Summer Breeze
This introduction completely differs from all those other ones had been written by us in the past:
One day after coming back from the Wacken Open Air one colleague and me got tested positive on Covid-19 for the first time each. From then on it were eight days until the extra day to the 25th anniversary of the Summer Breeze as nine days till the start of the regular festival which included the Main Stage on wednesday for the first time. So while feeling pretty well in quarantine it became a countdown hoping to get tested negative again just in time.
The 8th day (tuesday): My colleague as me got tested positive with a weaker second line (You probably all know this in the meantime.) which still left hope for the next day. So the extra day including five bands with a long relation to the Summer Breeze back to its earliest days (Voodoo Kiss with SB-organizer/-founder Achim Ostertag, Crack Up, Apophis, Fleshcrawl & End Of Green) was canceled to us personally.
The 9th day (wednesday): Negative Test for my colleague as me! So we were ready to start with the most of our crew after we did the latest necessary shoppings. The euphoria must have been that huge that i just got caught by photo radar camera after a few hundred meters. Anyway: Everything was set for a huge Summer Breeze comeback after two years of pandemic absence headlined by Eisbrecher, Arch Enemy, Within Temptation, Blind Guardian & Heaven Shall Burn.
At this year’s Summer Breeze 130 bands appeared on 5 stages in four days for about 40000 visitors (Sold out!).
Wednesday
Main Stage
Raised Fist The Hardcore institution from Lulea was obviously motivated starting the Main Stage action after three too long years of silence on the musical centre of the festival area. By „Killing It“ as „Friends And Traitors“ the first mospits got started.
Caliban 25 years band history of one of Germany’s leading Metalcore formations at the 25th Summer Breeze was supposed to fit, so the pandemic kind of worked for this number constellation. Besides considering by „VirUS“ and the title track new songs from their new album „Dystopia“ the biggest circle-pits got animated by „Inferno“, „Davy Jones“ the Rammstein-cover „Sonne“ and the final „Memorial“.
Feuerschwanz No idea why this combo attracted that many spectators on the pretty filled Main Stage area. And so was the stage by musicians and dancers. All together celebrated a Folk Metal party producing one huge cloud of dust which ended by the encores consisting of the Manowar-cover „Warriors Of The World United“ and „Die Hörner Hoch“.
Eisbrecher It was up for the next act basing on german lyrics. The fievpiece around ex-Megaherz-fronter Alexx Wesselsky didn’t assemble as numerous supporters as Feuerschwanz, but they convinced by mentionable Headliner show production while „Eiszeit“, „This Is Deutsch“, the Megaherz-classic „Miststück“ as the set finishing Falco-cover „Out Of The Dark“ which caused several audience singalongs as motion.
Korpiklaani Another Folk Metal ensemble hit the Main Stage. This time it was up to the sixpack from the Finnish winter sports centre of Lahti. Despite their sound problems they entertained the crowd well. Celebrated tracks as „Jägermeister“, „Tequila“, „Beer Beer“ and „Vodka“ showed their message wasn’t too subtile.
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter After their keyboarder Dr. Pest had left them last year the East Germans shrinked to a quartet. Deep in the night they enthused their supporters by „Volle Kraft“ and „Von Freiheit Will Ich Singen“ from their new output „Wilde Kinder“ as by their faves „Reitermania“, „Friede Sei Mit Dir“ and „Es Wird Schlimmer“ before going to sleep or ending up at some bar for the following hours.
T-Stage
Testament The Bay Area Thrash Metal icon invaded the Nuclear Label Night which probably was the only reason they didn’t appear on the Main Stage instead of those party bands playing this evening at prime time. From the opener „Rise Up“ over „The New Order“, „Practise What You Preach“, „D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)“ to „Into The Pit“ Chuck Billy & Co animated numerous fans to headbang and celebrate an inspiring show resulting in the memorable final performing „Alone In The Dark“ together with Exodus-fronter Steve „Zetro“ Souza.
Paradise Lost Another legend followed by the British Gothic Metal inventors who held the high quality level. Especially their classic-related setlist took responsibility for that containing the opener „Enchantment“, „Forever Failure“, „Eternal“, „As I Die“ and „The Last Time“. Supported by a tight performance and the sympathic humor of vocalist Nick Holmes within his statements took care about an amazing hour around the T-Stage.
Wera Tool Rebel Stage
Siamese This year’s opener on the festival area filled the area in front ot the stage with the tent roof pretty well. The fans were hungry for live action celebrating „Holy“, „B.A.N.A.N.A.S.“ and „Numb“. Singer Mirza entertained well in German which he had learned in German refugee camps by watching talk shows as erotic shows on TV. It became more serious when he explained the civil war situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina before „Sloboda“ relating to the current one in the Ukraine. Remarkable was the violinist who switched to bass learning the latest two days due to the short-term reason the original fourstringer got diarrhea. Respect!
Thursday
Main Stage
Evile Eight years after their previous release „Skull“ the fourpiece published „Hell Unleashed“ within the pandemic of which they presented by the opener „Gore“, „The Thing (1982)“ and the title track new material for the little crowd being up early enough to watch the UK-Thrashers.
Darkest Hour Who haven’t been woken up by Evile got the chance by the Metalcore original from Washington, D.C.. Starting with the classics „Doomsayer (The Beginning Of The End)“ and „Demon(s)“ the quintet attracted much more fans in front of the stage who celebrated an intense show in the hot noon (Fronter John Henry wore a jacket anyway.) finished by „With A Thousand Words To Say But One“ and „The Sadist Nation“.
Ghostkid I got no idea why this Screamo average combo was allowed to play after one of the inventors of Metalcore. In outfits including make-up that reminded me of the movie „Twilight“ considered by „Fool“ to „Zero“ material from their self-titled debut release. The younger spectators seemed to enjoy it and not to care about shouter Sushi missing the tones.
Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen The Folk Rock Pirates took care about interaction as party with the audience. They handled their excercise well animating the crowd to dance to „Santa Sangria“, their cover of New Zealand’s traditional „The Wellerman“ as „Tortuga“.
Beast In Black Flanked by a huge backdrop showing the cover of their current album „Dark Connection“ the Classic Heavy Metal quintet from Helsinki showed a well-balanced set consisting of newer („Blade Runner“, „Hardcore“, „One Night In Tokyo“) as older tracks („Cry For A Hero“, „Blind And Frozen“, „End Of The World“).
Finntroll The next formation from Finnland’s capital hit the stage to bring back Pagan Metal to Dinkelsbühl. Corpsepaint as their artificial long ears looked a bit ridiculous while performing „Nattfödd“ as „Naktens Tid“. But why didn’t they play „Trollhammaren“?
Electric Callboy It was obvious numerous fans of the Electro Metal shooting stars were populating the festival ground because of the following shooting stars. Many of them wore wigs similar to those from their funny videos. So the crowd was ready to party, and what followed were 80 minutes of crazy stage-action and dancing as jumping supporters during „My Own Summer“, „Best Day“, „Crystals“ and MC Thunder“. Furthermore the band gave a an impression of the forthcoming album by new stuff as the opener „Pump It“, „Fuckboi“, „Spaceman“ and the encore „We Got The Moves“ performed together with some German TV show host.
Arch Enemy Could the international formation hold the high level with their Melodic Death Metal? Yes, they could! The Main Stage area stayed populated, and lead by Alissa White-Gluz this show became atmospheric as well. Surprisingly the fivepiece considered by „Deceiver, Deceiver“, „In The Eye Of The Storm“, „House Of Mirrors“, „Handshake With Hell“ and „The Watcher“ several songs from their brandnew release „Deceivers“. Even more headbanging had got animated by the classics like „Ravenous“, „My Apocalypse“, „Dead Eyes See No Future“ and „We Will Rise“ after which the band left the stage to return for the instrumental „Snow Bound“ as the following encore „Nemesis“ accompanied by much jubilation.
Avatar A bit too much image and freak show followed by the fivepiece from Gothenburg. While their fan base was having fun in the first rows the rest of the left spectators didn’ t seem to deal too much with their very different songs and its performance which ended by „Smells Like A Freakshow“ and „Hail The Apocalypse“.
Dark Tranquillity Gothenburg ruled thursday night: After Avatar the Melodic Death Metal inventors entered the stage to rule by their hymns. And „Monochromatic Stains“, „Terminus (Where Death Is Most Is Alive)“, „Final Resistance“, „ThereIn“ as the final „Misery’s Crown“ left no other option than an enthusiastic hour of celebrating and headbanging fans. Lead by the agile vocalist Mikael Stanne and the projected videos shown during all songs this night couldn’t have found a better end.
T-Stage
Omnium Gatherum The Melodic Death Metal quintet returned to Dinkelsbühl to perform another atmospheric show. By the opener „Emergence“, „Prime“, „Paragon“ and „Reckoning“ they considered several compositions from their latest album „Origin“. The present audience completely took part in celebrating these 45 minutes ending with „The Unknowing“, „New Dynamic“ and „Skyline“.
Wera Tool Rebel Stage
Dagoba The Modern Metal veterans from Marseille performed a passionate show around midnight. From the beginning of this show by „The Hunt“ and „Sunfall“ from their new masterpiece „By Night“ the fans were in motion by headbanging as by moshpits. Lead by vocalist Shawter these 45 minutes became triumphant for the quartet, especially the highlights „Inner Sun“ and the final „The Things Within“.
Friday
Main Stage
Bloodywood The newest hot shit in the metal genre opened the friday and filled up the area in front of the Main Stage. Numerous fans as rubbernecks wanted to watch the exotic Indian Folk Metal band from Delhi. The whole set based on their „Rakshak“ album from „Gaddaar“ to „Ari Ari“ and motivated the crowd to dance, jump and headbang.
Lorna Shore Less dancing, but still headbanging was the option for fans of the following Deathcore fivepiece from New Jersey which held the crowd in front of the Main Stage by their mixture between uptempo, breakdowns and all imaginable grunts as screams. By „Sun//Eater“ and „Cursed To Die“ they presented two new tracks from the forthcoming release.
Comeback Kid The Hardcore Punk institution celebrated its 20th anniversary and welcomed many fans. They started with the title track of their new album „Heavy Steps“ to let follow a best of set. „False Idols Fall“, „Crossed“, „G.M. Vincent & I“ and their hymn „Wake The Dead“ resulted in several circle-pits and loud jubilation.
Orden Ogan Is Power Metal a difficult genre for the Summer Breeze audience? Maybe it had been that way many years before. But the smaller audience got mainly caused by the heavy rain. So „Inferno“ as „Let The Fire Rain“ were the right description for the scenery.
Emil Bulls The latest longplayer „Kill Your Demons“ was released three years before the pandemic in 2017, so logically the fivepiece decided for a best-of set while it wasstill raining strong. Those supporters who stayed celebrated Crossover classics like „The Age Of Revolution“, „Smells Like Rock ‘n’ Roll“, „Nothing In This World“, „The Jaws Of Oblivion“ and „When God Was Sleeping“.
Hämatom Some kind of Rammstein-copy tried to entertain for the following hour and had no chance against the rain although they really tried to convince. The fourpiece considered by „Es Regnet Bier“ one track from the forthcoming release.
Alestorm Somehow it was no surprise the Scottish pirates knew how to deal with the rain. Whether they played material from their brand-new output „Seventh Rum Of A Seventh Rum“ by „Magellan’s Expedition“, the title track and „P.A.R.T.Y.“ as the fans’ longtime-faves like the opener „Keelhauled“, „The Sunk’n Norwegian“ and „Captain Morgan’s Revenge“, their die-hard fans ignored the rain and partied.
Within Temptation Surrounded by a stage set and supported by a respactable production, a cool light show and several effects the Dutch Symphonic Metal began by „The Reckoning“ and „Paradise (What About Us?)“. Highlights followed by Sharon den Adel waving the Ukrainian flag for „Raise Your Banner“ as by Annisokay-fronter Christoph Wieczorek supporting her on vocals for „Shed My Skin“. The audience applauded and sang along during the set which ended by „Ice Queen“. Tha band left the stage and returned with the encores „Solemn Hymn“, „Supernova“ and „Stairway To The Skies.“. And who thought something mising was completeley right: They returned agian for the final „Mother Earth“
Amorphis After beginning by „Northwards“ and „On The Dark Waters“ from their new „Halo“ album the six Finns served a thrilling best of program containing „Silver Bride“, „Into Hiding“, „Black Winter Day“, „My Kantele“ and „House Of Sleep“. The clear sound, the wonderful light show and the brilliant performance of the band made this hour to another event.
Lord Of The Lost The Gothic rock fivepiece from Hamburg assembled an astonishing number of fans on the festival ground deep in the night. By time their sound as show became pretty boring. Highlights were the Iron Maiden cover „Children Of The Damned“ as their hit „Die Tomorrow“.
T-Stage
Landmvrks The fivepiece from Marseille had the burden to appear in the starting rain. But somehow their Metalcore with progressive influences, single Djent riffs and atmospheric parts fascinated most of the people to stay and take part in. And that just didn’t happen because the first two songs „Lost In A Wave“ and „Rainfall“ fit to the scenery. Highlight became „Visage“ starting with a rap section in French speech by fronter Flo leading in a thrilling Metalcore riffing.
Jinjer One of the most awaited appearances didn’t happen on the Main Stage. Because of the war many visitors wanted to see the show of Ukraine’s most famous Metal band. This one convinced for another time by „Pit Of Consciousness“, „Perennial“ as „Pisces“ instrumental skills as moshpit lovers. Vocalist Tatiana Shmaylyuk throned over all and didn’t make too many statements about the war, but thanked for the commitment for peace and demanded they want their home back.
Insomnium The Finnish fourpiece created a special atmosphere by their Melodic Death Metal in the dark wet night. The riffs as the melodies of „Mortal Share“, „Unsung“ and „While We Sleep“ motivated many fans to headbang and earned much applause. Fronter Niilo made different statements in German dealing with fans as band enjoying the moment.
Vola One of the biggest highlights of this weekend happened deep in the night: The Prog Metal quartet with the unique sound opened by „24 Light-Years“ pretty silent to become louder within the sound. Vocals, backing vocals, riffs, drums, programming: It worked more than well during this hour. So „Alien Shivers“, „These Black Claws“, „Head Mounted Sideways“, „Stray The Skies“ as „Straight Lines“ became minutes of pure joy. Excellent!
Wera Tool Rebel Stage
Hangman’s Chair Some of the coolest live shows are those you’ve never expected just to watch. On my way to the T-Stage I passed the smaller one in the middle and heard a cool melodic as heavy Sludge Doom sound. Considering by „An Ode To Breakdown“, „Cold & Distant“ and „Who Wants To Die Old“ the first three songs of their new album „A Loner“ the groove from Paris caught everyone coming close to the tent roofed stage.
Saturday
Main Stage
Infected Rain With a delay the Moldovan shooting stars of Modern Metal opened by „Pendulum“. Vocalist Lena Scissorhands and her bandmates knew how to wake up the crowd from the first tone on. By a passionate and agile performance they fascinated while „Longing“, „Postmortem Pt.1“ and „Fighter“ from their new album „Ecdysis“ as by „The Earth Mantra“ or „Orphan Soul“. In the end Lena even assisted the securities catching the stagedivers. What a day-opener!
Nekrogoblikon It was time for serious skilled musicians and a less serious show. The double bass weirdos from California considered by „Golden Future“, „Going To Die“, „Bones“ and „This Is It“ four tracks from their recent release „The Fundemantal Slimes And Humours“. Star of the show was the dancing goblin drawing the most attention.
Brainstorm The Swabian quintet had appeared for several times at Summer Breeze in the past. But this time they had no luck: Heavy rain returned with the beginning of their show. So most spectators left quickly to some dryer places. Those who had stayed got fun with „Worlds Are Comin’ Through“ as „Shiva’s Tears“.
Fiddler’s Green Good luck for the sevenpiece while their home game: The rain stopped, and so they could fill up the festival ground although their latest output „The Devil’s Dozen“ is six years old. All was set for an Irish Folk party including the traditional covers „Whiskey In The Jar“, „The Wild Rover“ and „The Night Paddy Murphy Died“.
Dark Funeral Black Metal while daylight on a festival is always a risk. So the fivepiece from Stockholm was welcomed by just a few supporters. Considering their new output „We Are The Apocalypse“ by „Leviathan“, „When I’m Gone“ and „Let The Devil In“ the support didn’t differ that much from the reactions to the classics.
Bury Tomorrow Three years after their phenomenal performance on the latest Summer Breeze 2019 the Metalcore band from Southampton returned to Dinkelsbühl. And again they kept the numerous fans in action by jumping as moshpits by the opener „Choke“, „Earthbound“, „Knife Of Gold“, „More Than Mortal“, „Man On Fire“ and „Black Flame“. The only critical issue: The new backing vocalist / keyboarder Tom Prendergast got placed a bit too far away from shouter Danni Winter-Bates. But that probably will fit in soon. Strong show anyway!
Blind Guardian The time had come for the first appearance of the German Metal icon at Summer Breeze. This shouldn’t be the only extraordinary aspect about this appearance: After beginning with „After The Storm“, „Welcome To Dying“ and „Nightfall“ Hansi Kürsch & Co played „Somewhere Far Beyond“ in its whole entirety to its 30th anniversary. The fans had celebrated these nearly 45 minutes of classics they majorly hadn’t hear a long time ago before the encores „Time Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)“, „Mirror Mirror“ and „Valhalla“ concluded this special show.
Heaven Shall Burn Fot the other headliner of the evening it definitely wasn’t the first time in Dinkelsbühl. Germany’s leading Metalcore band returned with a respectable production including pyros as several other special effects. So everything was set for another extraordinary live experience. From the opener „My Heart And The Ocean“ over „Übermacht“, „Voice Of The Voiceless“, the Edge Of Sanity cover „Black Tears“, „Corium“, the nowadays even more important „Combat“, „Behind A Wall Of Silence“, „Endzeit“ to „Hunters Will Be Hunted“ several circle-pits moved over the whole festival area. But there’s never been a HSB-show at Summer Breeze that wasn’t outstanding.
Hypocrisy Numerous fans came to the last Death Metal showdown of this year’s Summer Breeze. After the newer „Worship“ the following „Fire In The Sky“ animated most of them to bang their heads. After an hour the great final consisting of „The Final Chapter“, „Fractured Millenium“ and „Roswell 47“ got everyone to move.
J.B.O. It was a good decision to place one of the fans’ faves to the latest position on the billing. So lots of them assembled in front of the stage deep in the last festival night. From the title track of their new record „Planet Pink“ till the Neil Young cover „Rockin’ In The Free World“ the spectators took their last chance to singalong and to party.
T-Stage
Ignite Could the new vocalist Eli Santana replace the almighty Zoli Teglas live? The answer is a clear „yes“! Whether songs from their self-titled new album like „Anti-Complicity Anthem“, „This Day“ and „The River“ or classics as „Poverty For All“, „Bleeding“, the semi-balad „Live For Better Days“ and „Veteran“ Eli as his new bandmates presented themselves very agile. And for another time they did a few smart statements about social issues between the songs and pointed out what they think about some little warlord. The highlight of the show happened when bassist Brett Rasmussen stepped into the crowd to initiate a respectable circle-pit.
Cypecore 14 years after they had participated in the SB New Blood Award the four Melodic Deathers made it to the second biggest stage in Dinkelsbühl. Suited in luminous futuristic costumes within a few flame as smoke special effects the visual aspect was guaranteed. And the acoustic one didn’t get worse: The opener „Dissatisfactory“, „The Alliance“, „The Hills Have Eyes“ as „Identity“ convinced completely.
Wera Tool Rebel Stage
Born From Pain Hardcore at its best as late night event, the Dutch fivepiece rocked the night. In between their smashers shouter Rob Franssen praised the spectators to keep up over this rainy weekend pointing out he couldn’t stand camping there. Band as crowd celebrated „Rise Or Die“, „The New Hate“ and „Stop At Nothing“.
Conclusion:
As it maybe obvious this weekend thrilled. The organization ran well, the billing was way more than well-balanced and the atmosphere was brilliant as always.
After all the sunny years in Dinkelsbühl 2022 was a rainy as muddy one. Anyway, after the latest two pandemic years we were happy to be back.
Biggest technical difference were the hugh video screens replacing the gargoyles next to the Main Stage. Most of the festival set up was the known as aprecciated one.
The food mile offered the well-known variety while most of the prices for food and beverages rose, but in regular dimensions (e.g. 5 € for 0,4 l can of beer or softdrink).
So we are looking forward to Summer Breeze 2023! Special thankts go out to Tony Brehm, Jagger & the SB-team! On the airfield of Dinkelsbühl / Sinnbronn rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Wirwa, Fleiter and Nina!