Wacken 2019
Congratulations Wacken to the 30th edition starting from 1990. What a history!
To this jubileum different attractions awaited the audience. In the first place we have to name Slayer’s last Germany show of their career. The „A Night To Remember“ on thursday got headlined by Sabaton on two stages. The exclusive Germany-appearance of Demons & Wizards or the wednesday-headliner-show of The Sisters Of Mercy were another of several highlights getting celebrated by the fans.
The weather became a good companion most of the time over the weekend with two exceptions by severe weather warnings followed by interruptions. The organization of this giga-event ran brilliant, especially due to the weather circumstances. So there was no reason for not to party.
At this year’s Wacken Open Air 96 bands appeared on the five regular stages (besides several shows on the History Stage, Beer Garden Stage, Wackinger Stage, Wasteland Stage, Metal Church, etc. = definitely more than 100 bands) in four days for about 75000 visitors (Sold out!).
Wednesday
W:E:T Stage
The Sisters Of Mercy With mentionable delay the Industrial-legend opened by their hymn „More“, which was a powerful start. During the show the views of the filled Bullhead city audience focussed on singer Andrew Eldritch. Of course he’s the mainman, but besides that the massive smoke on stage covered all his musicians on stage. The formation played a well-balanced set considering their three albums and finished by their mega-hits „This Corrosion“ and „Temple Of Love“.
Headbangers Stage
Rose Tattoo The Hard Rock instiution from Sidney enthused several older fans in the first rows while most of the spectators were waiting for the following The Sisters Of Mercy on the neighbored stage. Anyway, fronter Angry Anderson and his comrades knew to entertain their fans ending with their hit „Nice Boys“.
Thursday
Faster Stage
Skyline „The same procedure as every year“: The former band of Wacken-organizer Thomas Jensen, who played bass while AC/DC’s „Shot Down In Flames“, started the party. This time the opener was an own song, which fit by it’s name „30 Years Ago“ more than well, and so it will even better next year. Over their set the band got other prominent support. Together with Doro they performed „All For Metal“ and „All We Are“. Gus G. played guitar for the Ozzy Osbourne cover „Crazy Train“. Most of the set ex-Metalium-vocalist Henning Basse sang the cover versions as the final own hymn „This Is W:O:A“.
Krokus The Hard Rock icon from Switzerland opened strong by their classics „Headhunter“ and „Long Stick Goes Boom“. Besides that Mark Storace, Chris von Rohr & Co entertained by the cover versions „American Woman“ (Guess Who) as „Rocking In The Free World“ (Neil Young). The drum solo in the end could have been avoided in favor of another song.
Airbourne To the tones from the soundtrack of the „Terminator 2“-movie the quartet around the O’Keefe brothers entered the stage to open by „Ready To Rock“, „Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast“ and introduced by „Boneshaker“ a new track from the forthcoming record. This time without any climbing stunt of the fronter the Australians entertained well and bid farewell by the encores „Live It Up“, „Raise The Flag“ and „Runnin’ Wild“.
Sabaton Please read the review below → Harder Stage
Harder Stage
Beyond The Black The Symphonic Metal formation can be ranked as a steady WOA-guest. They’ve grown a lot over the time including their popularity as the huge audience showed. Much applause as jubilation got sent to singer Jennifer Haben and her bandmates. Those ones got support by violinist Tina Guo for „Heaven In Hell“, the Motörhead-cover „Love Me Forever“ and finally for „Hallelujah“.
Hammerfall The appearance of the WOA-familiar Melodic Metal quintet from Gothenburg began a bit strange by the video premiere of the title track of the forthcoming release „Dominion“. After this they started live with „Legion“, „Hammer High“, „Renegade“, „Riders Of The Storm“ and „Blood Bound“ which was pure food for the headbangers as crowdsurfers. By „One Against The World“ and „(We Make) Sweden Rock“ Joacim Cans, Oscar Dronjak & Co presented further brandnew „Dominion“ tracks live. The end of course was set by „Hearts On Fire“.
Sabaton Behind sandbags and barbedwire the special show of the Swedish fivepiece began by „Ghost Division“ and „Winged Husars“. Supported by a choir in different soldier uniforms they performed classics as „The Red Baron“ a new track from „The Great War“. After the tenth title „Carolus Rex“ bassist Pär Sundström moved to the neighbored stage to perform together with the ex-members Thobbe Englund, Daniel Mullbäck and Daniel Myhr a classic set while the currend line-up continued. All together they performed „The Last Stand“, „The Lost Battalion“, „Panzerkampf“, „The Art Of War“, the title track of their new release and „Attero Dominatus“. The encores „Primo Victoria“ as „Swedish Pagans“ and „To Hell And Back“ in assistance of violinist Tina Guo marked the end of a jubilated show. In my opinion this couldn’t reach the magic of the unique two-stage-show of Savatage & Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Wacken four years ago, but the fans were happy.
Louder Stage
Versengold The third biggest WOA-stage got opened by the Folk Rock – sevenpiece from Bremen. By the opener „Durch Den Sturm“, „Teufelstanz“, „Braune Pfeifen“, „De Rode Gerd“ and „Butter Bei Die Fische“ nearly half of the set considered their new output „Nordlicht“. By „Ich Und Ein Fass Voller Wein“ they left a happily dancing crowd.
Testament With „Brotherhood Of The Snake“ the Bay Area Thrashers started into a set for hearcirculation-hungry headbangers. Lead by fronter Chuck Billy the Thrash Metal icon left by “D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)“, „Low“, „Into The Pit“, „Practise What You Preach“, „Electric Crown“ as the debut-classic „Over The Wall“ every metalhead in front of the stage more than satisfied.
The Bosshoss The Country Rock combo around the duo Boss Burns and Hoss Power had the excercise to entertain, which worked okay. It seemed like most of the audience just took a watch as an ear before returning to the both bigger stages in the neighborhood for the big Sabaton-show. Their hit „Don’t Gimme That“ got the loudest reactions.
Friday
Faster Stage
Equilibrium The Pagan Metal sixpack opened the day on the main stages, but most of the present visitors didn’t seem to care although they introduced by „Renegades – A Lost Generation“ a track from their soon released record.
Eluveitie New line-up, many new songs: The Suisse ninepiece considered by the opening title track, „Deathwalker“ as the final „Breathe“ and „Rebirth“ new material from their recent output „Ategnatos“. The well-balanced sound between heavyness and melodic Folk characterized by the voices of Chrigel and Fabienne convinced the applauding audience, but needed to finish earlier because of the festival interruption due to the severe weather warning.
Black Stone Cherry After the festival interruption the running order got rescheduled. So the Southern Rock quartet had a shorter stage time as other bands of the day. And the festival area just got repopulated during the appearance. But while „Cheaper To Drink Alone“ and „Family Tree“ it looked like before, and so sounded the applause.
Anthrax The Thrash Metal icon from New York continued the euphoria on the festival area after Body Count starting with the classics „Caught In A Mosh“, „Got The Time“, „Madhouse“ and „I Am The Law“. Fronter Joey Belladonna ran the stage up and down, the band acted tight and agile as well. The fans got in motion by headbanging and moshpit action celebrating the show till the classic end by „Antisocial“ and „Indians“ with many singalongs from the crowd.
Demons & Wizards The Power Metal collaboration between the Blind Guardian singer and the Iced Earth guitarist was a very exclusive one in Germany after they had played at WOA 2000 for the last time. So no wonder this nearly unique show filled the festival area. The fans celebrated the songs from their two albums and escpecially the together played ones from their regular bands as „Burning Times“ and „I Died For You“ (Iced Earth) as „Welcome To Dying“ and „Valhalla“ (Blind Guardian), which got sung by thousands for minutes.
Opeth Opeth shows always happen between brilliant performed compositions and funny entertaining statements by mainman Mikael Akerfeldt who advised in the beginning: „Hello, we’re Opeth and we came all the way from Hannover.“ Pointing out it’s better to play right after Slayer than Poison he had the audience on his side. Besides that the music convinced, especially the classics „Ghost Of Perdition“, „Heir Apparent“, the acoustic „In My Time Of Need“, „The Drapery Falls“ and the final „Deliverance“. The numerous fans celebrated their heroes by headbanging and singing along. Phenomenal!
Harder Stage
Queensryche The Progressive Metal icon from Seattle presented after opening by „Blood Of The Levant“ from their new album „The Verdict“ a phenomenal best of program consisting of „I Am I“, „NM 156“, „Walk In The Shadows“, „Queen Of The Reich“, „Operation: Mindcrime“, „Screaming In Digital“, „“Take Hold Of The Flame“, „Jet City Woman“, „Empire“ and „Eyes Of A Stranger“. The band performed tight and singer Todd La Torre was brilliant as well. Outstanding, no questions left!
Cradle Of Filth Postponed due to the weather.
Body Count Feat. Ice-T Opening by the Motörhead cover „Ace Of Spades“ the Crossover kings from LA South Central set the first statement. And so Ice-T continued that pointing out on the US president as racial conflicts before performing „Manslaughter“, „No Lives Matter“ as „There Goes The Neighborhood“. Besides the important political as social issues he showed himself as entertainer as well letting up a child from the first row onto the stage. After that he offered to be called Uncle Ice by the child. After „Talk Shit, Get Shot“ and „Cop Killer“ the band returned on stage to perform the Suicidal Tendencies cover „Institutionalized“ and „This Is Why We Ride“.
Within Temptation The Dutch Symphonic Metal formation played a bombastic show lead by the wonderful voice of Sharon Den Adel. By the opener „Raise Your Banner“, „The Reckoning“ and „Supernova“ they considered material from their new album „Resist“. Highlight of the appearance was the acoustically performed „Ice Queen“ with thousands of supporters singing along. The encores „What Have You Done“, „Mad World“ and the wonderful „Mother Earth“ marked the end of a celebrated show.
Slayer Time was up for the last show in Germany of the Thrash Metal legend. They played a 90 minutes best of show from „Repentless“ over „World Painted Blood“, „War Ensemble“, „Mandatory Suicide“, „Seasons In The Abyss“, „Hell Awaits“, „South Of Heaven“ and the band-hymn „Raining Blood“ to the end marked by „Dead Skin Mask“ and „Angel Of Death“. The masses shouted along, headbanged, crowdsurfed and took part in the massive mosh-pits. In the end Tom Arraya, Kerry King & Co said goodbye and left a satisfied as sad supportership.
Hämatom The corpsepainted Bavarians presented a sound somewhere between Punk and a worse Rammstein-clone. After the main bands just a few fans left to watch their surprise guests Trailerpark performing together their song „Bleib In Der Schule“.
Louder Stage
Jinjer With „Words Of Wisdom“ the Ukrainian experimental groove machine opened their set as friday’s stage program. Lead by the skilled musicians and the variable voice of the charismatic Tatiana Shmaylyuk the quartet enthused by „I Speak Astronomy“, „Dreadful Moments“, „Pisces“ as the final „Perennial“.
Gloryhammer Fantasy Metal from the UK was up next. The fivepiece played by „The Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)“, the self-named „Gloryhammer“, „The Land Of Unicorns“ and „Hootsforce“ a couple of tracks from their new output „Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex“. Although it wasn’t meant too serious this wasn’t my cup of tea. So it was astonishing how many fans were celebrating them until they need to finish earlier because of the weather-related festival interruption.
Life Of Agony Finally the fourpiece appeared in Wacken. After the interruption they were the right band to refresh the crowd. Especially their classics as the opener „Underground“, „Through And Through“, Other Side Of The River“ as the relaxed „Weeds“ enthused the audience. This one freaked out to the great final consisting of „Method Of Groove“, „This Time“ and „River Runs Red“.
Santiano For the second time the Sailor Folk group participated in Wacken. To everyone’s surprise they covered together with special guest Alligaotah his song „Wie Zuhause“. To me their appearance became boring, but numerous fans seemed to enjoy and clapped their hands. They finished by the encores „Santiano“ and „Es Gibt Nur Wasser“
Meshuggah A few years ago the Swedish Tech Death gods finished the WOA with an amazing night set assisted by a phenomenal light show. This one became more impressing when it got darker during the late evening show. Besides that of course their music ruled, complex monsters as „Rational Gaze“, „Future Breed Machine“, „Stengah“ as „Violent Sleep Of Reason“ motivated numerous metalheads to headbang. The high-skilled musicians finished by „Bleed“ and „Demiurge“. Awesome!
D-A-D This time the late shift was up to the Danish Hard Rock evergreens. „Sleeping My Day Away“, „Monster Philosophy“, „Bad Craziness“ as „It’s After Dark“ invited to the last party of this night in front on the so-called stage. A mentionable number of spectators took part in having fun together.
Saturday
Faster Stage
Die Kassierer To place the Party Punk combo in the first position of the day on the main stages was a clever decision by the WOA-organization. The four madmen assembled a huge audience in front of the stage who just wanted to laugh and party. The humor level wasn’t too high. But fronter Wölfi Wendland had a different point of view advising they represent a high iq by drinking lots of alcohol. By „Stinkmösenpolka“ and „Partylöwe“ they finished a huge party in the noon.
Battle Beast The WOA Metal Battle winner of 2010 from Helsinki have evolved from the newcomer competition in the Bullhead City Circus tent to the hugest stages in Wacken over the years. Not too bad! Eyecatcher of the show was singer Noora Louhimo wearing a deer head. The sixpiece considered its new release by the opener „Unbroken“, „Endless Summer“, „The Hero“, „Eden“ and the title track of their recent release „No More Hollywood Endings“ without ignoring fans’ faves like „Out Of Control“ and „King For A Day“. A bit too pathetic for me, but they enthused their fans anyway.
Prophets Of Rage This Crossover-collaboration between musicians of Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill was another colorful contrast in this year’s WOA-billing. Besides a couple of tracks from their debut two years ago they enthused by classics of their main (ex)bands like the self-named opener „Prophets Of Rage“ (Public Enemy), „How I Could Just Kill A Man“ (Cypress Hill) as „Guerilla Radio“, „Take The Power Back“, „Sleep Now In The Fire“, „Bullet In The Head“, „Bulls On Parade“ and „Killing In The Name“ (RATM), to which the crowd freaked out jumping into one huge moshpit.
Powerwolf The Power Metal quintet with self-irony got welcomed by thousands of fans. Supported by several pyro and smoke effects they celebrated the metal mass during „Army In The Night“, „Amen & Attack“ as „Armata Strigoi“. Vocalist Attila Dorn really seemed deeply moved, he communicated pretty much in a very sympathic way. After „Resurrection By Errection“ the five wolves left the stage to return with the jubilated encores „Sanctified With Dynamite“, „Werewolves Of Armenia“ as „We Drink Your Blood“ and finally blessed the crowd.
Saxon After the modern breakdowns of Parkway Drive it was up to the NWOBHM-legend and WOA-friends Saxon to satisfy the fans of the classic sound. From „Motorcycle Man“ over „Wheels Of Steel“, „Strong Arm Of The Law“, „The Eagle Has Landed“, „Dogs Of War“ to „Heavy Metal Thunder“ Biff Byford & Co including their steel eagle over them left nearly no wish open. And those few ones who weren’t, got happy by the encores „Crusader“, „747 (Power Of The Night)“ and „Princess Of The Night“.
Harder Stage
Subway To Sally Usually the sevenpiece finishes every second WOA in alternation with the colleges from In Extremo deep in the night. But of course Folk Metal works while daylight as well. As the years before they considered many songs from the current album („Hey!“) by the opener „Messias“, „Island“, „Königin Der Käfer“, „Die Engel Steigen Auf“, „Alles Was Das Herz Will“, „Aufgewacht“ and „Ausgeträumt“, but didn’t forget their classics as „Kleid Aus Rosen“, „Eisblumen“ and „Veitstanz“. Their fans danced and sang along.
Of Mice & Men The Metalcore quartet took their chance and started furious by „Warzone“ and „Defy“ which left no doubt about their heaviness. With „Earth And Sky“ they presented a new song with hymn approach characterized by a very cool riff. By „How To Survive“ and „Mushroom Cloud“ further compositions from their forthcoming album followed. It wasn’t too crowded in front of the stage, but who was there, had fun while „Unbreakable“, „Instincts“ and the final „The Depths“ singing along and headbanging as the whole band did.
Bullet For My Valentine The Welsh Metalcore genre leaders appeared for its third time in Wacken and showed a bombastic as tight performance. Lead by Matt Tucker’s variable voice „4 Words (To Choke Upon)“, „Alone“, „Scream Aim Fire“ and „You Want A Battle? (Here’s A War)“ and „No Way Out“ let the numerous fans party by singing along as in mosh-pits. With the encores „Your Betrayal“, „Tears Don’t Fall“ and „Waking The Demon“ they finished a strong show.
Parkway Drive Three years after their phenomenal night shift this times the five guys from Byron Bay had a headliner role at the biggest metal festival. Flanked by torchbearers the band marched through the crowd to their main stage to start with Wishing Wells played without bassist Jia „Pie“ O’Connor. Then his mother rolled him on stage in a wheelchair after he had broken his knee on tour. Mrs. O’Connor joined crowdsurfing when the band let follow „Prey“, „Carrion“, „Vice Grip“ and „Karma“ while the masses completely freaked out. Supported by lots of special effects „The Void“, „Idols And Anchors“ and „Wild Eyes“ became a triumphant experience of musicians as fans. While „Writings On The Wall“ and „Shadow Boxing“ they got assisted by a string quartet. Fronter Winston McCall emphasized his fascination about their biggest show so far a couple of times. By the encores this amazing 105 minutes found its worthy end by the encores „Crushed“ and „Bottom Feeder“.
Rage To the 20th anniversary of their „XIII“-album the quartet around Peavy Wagner performed it in its entirety together with the Lingua Mortis Orchestra from „From The Cradle To The Grave“ to „Just Alone“ and finished by their classic „Higher Than The Sky“ sang by all the left fans. What an ending!
Louder Stage
Emil Bulls The noon started more than well with modern sounds. The fivpiece from Munich let the crowd jump and sing along to „The Jaws Of Oblivion“, „Here Comes The Fire“, „The Most Evil Spell“, „Nothing In This World“, „When God Was Sleeping“ and „Worlds Apart“. This refreshing appearance kicked ass.
Kvelertak The Norwegian Thrash Black fivepiece caused a lot of motion on as in front of the stage, especially fronter Ivar. „Bruane Brenn“, „Blodtorst“ as several other tracks let the supporters stomp the dust up from the ground.
Uriah Heep With 50 years (!) the Hard Rock band definitely was the oldest of the whole festival-edition as probably of the complete WOA-history. So the in comparison majorly younger spectators had the opportunity to find out this classic formation from the UK rocked by „Gypsy“ as „Easy Livin’“ during their first Wacken-gig ever.
Avatar The facepainted circus from Gothenburg assembled a respectable crowd in front of the stage although the as facepainted Powerwolf appeared right in the main stage neighborhood. From „A Statue Of The King“ to „Hail The Apocalypse“ their passionate fans supported them. To me this appearance was too much circus.
Eisbrecher The final Louder Stage concert of WOA 2019 got supported by a nice light show. The left spectators saw an interesting gig including the unavoidable highlight of vocalist Alexander Wesselsky’s ex-formation Megaherz, „Miststück“.
Conclusion:
Besides the two interruptions the weather was good. But those ones showed a working system for the security of the fans. The severe weather warning hat influences on th program: Nailed To Obscurity had the chance to play their canceled Bullhead City Circus – show later on the Beergarden Stage. The appearance of Evergrey couldn’t get postponed, so hopefully they’ll play at WOA 2022. Cradle Of Filth’s Harder Stage show could get postponed in the tent.
The prices for food and beverages stayed about the same like a 0,4 l can beer or softdrink still costed 4,- €.
On saturday night the Wacken organizers announced the first bands for 2020: Judas Priest, Amon Amarth, Sodom, Mercyful Fate, Hypocrisy, Death Angel, At The Gates, Venom, Sick Of It All, Cemican, Beast In Black and Nervosa! More announcements about confirmed bands will follow soon.
We enjoyed our Wacken 2019! So see you in Wacken 2020 – rain or shine! Special thanks go out the WOA-team & ICS Marketing GmbH! At the Wacken Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Mr. Welldone and Alex!