{"id":259,"date":"2011-03-07T13:19:38","date_gmt":"2011-03-07T12:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=259"},"modified":"2011-03-07T13:30:50","modified_gmt":"2011-03-07T12:30:50","slug":"wacken-2009-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=259","title":{"rendered":"Wacken 2009 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

WACKEN OPEN AIR 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heavy Birthday and Congratulations Wacken! This year the WOA celebrated its 20th edition with its unique biography becoming the biggest Metal festival of the world!
\nIn year one after presenting by Iron Maiden one of the biggest Metal bands of the world with an outstanding performance the organizers were able to offer another high class billing containing very popular names like Heaven & Hell (Black Sabbath in the Dio-line-up), the last show of Running Wild, Mot\u00f6rhead, Doro, In Flames, Amon Amarth, Saxon, Machine Head or one of the rare Gwar shows!
\nAs we pointed out in 2008 the organization had become brilliant, and it still is! The festivalsite as its ways to the different stages offered much space for the masses, the clean restrooms were for free use and the variety for food and beverages was huge.
\nThe weather played a wonderful role, the pig flu pandemic panic didn’t become reality and the spectators from all over the world celebrated the biggest Metal party of the world several TV stations reported about.
\nFurthermore the organization offered a Wackinger village with several viking as medieval shows and market, the Bullhead City Wrestling tent or a J\u00e4germeister bar bringing you to the height of 50 metres above the festival offering you a great view on itself besides some drinks.
\nBut of course we mainly concentrated on musical issues to report about. To the writer of these lines it had been the 13th WOA \u2013 participation, and still everything worked well.
\nAt this year\u2019s Wacken Open Air 83 bands appeared on the four regular stages (besides several shows on the Beer Garden Stage, the Medieval Stage and Bullhead \u2013 City Wrestling Tent as further performances on the W.E.T. Stage on wednesday) in the three days for about 75000 visitors (Sold out in march!).<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nHeaven & Hell<\/strong> The legend Black Sabbath in its Dio-line-up showed how to perform an excellent show musically as visually. Three years ago when I had seen them at Bang Your Head they overwhelmed me as any other one in front of the stage by their charisma as by their undying classics like \u201cThe Mob Rules\u201d, \u201cChildren Of The Sea\u201d, \u201cI\u201d, \u201cTV Crimes\u201d, \u201cTime Machine\u201d, \u201cHeaven And Hell\u201d as the final \u201cNeon Knights\u201d. They also presented by \u201cBible Black\u201d a song from the new album \u201cThe Devil You Know\u201d. And again Ronnie James Dio impressed by his wonderful voice, guitar god Toni Iommi by his incomparable riffs as Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice by their rhythmic groove. The great sound as the light show supported a concert of four genuises building a homogenous unity. What a fantastic headliner!<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nSkyline<\/strong> The festival got opened by the cover band of one organizer (Thomas Jensen) interpreting classics like \u201cFear Of The Dark\u201d or \u201cWhiskey In The Jar\u201d as performing with some guests like with Doro the WOA-hymn \u201cWe Are The Metalheads\u201d as with Onkel Tom another WOA – dedication \u201cAuf Nach Wacken\u201d and \u201cEs Gibt Kein Bier Auf Hawaii\u201d after a Happy Birthday \u2013 dedication sung with the fans.<\/p>\n

Schandmaul<\/strong> The Folk Rock \u2013 sevenpiece from Bavaria showed its popularity by filling up the ground in front of their stage. They celebrated the medieval orientated music (\u201cKein Weg Zu Weit\u201d, \u201cLeb\u201d, \u201cVogelfrei\u201d) performed by different exotic instruments besides the regular instrumentation.<\/p>\n

Der W<\/strong> Ex \u2013 B\u00f6hse Onkelz \u2013 mainman as \u2013 songwriter Stephan Weidner appeared with his new band after two shows with his old one at the same place. This time he acted as a fronter without his bass presenting the new debut \u2013 longplayer \u201cSchneller H\u00f6her Weidner\u201d like the opener \u201cDer W Zwo Drei\u201d, \u201cMein Bester Feind\u201d, \u201cGeschichtenhasser\u201d and \u201cSchatten\u201d as the soccer-hymn-collaboration \u201cGewinnen Kann Jeder\u201d. It turned out to a good performance which probably won a lot of old Onkelz supporters as new fans.<\/p>\n

Running Wild<\/strong> The maybe most awaited show of the Wacken \u2013 weekend was the last appearance of the split pirate metalians from Hamburg. After some superfluous pre pirate show by some strange actors the time had finally come when the intro \u201cChamber Of Lies\u201d and my favorite \u201cPort Royal\u201d started the final show, but the sound was too undefined and had much too less guitars. But it became better while continuing with \u201cBad To The Bone\u201d, \u201cRiding The Storm\u201d, \u201cSoulless\u201d, \u201cPrisoners Of Our Time\u201d. The show included a few pyros as some columns of smoke while \u201cBlack Hand Inn\u201d, but nothing special for such a historic show. Even a backdrop wasn’t hung up. After some ridiculous pirate clown intermission it was up to celebrate \u201cTortuga Bay\u201d, \u201cPurgatory\u201d and \u201cThe Battle Of Waterloo\u201d before the show got interrupted for another time by a drum solo. The final tracks \u201cRaging Fire\u201d, \u201cBranded And Exiled\u201d, \u201cPrisoners Of Our Time\u201d and of course the band anthem \u201cUnder Jolly Roger\u201d took care about a good atmosphere. But honestly: This performance didn’t kill at all! The tracklist was great (in contrast to their latest WOA-performance) and mainman Rock ‘n’ Rolf’s voice good, but his bandmates seemed unmotivated and sounded untalented. This presentation wasn’t worth to close such a big musical chapter! They could have accomplished more, for Wacken as for their fans!<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nD:A:D<\/strong> Ten years after I had watched the Danish Hard Rock institution in Wacken I had the pleasure to start my personal running order with the crazy quartet assisting hits like \u201cBad Craziness\u201d, \u201cNo Fuel Left For The Pilgrims\u201d, \u201cRiskin’ It All\u201d, \u201cMonster Philosophy\u201d, \u201cReconstrucdead\u201d, \u201cGrow Or Pay\u201d, \u201cBeautiful Together\u201d and \u201cSleeping My Day Away\u201d with different gimmicks like their costumes, several cool designed basses and some visual special effects. Very entertaining!<\/p>\n

J.B.O.<\/strong> The secret show became the Bavarian Comedy Metal band J.B.O. what was pretty easy to find out by their pink stage set while getting built up. They took care of a great atmosphere celebrated by numerous supporters.<\/p>\n

The BossHoss<\/strong> The following sevenpiece showed musical the often mentioned variety the Wacken Open Air had reached over the years playing Country Rock. The crowd took its chance and partied.<\/p>\n

Lacuna Coil<\/strong> Who decided to leave Running Wild after half of the show to prefer watching Italy’s finest did the right choice. The band around their two vocalists Andrea and Christina performed a professional ambitious show supported by a good sound as a nice light show! By \u201cI’m Not Afraid\u201d, \u201cI Like It\u201d, \u201cI Won’t Tell You\u201d, \u201cNot Enough\u201d, \u201cSpellbound\u201d and \u201cSurvive\u201d as last title the Milan \u2013 fans introduced six songs from their new album \u201cShallow Life\u201d which were jubilated as their classics like the opener \u201cFragile\u201d, \u201cCloser\u201d, \u201cSwamped\u201d, \u201cHeaven’s Lie\u201d and \u201cOur Truth\u201d as the Depeche Mode \u2013 cover \u201cEnjoy The Silence.<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nDrone<\/strong> The second WOA Metal Battle winner rocked the tent with their Machine Head \u2013 related sound. Fronter Mutz and his three comrades from North Germany introduced new \u201cJuggernaut\u201d – material (\u201cGrow A Storm\u201d, the title track) which caused as much action as the \u201cHead-On Collision\u201d – debut material (\u201cTheopractical\u201d, \u201cWelcome To The Pit\u201d). Cool appearance.<\/p>\n

Bloodwork<\/strong> The young Deathcore \u2013 fivepiece from Paderborn showed a very professional performance. The band played tight without staying in communication with the crowd. Of course they set the focus on material of their new debut album \u201cThe Final End Principle\u201d by \u201cThe Enemy Within\u201d, \u201cInsufficient\u201d and their hymn \u201cSilent Revolution\u201d. Strong show by a talented band.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nUFO<\/strong> Older generations had their pleasure with the British legend UFO who played by the opener \u201cSaving Me\u201d and \u201cHell Driver\u201d two tracks from their new release \u201cThe Visitor\u201d as of course Rock classics like \u201cToo Hot To Handle\u201d, \u201cRock Bottom\u201d or \u201cLights Out\u201d. But for another time I have to ask: What was it about not to play the biggest hit \u201cDoctor Doctor\u201d? It was hardly missed.<\/p>\n

Gamma Ray<\/strong> The North German Melodic Metal \u2013 icon had become a steady guest over the latest years in Wacken. With obvious motivation the fourpiece enthused their fans with \u201cNew World Order\u201d, \u201cRebellion In Dreamland\u201d, the Helloween \u2013 classic \u201cI Want Out\u201d and the final \u201cSomewhere Out In Space\u201d to sing along with.<\/p>\n

Nevermore<\/strong> The Seattle Prog Power Metal \u2013 machine started with \u201cThis Sacrament\u201d and \u201cThe River Dragon Has Come\u201d. Warrel Dane inspired the masses to step into the a capella intro of \u201cDead Heart In A Dead World\u201d followed by \u201cEnemies Of Reality\u201d, the hymn \u201cThe Heart Collector\u201d and \u201cNarcosynthesis\u201d. After the epic \u201cThis Godless Endeavor\u201d one of the technically highest skilled bands in Metal business bid farewell by \u201cInside Four Walls\u201d, \u201cI, Voyager\u201d and \u201cBorn\u201d. As always Nevermore showed a fantastic performance!<\/p>\n

Hammerfall<\/strong> From the first time I had seen the Gothenburg True Metal \u2013 fivepiece in Wacken 1997 the band had evolved a lot in its professionality marked by their stage set as by some light effects. Opening by \u201cBlood Bound\u201d and \u201cRenegade\u201d Joacim Cans, Oscar Dronjak & Co reached thousands of supporters celebrating besides material from the new \u201cNo Sacrifice, No Victory\u201d – output (\u201cLife Is Now\u201d, \u201cAny Means Necessary\u201d) hymns like \u201cHeeding The Call\u201d, \u201cGlory To The Brave\u201d and the final \u201cHearts On Fire\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mot\u00f6rhead<\/strong> Business as usual could be the right conclusion about the appearance of the trio. The opener \u201cIron Fist\u201d, the newer \u201cRock Out\u201d or \u201cMetropolis\u201d rocked – no question \u2013 but Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell who assumed some announcements and Mickey Dee performed their set a bit too routined. Anyway they were celebrated for \u201cGoing To Brazil\u201d as for \u201cKilled By Death\u201d which got assisted by Skew Siskin’s Nina C. Alice finishing the regular set before they came back on stage to rock the encores \u201cAce Of Spades\u201d and \u201cOverkill\u201d. <\/p>\n

Doro<\/strong> Much more ambitious seemed the appearance of the Metal queen beginning with the Warlock \u2013 classics \u201cF\u00fcr Immer\u201d, \u201cI Rule The Ruins\u201d, \u201cBurning The Witches\u201d and \u201cTrue As Steel\u201d. The fans were excited watching their fave appearing with the impressing stage set of her anniversary show in D\u00fcsseldorf last year. The anniversary hymn to this event \u201cWe Celebrate\u201d she performed again with Sabina Classen on stage after which the Judas Priest \u2013 cover \u201cBreaking The Law\u201d and the Warlock \u2013 hymn \u201cAll We Are\u201d marked the end of a convincing show.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nVreid<\/strong> A Norwegian Black Metal \u2013 band broaching the issue of war is no exotic contrast in the nowadays extreme music scene. But somehow this formation represents an alternative to the ordinary competition. So they filled the place playing a best of set considering by \u201cDisciplined\u201d, \u201cSpeak Goddamnit\u201d and \u201cBl\u00fccher\u201d three new \u201cMilorg\u201d – tracks alternating them with well-known songs like the opener \u201cJarnbyrd\u201d, \u201cSvart\u201d, \u201cI Krig\u201d and the final \u201cPitch Black\u201d.<\/p>\n

Endstille<\/strong> The Black Metal combo from Kiel represented in my opinion the opposite of their predecessors being one of the most over estimated bands in the scene. To my surprise they didn’t enter the stage with their fronter Iblis who had quit the band short time before. He got replaced by the Koldbrann \u2013 fronter Mannevond grunting \u201cDominanz\u201d, \u201cThe One I Hate\u201d, \u201cBastard\u201d or \u201cOperation Wintersturm\u201d after which he switched the micro to some corpsepainted guest grunter who performed the last title \u201cFr\u00fchlingserwachen\u201d.
\nWalls Of Jericho An appearance of a clear Hardcore group like the female fronted Walls Of Jericho would have been pretty difficult five years ago. But the WOA let their spectators evolve. And so Candace Kucsulain had no matter to animate the crowd by \u201cThe American Dream\u201d or \u201cThe New Ministry\u201d to some pit action.<\/p>\n

Airbourne<\/strong> The new Hardrock \u2013 sensation was supposed to play another smashing show as last year’s Wacken \u2013 thursday, but they disappointed. Of course they performed a solid Hardrock show by the opener \u201cStand Up For Rock ‘n’ Roll\u201d, \u201cFat City\u201d, \u201cGirls In Black\u201d or \u201cToo Much, Too Young, Too Fast\u201d, but it had no special vibe. It turned out to a worse AC\/DC \u2013 copy although fronter as guitarist Joel O’Keeffe demonstrated again his climbing abilities.<\/p>\n

Bullet For My Valentine<\/strong> Is a young band known by TV station airplay playing a modern sound able to rock Wacken? After the gig of the Welsh fourpiece the answer only can be: Yes! Starting with \u201cWaking The Demon\u201d Matt Tuck and his three comrades impressed by a tight show and a powerful sound. And of course hits like \u201cTears Don’t Fall\u201d or \u201cHand Of Blood\u201d are very well known in Wacken. Unknown was by \u201cPleasure And Pain\u201d one song which will be released on the forthcoming album. So they finished with \u201cEye Of The Storm\u201d and the hit \u201cScream, Aim, Fire\u201d a much jubilated show.<\/p>\n

In Flames<\/strong> When we talk about Metal bands who know how to stage an impressing show without covering the music we have definitely to mention In Flames. For another time it was awesome how many different effects happened. Besides that the musical performance convinced for another time totally beginning with the opener \u201cEmbody The Invisible\u201d over newer classics as \u201cTrigger\u201d and \u201cCloud Connected\u201d, older ones like \u201cOnly For The Weak\u201d and \u201cEmbody The Invisible\u201d. An absolute highlight of the show became the performance of \u201cDead End\u201d with the original female album voice of Lisa Miskovsky. Besides that Niklas Engelin did a good job replacing Jesper Str\u00f6mblad on the guitar. So the quintet finished an exciting show by \u201cThe Quiet Place\u201d, \u201cTake This Life\u201d and \u201cMy Sweet Shadow\u201d after which some special pyros started on the roof of the two big stages being that hot everybody in the first 100 rows was able to perceive. Just the sound could have been much louder.<\/p>\n

Amon Amarth<\/strong> The same sound problem happened while the following appearance: It turned out much too silent. The Swedes came with their huge viking boat stage set. From the beginning \u201cTwilight Of The Thunder God\u201d the fivepiece acted enthusiastic like their numerous fans celebrating a best of set consisting of \u201cAsator\u201d, \u201cRunes To My Memory\u201d, \u201cVictorious March\u201d, \u201cPursuit Of Vikings\u201d, \u201cCry Of The Black Birds\u201d and \u201cDeath In Fire\u201d. <\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nNapalm Death<\/strong> The Grindcore legend from Birmingham got switched opening the friday instead of the saturday. So same place, different day. They would have probably deserved a later position in the billing. Anyway Barney Greenway, Shane Embury & Co took care of the first annihilation of the day.<\/p>\n

Retrospect<\/strong> The exotic part of the noon was represented by four men from Thailand performing some Metalcore stuff. They knew how to create melodies, but their sound sounded improvable.<\/p>\n

Tristania<\/strong> It was hard to imagine the leading Norwegian Gothic Metal band without their ex-singer Vibeke Stene, but the new Spanish front lady Mariangela Demurtas convinced absolutely by her voice as by her performance interpreting the opener \u201cWorld Of Glass\u201d, \u201cMercyside\u201d, \u201cShadowman\u201d, \u201cBeyond The Veil\u201d, \u201cAngellore\u201d and \u201cSirene\u201d songs from all albums very well. The sevenpiece showed a dignified performance creating a convenient atmosphere resulting in much applause.<\/p>\n

Dragonforce<\/strong> The British Melodic Metal quintet took care about enthusing the True \/ Power fraction enjoying individual musical abillities as by \u201cHeroes Of Our Time\u201d, \u201cReason To Live\u201d, \u201cStrike Of The Ninja\u201d and \u201cThrough The Fire And Flames\u201d. And of course they didn’t forget to pose as they’re known for their spectacular instrument acrobatics.<\/p>\n

Coheed & Cambria<\/strong> While the masses had gone to watch Bullet For My Valentine the Prog Rock genuises from New York City played for about 5000 spectators. But those saw a first class gig. In an amazing performance the quartet rocked phenomenally resulting in the hit \u201cThe End Complete\u201d with an included variation of Iron Maiden’s \u201cThe Trooper\u201d and the final \u201cWelcome Home\u201d.<\/p>\n

Epica<\/strong> The Dutch Gothic Metal band ruled the Party Stage era. Their bombastic but not too cheesy sound and the presence of singer Simone Simons inspired the audience to applaude songs like the opener \u201cIndigo\u201d, \u201cThe Obssesive Devotion\u201d, \u201cCry For The Moon\u201d, \u201cFools Of Damnation\u201d and \u201cConsign To Oblivion\u201d.<\/p>\n

ASP<\/strong> The following Gothic Rock formation seemed to be at the wrong festival. Their dark romantic tracks (\u201cKrabat\u201d, \u201cIch Will Brennen\u201d) didn’t find that many fans, but the position to play against Amon Amarth meanwhile acting on the neighbored Black Stage was really hard.<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nCallejon<\/strong> After the bad-luck which had happened to the Zombies from D\u00fcsseldorf resulting in an accident of their drummer right before their With Full Force \u2013 appearance they took their chance to rock the W.E.T. Stage \u2013 tent in Wacken. Many fans supported tracks like \u201cUnd Wenn Der Schnee\u201d or \u201cSnake Mountain\u201d. And when their sound got suddenly cut due to time reasons the whole tent continued singing the song! Impressive!<\/p>\n

Whiplash<\/strong> Thrashback! The Thrash Metal quartet around bandleader Tony Portaro rocked the tent enormously by their riff attacks. So smashers like \u201cStage Dive\u201d got celebrated a lot by a still astonishing number of fans celebrating one of the most awaited reunions.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nRage<\/strong> The trio from Herne celebrated their 25th anniversary in front of a big audience. So after \u201cCarved In Stone\u201d and \u201cHigher Than The Sky\u201d they invited the jubilated Blind Guardian \u2013 vocalist Hansi K\u00fcrsch on stage to perform together \u201cSet The World On Fire\u201d, \u201cAll I Want\u201d and \u201cInvisible Horizons\u201d. Also the rest of the set containing \u201cFrom The Cradle To The Grave\u201d, the classic \u201cPrayers Of Steel\u201d and the final \u201cSoundchaser\u201d took care of a good birthday party atmosphere in the noon.<\/p>\n

Testament<\/strong> Ten thousands of headbangers celebrated their Bay Area Thrash Metal heroes who thrilled them by tons of classics like \u201cThe New Order\u201d, \u201cOver The Wall\u201d, \u201cPractise What You Preach\u201d, \u201cInto The Pit\u201d, \u201cDisciples Of The Watch\u201d and \u201cD.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)\u201d. The whole band played tight, \u00edt was cool to see the high skilled original guitarist Alex Skolnick playing again with his friends who performed by \u201cMore Than Meets The Eye\u201d and the final title track two smashers from their new album \u201cThe Formation Of Damnation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Axel Rudi Pell<\/strong> The following artists acted on a much lower level. The Ritchie Blackmore – fan offered with his formation a Hardrock set. Fans applauded from the start marked by \u201cTear Down The Walls\u201d till the set finishing medley consisting of \u201cFool Fool\u201d and \u201cEternal Prisoner\u201d. But why did Mike Terrana play a drum solo in a one hour lasting show?<\/p>\n

Volbeat<\/strong> With the title track of their new release \u201cGuitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood\u201d the Danish shooting stars started their set while prime time. Michael wearing some finer clothes including a tie and his band acted very motivated and the masses of fans celebrated Rock ‘n’ Rollers like \u201cRadio Girl\u201d, \u201cSad Man’s Tongue\u201d, \u201cPool Of Booze, Booze, Booza\u201d, The Human Instrument\u201d and \u201cThe Garden’s Tale\u201d. Besides the usual Dusty Springfield \u2013 tribute \u201cI Only Want To Be With You\u201d the fourpiece surprisingly covered Misfits by \u201cAngelfuck\u201d realising one huge party.<\/p>\n

Saxon<\/strong> Beginning with the opener of their new release \u201cInto The Labyrinth\u201d (\u201cBattalions Of Steel\u201d) the NWOBHM \u2013 legend celebrated their 30th anniversary with a gigantic light and pyro show supporting the classics \u201cStrong Arm Of The Law\u201d, \u201cWheels Of Steel\u201d, \u201cDogs Of War\u201d, \u201cRock The Nations\u201d, \u201cMotorcycle Man\u201d, \u201cSolid Ball Of Rock\u201d, \u201cCrusader\u201d and \u201cPrincess Of The Night\u201d. Biff Byford’s voice sounded for another time clean and his comrades ruled the stage. So the band earned loud support when they came back on stage to play by \u201cLive To Rock\u201d, \u201c747 (Strangers In The Night)\u201d, \u201cStallions Of The Highway\u201d and \u201cDenim And Leather\u201d.<\/p>\n

Subway To Sally<\/strong> The Folk Rock \/ Metal \u2013 sevenpiece is one of the steady guests I had seen several times since my as their first Wacken \u2013 participation. \u201cKnochenschiff\u201d, \u201cVeitstanz\u201d, \u201cFalscher Heiland\u201d, \u201cSieben\u201d, \u201cAuf Kiel\u201d as the encore covering \u201cIt’s After Dark\u201d motivated the fans to the last dance. And when they invited with Peavy Wagner and Alex Smolski (Rage), Sabina Classen (Holy Moses) and by Holger H\u00fcbner one of the two organizers giving him a present the completion of the Wacken Open Air 2009 couldn’t have been better.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nEinherjer<\/strong> The last release of the threepiece happened by 2003 long before the Pagan \u2013 boom. Anyway the viking veterans showed a good live comeback by the opener \u201cHammar Haus\u201d, \u201cFar Far North\u201d and the final \u201cIronbound\u201d.<\/p>\n

Cathedral<\/strong> The Doom institution ruled for another time. Fronter Lee Dorian is still a cool entertainer and Doomsters like \u201cSoul Sacrifice\u201d, \u201cCosmic Funeral\u201d and the final hit \u201cHopkins (The Witchfinder General)\u201d rocked the festivalsite enormously.<\/p>\n

Heaven Shall Burn<\/strong> Wow, I saw the Metalcore \u2013 fivepiece on their first WOA – appearance in 2003 in the W.E.T. Stage tent enthusing about 150 fans. This time they performed for ten thousands of metalheads which got saluted by shouter Marcus Bischoff doing a deep grunt. From that moment on the band held the masses in motion crowdsurfing, headbanging as moshpiting to smashers like \u201cEndzeit\u201d, \u201cBehind A Wall Of Silence\u201d, \u201cProfane Believers\u201d, \u201cVoice Of The Voiceless\u201d, \u201cThe Weapon They Fear\u201d, \u201cMurderers Of The Murderer\u201d and the Edge Of Sanity \u2013 tribute \u201cBlack Tears\u201d. While the set the fans created a circle pit around the sound tower. A real spectacle, musically as visually!<\/p>\n

In Extremo<\/strong> Not that hard, but still sympathic became the following performance. The Folk Rock \/ Metal icon is one of the exotic sounding faves in the German Metal community. This circumstance was easy to distinguish by the numerous fans celebrating newer (\u201c7 K\u00f6che\u201d, \u201cFrei Zu Sein\u201d, \u201cS\u00e4ngerkrieg\u201d, \u201cEn Este Noche\u201d) as older (\u201cAi Vis Lo Lop\u201d, \u201cMein Rasend Herz\u201d, \u201cVilleman Ogn Magnhild\u201d) songs. The band communicated with its fans and showed itself down to earth.<\/p>\n

Machine Head<\/strong> What now followed turned out to the best performance of this weekend. The band chose the killer \u201cImperium\u201d to start the inferno which was supported by an amazing light show as by a killer sound. Newer \u201cThe Blackening\u201d – compositions like \u201cThe Aesthetics Of Hate\u201d (with pyros) and \u201cHalo\u201d as older smashers like \u201cTen Ton Hammer\u201d, \u201cOld\u201d, \u201cBulldozer\u201d or the final hymn \u201cDavidian\u201d inspired the masses of supporters to headbang, to crowdsurf and to mosh. Another great moment turned out when the Oakland \u2013 quartet performed instead of the usual live silencer \u201cDescend The Shades Of Night\u201d \u201cThe Burning Red\u201d which thrilled all attendant spectators. Of course Robb Flynn tried again for several times to throw cans of beer to the fans what didn’t of course work along this distance. Band as fans were very happy. No wonder, this appearance definitely ruled big time!<\/p>\n

Gwar<\/strong> It had been a long time I had watched an appearance of the art chaotics. For another time the aliens came down to earth to kill. And even Barack Obama (suited in a Superman costume) and Hillary Clinton stood on the deathlist and didn’t get any mercy. So the first rows were covered in all coloured variations of fake blood. If you care they played \u201cCrack In The Egg\u201d, \u201cThe Salaminizer\u201d, the brand new \u201cLet Us Slay\u201d and \u201cA Short History Of The End Of The World\u201d, but I think you really don’t. So Oderus Urungus and his exterrestrial gang left with \u201cSick Of You\u201d. We all hope not to wait that long for another time to see them again.<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nSuidakra<\/strong> First of all the fourpiece from D\u00fcsseldorf was supposed to replace the canceling M\u00e4ge De Oz. Then they switched this position with Napalm Death to appear a day later. Anyway they introduced with \u201cIsle Of Sky\u201d, \u201cConloach\u201d and \u201cShattering Swords\u201d new \u201cCr\u00f3gacht\u201d – material and earned applause.<\/p>\n

Onkel Tom Angelripper<\/strong> The party Metal king replaced Kampfar to celebrate with the crowd old German party as drinking classics like \u201cKaramba, Karacho, Ein Whiskey\u201d.<\/p>\n

Borknagar<\/strong> The Black Metal icon is back, and not that many metalheads as the band would have deserved took notice about that fact. The problem: They played against Heaven Shall Burn, probably Borknagar had been three years too long away. The scene doesn’t wait for anybody. But who walked in front of the Party Stage saw a brilliant comeback started by \u201cOceans Rise\u201d which killed as \u201cFuture Reminiscence\u201d, \u201cThe Genuine Pulse\u201d, \u201cColossus\u201d and \u201cThe Black Token\u201d did. The quintet around bandleader Oystein G. Brun and fronter Vintersorg didn’t play any new composition and got celebrated for their best of set. What a comeback!<\/p>\n

Pain<\/strong> Peter T\u00e4gtgren’s second band started with \u201cI’m Going In\u201d and \u201cMonkey Business\u201d material from the current album \u201cCynic Paradise\u201d. The band acted tight and had no problem to animate the crowd which became more and more active celebrating \u201cDancing With The Dead\u201d, \u201cSame Old Song\u201d, \u201cOn And On\u201d, \u201cSame Old Song\u201d, \u201cBitch\u201d (dedicated to all women) and the final \u201cShut Your Mouth\u201d before a little fire works started. In the end Peter T\u00e4gtgren thanked the crowd \u201cfor being here instead of there\u201d and pointed out to the Black Stage where In Extremo appeared.<\/p>\n

Enslaved<\/strong> The Viking Metal original showed the newer Pagan Poppers how to rule by real epics. \u201cFusion Of Sense And Earth\u201d, \u201cRuun\u201d and \u201cAs Fire Swept Clean The Earth\u201d the rocking \u201cGround\u201d and \u201cReturn To Yggdrasil\u201d convinced everybody who preffered the Norwegians instead of the meanwhile appearing Machine Head. The great end of the show happened when Darkthrone’s Nocturno Culto entered the stage to perform with fronter Grutle Kjellson the mighty \u201cIsa\u201d.<\/p>\n

Korpiklaani<\/strong> As good like the original acted as weak followed the copy. The Humppa hype seemed to be pretty over. They played themselves from the opener \u201cVodka\u201d to the final \u201cBeer\u201d, and it wasn’t only the sung alcohol percents becoming less.<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nThe Fading<\/strong> This young fivepiece from Tel Aviv took their chance. Having some sound problems on the vocals in the beginning they convinced by their powerful Deathcore sound. Catchy guitar melodies like the opener \u201cAge Of Phobia\u201d calls its own convinced the crowd which had waved several Israel flags before the show from the beginning. The band mainly focussed material from the forthcoming album \u201cIn Sin We’ll Find Salvation\u201d like \u201cFailure\u201d. Hope to see them soon again!<\/p>\n

Trouble<\/strong> The collaboration of the Doom Metal legend with ex \u2013 Warrior Soul \u2013 voice Kory Clarke were one of the most interesting band constellations of the last years. And it worked, Kory suited in a white shirt missed his part once or announced the wrong song, but his vocal performance rocked. So he didn’t let miss original singer Eric Wagner too much. So \u201cAssassin\u201d and \u201cTouch The Sky\u201d rocked the tent. And by the way the band performed by \u201cHunters Of Doom\u201d a track form the forthcoming album. We’re looking forward to it!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nOur 13th Wacken experience turned out to a great one without any number symbolic bad-luck! \ud83d\ude42
\nAs we mentioned in our introduction the WOA \u2013 organization worked again very well which isn’t a matter of course keeping the more than 70000 spectators in mind.
\nOld bands like Saxon as new bands like Heaven Shall Burn played highly jubilated shows in front of numerous excited fans. That showed the WOA is able to unite the subgenres.
\nThe WOA was forced to do some changes in the running order because of cancelations, the hardest one to us was the one of Anthrax. The weather rocked itself!
\nSome prices for food and beverages stayed the same as the years before, some raised (e.g. 3,50 \u20ac for a 0,4 l beer or softdrink).
\nWe enjoyed our Wacken \u2013 stay a lot and are looking forward to the 2010 – edition! See you in Wacken 2010 \u2013 rain or shine!
\nSpecial thanks go out to Britta Kock and the WOA-team!!!!!
\nAt the Wacken Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Sebi Sebericks, Dumbo and Brit!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WACKEN OPEN AIR 2009 Heavy Birthday and Congratulations Wacken! This year the WOA celebrated its 20th edition with its unique biography becoming the biggest Metal festival of the world! In year one after presenting by Iron Maiden one of the biggest Metal bands of the world with an outstanding performance the organizers were able to … <\/p>\n

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