{"id":1961,"date":"2015-09-28T15:05:35","date_gmt":"2015-09-28T14:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=1961"},"modified":"2016-06-28T15:16:03","modified_gmt":"2016-06-28T14:16:03","slug":"wacken-2015-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=1961","title":{"rendered":"Wacken 2015 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air<\/strong>
\nThis year’s WOA could be named as the Waterworld edition. From our first Wacken-participation in 1997 we have experienced several weather scenarios including two or three very wet and muddy ones, but this time was special. From the weekend it had rained all the time before the first visitor rushes started. So the grounds never had any chance to let the warter drain.
\nAt this point where many other festivals would have seen no other chance to capitulate the WOA organization showed its professionalism based on all the gained experiences: They reorganized the campsite after several areas had been flooded. So to get more space this year camping and parking got divided at several areas after some information on the official Wacken website, other spectators were advised to car parks from as to where short-termed organized shuttle busses drove all the time. The fans reacted cool and partied as the years before. The weather became almost dry from friday on, and on saturday the sun even shined most of the time. So the mud recreated itself to a much more stabile ground.
\nMusically the billing impressed by the headliners In Flames and Judas Priest as by rare shows of U.D.O. in collaboration with an army orchestra, Rob Zombie, Running Wild, the Rock Meets Classic – ensemble, Amorphis performing their \u201eTales From The Thousand Lakes\u201c – album, Samael performing their \u201eCeremony Of Opposites\u201c – album, etc.. But the big memorable highlight was the sensational comeback of the almighty Savatage in collaboration with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing simultaneously on both neighbored big stages a unique concert! Besides that the WOA organization installed huge LED video screens as digital backdrops on the two biggest stages. Judas Priest used those ones to show the album covers while each title, all Dream Theater songs got visual support by individual video clips, other bands used them just to visualize their backdrops.
\nAt this year’s Wacken Open Air appeared 116 bands on the five regular stages (besides several shows on the Beer Garden Stage, the Wackinger Stage and the Wasteland Stage) in four days for about 75000 visitors (Sold out just a few days after last year’s edition!).<\/p>\n

Wednesday<\/strong>
\nW.E.T. Stage<\/strong>
\nUli Jon Roth<\/strong> The guitar virtuoso and his sidekicks presented a classic Rock show that turned out rocking as atmospheric. The whole set consisted of his Scorpions era like the opener \u201eAll Night Long\u201c, \u201eThe Sails Of Charon\u201c, \u201eIn Trance\u201c or \u201eVirgin Killer. The bandleader showed himself very thankful for the massive applause from the audience.<\/p>\n

Headbanger Stage<\/strong>
\nNew Model Army<\/strong> It wasn’t just this kind of monsoon outside which had populated the tent. Many especially older visitors wanted to watch the British Independent legend. Mainman Justin Sullivan and his bandmates seemed happy as motivated to perform the WOA debut. After \u201eMarch In September\u201c, \u201eWonderful Way To Go\u201c and \u201eBetween Dog And Wolf\u201c they finished by the classic \u201eI Love The World\u201c. But why they hell did they decide not to play \u201eVagabonds\u201c and the hit \u201e51st State\u201c?
\nEurope <\/strong>Finally: The Swedish Hardrock icon were one of the very few well-known acts I hadn’t seen before. After starting by the title track and \u201eHole In My Pocket\u201c with two tracks from the new album \u201eWar Of Kings\u201c which got considered by its first seven songs the classic \u201eSuperstitous\u201c took care about the packed tent waiting for those classics. Besides nice announcements in clear German the Swedes around vocalist Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum convinced by their very tight performed setlist containing 17 tracks which just let miss classics like \u201eOpen Your Heart\u201c, \u201eCherokee\u201c, \u201eCarrie\u201c and \u201ePrisoners In Paradise\u201c. The crowd’s singalongs as jubilation raised enormously when the quintet played \u201eRock The Night\u201c before returning with the hit \u201eThe Final Countdown\u201c. The best wednesday tent headliner of all times so far for sure!<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nU.D.O.<\/strong> This collaboration between the german tank, his band and the Bundeswehr Musikkorps was kind of a little preparation what was about to happen later about integrating an orchestra on both stages. But just kind of, their interpretations of the opener \u201eAnimal House\u201c, \u201eIndependence Day\u201c, \u201eMan And Machine\u201c and \u201eFaceless World\u201c didn’t really work, band- as orchestra-contributions didn’t fit. So the ensemble finished by the Accept-classics \u201eMetal Heart\u201c and \u201ePrincess Of The Dawn\u201c a unique U.D.O. live show, but there’s no need for any repetition.
\nRob Zombie<\/strong> After the big expectation and the following disappointment of last year’s WFF this time there had been announced the full show Rob Zombie is very well-known for overseas can be expected. But many show effects got stuck at the customs. Maybe this was one reason for Rob seeming that uninspired. Anyway, this can’t be an excuse. But at least the White Zombie hits \u201eMore Human Than Human\u201c and \u201eThunder Kiss ’65\u201c were the only highlights in an unspectecular set which got finished by the solo debut hit \u201eDragula\u201c as an encore.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/strong>
\nSkyline <\/strong>Same procedure as every year: The ex-band of WOA organizer Thomas Jensen traditionally opened the program on the big stages by a couple of cover versions like Deep Purple’s \u201eHighway Star\u201c, Iron Maiden’s \u201eRun To The Hills\u201c, Rammstein’s \u201eEngel\u201c and Rainbow’s \u201eKill The King\u201c.
\nIn Extremo<\/strong> The Folk Metal sevenpiece is very familiar to the Wacken audience. So they had an easy excercise to animate the fans singing and jumping to the opener \u201eFrei Zu Sein\u201c, \u201eSpielmannsfluch\u201c, \u201eOmnia Sol Temperat\u201c, \u201eA Vis Lo Lop\u201c and the final \u201eRasend Herz\u201c and let them forget about the weather caused complications of the days before.<\/p>\n

True Metal Stage & Black Stage<\/strong>
\nSavatage & Trans-Siberian Orchestra<\/strong> The time had come for one of the biggest comebacks in Metal: In the line-up of \u201eWake Of Magellan\u201c Savatage opened by \u201eGutter Ballet\u201c on the left-handed Black Stage, and the masses jubilated loudly. While the following \u201e24 Hours Ago\u201c, \u201eEdge Of Thorns\u201c, \u201eJesus Saves\u201c, \u201eDead Winter Dead\u201c and \u201eHall Of The Mountain King\u201c Jon Oliva and Zak Stevens alternated behind the lead vocals microphone. The following second part of the show let the fans focus to the True Metal Stage on the right side where the Trans-Siberian Orchestra began their Rock \/ Classic show. This couldn’t hold the high level of the first Savatage part, but showed art at its best. In the third part Metal musicians as orchestra members together filled both stages to perform in an impressing tight performance compositions like \u201eTurns To Me\u201c, \u201eAnother Way\u201c (supported by Symphony X vocalist Russel Allen), \u201eMozart And Madness\u201c, \u201eMorphine Child\u201c and \u201eChristmas Eve 12\/24\u201c. This whole show got supported by nine video screens, lots of visual special effects like pyros, smoke columns, dancing choreographies, etc.. The emotional highlight became \u201eBelieve\u201c which of course got dedicated to the passed mainman Chris Oliva. The musical highlight got set by \u201eChance\u201c. The famous canon was sung from several protagonists of both stages as all over the festival area. This was one of those rare concert experiences everybody won’t forget. Awesome!<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nEnsiferum <\/strong>The Folk Metal formation from Finland alway is a magnet to attract many supporters in the noon in front of the stage, and the dry weather helped this effect furthermore. The fivepiece started by the intro \u201eMarch Of War\u201c, \u201eAxe Of Judgement\u201c and \u201eHeathen Horde\u201c with material from the new release \u201eOne Man Army\u201c to let follow a best of program getting celebrated by the Pagan- and\/or party-related fans.
\nKvelertak <\/strong>The Norwegian Black Punk sixpack set on attack from the first tone on. Much action on stage as an aggressive performance of \u201eEvig Vandrar\u201c, \u201eBloodtors\u201c, \u201eFossegrim\u201c and \u201eBruane Brenn\u201c inspired the first rows to move and found the applause of all the rows behind. Others just enjoyed it as a soundtrack for the very first sunshine after days of rain.
\nQueensryche <\/strong>After years fans had wished the Prog Metal legend to appear in Wacken the time finally had come: And it started with the inspiring \u201eOperation Mindcrime\u201c intro-instrumental \u201eAnarchy-X\u201c. In contrast to the first years after splitting from original singer Sharon Tate the quintet considered by \u201eBreaking The Silence\u201c, \u201eThe Needle Lies\u201c and \u201eEyes Of A Stranger\u201c further songs from this masterpiece. Besides this highlights the older classics \u201eWarning\u201c, \u201eQueen Of The Reich\u201c and the final \u201eTake Hold Of The Flame\u201c enthused the fans. The new vocalist Todd La Torre convinced and the band’s tightness was brilliant. By \u201eArrows Of Time\u201c the band even presented a new song from the forthcoming album.
\nDream Theater<\/strong> The nowadays No. 1 in Progressive Metal also played for the very first time in Wacken. They began as impressed by \u201eAfterlife\u201c, \u201eMetropolis Pt.1: The Miracle And The Sleeper\u201c and \u201eBurning My Soul\u201c while movie clips were shown on the digital backdrop each song. Individual brilliance as tightness reigned on as in front of the stage, and over all throned the voice of James LaBrie. After these described 20 minutes of madness the ballad \u201eThe Spirit Carries On\u201c really touched and turned a few fans to tears as it was shown on the video walls. But harder tracks like the following \u201eAs I Am\u201c and \u201eConstant Motion\u201c inspired the fans as well. The individual skills were obvious, but this still was a convincing and enthusing band performance although it was a bit static as expected because of the musical complicity approach. Awesome!
\nIn Flames<\/strong> To the surprise of all the Melodic Death Metal icon opened by the band anthem \u201eOnly For The Weak\u201c. What didn’t surprise was a nearly perfect sound, many special effects like pyros, smoke or confetti and an outstanding light show which included the encircling lights of the neighbored Black Stage. Supported by these visual effects the fivepiece and especially by the still present as obvoius motivation the band had no problem to animate the packed festivalsite to headbang, sing and even jump on the muddy floor to \u201eBullet Ride\u201c, \u201eAlias\u201c, \u201eDeliver Us\u201c, \u201eCloud Connected\u201c and \u201eThe Quiet Place\u201c. By \u201eEverything’s Gone\u201c, \u201eParalyzed\u201c and \u201eRusted Nail\u201c three tracks from the recent \u201eSiren Charms\u201c release got integrated into the set. Especially the only white-suited fronter Anders Frid\u00e9n showed his entertainer qualities between the songs. So the band finished another first class headliner show by the stirring \u201eThe Mirror’s Truth\u201c, \u201eTake This Life\u201c and \u201eMy Sweet Shadow\u201c.
\nThe Bosshoss<\/strong> The Cowboy Rock ‘n’ Roll combo also known from german TV returned to Wacken to party. And in this late night this plan worked for many people, but not for me. In my opinion this slot could have been filled by a more talented band. Anyway, the staying part of the crowd celebrated the set including the final covers of Cameo (\u201eWord Up\u201c) and Tony Joe White (\u201ePolk Salad Annie\u201c).<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/strong>
\nEpica<\/strong> All the rain and mud of the last night(s) didn’t hold the fans at the campsite: 11 a.m. and the festival area was pretty populated. The Dutch mainly concentrated by the opener \u201eThe Second Stone\u201c, \u201eThe Essense Of Silence\u201c, \u201eVictims Of Contigency\u201c and \u201eUnchain Utopia\u201c on the current release \u201eThe Quantum Enigma\u201c and impressed by a very tight symphonic appearance lead by the pretty vocalist Simone Simons while the pyro flames got blown to the side by the wind.
\nSepultura <\/strong>Brasil’s finest declared by the digital backdrop their 30th anniversary and presented itself on top. They performed a well-balanced set between old and new. Especially the first set half was dominating classics as the opener \u201eTroops Of Doom\u201c, \u201eInner Self\u201c, \u201eArise\u201c, \u201eRefuse\/Resist\u201cand \u201eRoots, Bloody Roots\u201c guaranteed the atmosphere and kept the crowd moving while the sun shined for the first time. And so this worked later on while \u201eChoke\u201c, \u201eKairos\u201c and the Mot\u00f6rhead cover \u201eOrgasmatron\u201c as well. Derrick Green, Andreas Kisser & Co showed themselves very motivated as tight, so they still haver further good years to come.
\nAt The Gates<\/strong> The founders of the Gothenburgh Melodic Death Metal sound invaded the stage and raised the speed as heaviness degree. The newer smashers from the recent comeback album \u201eAt War With Reality\u201c like the opener \u201eDeath And The Labyrinth\u201c, the title track, \u201eThe Circular Ruins\u201c, \u201eHeroes And Tombs\u201c and \u201eThe Book Of Sand (The Abominations)\u201c inspired hundreds to headbang as of course the classics \u201eTerminal Spirit Disease\u201c, \u201eUnder A Serpent Sun\u201c, \u201eNausea\u201c, \u201eKingdom Gone\u201c and the final hit \u201eBlinded By Fear\u201c did. Fronter Tomppa was always in motion and got the audience’s sympahty stating: \u201eWe don’t like Death Metal, we love Death Metal!\u201c
\nOpeth <\/strong>In contrast to their latest WOA participation the quintet from Stockholm mixed their set instead of dividing it into an old and a new era part. First of all they started with \u201eEternal Rains Will Come\u201c and \u201eCusp Of Eternity\u201c before mainman Mikael Akerfeldt introduced the band stressing they had come \u201eall the way from Hannover\u201c catching the first collective laugh. This continued later when he joked to a stagehand: \u201eGet of my stage, bitch.\u201c Collective headbanging and celebration got achieved by the classics \u201eThe Drapery Falls\u201c and the amazing final consisting of \u201eHeir Apparent\u201c, \u201eThe Grand Conjuration\u201c and \u201eDeliverance\u201c. Generally I have seen many better Opeth shows, but that’s dependent to the style they play which changed with the latest two albums.
\nBlack Label Society<\/strong> Supported by a clear powerful sound Zakk Wylde and his comrades started with \u201eThe Beginning \u2026 At Last\u201c and \u201eFuneral Bell\u201c into their set. The following hymn \u201eBleed For Me\u201c set the first accent which inspired much headbanging as singalongs in the crowd. The band acted tight, and Zak showed by his abilities he could be counted to one of the most blessed musicians appearing on this festival. This became even more obvious when he switched behind the piano to perform the mighty ballad \u201eIn This River\u201c while the digital backdrop showed an image of the passed Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell.
\nRunning Wild<\/strong> For the third time after 2003 and 2009 the pirates around mainman Rock ‘n’ Rolf returned to Wacken. The fact they did that after another six years astonished because in 2009 it was declared as the last show. But as it often happens the fourpiece restarted their comeback, and they set by the band hymn \u201eUnder Jolly Roger\u201c the first mark as the opener. In contrast to six years ago the band seemed really motivated. But in my opinion they could have picked a few more classics as \u201eRiding The Storm\u201c or the final \u201eBad To The Bone\u201c instead of playing that much newer material like the world premiere of \u201eInto The West\u201c from the forthcoming album. Anyway, Running Wild is back!<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/strong>
\nAngra <\/strong>It was a tough position to appear in the morning in front of a muddy field. But those fans who came shouldn’t regret it. The quintet around the only left original member, guitarist Raphael Bittencourt and ex-Rhapsody-vocalist Fabio Lione let the fans enjoy by the opener \u201eNewborn Me\u201c, \u201eStorm Of Emotions\u201c and \u201eFinal Light\u201c. 16 years after their first WOA-participation the second main stage band from Brasil performed by \u201eAngel’s Cry\u201c, \u201eNothing To Say\u201c and \u201eCarry On\u201c three classics.
\nFalconer <\/strong>The fivepiece offered Pagan Metal of its better kind. Although the Swedes had technical as climatic sound problems caused by the wind entertained and earned much applause. Especially their voice Matthias Blad enthused by his clear melodic organ. So it was nice to have them back on a Wacken stage after eight years. I hope after the finishing \u201eClarion Call\u201c we won’t have to wait a comparable long time.
\nStratovarius <\/strong>The Finish Melodic Metal institution can be called as familiar guests in Wacken. In this line-up after their restart it was the second one, and again they rocked on the Party Stage. A band which can call that many classics like the opener \u201eBlack Diamond\u201c, \u201eAgainst The Wind\u201c, \u201eParadise\u201c or \u201eSpeed Of Light\u201c their own, owns all it needs to convince in Wacken. And so they did. Lead by vocalist Timo Kotipelto and keyboarder Jens Johansson the quintet introduced by \u201eShrine In The Dark\u201c a new song from the forthcoming album. So they finished a succesful show by \u201eHunting High And Low\u201c animating to massive singalongs.
\nAnnihilator <\/strong>The Thrash Metal icon from Ottawa returned to Wacken, and this time with mastermind as guitar genius Jeff Waters as the only singer after sharing the vocals with Dave Padden over the last 12 years. The fourpiece opened by the title track of the current album \u201eSuicide Society\u201c before starting into a best of program. For \u201eSet The World On Fire\u201c Dream Theater’s Mike Mangini who had played on this masterpiece returned behind the drums. This stamping evergreen as \u201eKing Of The Kill\u201c, \u201eRefresh The Demon\u201c, \u201eW.T.Y.D.\u201c, \u201ePhantasmagoria\u201c, \u201eSecond To None\u201c and of course the band hymn \u201eAlison Hell\u201c animated the crowd to headbang. A great show in which I missed Padden a bit causing a cool alternation and keeping Waters more flexible. Anyway, I stated: Great show!
\nOomph!<\/strong> It could have become kind of a release show because this day the new output of the band from Wolfsburg got published. They started with its new track \u201eAlles Aus Liebe\u201c and preferred to play familiar ones like \u201eTr\u00e4umst Du\u201c?, \u201eWunschkind\u201c, \u201eGekreuzigt\u201c and of course the hit \u201eAugen Auf\u201c as finisher.
\nWithin Temptation<\/strong> It was up to the Dutch to enthuse with their Gothic\/Symphonic Metal from midnight on. Supported by video clips on the digital backdrop and the fantastic light show they did. Sharon Den Adel’s voice carried the melodic sound and inspired the numerous fans to singalongs during \u201eFaster\u201c, \u201eStand My Ground\u201c, \u201eAngels\u201c, the Lana del Rey cover \u201eSummertime Sadness\u201c, \u201eWhat Have You Done\u201c and \u201eIce Queen\u201c before entering the stage again for the encores \u201eSin\u00e9ad\u201c, \u201eCovered By Roses\u201c and \u201eMother Earth\u201c.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nPowerwolf <\/strong>Two years ago the wolves performed by very hot temperatures nearly up to 40 degrees. This year after the days of rain they entered the stage on the friendliest day of the Wacken weekend. After a few sound problems they animated the masses of fans to celebrate \u201eArmy Of The Night\u201c, \u201eArmata Strigoi\u201c and the title track of their brandnew album \u201eBlessed & Posessed\u201c as much as the well-known opener \u201eSanctified With Dynamite\u201c, \u201eAmen & Attack\u201c, \u201eResurrection By Errection\u201c, \u201eWerewolves Of Armenia\u201c and \u201eWe Drink Your Blood\u201c. Fronter Attila Dorn entertained by his sympathic ironic comments. So he wanted the fans to do a circle-pit backwards.
\nDanko Jones<\/strong> For the third time the Canadien trio appeared in Wacken. And as always they rocked. Rock ‘n’ Roll songs like \u201eSugar Chocolate\u201c, \u201eForget My Name\u201c, \u201eDo You Wanna Rock\u201c, \u201eFirst Date\u201c and \u201eFull Of Regret\u201c left no spectator cold. And Danko’s cool as funny comments between the songs showed for another time his entertainer abilities suggesting to appear in Wacken each year. So \u201eBring On The Mountain (Become The Mountain)\u201c set the final accent after an entertaining show.
\nBloodbath <\/strong>I was very curious about how Paradise Lost vocalist Nick Holmes would fit to the Swedish highspeed Death Metal. But he did! With a blood red covered face he still is able to shout and grunt. Supported by a tight performance the band inspired to headbang to the opener \u201eLet The Stillborn Come To Me\u201c, \u201eBreeding Death\u201c, \u201eCancer Of The Soul\u201c and \u201eSoul Evisceration\u201c. After \u201eCry My Name\u201c the Swedes surprised presenting original fronter Dan Swan\u00f6 behind the microphone for the final Death Metal classic \u201eEaten\u201c.
\nJudas Priest<\/strong> The NWOBHM legend returned to Wacken, and they seemed stronger than ever before. The opener \u201eDragonaut\u201c of the current \u201eRedeemer Of Souls\u201c release lead into a best of set getting continued by \u201eMetal God\u201c leading over \u201eVictim Of Changes\u201c as \u201eTurbo Lover\u201c up to \u201eBreaking The Law\u201c and \u201eHell Bent For Leather\u201c. For each track the individual album cover got shown on the digital backdrop. Lead by the newer sixstringer Richie Faulkner and a Rob Halford in his seemingly best days the fivepiece returned for the encores \u201eElectric Eye\u201c and \u201eYou’ve Got Another Thing Comin’\u201c. But the fans didn’t let them go without another encore return celebrating \u201ePainkiller\u201c and \u201eLiving After Midnight\u201c.
\nSubway To Sally<\/strong> It has become kind of a ritual the german Folk Metal sevenpiece plays one of the latest slots every second year in Wacken. So after the WOA-organizers farewell especially the second half of the set they considered by \u201eKleid Aus Rosen\u201c, \u201eFalscher Heiland\u201c, \u201eSieben\u201c, \u201eVeitstanz\u201c and the long awaited as demanded \u201eJulia Und Die R\u00e4uber\u201c causing singalongs minutes after the show.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/strong>
\nKhold <\/strong>The fivepiece from Oslo started in the noon with Black Metal. But the majority of those ones being present on the festival area that time went to Kataklysm appearing on the Party Stage. So just a smaller number of fans followed the Norwegians.
\nAmorphis <\/strong>One of this weekend’s highlights got marked by the 20th anniversary of the masterpiece \u201eTales From The Thousand Lakes\u201c played in its entirety in front of the non-digital album cover backdrop. The festival area was packed and the band as fans were motivated for this very special show. That of course began by \u201eInto Hiding\u201c and \u201eThe Castaway\u201c. Supported by pyro and smoke effects the hymn \u201eBlack Winter Day\u201c became amazing. And this didn’t stop over \u201eIn The Beginning\u201c up to \u201eMagic And Mayhem\u201c after which the very tight sixpiece left the stage to return a bit later for the \u201eElegy\u201c-encores \u201eBetter Unborn\u201c, \u201eAgainst Widows\u201c and \u201eMy Kantele\u201c. Awesome!
\nRock Meets Classic<\/strong> The collaboration between famous Hardrock and Metal vocalists with the Prague Bohemian Orchestra as backing band was kind of a new event in Wacken, but actually it wasn’t that new after all those orchestra collaborations in the latest years.The highlight was the final introducing Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider on stage performing \u201eYou Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll\u201c, \u201eWe’re Not Gonna Take It\u201c, \u201eThe Price and \u201eI Wanna Rock\u201c. Anyway, this project is kind of superfluous nowadays.
\nSabaton <\/strong>Assisted by two tanks on stage as several pyros the Swedish fivepiece opened their performance by \u201eGhost Division\u201c when the filled festival area yelled out for their faves. It was interesting to see how this Power Metal formation had become such jubilated heroes. So lead by fronter Joakim Brod\u00e9n \u201eCarolus Rex\u201c and \u201eThe Art Of War\u201c got celebrated as much as the encore section consisting of \u201eNight Witches\u201c, \u201ePrimo Victoria\u201c and \u201eMetal Cr\u00fce\u201c.
\nCradle Of Filth<\/strong> The UK Blackies appeared after their WOA debut in 1998 for the fourth time in Wacken. Supported by pyros and an atmospheric live show fronter Dani Filth and his band had the complete attention of the festival area. They considered by \u201eRight Wing Of The Garden Triptych\u201c one track from the brandnew \u201eHammer Of The Witches\u201c album and concentrated on a best of set containing \u201eSummer Dying Fast\u201c, \u201eFuneral In Carpathia\u201c, \u201eNymphetamine\u201c, \u201eCruelty Brought Thee Orchids\u201c, \u201eHer Ghost In The Fog\u201c and the finisher \u201eFrom The Cradle To Enslave\u201c which caused headbanging action and jubilation from the audience.<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/strong>
\nKataklysm <\/strong>The Canadien Death Metal machine was the right method to get waken up and into action again. \u201eThe Black Sheep\u201c and \u201eThy Serpent’s Tongue\u201c from the brandnew album \u201eOf Ghosts And Gods\u201c fit into the program between all the classics and got celebrated as \u201eAs I Slither\u201c, \u201eAt The Edge Of The World\u201c, \u201ePush The Venom\u201c and \u201eTaking The World By Storm\u201c. They populated on the Party Stage area much more fans than the competitor on the neighbored pretty empty field. Fronter Maurizio Iacono showed his respect for the audience and the band finished a strong set by the classics \u201eIn Shadows And Dust\u201c and \u201eCrippled & Broken\u201c.
\nSkindred <\/strong>The Reggae Metal from the UK changed a lot on stage for these 45 minutes. Lead by shouter Benji the fourpiece inspired the fans to jump around and others to leave on the other hand.The cover versions of House Of Pain (\u201eJump Around\u201c), Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (\u201eThrift Shop\u201c) and Metallica (\u201eSad But True\u201c) sounded interesting anyway.
\nBiohazard<\/strong> The NYHC Hardcore attack returned to Wacken to plow the acre for another time. And this actually happened on the still muddy Party Stage area. The fourpiece around running Billy and circling Bobby placed the classics \u201ePunishment\u201c and \u201eTales From The Hard Side\u201c pretty early, so there was no long warm-up till the whole audience was jumping as the band did itself.
\nCannibal Corpse<\/strong> Quality brutality without any effect gadgets got served by Florida’s finest in Death Metal. Front grunter Corpsegrinder activated his windmill headbanging, and so did lots of fans to \u201eStripped, Raped And Strangled\u201c, \u201eThe Wrechted Spawn\u201c, \u201eMake Them Suffer\u201c and the final consisting of \u201eHammer Smashed Face\u201c and \u201eDevoured By Vermin\u201c leaving happy fans.
\nSantiano <\/strong>The Sailor Rock\/Pop combo appeared for the second time in a row on one of the big stages in Wacken, and for the second time we asked ourselves, why?<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong>:
\nAs mentioned this extraordinary weather conditions confronted the WOA organization with extraordinary defiances they solved in a brilliant way. Of course not everyone might have been happy this weekend having other camping or parking situations as being used to over the years before, but nearly everyone understood this was the best they could get safed by an optimal organization.
\nBesides that I met a musician from the Caucasian Metal Battle winner from Georgia (south of Russia). Talking with and especially listening to him emphasized how popular the WOA is worldwide and how much a participation in Wacken means to metalheads from there! On saturday night the WOA organizers announced the first bands to play in 2016: Blind Guardian, Steel Panther, Ministry, Pyogenesis, Kylesa, Unisonic, Therion, Borknagar, Henry Rollins (Spoken Word), Eskimo Callboy, Orphaned Land, Orden Ogan, Legion Of The Damned, Axel Rudi Pell, Callejon, Dragonforce and Eluveitie!
\nIn spite of the described climatic circumstances we really appreciated Wacken 2015! And we’re looking forward to our 20th Wacken Open Air participation in a row since 1997! See you there – rain or shine!
\nSpecial thanks go out to Anna Lorenz and the WOA-team!!!!! At the Wacken Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Dumbo, Babyarm & Alex!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air This year’s WOA could be named as the Waterworld edition. From our first Wacken-participation in 1997 we have experienced several weather scenarios including two or three very wet and muddy ones, but this time was special. From the weekend it had rained all the time before the first visitor rushes started. So … <\/p>\n

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