Full Force
It surely hadn’t been on the list of the new organizers when they started to manage the Full Force by the mentionable successul edition in 2019 that they have to pause the two following years due to the pandemic.
So even more bombastic the Metal festival returned to the city of iron. Despite the still present pandemic- related uncertainties of infection developments as regulations and although bands as Killswitch Engage, Of Mice & Men, Static-X, etc. had canceled their European dates including their Full Force – participation for different reasons the organizors offered a respectable billing lead by the megasellers Bullet For My Valentine, the comebackers The Ghost Inside and the local heroes Heaven Shall Burn on four stages.
Yes, four stages: After inventing the unique Sea Stage the last time in 2022 the organizers added the Backyard Stage in between large containers and a familiar open air club atmosphere.
Even more significant was the innovation of Cashless Payment which worked very well. The visitors were able to load their chips, which were included in the wrist-bands, and even got a bonus depending to the load. Visitors had the opportunity to load their chips at loading stations in Ferropolis as well. So everything was set for a huge return of the Full Force, and fans as musicians came realizing this unforgettable comeback weekend.
In Ferropolis 70 bands appeared on four stages for about 20000 visitors.
Friday
Mad Max Mainstage
Any Given Day The resurrection of the Mad Max Mainstage got celebrated by the Metalcore fivepiece from Gelsenkirchen. Their riffing combined with the catchy melodies resulting in songs as Apocalpypse“, „Endurance“ and „My Savior“ convinced the present audience causing the first crowdsurfers as a respectable wall of death. After a cool short speech about the war in Ukraine by fronter Dennis Diehl the cover of The Scorpions’ related „Wind Of Change“ became a bit too cheesy. We would have preferred another song composed by the band itself. Anyway, good start!
Comeback Kid The fivepiece from Winnipeg assembled numerous fans in front of the stage being curious about 45 minutes of first class Hardcore. Considering by the opening title track, „Crossed“, „Dead On The Fence“ and „Face The Fire“ songs from their new album „Heavy Steps“, classics as „Do Yourself A Favor“, „G.M. Vincent & I“, „Wasted Arrows“, „Broadcasting…“, „Die Knowing“ and the final „Wake The Dead“ caused singalongs as several moshpits in the audience.
Neck Deep Reducing the heavyness factor enormously the Welsh fivepiece enthused the open-minded spectators by their Melodic Punk. „Motion Sickness“, „Can’t Kick Up The Roots“, „Kali Ma“ as „In Bloom“ were the right soundtrack for the sunny afternoon atmosphere.
Zeal & Ardor Project founder as leader of the live band Manuel Gagneux introduced themselves advising they don’t talk too much. Assisted by two co-singers they performed their unique Avantgarde sound between Gospel and Black Metal. By the opener „Church Burns“, „Götterdämmerung“, „Death To The Holy“, „J-M-B“, „Feed The Machine“ and „I Caught You“ they considered several songs from their new self-titled masterpiece. Highlight of course became the band hymn „Devil Is Fine“.
Amaranthe To place a Symphonic Metal formation sounding a bit between Nightwish and Epica as co-headliner in Ferropolis was a little billing surprise. Although they had brought a big production and light show the female as male fronted band from Gothenburg didn’t convince too many spectators. Those ones who had stayed got entertained by the opener „Fearless“, „Hunger“, „Amaranthine“, „The Nexus“ and the final „Drop Dead Cynical“.
Bullet For My Valentine The Welsh quartet headlined the (With) Full Force for the third time. And the following 80 minutes should become huge. Supported by pyros and other effects Matt Tuck & Co considered by „Knives“ and „Shatter“ two songs of their current self-titled album, the rest of the show resulted in a best of program the fans were hungry for. „Waking The Demon“, „You Want A Battle (Here’s A War)“, „All These Things (Revolve Around Me)“ as „4 Words (To Choke Upon)“ motivated to much crowdsurfing, headbanging and singalongs. So the finale consisting of „Tears Don’t Fall“ and „Scream, Aim, Fire“ marked the end of an amazing show.
Medusa Seastage
Gutalax After a position change in the running order due to the cancelations of Konvent and Wargasam the four Czechs entered the stage in white costumes to enthuse by their Grindcore. Their seemingly mad supporters partied on the beach to „Strejda Donald“ as „Total Rectal“.
Infected Rain The Moldovans returned on the same stage on the beach where they had appeared the latest Full Force 2019. Lead by the variable voice of Lena Scissorhands the agile quintet convinced by „Black Gold“, „The Earth Mantra“, „Orphan Soul“ as by „Longing“, „Postmortem Pt. 1“ and „Fighter“ from their new album „Ecdysis“. Mentionable besides the strong performance was their visual solidarity with their neighbors in the Ukraine by the blue-yellow light show.
Orbit Culture The Melodic Death Metal act from Sweden took care about the headbangers in the audience for the following 40 minutes. „Strangler“, „The Shadowing“ as the final „Saw“ left no doubt about their live qualities.
Suicide Silence It was up to the US Deathcore formation to thrill the beach. As always the fiveCalifornians enthused a couple of fans in circle-pits during the opener „Unanswered“, „You Only Live Once“, „Wake Up“ and „No Pity For A Coward“ while others got bored by their monotonous sound.
Equilibrium The Pagan sixpack started with „Renegades – A Lost Generation“ into their set. A couple of headbangers celebrated them. To the majority of the audience their The Hooters – cover „Johnny B.“ became the highlight of the show while „Born To Be Epic“ as the final „Blut Im Auge“ just fascinated their fans again.
Hardbowl Tentstage
Landmvrks The Metalcore-fivepiece from Marseille filled the Tentstage completely appearing in the evening prime time. Their show got much support celebrating „Lost In A Wave“, „Blistering“, „Say No Word“ as „Visage“ beginning with a French rap-part. A couple of fans climbed up the tent’s framework, the rest had fun on the ground.
Saturday
Mad Max Mainstage
Oceans It was up to the fourpiece from Vienna to start the Mainstage action for the second day. And their Metalcore seemed to be the right sound for this. Mainly concentrating on tracks from their longplayer debut as their Eps the band attracted by„Icarus“, „The Awakening“, „Home“ as „We Are Not Okay“ several spectators in front of the stage and initiated the first wall of death of the day.
Emil Bulls After the too long live break the quintet from Munich opened intensively by „The Age Of Revolution“. Although they had to replace their bassist due to short-termed sickness reasons it seemed like nothing could stop them. The numerous fans celebtrated the best-of-set ending in the great finale consisting of „The Jaws Of Oblivion“, „When God Was Sleeping“ and „Worlds Apart“.
Kvelertak Another best-of-program got offered by the Black Thrash Rock ‘n’ Rollers from Stavanger. Lead by three guitars the band celebrated its appearance itself not too less: One guitarist did crowdsurfing while fronter Ivar Nikolaisen laid down on his back and poured himself with beer, maybe because of being overheated wearing a leather jacket while in the pure outdoor heat. Blodtorst became the hit of the show anyway.
Frog Leap What followed, probably was the biggest surprise of the weekend. Norwegian youtuber Leo Moracchioli formed an astonishing tight band to perform Metal interpretations of famious classics. And they did so well, it took seconds to have the crowd on their side enjoying and partying from Ray Parker jr.’s „Ghostbusters“ and Survivor’s „Eye Of The Tiger“ over Toto’s „Africa“ as Rage Against The Machine’s „Killing In The Name“ to the „Pokémon Theme“ and Adele’s „Hello“. The whole audience was jumping and singing. No doubt, this was one of the live highlights of the FF2023-edition.
Beartooth The Metalcore / Rock ‘n’ Roll formation from Columbus returned after their triumphant appearance at Full Force 2019 as co-headliner, and this turned out to become well-deserved. Performing a balanced set between songs from their recent album „Below“ („Devastation“, „Dominate“ and the finale consisting of „The Past Is Dead“ as „The Last Riff“) and classics (the opener „The Lines“, „Body Bag“, „Disease“, „In Between“). Lots of fans participated in moshpits celebrating Caleb Shomo and his band.
The Ghost Inside Seven years ago the band had it’s fateful day with a terrible tour bus accident crashing together with a truck with both drivers dead, drummer Andrew Tkaczyk losing one leg and guitarrist Zach Johnson losing two toes. In the following years and much rehabilitation of its injured musicians they had worked for their comeback until the pandemic stopped them. So Full Force 2022 finally was their comeback show as a headliner. From the opener „Avalanche“ on it was clear these 85 minutes should become triumphant ones. The lots of fans sang along loud, jumped and took part in moshpits. After
„Engine 45“ had been sung by thousands the band finished its regular set. By the encores „1333“, „Still Alive“ and the self-therapy „Aftermath“ a memorable performance ended, while the last song started the Full-Force-fireworks. Emotional as outstanding!
Medusa Seastage
Blackout Problems The program at the beach got started by the fourpiece from Munich which caught the attention of several visitors by their Alternative Rock in the hot sun. Gatecreeper A much harder sound was supposed to follow. The quintet from Phoenix performed pure Death Metal. Their blastbeat motivated several fans to headbang and start moshpits. Moscow Death Brigade The Hardcore Hip Hoppers took care about a good mood in the audience under sunshine with their rap verses as synthesizer sound. But nevertheless the trio from Moskva made clear they are completely against the Russian war in the Ukraine. So there was no doubt to „Break The Mold“ with them.
Rotting Christ The opener „666“ showed the direction the following 45 minutes were about. While the first dark clouds of the weekend got sighted at the horizon the quartet from Athens celebrated their Black Metal. Lead by mainman Saki Tolis they animated several heabangers by „Apage Santana“, „In Yumen-Xibalba“ and „King Of A Stellar War“.
Swiss & Die Andern Punkrock in the evening seemed to be the right set-up for numerous spectators. So the formation from Hamburg convinced by their anti-nazi-comments as by „Landgang“, „Asche Zu Staub“ as „Punkah Auf Sri Lanka“.
Soilwork To begin while the co-headliner still was appearing weren’t the best circumstances, the Swedes managed it anyway. And after a few minutes the beach got more populated. By the opener „Overgivenheten“ as „Nous Sommes la Guerres“ they even introduced two songs from their forthcoming new album. Besides that vocalist Björn Strid & Co inspired by a great as tight performed set containing „Nerve“, „Stabbing The Drama“, „Death Diviner“ as „Bastard Chain“ in the dark night. Wonderful!
Hardbowl Tentstage
Bleed From Within The fivepiece from Glasgow assembled numerous fans in the tent. Those ones celebrated their Metalcore considering the brandnew album „Shrine“ by the opener „I Am Damnation“, Flesh And Stone“ as „Levitate“. Even more crowdsurfing and headbanging got caused by the more familiar „Pathfinder“, „Ascend“, and „The End Of All We Know“. Supported by pyro effects the Scots surely found new fans.
Backyard Stage
Sianese Supported by a violin the Melodic Modern Metal quintet from Denmark performed a real highlight on the smallest stage. „Holy“, „B.A.N.A.N.A.S.“ as „Can’t Force The Love“ let the audience jump and celebrate the show. Before „Sloboda“ singer Mirza Radonjica told about his Bosnian origin, war experiences and to take therapeutic help due to mental problems resulting in applause. Remarkable performance!
Dropout Kings The double-fronted sixpack from Phoenix performed an agile gig. Especially Eddie Wellz singing and jumping in sandals showed the cool attitude of the band. The „Glitch Gang“ showed no problems to inspire the present spectators.
Sunday
Mad Max Mainstage
Imminence And it even became hotter on sunday! A hard slot for the first Mainstage band. But the Swedes did very well with their fresh Metalcore sound. And they performed their live setlist vice versa: Beginning by older songs (the opener „The Sickness“, „Paralyzed“, „Erase“) and ending with those ones from their new album „Heaven In Hiding“ („Temptation“, the title track, „Alleviate“). Furthermore significant were the passages in which the variable vocalist Eddie Berg played the violin.
Silverstein Middle fingers against the sun got demanded by singer Shane Told didn’t help too much reducing the temperatures. The Canadians assembled an astonishing number of supporters in front of the stage jumping and creating a few circle-pits. By „Bankrupt“, „Ultraviolet“ and „It’s Over“ they considered three tracks from their brandnew output „Misery Made Me“. Especially the end including „Smashed Into Pieces“, „Infinite“ and „Smile In Your Sleep“ let no foot left on the floor.
Bury Tomorrow The Metalcore instiution from Southampton opened by „Choke“, and besides their indisputable live qualities first of all it took from the opener „Choke“ on a couple of minutes to get used to the circumstance the clean vocals didn’t come anymore from former guitarist Jason Cameron, but from the new keyboarder Tom Prendergast instead. To us his position got placed a bit too far in the background in the corner next to the drumriser. Anyway, animated by main vocalist / shouter Danni Winter-Bates band as fans celebrated „The Age“, „Earthbound“, „Black Flame“ as „Cannibal“ and another awesome life performance enormously.
Boysetsfire The Post Hardcore icon from New Jersey seemingly had a home game. The Main Stage ground was filled and the fans motivated to move for a best of set beginning strong by „After The Eulogy“, „Requiem“ and „Release The Dogs“ over „My Life In A Knife Trade“ as „Closure“ to „Empire“ and „Rookie“. Combined with some good announcements of fronter Nathan Gray this show became inspiring in any way.
Stick To Your Guns Like in 2019 (while a show of Beartooth) we had the opportunity for a visit on top of one of the huge excavators again. From this heigth it was even more astonishing to watch the motion in the crowd during the STYG-show. Even the still unreleased „Weapon“ and „More Of Us Than Them“ got supported by much crowdsurfing and moshpit action. Animated by an agile performance these 50 minutes were pure action leading into the classics finale consisting of „Amber“, „Such Pain“ and „Against Them All“.
Heaven Shall Burn Finally it was time for the great return of Germany’s leading Metalcore band and regional heroes celebrating their home game at Ferropolis. After playing in Roitzchjora about every second year their latest (With) Full Force appearance had been 2015. So everybody was curious about the live return of HSB. They started fulminantly by „The Heart And The Ocean“ as the Edge Of Sanity – cover „Black Tears“. Pyro flames as other special effects on the one, crowdsurfer and moshpits on the other side became usual during „Voice Of The Voiceless“, „Corium“, „Behind A Wall Of Silence“, „Combat“ and „Endzeit“. The nowadays long-haired shouter Marcus Bischoff showed himself self-ironic
praising his well-trained physis to the security. Guitarist Maik Weichert held a serious speech about solidarity with the weak and the fight against fascism resulting in much jubilation. „Hunters Will Be Hunted“ set the end of another amazing HSB-show. After the show fronter Marcus did some crowdsurfing to be close to the fans.
Medusa Seastage
Rolo Tomassi The variable voice of Eva Korman ruled the beach in the hot early afternoon. Her grunts as clean vocals combined with the performed Jazzcore might have confused most of the present visitors. Besides material from their new release „Where Myth Becomes Memory“ it became time for the first „Party Wounds“ of the day.
Blood Youth The quartet from UK had to deal with a smaller crowd due to 35 degrees Celsius. But nevertheless they performed agile. Their variable Hardcore definitely rocked by material from their current release „Visions Of Another Hell“ („Iron Lung“, „Body Of Wire“, „Colony3“, „Cells“) as by older ones („Making Waves“, „Starve“, „Spineless“).
The Rumjacks Australians playing Irish Folk Rock don’t happen much too often, but this combo from Sidney did so. From „Kirkintilloch“ to „An Irish Pub Song“ and the traditional cover „I’ll Tell Me Ma“ this worked pretty well animating the audience to dance and sing along.
Me & That Man The Country-side-project of Behemoth-mainman Adam Darski aka. Nergal was supposed to bring the right chill-out mood on the beach in the setting sun. And so did the opener „Under The Spell“, „My Church Is Black“, „Surrender“, „Nightride“ as „Burning Churches“ to several spectators. Also much applause got Nergal’s declaration against the Russian war in the Ukraine.
Skynd The final show at the beach was one of most weird I have ever seen. The Industrial trio from Australia performed very strange songs about mass and ritual murderers. Especially the track „Columbine“ (named by a tragic mass shooting at the so called High School) with the chrous lyrics „Ratatatata…“ seemed disproportional in the first place although it surely wasn’t meant that way, and besides this the performance bored us musically as well. Others seemed to enjoy this show as their applause showed.
Conclusion:
Again we enjoyed the Seastage with its special flair at the beach, but also because of its bands. The after-headliner-programs Knüppelnacht, Saturday Night Fever and Last Supper weren’t a part of the billing, therefore the live-action happened on four stages including the new Backyard Stage. The organization worked well, especially relating to the water supply while the hot summer temperatures.
The prices increased as at every other big festival (e.g. 5,50 € for 0,4 l beer), the variety of food was huge as always.
Our special thanks go out to Tobias Zwiebel, Vincenzo Sarnelli, Matthias Lumm, Good Live GmbH and the FF-team!
In the city of iron rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi and Wirwa!