Wacken Open Air<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything was set for the hugest metal festival and the 25th visit since 1997 of the writer of these lines. For another time after 2023 the organization had to count on its decisions as team as on the spectators because this year the weather didn’t cooperate at all. After a few times the days before it strongly rained on wednesday turning all opened grounds into mud under ten thousands of feet. The orgnizers tried to save and improve the conditions, but over the days it rained again and again. Anyway, organization as fans made the best of it to celebrate the open air although several ones left the festival area. Those ones who had stayed until sunday got the opportunity to get pulled out by a tractor for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headlined by Machine Head, Gojira, Papa Roach, Saltatio Mortis and a 3.5 hours lasting show of WOA- debutants Guns n’ Roses the billing left no reason to worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides that WOA 2025 this time set a focus on astronautics and turned the holy ground into a space camp. The rocket between the Faster Stage emphasized this, several highlights as stage interview guests like former ISS-astronaut Alexander Gerst offered a tremendous variety of information as entertainmend alternatives.
At this year\u2019s Wacken Open Air more than 200 acts appeared on the ten regular stages besides three occasionally played ones in four days (+ two pre-days) for 85000 visitors (Sold out!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wednesday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster Stage<\/strong> Louder Stage<\/strong> Thursday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster Stage<\/strong> Michael Schenker<\/strong> Under the \u201eMy Years With UFO\u201c – slogan Mr. Schenker focussed on this part of his career including several hits as \u201eRock Bottom\u201c, \u201eDoctor Doctor\u201c and \u201eLights Out\u201c. During \u201eMother Mary\u201c he got support by Slash from Guns ‘n’ Roses, for \u201eLet It Roll\u201c by singer Michael Voss. Together with a tight band and the strong voice of Erik Gr\u00f6nwall the musical trip back to his UFO-phase became a nice one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harder Stage<\/strong> Louder Stage<\/strong> Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster Stage<\/strong> Harder Stage<\/strong> Louder Stage<\/strong> Saturday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Faster Stage<\/strong> Mastodon<\/strong> The Prog Sludger appeared for their very first time in Wacken. After 25 years together they had to replace guitarrist Brent Hinds, and his successor Nick Johnston did his job very well. Acting for their very first time in Wacken the fourpiece from Atlanta enthused by their groove monsters \u201eCrystal Skull\u201c, \u201eMegalodon\u201c as \u201eBlood And Thunder\u201c and set a final highlight by covering Black Sabbath’s \u201eSupernaut\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Harder Stage<\/strong> Louder Stage<\/strong> Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Big respect to the 85000 fans! How they handled the rain-mud-caused situation couldn’t get mentioned enough. Let’s just hope they as the organizers can deal with more usual weather conditions. The prices for food and beverages stayed about the same, e.g. 5.50 \u20ac for a beer and 5,30 \u20ac for a softdrink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After showing an amazing dedication to Ozzy Osbourne in the sky the night before the WOA- organization let start the drone show for announcing bands for WOA 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Allt Airbourne, Any Given Day, Blood Command, Blood Fire Death – A tribute to Bathory (only show in Germany), Broken By The Scream, Einherjer, Emperor (best-of-set + \u201eAs the Shadows Rise\u201c – set in original-line-up). Europe, Faun, Future Palace. Gutalax. Grand Magus. Insanity Alert, H-Blockx, Kupfergold, Lamb of God, Luna Kills, Mantar, Nevermore. Orbit Culture, Paleface Swiss, Pig Destroyer, Running Wild, Sepultura (last festival show in Germany), Ten56, The Gathering (only show in Germany for 2026), The Hardkiss, Thundermother, Thrown, Tryptikon (exclusive special-best-of-set with several world live premieres. Wacken Open Air Everything was set for the hugest metal festival and the 25th visit since 1997 of the writer of these lines. For another time after 2023 the organization had to count on its decisions as team as on the spectators because this year the weather didn’t cooperate at all. After a few times … <\/p>\n
Wind Rose<\/strong> The five \u201eTrollslayers\u201c from the Leaning Tower of Pisa had the honor to open the program on the main stages area. And suited in ther costumes they did well by their best of set and funny animating announcements. Highlight became the Yogscast-cover \u201eDiggy Diggy Hole\u201c together with the vocalist of Saltation Mortis as special guest letting the fans celebrate the self-proclaimed \u201eDay of Dwarf Metal\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apocalyptica <\/strong>After the recent \u201ePlays Metallica Vol. 2\u201c the cellists from Helsinki returned with a completeset of their Metallica-interpretations to Wacken. The trio set high standards by beginning with the classics\u201eRide The Lightning\u201c, \u201eEnter Sandman\u201c as \u201eCreeping Death\u201c and could hold the level. For perforning \u201eSeek & Destroy\u201c they got support by Tina Guo before closing by the mighty \u201eOne\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond The Black<\/strong> The Symphonic Metal fivepiece can be described as regular guests in Wacken. For their 8th WOA-appearance they performed with several show effects. In the end of \u201eDancing In The Dark\u201c they got supported by eleven golden masked percussionists, the following \u201eBreak The Silence\u201c got accompanied by lots of pyros. Later on an LED-backdrop on the drum riser astonished. In the middle of this their voice Jennifer Haben showed her stage presence in different costumes and convinced musically as by animating the audience to jump on the mud and sing along before biding farewell by \u201eHallelujah\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saltatio Mortis<\/strong> The Folk Metal formation celebrated its 25th anniversary which became a battle against a strong rain during the whole headliner set. The mentionable crowd seemed to not care about that jumping and singing along. Fronter Alea flow on ropes from the roof of the stage down to its floor while the opener \u201eFinsterwacht\u201c. In the middle of the set he crowsurfed on a little dragon boat performing \u201eRattenf\u00e4nger\u201c. For a second time of the evening Tina Guo (\u201eFeuer Und Erz\u201c), Tabernis (\u201eHeimdall\u201c), Miracle Of Sound (\u201eMy Mother Told Me \/ Valhalla Calling\u201c) as Deine Cousine (\u201eF\u00fcr Immer Jung\u201c) supported the Folk sixpack which enthused by their cover versions of Electric Callboy’s \u201eHypa Hypa\u201c as well. So “Spielmannsfluch\u201c concluded a remarkable anniversary show under worst weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dogma <\/strong>Like in 2024 the Louder Stage got run by female power on wednesday. The five nuns of Dogma started this program by mainly playing songs of their self-titled debut release. More popular was their cover version of Madonna’s \u201eLike A Prayer\u201c gaining more applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enemy Inside<\/strong> The Moden Metal quintet from South Germany had to appear after the rain had started again. Mainly focussing on material from their new album \u201eVenom\u201c the Bavarians convinced by their tight performance as by the variable voice of Nastassja Giulia between shouts and clean vocals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lita Ford<\/strong> An old German non-Metal-classic says that life’s just beginning with the age of 66. So may have thought the grande dame of Hard Rock, Lita Ford. Completely suited in red she and her co- musicians played a best of set combined with three cover versions of Elton John’s \u201eThe Bitch Is Back\u201c, Sex Pistols’ \u201eBlack Leather\u201c and Alice Cooper’s \u201eOnly Women Bleed\u201c. Highlights became the The Runaways classic \u201eCherry Bomb\u201c and the ballad \u201eClose My Eyes Forever\u201c which got dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hanabie <\/strong>The very own sound of this young formation from Tokyo between Pop and Metalcore became abit too edgy title by title. Especially the voice of fronter Yukina sounded pretty too much that way in the high tones. Combined with the Lolita-performance I couldn’t get used to this. But they caused a circle-pit in the crowd anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tarja & Marko Hietala<\/strong> Announced as duet show Tarja Turunen started the first half of the show as a solo one. For the second half she got support from her former Nightwish-bandmate Marko Hietala. Together they enthused by their classics \u201eWishmaster\u201c as \u201eI Wish I Had An Angel\u201c and covered \u201eThe Phantom Of The Opera\u201c. To me it’s always difficult to deal with Tarja’s yodeling voice, so it became again. But the numerous Tarja-\/Nightwish-fans jubilated loudly anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deine Cousine<\/strong> The Punk combo from the close Hamburg returned to Wacken and tried to hold the party atmosphere. Their cover versions of Ozzy Osbournes \u201eCrazy Train\u201c as \u201eDreamer\u201c gained applause and jubilation, but later on many visitors left the place to get into something warm and dry, clothes as place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BAP <\/strong>The Classic Rock band from and icon of Cologne was the big suprise under the confirmations for WOA 2026. Numerous visitors had come to the infield to watch BAP. They especially applauded and sang along to the band hymn \u201eVerdamp Lang Her\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skyline <\/strong>The former band of one WOA-organizer traditionally opened the thursday program on the infield. In contrast to most of the years before they mainly played own tracks, but also coverred Disturbed’s \u201eStricken\u201c, Whitesnake’s Fool For Your Loving No More\u201c, Judas Priest’s \u201eYou’ve Got Another Thing Comin’\u201c and Linkin Park’s \u201eIn The End\u201c. The people were happy anyway under the returning sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grave Digger<\/strong> Under the \u201eNight To Remember\u201c thursday theme this appearance was declared as one for the 45th anniversary of the band. So mainman Chris Boltendahl and his comrades considered their new record \u201eBone Collector\u201c just by \u201eKingdom Of Skulls\u201c and \u201eThe Devils Serenade\u201c and focussed on a best-of-set. For \u201eExcalibur\u201c and \u201eRebellion (The Clans Are Marching)\u201c they got support from their former guitarrist Uwe Lulis before concluding by \u201eHeavy Metal Breakdown\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guns ‘n’ Roses<\/strong> The time had come for the huge Wacken-premier of Los Angeles kings’ of Hard Rock. The announced slot over more than 3 hours astonished in conjunction with the latest live reviews about the band. But first of all they started on time by their classic opener \u201eWelcome To The Jungle\u201c. Tha band performed tight, Axl Rose obviously just had problems with the higher tones. Besides that he had to deal with technical problem wich maybe were the cause for a mic drop while \u201eSweet Child O’ Mine\u201c. But he made it over the maximum show with several different jackets, of course with a few instrumental breaks,
and so did both Rock icons – Slash and Duff McKagen – next to him as the whole backing band including long time keyboarder Dizzy Reed. Mentionable was that the screens switched from stage broadcast to showing a twisting skull instead of furthermore showing the musicians during the short breaks. Playing the two Black Sabbath classics \u201eNever Say Die\u201c and \u201eSabbath Bloody Sabbath\u201c and dedicating them to Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed nine days before, was a wonderful gesture and harmonized with Axl Rose’s nowaday’s voice. They also rocked by \u201eYesterdays\u201c, \u201eCivil War\u201c, \u201eYou Could Be Mine\u201c, \u201eEstranged\u201c as Bob Dylan’s \u201eKnockin’ On Heaven’s Door\u201c to the moment when Axl Rose sat down at the piano playing and singing \u201eNovember Rain\u201c getting a coughing fit twice between his lyrics. It turned out to a great atmospheric moment anyway. So Guns ‘n’ Roses concluded by \u201eParadise City\u201c the record appearance after nearly 200 minutes with all hits. Thumbs up for their new drummer Isaac Carpenter who nearly performed the whole time on a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smoke Blow<\/strong> Lead by a vocalist duo the Hardcore Punks from the pretty close city of Kiel opened this day’s program on Wacken’s third biggest stage to inspire some party mood after the sun had returned. After the heavy rain of the night before just a smaller crowd watched the show and sang along with the cover version of Billy Idol’s \u201eRebel Yell\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prong <\/strong>Lots of more fans welcomed the following trio from New York City. By \u201eBeg To Differ\u201c they opened a clear old school set just considering by \u201eThe Descent\u201c from their latest release \u201eState Of Emergency\u201c. This turned out to a good decision causing many headbangers as a moshpit. Especially the final neckbreakers \u201eProve You Wrong\u201c, \u201eWhose Fist Is This Anyway?\u201c and \u201eSnap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck\u201c got much support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ugly Kid Joe<\/strong> The Californians attracted sunny weather and a filled up Louder Stage ground starting with the debut classic \u201eNeighbor\u201c. In a well-balanced set the quintet inspired the loudest singalongs during the ballad \u201eCats In The Cradle\u201c. Lead by great vocalist as entertainer Withfield Crane and a still tight band they bid farewell by the Mot\u00f6rhead-cover \u201eAce Of Spades\u201c and their 90ies chart hit \u201eEverything About You\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clawfinger <\/strong>Next act in today’s over-50-program on the Louder Stage was the Crossover-pioneers from Stockholm. They doubtlessly kicked ass by \u201eRosegrove\u201c, \u201eWarfair\u201c, \u201eThe Prize We Pay\u201c, \u201eBiggest And The Best\u201c and considered with \u201eBall & Chain\u201c a still unreleased song from the long awaited forthcoming new album. Co-vocalist Jocke Skog pointed they’re on the highest and so dryest point of Wacken, bassist Andr\u00e9 Skaug did his helicopter-headbang-jump-stunts and fronter Zak Tell entertained very well. After a crowdsurf excursion he advised on his slipped pants and a few fingers at his butt describing it as typically german while laughing. The quintet finished by \u201eThe Truth\u201c and \u201eDo What I Say\u201c being sung by the whole crowd continuing after being switched off because of being out of stage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Static-X<\/strong> How authentic it is to come back with a band years after their mainman had died may be arguable. The new fronter XerO obviously tried to repoduce the style of original vocalist Wayne Static, but to me that wasn’t the real thing. So the Californians concluded by their hits \u201eI’m With Stupid\u201c and \u201ePush It\u201c being celebrated by their die-hard-fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ministry <\/strong>The Industrial Metal institution from Chicago invited to a contrast program while the maximum show of Guns ‘n’ Roses in the neighborhood and first of all pointed out nobody of them had voted for their president. Good to know, musically Al Jourgenson and his band spread an aura by their grooving sound into the dark night in Wacken from the opener \u201eThieves\u201c over \u201eJust One Fix\u201c to the final \u201eSo What\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dominum <\/strong>The whole day turned out to become pretty dry, but in the noon it heavily rained. A big disadvantage for the Franconians to attract the visitors on the infield. On the other hand the whole show looked like a b-zombie-version of the vampires from Powerwolf. Different monsters, same Power Metal sound, just worse. So to me the Scorpions cover \u201eRock You Like A Hurricane\u201c became the highlight of the gig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Landmvrks <\/strong>Entering the stage by an a-capella-Rap held in French is not what the WOA-metalheads are used to. But they are open-minded for authentic bands being innovative, and so did Fronter Florent Salfati and his comrades. By the opener \u201eCreature\u201c, \u201eA Line In The Dust\u201c, \u201eSulfur\u201c as \u201eBlood Red\u201c they played four songs from their new album \u201eThe Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been\u201c and enthused by \u201eBlistering\u201c, a second French Rap introduction into the semi-ballad \u201eVisage\u201c, the hit \u201eLost In A Wave\u201c and the final \u201eSelf-Made Black Hole\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Krokus <\/strong>Switzerland’s finest replaced the canceling Saxon and so found the ideal place to celebrate their 50th anniversary from last year. By \u201eLong Stick Goes Boom\u201c, the Neil-Young-cover \u201eRocking In The Free World\u201c, \u201eEasy Rocker\u201c and \u201eLive For The Action\u201c their short-term-scheduled appearance became a worthy birthday party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Papa Roach<\/strong> Not everybody in Wacken had been sure about the WOA-headliner-debut of the quartet from Sacramento, but the infield was pretty packed when they started with \u201eEven If It Kills Me\u201c. Fronter Jacoby Shaddix and his band showed all entertaining abilities for this position. \u201eGetting Away With Murder\u201c became the first highlight being sung by ten thounsands of fans. The dedication for Ozzy Osbourne and Chester Bennington covering songs of their bands Black Sabbath and Linkin Park in a medley containing \u201eForever\u201c, \u201eIn The End\u201c and \u201eChanges\u201c was great, By a suicide prevention video they set a strong statement before playing \u201eLeave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark\u201c) and letting follow a moment of silence for people that got left behind and those who got lost. A little minus-aspect of the show became the medley containing Nu-Metal-hits from Korn, Deftones, Limp Bizkit and System Of A Down killing time for own material. The other encores \u201eBetween Angels And Insects\u201c, \u201eInfest\u201c and \u201eLast Resort\u201c ruled anyway, so this headliner convinced completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad Loverz<\/strong> The second question mark on today’s billing on the huge stages besides Peyton Parrish was this Glam Rock cover ensemble impersonated by members of wednesday’s Folk Metal headliner Saltatio Mortis. Covering Roxette, Blur, Black Sabbath as Electric Cowboy the Hard Rock way might be funny under special conditions, but this night it wasn’t. While the show it started to rain, somehow these guys seemed to attract it this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brothers Of Metal<\/strong> It had stopped to rain before the eight vikings entered the stage. So best conditions for the Swedish warriors to celebrate their Pagan Power Metal with the fans. Lead by their female voice Ylva Eriksson they considered by its title track as \u201eFlight Of The Ravens\u201c two tracks from their recent output \u201eFimbulvinter\u201c and got even more fan singalongs for \u201eYggdrasil\u201c and the final \u201eDefenders Of Valhalla\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peyton Parrish<\/strong> I don’t know how this guy got into the Wacken-billing, but the following hour became a bit weird. By his breakthrough song \u201eMy Mother Told Me\u201c for the \u201eVikings\u201c series, his interpretation of \u201eI’ll Make A Man Out Of You (Be A Man)\u201c from the \u201eMulan\u201c movie and the cover version of \u201eLeave Out All The Rest\u201c from Linkin Park his band could offer well-known tracks to take part in. But the vocalist’s speech about Jesus Christ seemed a little displaced like the whole appearance at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dirkschneider <\/strong>celebrated the 40th anniversary of the \u201eBalls To The Wall\u201c album he had produced together with his former band Accept. After starting with \u201eFast As A Shark\u201c, \u201eLiving For Tonite\u201c and \u201eMidnight Mover\u201c mainman Udo Dirkschneider and his band performed \u201eBalls To The Wall\u201c in its entirety from the title hit over \u201eLondon Leatherboys\u201c to the ballad \u201eCold Winter Nights\u201c the German tank wearing white gloves on his hands sang together with guest star Doro Pesch. After this Dirkschneider concluded the historic trip by the all-time-classics \u201ePrincess Of The Dawn\u201c, \u201eUp To The Limit\u201c and \u201eBurning\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dimmu Borgir<\/strong> In the deepest dark of the night the right time had come for the Norwegians suited like monks celebrating an amazing ride through their albums. \u201ePuritania\u201c, \u201eThe Serpentine Offering\u201c as \u201eStormblast\u201c got much headbanging as jubilating support. Shagrath, Silenoz & Co seemed to be happy (as a Black Metalhead can feel and show) with the reactions which became louder while the final \u201eProgenies Of The Great Apocalypse\u201c and \u201eMourning Palace\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forbidden <\/strong>The \u201e40 Years Of Twisted Evil\u201c participation of the Bay Area legend in Wacken could have deserved more fans. Those ones who were there enjoyed the sunny weather and Thrash classics like \u201eTwisted Into Form\u201c, \u201eForbidden Evil\u201c, \u201eThrough Eyes Of Glass\u201c as \u201eChalice Of Blood\u201c and took part in a birthday singalong for the mother of drummer Chris Kontos before headbanging again during \u201eMarch Into Fire\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nailbomb <\/strong>More than thirty years after their only release the side-project of Max Cavalera returned on stage with younger sidekicks around him, and obviously many fans had been waiting for this. Besides the debut tracks they covered Doom’s \u201eExploitation\u201c and Dead Kennedy’s \u201ePolice Truck\u201c. The vibe didn’t really seem to reach the majority of the crowd. As in his latest days with Sepultura Max Cavalera put by his son a family memeber in a band’s position what’s still a bit strange to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fear Factory<\/strong> The Industrial Metal icon from Los Angeles celebrated the 30th anniversary of their classic album \u201eDemanufacture\u201c playing it in its entirety. Just guitarist Dino Cazares was left from the line-up which had produced it. The fans needed to get used to the new shouter Milo Silvestro, but seemingly had fun with the title song, \u201eSelf Bias Resistor\u201c, the hit \u201eReplica\u201c and the lower \u201eDog Day Sunrise\u201c cover. After the \u201eDemanufacture\u201c set the quartet returned for the jubilated \u201eLinchpin\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trollfest <\/strong>Usually the numerous flamingos from Oslo are a safe party reactivator attracting the people back in front of the stage at festivals. But it had rained over the night, and many visitors had other issues, the first decided to let pull their cars from the campground. Those who went to the infield had fun with \u201ePina Colada\u201c and \u201eAll Drinks On Me\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
August Burns Red<\/strong> The Metalcore institution from Pennsylvania opened by an energetic cover of System Of A Down’s \u201eChop Suey!\u201c Agrressive shouts and a tight as hard riffing band set lots of pressure affecting motion in the pit. \u201eComposure\u201c, \u201eBack Burner\u201c, \u201eMarianas Trench\u201c and \u201eWhite Washed\u201c left no wishes open after an awesome peroformance. The sympathic appearance also contained songs from her solo album, but \u201eEnergize Me\u201c and \u201eFace Your Demons\u201c from her earlier band After Forever were the special highlights of this set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within Temptation<\/strong> Surrounded by ancient pillars and under chandeliers hanging at the roof the stage set looked pretty historic while on the other hand the Dutch Symphonic Metal sixpiece had a huge video wall behind them. Singer Sharon den Adel entered the stage suited in red with a golden mask and a crown letting her look a bit like the Statue of Liberty. The band acted tight as very intensive. A highlight became when Sharon Den Adel waved the flag of Ukraine for \u201eStand My Ground\u201c, and the whole show became pretty emotional. After the encores \u201eOur Solemn Hour\u201c and \u201eShed My Skin\u201c (performed together with Christoph Wieczorek fom Annisokay) they finished by their classic hymns \u201eIce Queen\u201c and “Mother Earth\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Machine Head<\/strong> When Oakland’s finest opened this year’s last WOA-headliner show many fans were already on their way back home due to the weather conditions of the weekend. But those who had stayed shouldn’t regret it getting kicked from the start by the smashing \u201eImperium\u201c and \u201eTen Ton Hammer\u201c. With \u201eOutsider\u201c and \u201eBonescraper\u201c the quartet considered two songs from their new masterpiece \u201eUnatoned\u201c which caused motion in the crowd as well. Mainman Robb Flynn threw a couple of beers into the audience and adviced the fans to help each other in the mud pit. After the mighty final consisting of \u201eBulldozer\u201c, \u201eFrom This Day\u201c and \u201eDavidian\u201c they returned for the epic encore \u201eHalo\u201c to leave their fans
completely satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warkings <\/strong>When the warriors entered the stage the rain started again. So just a small audience celebrated the title track, \u201eGenghis Khan\u201c and \u201eKings Of Ragnar\u00f6k\u201c from their brand-new release \u201eArmageddon\u201c as \u201eSparta\u201c and \u201eGladiator\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Floor Jansen <\/strong>While Nightwish were pausing their singer came to Wacken performing a show considering all parts of her career including Nightwish-classics even from the phases before she was joining the band. With her brilliant voice every song shined over the infield while her backing band did a good job. The quintet from Atlanta enthused by their groove during \u201eCrystal Skull\u201c, \u201eMegalodon\u201c as \u201eBlood And Thunder\u201c after which they set a remarkable end of the set by covering Black Sabbath’s \u201eSupernaut\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
W.A.S.P.<\/strong> Amazing setlist, low stageacting may describe this show well. Playing their self-titled debut in its entirety caused the awesome opening by \u201eI Wanna Be Somebody\u201c and \u201eL.O.V.E. Machine\u201c. After finishing this set and returning on stage Blackie Lawless & Co performed further classics from their following albums as encores by \u201eThe Real Me\u201c, \u201eForever Free\u201c, \u201eThe Headless Children\u201c and \u201eBlind In Texas\u201c. The question of what was live or not is a specific one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gojira <\/strong>The four Metal innovators had even become bigger since their memorable appearance at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Summer Games 2024 in Paris performing the Marie Antoinette episode in French history. So it became a highlight of the show playing \u201eMea Culpa (Ah! Ca Ira!) together with opera singer Marina Viotti. But of course a Gojira gig always consists of numerous highlights, so by \u201eBackbone\u201c, \u201eStranded\u201c, \u201eFlying Whales\u201c, \u201eAnother World\u201c, \u201eSilvera\u201c as \u201eAmazonia\u201c. Lead by the Duplantier brothers the band showed another intensive as tight performance of their thrilling compositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Die Kassierer<\/strong> The final show on the infield couldn’t haven been better fulfilled than by the Punk weirdoes from Bochum. They appeared with the classic fronter W\u00f6lfi and his much younger successor who did pretty well. Main issues were alcohol, sex and \u201eKuckuck!\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Callejon <\/strong>For another time the sixpiece from D\u00fcsseldorf showed their noon opener abilities. Their innovative Metalcore in German as English caused the first moshpits of the last festival day by \u201eSnake Mountain\u201c, \u201eMary Shelley\u201c, the ballad \u201eKind Im Nebel\u201c, the Die \u00c4rzte cover \u201eSchrei Nach Liebe\u201c and the final \u201ePorn From Spain 2\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Annisokay <\/strong>The quartet from West Germany had evolved to a stable Metalcore band filling the clubs on their headliner tours and big festival stages. By \u201eMy Effigy\u201c they presented a live premier including video production. Besides that \u201eLike A Parasite\u201c, \u201eComa Blue\u201c and \u201eSTFU\u201c got the most support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D-A-D<\/strong> When darknes started to return the Danish fourpiece also returned to Wacken. This time they astonished by their drum riser looking like a huge Wacken skull. Furthermore the gold-suited bassist Stig Pedersen enthused by his sseveral bass editions as his spark spreading helmet and fronter Jesper Binzer by his funny announcements held in German. \u201eBad Craziness\u201c, \u201eSleeping My Day Away\u201c and \u201eIt’s After Dark\u201c marked the end of another very well-entertaining Hard Rock show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although all circumstances we enjoyed our Wacken 2025! So we’re looking forward to WOA 2026! Special thanks go out the WOA-team & ICS Marketing GmbH! In Wacken rocked, drank and partied Mr. Welldone and Tobi WanKenobi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"