Single Day“, „Fade Away“ and „Lifeless“. Those supporters who stayed didn’t regret it, these 45 minutes had definitely been worth it!
Legion Of The Damned To the tenth anniversary of their debut album „Malevolent Rapture“ the Dutch Thrash Metal commando in its entirety from the self-titled opener „Legion Of The Damned“ until its last title „Killing For Recreation“ and finished by the title track of the following output „Sons Of The Jackal“ while the mosh-pit raged the whole hour.
Entombed A.D. The successor of the Death ‘n’ Roll formation Entombed from Stockholm with the little „A.D.“-difference was the first act really filling the infield. Besides tracks from their newer phase like the opener „Midas In Reverse“, „Second To None“, „Dead Dawn“ and „The Winner Has Lost“ of course classics as „Living Dead“, „Chief Rebel Angel“, „Revel In Flesh“, „Wolverine Blues“ and „Left Hand Path“ enthused the numerous fans who even sang the riffs. Lead by original fronter LG Petrov the fivepiece performed a successful show.
Eluveitie The Folk formation from Switzerland started with „King“ into their set which animated thousands to move. And to the pleasure of their fans they introduced by „Grannos“ one new song from the forthcoming acoustic album. But fronter Chrigel & Co had to appear with two session musicians as Liv Kristine replacing Anna Murphy for the vocals to „The Call Of The Mountains“ and „A Rose For Epona“ which didn’t work that well due to the different voices. Anyway, this long awaited Eluveitie-appearance found its jubilated end by „Inis Mona“.
Tarja To make a decision watching a Tarja show or not is pretty easy: You like her voice or you don’t! Several thousands seem to like it supporting the ex-Nightwish-vocalist from the beginning marked by „No Bitter End“, „Never Enough“ and „500 Letters“. After the Muse-cover „Supremacy“ Tarja performed a medley of her former band consisting of „Tutankhamen“, „Ever Dream“, „The Riddler“ and „Slaying The Dreamer“. Another highlight became the duet with Arch Enemy – fronter Alissa White-Gluz of „Demons In You“, as the mentioned opener, the also mentioned Muse-cover, „Eagle Eye“ and „Calling From The Wild“ from „The Shadow Self“ being just released the same day.
Ministry Supported by a clean sound the Industrial Metal institution from El Paso, Texas created an apocalypse, musically as visually by the projected pictures of politicians, soldiers and terrorists. From the opener „Hail To His Majesty (Peasants)“ over „Rio Grande Blood“, „Psalm 69“, „Just One Fix“ until the final „So What“ Al Jourgensen & Co produced pure energy on as in front of the stage. What a dark soundtrack to society right after midnight!
Party Stage
Orden Ogan The formation from Midwest Germany performed their True Metal set which sounded pretty ordinary. Most applause earned „We Are Pirates“ and the finisher „The Things We Believe In“ while it started to rain a lot.
Beyond The Black After several changes behind the instruments the band around singer Jennifer Haben returned to Wacken for the third time in a row. They performed a well-balanced set between their debut „Songs Of Love And Death“ („When Angels Fall“, „In The Shadows“ , „Running To The Edge“) and the new album „Lost In Forever“ (the title track, „Shine And Shade“, „Beyond The Mirror“). Highlights became the covers of Motörhead („Love Me Forever“) and Led Zeppelin („Whole Lotta Love“) getting much applause.
Equilibrium The mainly in german language held Pagan Metal attracted many supporters becoming witness of the live premier of „Born To Be Epic“ being besides „Prey“ one of two tracks from the new output „Armageddon“ being released one weak later.
Torfrock Same language, different music: The Rock combo from the region assembled majorly north germans in front of the stage who especially celebrated the Jimi-Hendrix-cover „Hey Joe“ and their TV-movie-hit „Beinhart“.
Kai Hansen & Friends To his 30th live anniversary the WOA-organizers confirmed something special for Melodic Metal fans: The Gamma-Ray-mainman played a live set containing songs of his solo album to be released in a few weeks like the opener „Born Free“, „Enemies Of Fun“ and „Burning Bridges“ as classics of his ex-band Helloween like „Ride The Sky“, „Victim Of Fate“ and the final „Save Us“. And the appearance bevame even more exclusive when the other early Helloween-vocalist Michael Kiske entered the stage to perform the „Keeper Of The Seven Keys“ – classics „I Want Out“ and „Future World“ together. Nostalgic!
Unisonic Two hours later it became the second time for Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen to rock the stage. The audience was smaller in comparison to the special show before. But those ones who stayed were able to watch a solid Hard Rock show which included by „A Little Time“ and „March Of Time“ two further songs from their former band Helloween. But own tracks like the opener „For The Kingdom“, „Your Time Has Come“ and „Over The Rainbow“ which got sung by both sitting and lying on stage convinced as well. So the self-titled „Unisonic“ finished a successful gig.
Saturday
True Metal Stage
Symphony X Finally: The Prog Metal institution from New Jersey gave its Wacken-debut. A main part of the show considered by „Nevermore“, „Without You“, „Hell And Back“ as „In My Darkest Hour“ the current „Underworld“ – masterpiece which concept got emphasized by vocalist Russel Allen who wore different phantom masks. Besides his entertaining qualities he completely convinced by one of the best voices on the ground. The geniuses behind him showed their abilities as well and finished by the jubilated classic „Of Sins And Shadows“. Awesome!
Metal Church I had waited very many years for Mike Howe returning to the microphone of Metal Church. Not only in my opinion the Howe-era was the best by far! So after the „Terminator 2“ – intro the time had come: Lots of fans reacted loudly when the quintet started strong by „Fake Healer“ and „In Mourning“. Mike Howe hadn’t lost any voice power within the years and the band around Kurdt Vanderhoof acted tight. Besides presenting two songs from the new album „XI“ by „No Tomorrow“ and Killing Your Time“ they considered the pre-Howe-era as well by „Start The Fire“, „Watch The Children Pray“ and „Beyond The Black“. The main part focused on the three masterpieces between 1989 and 1993 like „Gods Of Second Chance“, „Date With Powerty“ as „No Friend Of Mine“. So the encores „Badlands“ and „The Human Factor“ set the end of a jubilated as memorable show.
Steel Panther This year the weather god seemed to be a feminist. It was just too cold to repeat that many shown breasts as in 2014. The fourpiece returned and welcomed many fans by „Eyes Of A Panther“. Majorly the rogued part of the supporters celebrated everything during these 75 minutes. But the jokes were the same as two years before, and to invite seemingly teenagers on stage to sing compromising songs especially in their direction war more than ridiculous. And by the way reminded a couple of riffs of other Hardrock classics. In contrast to their last time in Wacken this gig was a disappointment.
Twisted Sister Finally the last show of this legend took place in Wacken. Introduced by AC/DC’s „It’s A Long Way To The Top“ as the intro the five heroes entered the stage to start with „Stay Hungry“ and „The Kids Are Back“. It seemed like really every present visitor stood in the infield supporting the Heavy Rock icon. On stage especially fronter Dee Snider showed his motivation by emotional speeches pointing out there will be no Scorpions-farewell including a comeback or like Ozzy Osbourne’s „No More Tours“. And he pointed out to the faithful fans showing the contrast between the audiences they had at Graspop, Hellfest and especially in Wacken and those casting-winners being famous for two weeks. But besides the comments reigned their undying classics like „Burn In Hell“, „You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll“, the hit „We’re Not Gonna Take It“ and the ballad „The Price“ which got dedicated to Jimmy Bain, Lemmy Kilmister as especially to their own passed drummer A.J. Piero who got replaced by ex-Dream-Theater-drummer Mike Portnoy which caused thousands of high-held lighters. So after the hit „I Wanna Rock“ a legendary fairwell show was done, but the band returned to the sound of „Come Out And Play“ to perform the encores. „Shoot ‘Em Down“, „Tear It Loose“ and „S.M.F.“. Memorable!
Dio Disciples Feat. A Very Special Guest The Dio Disciples consisted of former bandmates of the passed legend Ronnie James Dio as the vocalists Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) and Tim „Ripper“ Owens (ex-Judas-Priest/Iced-Earth) performing songs from his ex-bands Rainbow (the opener „Kill The King“, „Stargazer“) and Black Sabbath („I“) as mainly of his solo career like the hymn „Holy Diver“, „The Last In Line“, „Egypt (The Chains Are On)“ or „Rainbow In The Dark“. Modern technical opportunities made it possible letting a hologram of the young Dio perform the final „We Rock“ with the band. In spite of the technical overlaps between the hologram and the digital backdrop that was definitely something nobody had seen before. Nostalgia by Science-Fiction!
Black Stage
Dragonforce After days of rain and mud the sun started to shine. The suiting soundtrack to that were the speedy Melodic-weirdos from London. „My Spirit Will Go On“, „Symphony Of The Night“ as „Valley Of The Damned“ was the optimal wake-up-call for the last day’s noon. After the „Ring Of Fire“ – cover „Through The Fire And Flames“ marked the end of the probably fastest show of this yea’s WOA-edition.
Borknagar The Black Metal icon from Bergen appeared for their third or fourth time in Wacken. And also this time the sixpiece knew how to enthuse. Opening by „The Rhymes Of The Mountain“ the antiphon between their (former) singers ICA Vortex aka. Simen and the Vintersorg replacing Athera worked very well. Added by the key they had three voices harmonzing in clean vocals as grunts. A motivated band lead by Oystein G.Brun took care of the sound of „Oceans Rise“, „Universal“, „Ruins Of The Future“ and „Colossus“ which got celebrated as well as the new video-single „Winter Thrice“. One of the best Black Metal (live) bands by far!
Therion The following 75 minutes were supposed to become symphonic. Supported by two female classic background-singers the ensemble began by „The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah“. For „Typhon“ they got further support of Mercyful Fate guitarist Snowy Shaw. This show was a relaxed and probably the right one after three days of speed and heavyness in the rain and mud. The constant guests caused most reactions by their final played classic „To Mega Therion“.
Triptykon Dark, darker, Triptykon. Surrounded by a stage set of crosses and fire mainman Tom G. Warrior as his three comrades opened by „Procreation (Of The Wicked)“, „Dethroned Emperor“ and „The Usurper“ from his former band Celtic Frost. A special atmosphere was guaranteed and even got enforced by „Obscured“ and „Boleskine House“ which got interpreted with Simone Vollenweider, known from studio cooperations with Celtic Frost and Triptykon. The numerous devil’s horns especially fittet to this performance.
Arch Enemy What the Swedes let follow after midnight was tremendous. Recording a live DVD they might have invested a lot in the light show, several special effects including many pyros and an extensive stage set showing a huge as very defined cathedral. So much to the visual part of the show. Supported by a strong sound the Melodic Deathers started with „Yesterday Is Dead And Gone“, „War Eternal“ and „Ravenous“ inventing much flying hair on as in front of the stage. Fronted by a completely convincing Alissa White-Gluz and garnished by the brilliant guitarplay of the riff duo Michael Amott / Jeff Loomis „My Apocalypse“, „You Will Know My Name“, „As The Pages Burn“ and „Dead Eyes See No Future“ became a great experience. „We Will Rise“ and „Nemesis“ finished an amazing show.
Party Stage
Eskimo Callboy Strange name by a strange band: This kind of Crossover-Metalcore was propapbly directed to the very young fans. And especially those ones jumped and committed circle-pits to the opener „Bury Me In Vegas“, „Party In The Horror House“, „Is Anyone Up“ and the final „Muffin Purper-Gurk“. You notice: Strange titles, too!
Devil Driver The intensity raised enormously from the „End Of The Line“ on. Fronter Dez Fafara & Co held the action high on as in front of the stage. By „Daybreak“ and „My Night Sky“ the fivepiece considered two tracks from their new output „Trust No One“. By „Sail“ they covered Awolnation. Most interaction they caused by „Not All Who Wander Are Lost“, „I Could Care Less“, „Clouds Over California“ and the set closing „Meet The Wretched“.
Callejon Despite the weather circumstances and the mud the quintet attracted a respectable audience by their Metalcore held in german. „Wir Sind Angst“, the Fettes-Brot-cover „Schwule Mädchen and „Lass Mich Gehen!“ didn’t leave no doubt about the motion factor in front of the stage. The crowd celebrated „Blitzkreuz“, „Dieses Lied Macht Betroffen“, the overwhelming ballad „Kind Im Nebel“, „Snake Mountain“ and the Die-Ärzte-cover „Schrei Nach Liebe“. An exciting performance got finished by „Sommer, Liebe, Kokain“ and „Porn From Spain“.
Clutch Right before the headliner this Rock gig took care of a good mood. Many people I had met over the day had talked about visiting this appearance that started with the question „Who Wants To Rock?“ The fourpiece around the agile vocalist Neil Fallon considered by „X-Ray Visions“, „Firebirds“, „Son Of Virginia“, „Sucker For The Witch“, „A Quick Death In Texas“ and „Your Love Is Incarceration“ a couple of tracks from the current release „Psychic Warfare“ which kept the spectators moving as much as to more familiar ones as „Burning Beard“, „The Regulator“, „Gravel Road“ and the final consisting of „Electric Worry“ and „One Eye Dollar“.
Parkway Drive Australia’s finest celebrated its Wacken-debut with the latest slot on the smaller open air stage in direct competition to Arch Enemy playing on the neighbored bigger stage, and that after a rainy festival on a really muddy place. Usually a worst case scenario, but not in Wacken: Numerous of fans waited for the latest dance, and this became furious. The agile quintet couldn’t hide their fun playing at this place, and so did their fans celebrating by „Carrion“, „Vice Grip“, „Idols And Anchors“, „Karma“ or „Wild Eyes“ older as newer material. After another new „Ire“-song „Bottom Feeder“ the fivepiece left the stage and returned with „Crushed“ and a stage covered in flames. By the second encore „Home Is For The Heartless“ they closed this year’s WOA with a phenomenal show. Bring them back (maybe on another billing position next time)!
Conclusion:
After last year’s rain and mud inferno this time the rainy bad luck continued resulting again in mud without leading to the same extremes as in 2015. The WOA-organization was even better prepared than they had been the year before. Security on the camping area as on the festivalsite supported the visitors who got recent information by the several huge LED-walls hanging next to the stages as at different further places.
In general there didn’t happen any mentionable change or short-term cancelation. The memory of the passed Motörhead-mainman Lemmy Kilmister got honored by „Born To Lose, Lived To Win (A Farewell To Lemmy Kilmister)“ on the Black Stage just after Iron Maiden on thursday night showing clips of him before his longtime-bandmates Phil Campbell and Mickey Dee held an inspiring speech. It felt like Lemmy’s spirit was all around over these days. The prices for food and beverages stayed the same as last year (e.g. 3,00 € for a 0,3 l beer or softdrink).
On saturday night the Wacken organizers announced the first bands for 2017: Amon Amarth, Avantasia, Candlemass, Hämatom, Heaven Shall Burn, Kreator, Lacuna Coil, Mayhem, Paradise Lost, Powerwolf, Saltatio Mortis and Sonata Arctica! More announcements about confirmed bands will follow soon. We enjoyed our Wacken 2016! So see you in Wacken 2017 – rain or shine! Special thanks go out to Anna Lorenz and the WOA-team!!!!! At the Wacken Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Babyarm, Dumbo and Alex!!!!!