{"id":2071,"date":"2016-09-29T20:22:47","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T19:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=2071"},"modified":"2017-06-29T20:31:29","modified_gmt":"2017-06-29T19:31:29","slug":"wacken-2016-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=2071","title":{"rendered":"Wacken 2016 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air<\/strong>
\nThe time had come to celebrate our own 20th WOA-anniversary. From 1997 on we pilgrimaged to the Metal-Mekka year by year celebrating hundreds of shows, meeting several interesting people from all over the world and watching the evolution of a festival from an event with 10000 metalheads in 1997 to the biggest Metal event worldwide nowadays. After the mud experience of last year this time it became rainy with the start of the program. So the rubber boots became necessary again although it didn’t become as extreme as in 2015. The organization reacted professional again by metal guard support on the campgrounds as by always updated information on the several screens. The visitors reacted relaxed following the directions of the security to realize best conditions for the following weekend. And so they did according to the backpack-ban on the festivalsite, a necessary reaction to the nowadays increased terrorist attacks like in Paris. Anyway, nothing comparable happened in Wacken.
\nThe billing might have been motivation enough: The mighty Iron Maiden returned to Wacken for another memorable show. Blind Guardian, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Saxon, the last Germany-concert of Twisted Sister and the unique Dio Disciples performance made this year’s WOA-edition very attractive. At this year\u2019s Wacken Open Air 127 bands appeared on the five regular stages (besides several shows on the Beer Garden Stage, the Wackinger Stage, etc.) in three days for about 75000 visitors (Sold out just a few days after last year\u2019s edition!). <\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nIron Maiden<\/strong> The great final of their world tour got marked by this following appearance. Handicapped by the rain, but supported by a maya temple stage set and several special effects the NWOBHM-legend entered after the UFO-\u201cDoctor Doctor\u201c-intro the stage. The first half of their set contained by the opener \u201eIf Eternity Should Fail\u201c, \u201eSpeed Of Light\u201c, \u201eTears Of A Clown\u201c, \u201eThe Red And The Black\u201c. \u201eDeath Or Glory\u201c and the title track several songs from the current release \u201eThe Book Of Souls\u201c. But of course they didn’t forget their classics like \u201eChildren Of The Damned\u201c, \u201eThe Trooper\u201c, \u201ePowerslave\u201c, \u201eHallowed Be Thy Name\u201c and \u201eFear Of The Dark\u201c which got sung by many thousands. The self-titled \u201eIron Maiden\u201c finished the regular set, but the metal veterans returned with the encores \u201eThe Number Of The Beast\u201c, \u201eBlood Brothers\u201c and \u201eWasted Years\u201c finishing a jubilated the set and Monty Python’s \u201eAlways Look On The Right Side Of Life\u201c followed as the outro. Why Jannik Gers then held a monologue nobody knew, but this performance could be called succesful anyway.
\n
\nBlack Stage<\/strong>
\nSkyline <\/strong>The traditional start of the \u201ebig-stage-program\u201c was set one further time by the cover band coming from Wacken. The decision for Firewind-vocalist Henne Basse (also known from his former bands Brainstorm and Metalium) letting join the slot behind the microphone was a good one. He interpreted Rock classics like Rainbow’s \u201eStargazer\u201c or Ozzy Osbourne’s \u201eCrazy Train\u201c as Faith No More’s Crossover-hit \u201eEpic\u201c very well. Nice warm-up for the Hardrock-giants to follow!
\nSaxon <\/strong>Opening by the title track of their recent album \u201eBattering Ram\u201c the NWOBHM-heroes let follow a greatest hits set by \u201eMotorcycle Man\u201c, \u201eSolid Ball Of Rock\u201c, \u201eDogs Of War\u201c as the great final consisting of \u201eCrusader\u201c, \u201eWheels Of Steel\u201c, \u201eDenim And Leather\u201c and \u201ePrincess Of The Night\u201c which all got celebrated by old as young supporters. Further highlights: A camera baloon rising up while \u201eThe Eagle Has Landed\u201c, showing amazing pictures on the screens, and \u201eHeavy Metal Thunder\u201c which got dedicated to Lemmy Kilmister.
\nForeigner <\/strong>Another best-of-set was up to follow. The Classic Rock icon everyone knows from the radio decided for the right setlist. Since at least the third song \u201eCold As Ice\u201c everybody felt an acoustic d\u00e9j\u00e0-vu which got enforced by the following \u201eFeels Like The First Time\u201c. Lead by mainman Mick Jones on guitar and the definitely convincing vocalist Kelly Hansen these 75 minutes became magic. And when they played by \u201eUrgent\u201c, \u201eJuke Box Hero\u201c and the ballad \u201eI Wanna Know What Love Is\u201c three of the biggest Rock-classics ever the whole audience took part in singing the vocals. So an exciting performance found its end by \u201eHot Blooded\u201c.
\nWhitesnake <\/strong>Another greatest hits setlist was supposed to follow after The Who’s \u201eMy Generation\u201c running as the intro. United Kingdom’s Hardrock-icon around singer David Coverdale didn’t even recognize one song from the current \u201eThe Purple Album\u201c. But what made this appearance very difficult were the solos by both guitarists, the bassist as the drummer killing the atmosphere, just had been build by hits like \u201eLove Ain’t No Stranger\u201c or \u201eFool For Your Loving\u201c right before, as time for about four more songs minimum. Of course: Especially Reb Beach and Tommy Aldridge are brilliant on their instruments, but in between 75 minutes for such a backcatalogue Whitesnake calls its own, it’s a shame. So most fans got bored by this. Just the final consisting of \u201eCrying In The Rain\u201c, \u201eIs This Love?\u201c, \u201eGive Me All Your Love\u201c, \u201eHere I Go Again\u201c and the encore \u201eStill Of The Night\u201c showed how awesome this show could have become instead of just these latest 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nThe Haunted<\/strong> After the mainly Hardrock-related evening before it had become time to raise speed as heavyness. And this got guaranteed by the Swedes from \u201eNo Compromise\u201c, \u201e99\u201c and \u201eTrespass\u201c on. Lead by the agile fronter Marco Aro \u201eThe Flood\u201c, \u201eUndead\u201c, \u201eHollow Ground\u201c, \u201eD.O.A.\u201c and \u201eDark Intensions\u201c \/ \u201eBury Your Dead\u201c brought the first few thousands of fans in motion. So the final \u201eHate Song\u201c showed a cool contrast to the shining sun.
\nLoudness <\/strong>Japan’s finest celebrated its 35th anniversary, but the spectatorship didn’t seem to appreciate it when you counted this by the present people on the infield. So the atmosphere wasn’t as dignified as \u201eHeavy Chains\u201c, the self-titled \u201eLoudness\u201c or \u201eThe Sun Will Rise Again\u201c could have deserved it.
\nAxel Rudi Pell<\/strong> Midtempo-Hardrock was up to reign the open air festivalsite. The opener \u201eFire\u201c and the title song were the two protagonists from their new as now 17th release \u201eGame Of Sins\u201c while \u201eFool Fool\u201c, \u201eMystica\u201c and the two medleys \u201eNasty Reputation \/ Strong As A Rock\u201c and \u201eEdge Of The World \/ Call Her Princess\u201c were well-known earning more applause. So \u201eRock The Nation\u201c defined the end of a show which bored a couple of spectators waiting for more speed and enthused the melody fraction.
\nBullet For My Valentine<\/strong> The British fourpiece welcomed the audience by \u201eNo Way Out\u201c and \u201eSkin\u201c from their current album \u201eVenom\u201c. While the new bassist Jamie Mathias looked a bit like a younger Jake Gyllenhaal fronter Matt Tuck animated the fans to interact what worked well. Several moshpits followed while \u201e4 Words (To Choke Upon)\u201c, \u201eHand Of Blood\u201c, \u201eSceam Aim Fire\u201c, \u201eTears Don’t Fall\u201c and \u201eAlone\u201c. The celebrated encores \u201eYour Betrayal\u201c and \u201eWaking The Demon\u201c finished their second successful Wacken show.
\nBlind Guardian<\/strong> A filled infield welcomed the leading Fantasy Metal band. But the fans had to be patient during the opener \u201eThe Ninth Wave\u201c when the sound sucked and there wasn’t nearly anything to hear. But that changed from the following \u201eThe Script For My Requiem\u201c and \u201eNightfall\u201c on and the crowd took part in singing the choirs. And this continued while \u201eLord Of The Rings\u201c, \u201eTime Stands Still (At The Iron Hill)\u201c, \u201eTime What Is Time\u201c and \u201eImaginations From The Other Side\u201c. Singer Hansi K\u00fcrsch convinced totally, and so did his brilliant bandmates. An exciting concert found its overwhelming end by \u201eThe Bard’s Song \u2013 In The Forest\u201c, \u201eMirror Mirror\u201c and \u201eValhalla\u201c which got sung by many thousands of voices. First class, musically as atmospheric!
\nTestament <\/strong>75 minutes of high class Bay Area Thrash Metal was up to close the day. \u201eRise Up\u201c, \u201eMore Than Meets The Eye\u201c and \u201ePractise What You Preach\u201c caused massive headbanging on as in front of the stage. A tight band in its best condition and fronter Chuck Billy with the right voice as his animating air-guitar-playing-style left no doubt to get supported by the fans celebrating \u201eDark Roots Of The Earth\u201c, \u201eInto The Pit\u201c and \u201eD.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)\u201c as well. So the day found a more than worthy end by \u201eNative Blood\u201c, \u201eDisciples Of The Watch\u201c and \u201eThe Formation Of Damnation\u201c.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/strong>
\nPyogenesis <\/strong>That really was bad luck: When the quartet from the close city of Hamburg started, mainman Flo Schwarz and his tight band made the best of it and enthused by compositions from their recent comeback masterpiece \u201eA Century In The Curse Of Time\u201c like \u201eFlesh And Hair\u201c, \u201eSteam Paves Its Way (The Machine)\u201c and \u201eThis Won’t Last Forever\u201c as by the classics \u201eEvery Single Day\u201c, \u201eFade Away\u201c and \u201eLifeless\u201c. Those supporters who stayed didn’t regret it, these 45 minutes had definitely been worth it!
\nLegion Of The Damned<\/strong> To the tenth anniversary of their debut album \u201eMalevolent Rapture\u201c the Dutch Thrash Metal commando in its entirety from the self-titled opener \u201eLegion Of The Damned\u201c until its last title \u201eKilling For Recreation\u201c and finished by the title track of the following output \u201eSons Of The Jackal\u201c while the mosh-pit raged the whole hour.
\nEntombed A.D.<\/strong> The successor of the Death ‘n’ Roll formation Entombed from Stockholm with the little \u201eA.D.\u201c-difference was the first act really filling the infield. Besides tracks from their newer phase like the opener \u201eMidas In Reverse\u201c, \u201eSecond To None\u201c, \u201eDead Dawn\u201c and \u201eThe Winner Has Lost\u201c of course classics as \u201eLiving Dead\u201c, \u201eChief Rebel Angel\u201c, \u201eRevel In Flesh\u201c, \u201eWolverine Blues\u201c and \u201eLeft Hand Path\u201c enthused the numerous fans who even sang the riffs. Lead by original fronter LG Petrov the fivepiece performed a successful show.
\nEluveitie <\/strong>The Folk formation from Switzerland started with \u201eKing\u201c into their set which animated thousands to move. And to the pleasure of their fans they introduced by \u201eGrannos\u201c one new song from the forthcoming acoustic album. But fronter Chrigel & Co had to appear with two session musicians as Liv Kristine replacing Anna Murphy for the vocals to \u201eThe Call Of The Mountains\u201c and \u201eA Rose For Epona\u201c which didn’t work that well due to the different voices. Anyway, this long awaited Eluveitie-appearance found its jubilated end by \u201eInis Mona\u201c.
\nTarja<\/strong> To make a decision watching a Tarja show or not is pretty easy: You like her voice or you don’t! Several thousands seem to like it supporting the ex-Nightwish-vocalist from the beginning marked by \u201eNo Bitter End\u201c, \u201eNever Enough\u201c and \u201e500 Letters\u201c. After the Muse-cover \u201eSupremacy\u201c Tarja performed a medley of her former band consisting of \u201eTutankhamen\u201c, \u201eEver Dream\u201c, \u201eThe Riddler\u201c and \u201eSlaying The Dreamer\u201c. Another highlight became the duet with Arch Enemy \u2013 fronter Alissa White-Gluz of \u201eDemons In You\u201c, as the mentioned opener, the also mentioned Muse-cover, \u201eEagle Eye\u201c and \u201eCalling From The Wild\u201c from \u201eThe Shadow Self\u201c being just released the same day.
\nMinistry <\/strong>Supported by a clean sound the Industrial Metal institution from El Paso, Texas created an apocalypse, musically as visually by the projected pictures of politicians, soldiers and terrorists. From the opener \u201eHail To His Majesty (Peasants)\u201c over \u201eRio Grande Blood\u201c, \u201ePsalm 69\u201c, \u201eJust One Fix\u201c until the final \u201eSo What\u201c Al Jourgensen & Co produced pure energy on as in front of the stage. What a dark soundtrack to society right after midnight!<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/strong>
\nOrden Ogan<\/strong> The formation from Midwest Germany performed their True Metal set which sounded pretty ordinary. Most applause earned \u201eWe Are Pirates\u201c and the finisher \u201eThe Things We Believe In\u201c while it started to rain a lot.
\nBeyond The Black<\/strong> After several changes behind the instruments the band around singer Jennifer Haben returned to Wacken for the third time in a row. They performed a well-balanced set between their debut \u201eSongs Of Love And Death\u201c (\u201eWhen Angels Fall\u201c, \u201eIn The Shadows\u201c , \u201eRunning To The Edge\u201c) and the new album \u201eLost In Forever\u201c (the title track, \u201eShine And Shade\u201c, \u201eBeyond The Mirror\u201c). Highlights became the covers of Mot\u00f6rhead (\u201eLove Me Forever\u201c) and Led Zeppelin (\u201eWhole Lotta Love\u201c) getting much applause.
\nEquilibrium <\/strong>The mainly in german language held Pagan Metal attracted many supporters becoming witness of the live premier of \u201eBorn To Be Epic\u201c being besides \u201ePrey\u201c one of two tracks from the new output \u201eArmageddon\u201c being released one weak later.
\nTorfrock <\/strong>Same language, different music: The Rock combo from the region assembled majorly north germans in front of the stage who especially celebrated the Jimi-Hendrix-cover \u201eHey Joe\u201c and their TV-movie-hit \u201eBeinhart\u201c.
\nKai Hansen & Friends<\/strong> To his 30th live anniversary the WOA-organizers confirmed something special for Melodic Metal fans: The Gamma-Ray-mainman played a live set containing songs of his solo album to be released in a few weeks like the opener \u201eBorn Free\u201c, \u201eEnemies Of Fun\u201c and \u201eBurning Bridges\u201c as classics of his ex-band Helloween like \u201eRide The Sky\u201c, \u201eVictim Of Fate\u201c and the final \u201eSave Us\u201c. And the appearance bevame even more exclusive when the other early Helloween-vocalist Michael Kiske entered the stage to perform the \u201eKeeper Of The Seven Keys\u201c – classics \u201eI Want Out\u201c and \u201eFuture World\u201c together. Nostalgic!
\nUnisonic <\/strong>Two hours later it became the second time for Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen to rock the stage. The audience was smaller in comparison to the special show before. But those ones who stayed were able to watch a solid Hard Rock show which included by \u201eA Little Time\u201c and \u201eMarch Of Time\u201c two further songs from their former band Helloween. But own tracks like the opener \u201eFor The Kingdom\u201c, \u201eYour Time Has Come\u201c and \u201eOver The Rainbow\u201c which got sung by both sitting and lying on stage convinced as well. So the self-titled \u201eUnisonic\u201c finished a successful gig.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/strong>
\nSymphony X<\/strong> Finally: The Prog Metal institution from New Jersey gave its Wacken-debut. A main part of the show considered by \u201eNevermore\u201c, \u201eWithout You\u201c, \u201eHell And Back\u201c as \u201eIn My Darkest Hour\u201c the current \u201eUnderworld\u201c – masterpiece which concept got emphasized by vocalist Russel Allen who wore different phantom masks. Besides his entertaining qualities he completely convinced by one of the best voices on the ground. The geniuses behind him showed their abilities as well and finished by the jubilated classic \u201eOf Sins And Shadows\u201c. Awesome!
\nMetal Church<\/strong> I had waited very many years for Mike Howe returning to the microphone of Metal Church. Not only in my opinion the Howe-era was the best by far! So after the \u201eTerminator 2\u201c – intro the time had come: Lots of fans reacted loudly when the quintet started strong by \u201eFake Healer\u201c and \u201eIn Mourning\u201c. Mike Howe hadn’t lost any voice power within the years and the band around Kurdt Vanderhoof acted tight. Besides presenting two songs from the new album \u201eXI\u201c by \u201eNo Tomorrow\u201c and Killing Your Time\u201c they considered the pre-Howe-era as well by \u201eStart The Fire\u201c, \u201eWatch The Children Pray\u201c and \u201eBeyond The Black\u201c. The main part focused on the three masterpieces between 1989 and 1993 like \u201eGods Of Second Chance\u201c, \u201eDate With Powerty\u201c as \u201eNo Friend Of Mine\u201c. So the encores \u201eBadlands\u201c and \u201eThe Human Factor\u201c set the end of a jubilated as memorable show.
\nSteel Panther<\/strong> This year the weather god seemed to be a feminist. It was just too cold to repeat that many shown breasts as in 2014. The fourpiece returned and welcomed many fans by \u201eEyes Of A Panther\u201c. Majorly the rogued part of the supporters celebrated everything during these 75 minutes. But the jokes were the same as two years before, and to invite seemingly teenagers on stage to sing compromising songs especially in their direction war more than ridiculous. And by the way reminded a couple of riffs of other Hardrock classics. In contrast to their last time in Wacken this gig was a disappointment.
\nTwisted Sister<\/strong> Finally the last show of this legend took place in Wacken. Introduced by AC\/DC’s \u201eIt’s A Long Way To The Top\u201c as the intro the five heroes entered the stage to start with \u201eStay Hungry\u201c and \u201eThe Kids Are Back\u201c. It seemed like really every present visitor stood in the infield supporting the Heavy Rock icon. On stage especially fronter Dee Snider showed his motivation by emotional speeches pointing out there will be no Scorpions-farewell including a comeback or like Ozzy Osbourne’s \u201eNo More Tours\u201c. And he pointed out to the faithful fans showing the contrast between the audiences they had at Graspop, Hellfest and especially in Wacken and those casting-winners being famous for two weeks. But besides the comments reigned their undying classics like \u201eBurn In Hell\u201c, \u201eYou Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll\u201c, the hit \u201eWe’re Not Gonna Take It\u201c and the ballad \u201eThe Price\u201c which got dedicated to Jimmy Bain, Lemmy Kilmister as especially to their own passed drummer A.J. Piero who got replaced by ex-Dream-Theater-drummer Mike Portnoy which caused thousands of high-held lighters. So after the hit \u201eI Wanna Rock\u201c a legendary fairwell show was done, but the band returned to the sound of \u201eCome Out And Play\u201c to perform the encores. \u201eShoot ‘Em Down\u201c, \u201eTear It Loose\u201c and \u201eS.M.F.\u201c. Memorable!
\nDio Disciples Feat. A Very Special Guest<\/strong> The Dio Disciples consisted of former bandmates of the passed legend Ronnie James Dio as the vocalists Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) and Tim \u201eRipper\u201c Owens (ex-Judas-Priest\/Iced-Earth) performing songs from his ex-bands Rainbow (the opener \u201eKill The King\u201c, \u201eStargazer\u201c) and Black Sabbath (\u201eI\u201c) as mainly of his solo career like the hymn \u201eHoly Diver\u201c, \u201eThe Last In Line\u201c, \u201eEgypt (The Chains Are On)\u201c or \u201eRainbow In The Dark\u201c. Modern technical opportunities made it possible letting a hologram of the young Dio perform the final \u201eWe Rock\u201c with the band. In spite of the technical overlaps between the hologram and the digital backdrop that was definitely something nobody had seen before. Nostalgia by Science-Fiction!<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/strong>
\nDragonforce <\/strong>After days of rain and mud the sun started to shine. The suiting soundtrack to that were the speedy Melodic-weirdos from London. \u201eMy Spirit Will Go On\u201c, \u201eSymphony Of The Night\u201c as \u201eValley Of The Damned\u201c was the optimal wake-up-call for the last day’s noon. After the \u201eRing Of Fire\u201c – cover \u201eThrough The Fire And Flames\u201c marked the end of the probably fastest show of this yea’s WOA-edition.
\nBorknagar <\/strong>The Black Metal icon from Bergen appeared for their third or fourth time in Wacken. And also this time the sixpiece knew how to enthuse. Opening by \u201eThe Rhymes Of The Mountain\u201c the antiphon between their (former) singers ICA Vortex aka. Simen and the Vintersorg replacing Athera worked very well. Added by the key they had three voices harmonzing in clean vocals as grunts. A motivated band lead by Oystein G.Brun took care of the sound of \u201eOceans Rise\u201c, \u201eUniversal\u201c, \u201eRuins Of The Future\u201c and \u201eColossus\u201c which got celebrated as well as the new video-single \u201eWinter Thrice\u201c. One of the best Black Metal (live) bands by far!
\nTherion <\/strong>The following 75 minutes were supposed to become symphonic. Supported by two female classic background-singers the ensemble began by \u201eThe Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah\u201c. For \u201eTyphon\u201c they got further support of Mercyful Fate guitarist Snowy Shaw. This show was a relaxed and probably the right one after three days of speed and heavyness in the rain and mud. The constant guests caused most reactions by their final played classic \u201eTo Mega Therion\u201c.
\nTriptykon <\/strong>Dark, darker, Triptykon. Surrounded by a stage set of crosses and fire mainman Tom G. Warrior as his three comrades opened by \u201eProcreation (Of The Wicked)\u201c, \u201eDethroned Emperor\u201c and \u201eThe Usurper\u201c from his former band Celtic Frost. A special atmosphere was guaranteed and even got enforced by \u201eObscured\u201c and \u201eBoleskine House\u201c which got interpreted with Simone Vollenweider, known from studio cooperations with Celtic Frost and Triptykon. The numerous devil’s horns especially fittet to this performance.
\nArch Enemy<\/strong> What the Swedes let follow after midnight was tremendous. Recording a live DVD they might have invested a lot in the light show, several special effects including many pyros and an extensive stage set showing a huge as very defined cathedral. So much to the visual part of the show. Supported by a strong sound the Melodic Deathers started with \u201eYesterday Is Dead And Gone\u201c, \u201eWar Eternal\u201c and \u201eRavenous\u201c inventing much flying hair on as in front of the stage. Fronted by a completely convincing Alissa White-Gluz and garnished by the brilliant guitarplay of the riff duo Michael Amott \/ Jeff Loomis \u201eMy Apocalypse\u201c, \u201eYou Will Know My Name\u201c, \u201eAs The Pages Burn\u201c and \u201eDead Eyes See No Future\u201c became a great experience. \u201eWe Will Rise\u201c and \u201eNemesis\u201c finished an amazing show.<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/strong>
\nEskimo Callboy<\/strong> Strange name by a strange band: This kind of Crossover-Metalcore was propapbly directed to the very young fans. And especially those ones jumped and committed circle-pits to the opener \u201eBury Me In Vegas\u201c, \u201eParty In The Horror House\u201c, \u201eIs Anyone Up\u201c and the final \u201eMuffin Purper-Gurk\u201c. You notice: Strange titles, too!
\nDevil Driver<\/strong> The intensity raised enormously from the \u201eEnd Of The Line\u201c on. Fronter Dez Fafara & Co held the action high on as in front of the stage. By \u201eDaybreak\u201c and \u201eMy Night Sky\u201c the fivepiece considered two tracks from their new output \u201eTrust No One\u201c. By \u201eSail\u201c they covered Awolnation. Most interaction they caused by \u201eNot All Who Wander Are Lost\u201c, \u201eI Could Care Less\u201c, \u201eClouds Over California\u201c and the set closing \u201eMeet The Wretched\u201c.
\nCallejon <\/strong>Despite the weather circumstances and the mud the quintet attracted a respectable audience by their Metalcore held in german. \u201eWir Sind Angst\u201c, the Fettes-Brot-cover \u201eSchwule M\u00e4dchen and \u201eLass Mich Gehen!\u201c didn’t leave no doubt about the motion factor in front of the stage. The crowd celebrated \u201eBlitzkreuz\u201c, \u201eDieses Lied Macht Betroffen\u201c, the overwhelming ballad \u201eKind Im Nebel\u201c, \u201eSnake Mountain\u201c and the Die-\u00c4rzte-cover \u201eSchrei Nach Liebe\u201c. An exciting performance got finished by \u201eSommer, Liebe, Kokain\u201c and \u201ePorn From Spain\u201c.
\nClutch<\/strong> Right before the headliner this Rock gig took care of a good mood. Many people I had met over the day had talked about visiting this appearance that started with the question \u201eWho Wants To Rock?\u201c The fourpiece around the agile vocalist Neil Fallon considered by \u201eX-Ray Visions\u201c, \u201eFirebirds\u201c, \u201eSon Of Virginia\u201c, \u201eSucker For The Witch\u201c, \u201eA Quick Death In Texas\u201c and \u201eYour Love Is Incarceration\u201c a couple of tracks from the current release \u201ePsychic Warfare\u201c which kept the spectators moving as much as to more familiar ones as \u201eBurning Beard\u201c, \u201eThe Regulator\u201c, \u201eGravel Road\u201c and the final consisting of \u201eElectric Worry\u201c and \u201eOne Eye Dollar\u201c.
\nParkway Drive<\/strong> Australia’s finest celebrated its Wacken-debut with the latest slot on the smaller open air stage in direct competition to Arch Enemy playing on the neighbored bigger stage, and that after a rainy festival on a really muddy place. Usually a worst case scenario, but not in Wacken: Numerous of fans waited for the latest dance, and this became furious. The agile quintet couldn’t hide their fun playing at this place, and so did their fans celebrating by \u201eCarrion\u201c, \u201eVice Grip\u201c, \u201eIdols And Anchors\u201c, \u201eKarma\u201c or \u201eWild Eyes\u201c older as newer material. After another new \u201eIre\u201c-song \u201eBottom Feeder\u201c the fivepiece left the stage and returned with \u201eCrushed\u201c and a stage covered in flames. By the second encore \u201eHome Is For The Heartless\u201c they closed this year’s WOA with a phenomenal show. Bring them back (maybe on another billing position next time)!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nAfter last year’s rain and mud inferno this time the rainy bad luck continued resulting again in mud without leading to the same extremes as in 2015. The WOA-organization was even better prepared than they had been the year before. Security on the camping area as on the festivalsite supported the visitors who got recent information by the several huge LED-walls hanging next to the stages as at different further places.
\nIn general there didn\u2019t happen any mentionable change or short-term cancelation. The memory of the passed Mot\u00f6rhead-mainman Lemmy Kilmister got honored by \u201eBorn To Lose, Lived To Win (A Farewell To Lemmy Kilmister)\u201c on the Black Stage just after Iron Maiden on thursday night showing clips of him before his longtime-bandmates Phil Campbell and Mickey Dee held an inspiring speech. It felt like Lemmy’s spirit was all around over these days. The prices for food and beverages stayed the same as last year (e.g. 3,00 \u20ac for a 0,3 l beer or softdrink).
\nOn saturday night the Wacken organizers announced the first bands for 2017: Amon Amarth, Avantasia, Candlemass, H\u00e4matom, Heaven Shall Burn, Kreator, Lacuna Coil, Mayhem, Paradise Lost, Powerwolf, Saltatio Mortis and Sonata Arctica! More announcements about confirmed bands will follow soon. We enjoyed our Wacken 2016! So see you in Wacken 2017 \u2013 rain or shine! Special thanks go out to Anna Lorenz and the WOA-team!!!!! At the Wacken Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Babyarm, Dumbo and Alex!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air The time had come to celebrate our own 20th WOA-anniversary. From 1997 on we pilgrimaged to the Metal-Mekka year by year celebrating hundreds of shows, meeting several interesting people from all over the world and watching the evolution of a festival from an event with 10000 metalheads in 1997 to the biggest … <\/p>\n

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