{"id":2205,"date":"2018-06-18T16:05:21","date_gmt":"2018-06-18T15:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=2205"},"modified":"2018-06-18T16:05:21","modified_gmt":"2018-06-18T15:05:21","slug":"dong-2017-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=2205","title":{"rendered":"Dong 2017 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dong Open Air<\/strong>
\n\u201eWeird Times Call For Rock ‘n’ Roll\u201c was the slogan for this year’s Dong-edition which couldn’t have chosen better in 2017. While a bunch of madmen keep the world in unnecessary action all visitors and bands from different countries showed having a good time together sharing the place on top of the hill including its great landscape and camped as partied together over those three days.
\nEnsiferum, Iced Earth, Dark Tranquillity and In Extremo who sell venues with the same number of supporters on their own lead the billing including one of the first german shows of the Bolt Thrower successor Memoriam and many other attractive acts. Besides that the organization ran well from the huge stage tent over the food varieties to the restroom options. So supported by optimal weather conditions everything was set for a remarkable weekend in this familiar atmosphere. On the Dong hill 28 bands appeared in three days for about 2500 fans!<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nDarkest Horizon<\/strong> As last year the DOA began with the german final of the Metal Battle competition. The Melodic Death Metal sixpiece started this final as the whole festival. \u201eSkybreaker\u201c, \u201eA Universe Reborn\u201c as \u201eThe Final Hours\u201c showed some independent riffing, but by the time their stage-acting was too static.
\nMetal Detraktor<\/strong> In contrast to them the quartet left no doubt about their agility. Supported by several fans from their home town this international band from Hamburg convinced by their Thrash Metal. Not only \u201eDe Nekk\u201c and \u201eHold!\u201c earned much applause, the jury decision for sending them as the winner of this final to the Wacken Open Air did as well.
\nMessiah’s Kiss<\/strong> The fivepiece from the nearby town of Dinslaken with the international line-up including the well-known vocalist Mike Tirelli presented a tight as pretty common Heavy Metal show including \u201eRescue Anyone\u201c, \u201eBabylon\u201c and \u201eNobody Knows Your Name\u201c except for the only little highlight by their interpretation of Depeche Mode’s \u201eIt’s No Good\u201c.
\nSisters Of Suffocation<\/strong> In total contrast to the formation before the four young ladies from Eindhoven presented fresh Death Metal. Their set consisted of their forthcoming debut longplayer as their EP, but depite this fact of mainly still unknown material the tent got pretty filled by a motivated fan base celebrating monsters like \u201eI Am Danger\u201c, or \u201eBrutal Queen\u201c.
\nVulture Industries<\/strong> For the third time the norwegian quintet appeared on the Dong hill. And for another time they fascinated a well-filled tent by their innovative sound as an overwhelming live performance lead by the mad as brilliant singer Bjornar Erevik Nilsen. His brilliant voice caught as much attention as his action climbing on the high monitor to perform as to step down into the crowd to take part in some weird kind of a circle-pit. The audience celebrated \u201eThe Tower\u201c as songs from their new masterpiece \u201eStranger Times\u201c by \u201eSomething Vile\u201c and \u201eStrangers\u201c. Overwhelming performance!
\nWords Of Farewell<\/strong> The following sixpack is also a pretty familiar one on the Dong-hill. It must have been their third DOA-participation, too. And each time their fronter reminds me of the guy in the beginning of the movie \u201eTroy\u201c getting killed by Brad Pitt’s Achilles in a few seconds, just much smaller. Maybe that’s why he decided for a Decathlon sport-suit. Anyway, their Melodic Death Metal like \u201eLuminary Ghost\u201c or \u201eThe Great Escape\u201c convinced the crowd for another time.
\nHatesphere <\/strong>The Danish Thrash-\/Death-Dynamite-Dynamite returned to the Dong hill to rule by a massive live performance. Lead by mainman Peter Lyse Hansen on guitar their riffs left no option for the crowd to headbang and take part in moshpits. Their current fronter Esben \u201eEsse\u201c Hansen convinced as the tight instrumental fraction did, and so the quintet finished by the monster-double \u201eDisbeliever\u201c and \u201eSickness Within\u201c an amazing performance.
\nEnsiferum <\/strong>Ten years after appearing for the first time the Finnish formation headlined the first Dong-night in 2017 and attracted numerous fans into the packed tent. Their solid Folk Metal show could have got a better sound, but the crowd celebrated hits like \u201eLai Lai Hey\u201c anyway, so this became a harmonic completion of the first day.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nFateful<\/strong> Finality The German Metal Battle winner as Wacken Open Air participant of 2012 woke up the hill population by their straight Thrash Metal. By a well-balanced setlist between their two outputs \u201eKing Of Torture\u201c and \u201eBattery\u201c this mission worked well.
\nMisanthrope Monarch<\/strong> Instead of the canceling Atomgott the fivepiece from the close city of Oberhausen replaced them and celebrated a spontaneous release party of their brandnew debut album \u201eRegress To The Saturnine Chapter\u201c in front of a much too small crowd.
\nAeverium <\/strong>The sixpiece from the close town of Viersen presented Gothic Metal lead by the nice voice of the beautiful Aeva Maurelle and the deeper one of Chubby. Last named one also took the role of the entertainer by self-ironic statements between the songs. And when the rain outside started they had a much grown audience inside the tent getting their focus as applause for songs from their debut \u201eBreak Out\u201c and their new album \u201eTime\u201c. Well done!
\nNervosa <\/strong>A female Thrash trio isn’t an all-day-phenomenon, even not at Metal festivals. And they left no doubt taking their mission serious. With evil looks they performed their tight tracks like \u201eDeath\u201c, \u201eHypocrisy\u201c or \u201eHostages\u201c.
\nWar Kabinett<\/strong> Three years after their first time the band from Mexico City returned to the Dong hill. And many fans still seemed to know them celebrating from \u201eEt Creavit Homo Deum\u201c and \u201eLast Human Player\u201c over \u201eThe Great Deceiver\u201c up to \u201eMillenial\u201c and the final \u201eWall Of Shame\u201c. Their next return probably is just a question of time.
\nAcyl <\/strong>Another formation could call themself a welcomed returning one: The quintet from Paris enthused for another time by their multi-cultural Ehtno Metal combining several influences. So the crowd danced and headbanged to songs from their debut record \u201eAlgebra\u201c as from their recent album \u201eAftermath\u201c.
\nContradiction <\/strong>The Thrash Metal commando from Wuppertal is one of the familiar bands at the Dong Open Air. They appeared for several times, and after 28 years and eight releases they still brought intensity as energy on stage as not many acts from this genre are able to.
\nGod Dethroned<\/strong> And sometimes they come back: Six years after the Dutch Death Metal quartet had split Henri Sattler & Co were back and performed an intense as tight show. \u201eAnnihilation Crusade\u201c as the title track from their new comeback release \u201eThe World Ablaze\u201c caused numerous headbangers, and of course so did their classics.
\nDark Tranquillity<\/strong> It must have been the third time since their first one in 2008 the Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal icon appeared at the DOA, and for another time they populated the tent like not many other acts had done. This crowd went crazy while the opener \u201eForce Of Hand\u201c, the title song and \u201eForward Momentum\u201c from the recent \u201eAtoma\u201c album as for the more familiar \u201eThe Treason Wall\u201c, \u201eTerminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)\u201c, \u201eThe Wonders At Your Feet\u201c and the final \u201eMisery’s Crown. For another time the agile vocalist Mikael Stanne and his comrades ruled.
\nIced Earth<\/strong> The US Power Metal institution participated for their second time on the Dong hill. After an endless seeming soundcheck the first tones of the intro \u201eGreat Heathen Army\u201c let the fans knew the wait was over. And it was worth it: Supported by a great sound Jon Schaffer & Co showed another ambitious Heavy Metal performance regarding a best of program. While that their singer Stu Block showed his voice could handle by \u201eBlack Flag\u201c material from their brandnew output \u201eIncorruptible\u201c as classics like \u201eVeangeance Is Mine\u201c, \u201eThe Hunter\u201c or the ballad \u201eWatching Over Me\u201c. So this day found a jubilated end.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nStorm Seeker<\/strong> In contrast to the morning before the fans got woken up by less harder Folk Metal sounding pretty much like Eluveitie & similar acts. And besides the fact the writer of these lines has pointed out for over a decade this subgenre is overrated, the numerous fans seemed to know the debut-EP \u201ePirate Scum\u201c of this sixpiece from the close town of Neuss singing along with \u201eThe Longing\u201c and \u201eDestined Course\u201c.
\nSpoil Engine<\/strong> The first act from Belgium in the DOA-history raised the heavyness factor. Their variable songwriting culminated in their new fronter, the Dutch Iris with her stage presence as her also variable voice between grunts like Arch Enemy as clear voice. The numer of spectators increased minute by minute supporting \u201eDoomed To Die\u201c, \u201eBlack Sails\u201c, the title track and the current hit \u201eDisconnected\u201c from their new album \u201eStormsleeper\u201c. Highlight between these brutal smashers was the atmospheric well-sung \u201eSinging Sirens\u201c. A band we have to keep in mind!
\nMunarheim <\/strong>The biggest formation of this year’s DOA-edition populated the stage. And big means the number of musicians. Their uninspired Folk Metal mainly held in German language didn’t impress me at all, but by far many others who had their fun with \u201eTerra Enigma\u201c, \u201eStolzes Wesen Mensch\u201c and \u201eThe Last Unicorn\u201c.
\nCopia <\/strong>It seemed to be the day of the premieres: By the following act the last continent chapter got accomplished for the DOA (Nevermind the Antarctic!). The Modern Metal – quartet from Melbourne had been present on the Dong hill the days before confronting the visitors with their music by ear-plugs and partied with them. So the tent was pretty much filled, and the support for \u201eHostility\u201c, \u201eNever Forget\u201c as \u201eDisconnected\u201c was as astonishing as the loud singalong choir embedded into a song in the and of the show. Lead by the characteristic voice of Andrew Bishop and the tight band performance these 45 minutes became the definite highlight of this year’s DOA.
\nElvenking <\/strong>For the third time the Italians performed their Power Metal with strong Folk-elements. And so the tent population increased appearance by appearance over the years. Their first two songs after the intro \u201eThe Manifesto\u201c, \u201eKing Of The Elves\u201c and \u201eElvenlegions\u201c showed their main theme might be a bit overrepresented. Anyway, the fan support was safe for the \u201ePagan Revolution\u201c till the final \u201eThe Loser\u201c.
\nLord Vigo<\/strong> Doom Metal set the right contrast to the program before. But just a couple of visitors seemed to feel ready for this when the intro \u201eBabylon The Great\u201c began. \u201eBlackbourne Souls\u201c, \u201eWhen The Bloodlust Draws On Me\u201c and the final \u201eEternal Saviour\u201c weren’t the big innovation, but well-interpreted music. Those ones who stayed noticed that.
\nCrossplane <\/strong>The following combo showed: A few formations build their fanbase over the local factor. The fourpiece turned out to a pretty uninspired as boring Mot\u00f6rhead-copy. But their home town Essen was close, so the support fpr \u201eRollin’\u201c as \u201eTake It Or Leave It\u201c was a reamarkable one.
\nGloryhammer<\/strong> The British-Helvetian collaboration entered the stage while the intro \u201eInfernus Astra\u201c to start with \u201eRise Of The Chaos Wizards\u201c and \u201eLegend Of The Astral Hammer\u201c into their set. The entertaining as sympathic performance and comments between the songs secured the support of the audience as their Power Metal did. \u201eQuestlords Of Inverness, Ride To The Galactic Fortress!\u201c, \u201eThe Hollywood Hootsman\u201c as the finisher \u201eThe Unicorn Invasion Of Dundee\u201c earned much applause.
\nMemoriam <\/strong>The UK-collaboration between ex-members of the popular Bolt Thrower and Benediction was a much awaited one just after one published release called \u201eFor The Fallen\u201c. Many fans rushed into the tent to hear Karl Willets’ charismatic voice as smashers like \u201eReduced To Zero\u201c, \u201eResistance\u201c and \u201eSurrounded (By Death)\u201c. This show became an undoubtful massive one, but the drummer as the sound didn’t have their best day.
\nIn Extremo<\/strong> For the last slot the DOA-organization confirmed a formation which usually headlines huge Metal Open Airs like the Summer Breeze, but somehow they got the deal, and so in front of a packed tent the sevenpiece showed a motivated performance in front of this familiar atmosphere. Supported by lots of pyro effects and as well motivated supporters knowing most of the lyrics this final show turned out into a real party celebrating \u201ePikse Palve\u201c, \u201eSt\u00f6rtebeker\u201c, \u201eSternhagelvoll\u201c as \u201eAi Vis Lo Lop\u201c. So the encore \u201eSpielmannsfluch\u201c became a more than dignified end of the performance as of this year’s Dong Open Air.<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nDOA 2017 happened unter top conditions. Especially the weather worked very well: Not too hot, not too cold, and mainly dry. The organizers had just too manage one cancelation by Atomgott replacing them by Misanthrope Monarch.
\nThe hosted WOA Metal Battle Germany final got won by Metal Detraktor who qualified for the international final at this year’s Wacken Open Air.
\nThe rest of the organization worked very well, from the tent over the friendly securities, the variety of food up to the showers and toilets.
\nThanks go out to Benjamin \u201eColamann\u201c Munsch and the DOA-team!!!!!At the Dong Open Air drank, rocked and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Dumbo & Steffi!!!!! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dong Open Air \u201eWeird Times Call For Rock ‘n’ Roll\u201c was the slogan for this year’s Dong-edition which couldn’t have chosen better in 2017. While a bunch of madmen keep the world in unnecessary action all visitors and bands from different countries showed having a good time together sharing the place on top of the … <\/p>\n

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