{"id":476,"date":"2011-03-09T20:11:53","date_gmt":"2011-03-09T19:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=476"},"modified":"2011-03-09T20:11:53","modified_gmt":"2011-03-09T19:11:53","slug":"wacken-2005-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=476","title":{"rendered":"Wacken 2005 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air 2005<\/strong>
\nAs the years before the WOA-Team presented an ideal organized festival. But this year this aspect became more important than before. The weather didn\u2019t seem to consider itself a friend of Heavy Metal for this weekend. In contrast to 2002 it wasn\u2019t one big \u201cNiagara Falls\u201d-shower. This year the rain was lower, but it came with much more perserverance just followed by a few interruptions. But the mentioned organization was able to still guarantee a great festival by covering the mud with tons of straw which was a great logistic achievement. So most visitors didn\u2019t care too much and had fun with the cool billing.
\nAt this year\u2019s WOA 77 bands played on five stages (including the Jim Beam Stage outside the festivalsite in three days for about 35000 visitors.<\/p>\n

A tragedy happened to one visitor. Outside the WOA-area he fell in front of an ambulance driving very slowly on the main road in Wacken. The 37-year-old man (R.I.P.) left a whole family consisting of his wife and four children. We wish the family all the best for its future!!!!!
\nThe WOA-team showed a wonderful examplary solidarity shared by many metalheads. They started a bank account on which many fans has spent for the family.
\nSo we also want to point out on the following account you can spend:
\nAccount owner (Kontoinhaber): Amtskasse Schenefeld
\nBank (Bankverbindung): Landsparkasse Schenefeld \/ Holstein
\nBank number (Bankleitzahl): 222 515 80
\nAccount number (Konto-Nummer): 20 000 333
\nPurpose (Verwendungszweck): Spende – Metalhead
\nIBAN: DE96 2225 1580 0020 0003 33
\nBIC (Landsparkasse Schenefeld): HSHNDEH1SHF<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em> (A Night To Remember)
\nTristania <\/strong>It\u2019s pretty unusual to begin a festival with a melancholic band like the Gothic Metal-act from Stavanger. But anyway the Norwegians rocked. Lead by the beautiful female singer Vibeke Stene as two male singers and weaponed with the new album \u201cAshes\u201d the sevenpiece earned much applause. This performance was much better than those ones had been done on the \u201cWorld Of Glass\u201d-tour. Go ahead this way!<\/p>\n

Candlemass <\/strong>The next act should even become much slower than the band before. The Doom-legend around front-monk Messiah Marcolin brought a splendid performance to their fans. The Swedes opened with the new \u201cBlack Dwarf\u201d and conitnued with the familiar \u201cWell Of Souls\u201d and \u201cDark Are Veils Of Death\u201d before they presented by \u201cCopernicus\u201d, \u201cBorn In A Tank\u201d, \u201cAssassin Of The Light\u201d and \u201cSeven Silver Keys\u201d further tracks from the new self-titled release. In the end of their set the Doomsters offered classics like \u201cUnder The Oak\u201d, \u201cAt The Gallows End\u201d and \u201cThe Sorcerer\u2019s Pledge\u201d and left a satisfied crowd.<\/p>\n

Oomph!<\/strong> This German band was a main influence for the well-known successful act Rammstein. But after nine longplayers they currently reached the music television\u2019s heavy rotation. Lead by the variable voice of singer Dero the band presented Electro Metal including catchy hooklines combined with a cool groove. People who hadn\u2019t been sure about this band fitting to the billing celebrated the show including hits like \u201cGekreuzigt\u201d, \u201cTausend Neue L\u00fcgen\u201d, \u201cFieber\u201d and of course their biggest single \u201cAugen Auf!\u201d.<\/p>\n

Nightwish<\/strong> This evening bands with female vocalists weren\u2019t really exotic. Musicians and technicians took care that this appearance became a show in its deepest sense. Supported by a wonderful light show the band started with \u201cDark Chest Of Waters\u201d from their current \u201cOnce\u201d-album. After this furious beginning the six Suomis around female singer Tarja Turunen presented their calm side by the also new \u201cThe Siren\u201d, \u201cEver Dream\u201d and \u201cDeep Silent Complete\u201d. So the full spectatorship didn\u2019t get in motion just swinging their lighters. That changed when the band turned to faster songs like \u201cPlanet Hell\u201d, \u201cWishmaster\u201d, \u201cSlaying The Dreamer\u201d and \u201cNemo\u201d. But followed by much jubilation the band returned on stage to play \u201cWish I Had An Angel\u201d and the Gary Moore-cover \u201cOver The Hills And Far Away\u201d.<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nHatesphere <\/strong>For the first time there was action on two festivalsite-stages (Jim Beam Stage not included) on a WOA-Thursday. Presented by the Metal Hammer \u201cHellfest Party\u201d the Danish Dynamite held a demonstration of modern Thrash. So fronter Jacob Bredahl introduced the pretty full tent with the advice they are not Nightwish which meanwhile started the second part of their show. The five nice guys served the fans preferring harder stuff. They took a small accent on material from the new Thrash-masterpiece \u201cThe Sickness Within\u201d by the title track and \u201cMurderous Intent and played a couple of older hits with the opener \u201cVermin\u201d, \u201cLow Life Vendetta\u201d or the final \u201cHate\u201d. After the regular set the fivepiece exclusively interpreted Metal classics from Ozzy Osbourne (\u201cBark At The Moon\u201d), Suicidal Tendencies (\u201cTrip At The Brain\u201d), Obituary (\u201cThreatening Skies\u201d) and Anthrax (\u201cCaught In A Mosh\u201d) supported by the writers from the magazine Metal Hammer who filled up the stage to bang and party to the classics right between the acting musicians. The euphoric crowd got in action, too and created many moshpits. A wonderful alternative to the Main Stage-act for fans like me!<\/p>\n

Jim Beam Stage<\/em>
\nMambo Kurt<\/strong> After last year\u2019s success the stage returned in front of the beer garden and \u201chammond-organ-god\u201d Mambo Kurt returned on it. For another time he interpreted well-known songs from very different genres (\u201cParadise City\u201d, \u201cRaining Blood\u201d, \u201cI Just Called To Say I Love You\u201d) in his own funny way. Very entertaining again!<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nMorgana Lefay <\/strong>The year of 2005 is the year of the return of Morgana Lefay. The Bolln\u00e4s-boys started with well-known classics (\u201cThe Source Of Pain\u201d, \u201cMaster Of The Masquerade\u201d, \u201cWhen Gargoyles Fly\u201d) before introducing new \u201cGrand Materia\u201d-stuff (\u201cHollow\u201d, \u201cAngels Deceit\u201d). The band around great fronter Charles Rytkonen and now short-haired guitarist Tony Eriksson showed a lot of action and had fun appearing in front of so many fans who celebrated the second classics part like the first one (\u201cThe Boone He Gives\u201d, In The Court Of The Crimson King\u201d, \u201cMaleficium\u201d) before the fivepiece dismissed them with another new track (\u201cI Roam\u201d). The Swedes are still one of the leading Power Metal-bands \u2013 live as on their releases.<\/p>\n

Sonata Arctica<\/strong> Suomi\u2019s leading Power Metal-band besides Stratovarius is definitely Sonata Arctica. Obviously the young band had won a lot of supporters who filled up the area in front of the True Metal Stage and sang lots of song parts with vocalist Tony Kakko. Despite some sound problems they celebrated hymns like \u201cMisplaced\u201d, \u201cBlinded No More\u201d, \u201cMy Land\u201d, \u201cVictoria\u2019s Secret\u201d, \u201cBlack Sheep\u201d, \u201cDon\u2019t Say A Word\u201d, \u201cThe Cage\u201d and \u201cFull Moon\u201d. But in contrast to the Bolln\u00e4s-platoon the band didn\u2019t react with any stage action. Cool gig, but they can do better.<\/p>\n

Metal Church<\/strong> This reunion of one of the most important US-Power Metal-bands doesn\u2019t still convince me. Nevertheless the formation around guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof performed well in spite of a horrible sound and a much more horrible rain. In contrast to their first Wacken-appearance 1999 they presented a unity. One main reason for this fact seemed to be fronter Ronny Munroe (ex-Rottweiler) who should have convinced even the most traditional Metal Church-maniac. From the beginning (\u201cTon Of Bricks\u201d, \u201cStart The Fire\u201d, \u201cLeave \u2018Em Behind\u201d) he interpreted the Metal Church-treasures in an ideal way. The band satisfied their old school-fans with their hymns \u201cGods Of Wrath\u201d, \u201cMetal Church\u201d and \u201cWatch the Children Pray\u201d which got supported by the guest-appearance of Vicious Rumors-guitarist Ira Black. The fans who followed the show ignoring the rainy weather celebrated their heroes happily. Returning to my criticism I need to mention the fivepiece still ignores the great Mike Howe-era. That\u2019s a sad fact which needs to be changed!<\/p>\n

Edguy <\/strong>For another time the band around front-clown Tobias Sammet stuck on my nerves. I can\u2019t understand the big following the fivepiece from Fulda had reached. In spite of the constant rain an enormous crowd celebrated tracks from the current \u201cHellfire Club\u201d-release (\u201cMysteria\u201d, \u201cThe Piper Never Dies\u201d, \u201cLavatory Love Machine\u201d) as older material (\u201cLand Of The Miracle\u201d, \u201cBabylon\u201d, \u201cVain Glory Opera\u201d). While the encore \u201cTears Of A Mandrake\u201d Tobias climbed up under the roof of the stage being around 20 meters high. As the other encore of course the fivepiece played the video-single \u201cKing Of Fools\u201d. The performance was celebrated loudly, Mr Sammet stuck with his many jokes even on some fans\u2019 nerves, but with his gesture pouring a bottle of water over his own head to be as wet as the loyal crowd was standing in the rain he even caught my sympathy. For a short time of course!<\/p>\n

Machine Head<\/strong> Till the gig people had discussed about the headliner Machine Had, but just until. With only the opener-blast \u201cImperium\u201d from the current \u201cThrough The Ashes Of Empire\u201d-album they bombed all doubts away. The next 75 minutes should become an overwhelming show consisting of smashers like \u201cThe Blood, The Sweat, Tears\u201d, \u201cTen Ton Hammer\u201d, \u201dCrashing Around You\u201d, \u201cOld\u201d \u201cFrom This Day\u201d, the power-ballad \u201cDescend The Shades Of Night\u201d and the everlasting fans\u2019 fave \u201cDavidian\u201d to which thousands of supporters shouted the chorus (\u201cLet Freedom Ring With A Shotgun Blast!\u201d). The very tight fourpiece earned as much support for their cover-medley consisting of \u201cCreeping Death\u201d (Metallica), \u201cThe Trooper\u201d (Iron Maiden), \u201cTerritory (Sepultura)\u201d and \u201cWalk\u201d (Pantera). Mainman Robb Flynn held the \u201cFuck\u201d-factor high in his comments and thanked the fans for their support followed by very loud jubilation. Wow! What an appearance! The Oakland-gang was one of the best Wacken-headliners I have seen yet!<\/p>\n

Corvus Corax & Orchestra<\/strong> After Apocalyptica finnished their set on the Black Stage this combination offered even more classic. The musicians were supposed to interpret Carl Orff\u2019s \u201cCarmina Burana\u201d, but they changed the title into \u201cCantus Buranus\u201d to avoid confusion about it. So they didn\u2019t open with the famous intro \u201cOh Fortuna ….. Velut Luna\u201d. The appearance included a choir, different costumes, an orchestra and many folk instruments played by Corvus Corax themselves who usually play a Medieval Folk Rock-style. This performance fulfilled high musical standards, but in the dark cold night it also bored by the time.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nNaglfar <\/strong>The day was supposed to be opened by darkest Black Metal. So the weather sayed \u2018no\u2019, or in this case even more \u2018yes\u2019, and switched to autumn mode. After Jens Ryd\u00e9n had quit the band the only bandfounder left Kristoffer W. Olivius now acted on microphone instead of the bass guitar. The Blackies from Umea introduced tracks from the new release \u201cPariah\u201d (\u201cA Swarm Of Plagues\u201d, \u201cThe Perpetual Hours\u201d) as older material (\u201cWhen The Autumn Storms Come\u201d, the set finishing \u201cAt The Brimstone Gate\u201d). I don\u2019t call myself a big fan of the band, but their appearance was okay anyway. Just the sound could have been much better.<\/p>\n

Illdisposed <\/strong>One of the nowadays coolest live-acts invaded the stage. The essence of their live quality is their own hard style with many funny statements held in nearly perfect German by fronter Bo Summers. So he introduced the crowd by the question: \u201cAre You Here?\u201d After the opener he asked the audience \u201cSeid ihr \u2018erwacken\u2019?\u201d (\u201cAre you \u2018awacken\u2019\u201d). The fourpiece still acting with just one guitar by Batten mainly concentrated on songs from their strong current masterpiece \u201c1-800 Vindication\u201d (the opener \u201cI Believe In Me\u201d, \u201cDark\u201d, the video-single \u201cStill Sane\u201d, the hymn \u201cAnd Now We\u2019re History\u201d), but didn\u2019t forget their older stuff (\u201cFear The Gates\u201d, \u201cThe Purity Of Essence\u201d, \u201cKokaiinum\u201d) supported by a big fanship. Curious visitors trying the band out were convinced musically as by the entertainer of the year, named Bo Summers who often pointed out they are a gay Danish band. In the end of the set Bo asked the crowd if they should play faster. After a very loud \u2018yes\u2019 he answered they\u2019re not able to do that. All thumbs up for the Aarhus-task force!<\/p>\n

Bloodbath <\/strong>Many people awaited a band which usually is just a side-project of musicians from Katatonia and Opeth added by Dan Swan\u00f6 (mainly known from his ex-band Edge Of Sanity). But it was their first live-gig ever which was even held with original fronter Opeth-mastermind Mikael Akerfeldt who had properly quit the band and had been replaced by Hypocrisy-\/Pain-mainman Peter T\u00e4gtgren. The band members were completely suited with white shirts which were covered with blood-like red colour which also covered their faces. A cool corpsepaint-alternative! The Swedes played all three tracks from their debut-mini-release \u201cBreeding Death\u201d (the opening title track, \u201cOmnious Bloodvomit\u201d and \u201cFurnace Funeral\u201d), presented three classics from their debut-longplayer \u201cResurrection Through Carnage\u201d (\u201cWays To The Grave\u201d, \u201cSo You Die\u201d, \u201cLike Fire\u201d) and focussed on their current album \u201cNightmares Made Flesh\u201d (\u201cOutnumbering The Day\u201d, \u201cCancer Of The Soul\u201d, \u201cBastard Son Of God\u201d, \u201cBrave New Hell\u201d, \u201cEaten\u201d). The big fan-crowd went totally mad. After one song Mikael advised the screaming fans this was a Black Metal-concert and they need to scream darkerlike grunting. After they had done he advanced the following scream levels: \u2018Higher\u2019 – \u2018High Pitch\u2019 – \u2018Dani Filth\u2019! The supporters fulfilled all his claims and continued banging their heads till the show\u2019s end. After this nearly everybody knew he\/she\/it had seen a very special unique performance.<\/p>\n

Obituary <\/strong>The long awaited return of the Death Metal-legend from Florida was supposed to happen in this year\u2019s festival summer. Like at the With Full Force they chose a much too long intro before they entered the stage to begin with \u201cRedneck Stomp\u201d from the new release \u201cFrozen In Time\u201d. Besides the strong rain while their gig I was a little disappointed they were playing just a few classics like \u201cSlowly We Rot\u201d. And like the last time I came to the conclusion the appearance was cool, but still leaving much space to improve it. We\u2019ll see on their club tour!<\/p>\n

Within Temptation <\/strong>The shooting stars from the Netherlands had made big progress bringing a couple of their songs into the heavy rotation of the music channels MTV and VIVA. The band started with \u201cSee Who I Am\u201d, the current video-single \u201cStand My Ground\u201d and \u201cJillian\u201d from the well-known chart-entry album \u201cThe Silent Force\u201d while it was still raining. Besides other new tracks like \u201cAngels\u201d and \u201cForsaken\u201d they also presented by their \u201cEnter\u201d-debut-album-tracks \u201cEnter\u201d and \u201cThe Other Half (Of Me)\u201d their harder side including grunts from guitarist Robert Westerholt. Supported by a nice light and pyro show the gig became one triumph, so that even at the end of the show the rain stopped and the sun came out. Sharon Den Adel wearing a black leather dress mastered even the highest tones. After the cool cover version of Kate Bush\u2019s \u201cRunning Up That Hill\u201d, \u201cCaged\u201d and \u201cMother Earth\u201d the fivepiece closed their regular set to return with the encore \u201cIce Queen\u201d which was celebrated by the fans with high sung choirs. An extraordinary show convincing all doubts they could be too much mainstream for the festival!<\/p>\n

Special Surprise Act: Stratovarius <\/strong>The secret became history when the Finnish Power Metal-institution entered the stage to play a 15 minutes lasting set. They filled the short time with \u201cHunting High And Low\u201d, \u201cBlack Diamond\u201d and the new single \u201cManiac Dance\u201d and earned much support from the audience. The harmony between the returned singer Tomi Kotipelto and guitarist as bandleader Timo Tolkki seemed to be back again. And by the way the tight band introduced his new bassist Lauri Porra to the fans.<\/p>\n

Apocalyptica <\/strong>Compared with the huge audience the four cellists attracted even more fans than the headliners Nightwish and Machine Head had done. The Finnish Metal Classic-combination brought own compositions from the younger releases bythe opener \u201cPath Vol. 2\u201d \u201cHope\u201d as by the new \u201cApocalyptica\u201d-album-tracks \u201cLife Burns\u201d, \u201cBetrayal\u201d and \u201cBittersweet\u201d. The four musicians got much louder support when they played their Metallica-interpretations \u201cMaster Of Puppets\u201d, \u201cEnter Sandman\u201d, \u201cFight Fire With Fire\u201d and \u201cNothing Else Matters\u201d. After the regular set the band returned on stage to play the Grieg-hommage \u201cHall Of The Mountain King\u201d leaving a satisfied audience.<\/p>\n

Samael <\/strong>Actually in my opinion the innovative Swiss band offered with their hard as technical sound the ideal live music for the night time. But it must have been the rainy weather of the whole day which had probably cost too much stamina of many fans. So the number of supporters left in front of the stage was pretty small. But those saw a strong gig including the meanwhile familiar video projections. Vorph, Xy and Co earned applause for songs from the current album \u201cReign Of Light\u201d (\u201cInch\u2019Allah\u201d, \u201cOn Earth\u201d) and even more for their classics (\u201cShining Kingdom\u201d, \u201cRain\u201d). Cool show!<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nMercenary <\/strong>Early in the morning (11.00 a.m.) the Danish Melodic Metal-shooting stars started the Friday on the third open air-stage. They were the right wake up-call playing a pleasant fresh kind of Melodic Metal. With the variable voice of Mikkel Sandager, a tight active band, songs from their current \u201c11 Dreams\u201d-album (\u201cRedestrucdead\u201d, \u201cFiresoul\u201d, \u201cFalling\u201d, \u201cInto The Sea Of Dark Desires\u201d \/ \u201cWorld Hate Center\u201d and the final title track-hit) and a journey back to the \u201cEverblack\u201d-longplayer (\u201cSeize The Night\u201d) they convinced the Party Stage – audience in the early morning.<\/p>\n

Gorefest <\/strong>Suspense filled the atmosphere in front of the Party Stage: The reunited Death Metal-band from the Netherlands pleased the fans with their long awaited live-presence. After seven years the fourpiece around front-growler Jan-Chris De Koeyer and drum-phenomenon Ed Warby hadn\u2019t lost any intensity. They totally renounced of material from their forthcoming release \u201cLa Muerte\u201d. Their fans didn\u2019t mind celebrating \u201cLow\u201d, \u201cThe Glorious Dead\u201d, \u201cDemon Seed\u201d, \u201cMental Insanity\u201d, \u201cErase\u201d and a Death Metal-version of Kraftwerks \u201cAutobahn\u201d. Great comeback-appearance!<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nSuidakra <\/strong>The band from D\u00fcsseldorf offered a strong performance full of energy. The voice duel between the two sixstringers Arkadius (main singer) with aggressive and Matthias with clean vocals fascinated the tent\u2019s spectators. Many people just stayed there escaping the rain outside and were surprised by this Melodic Death Metal-force. Most people felt animated to get in motion. Surprisingly one of the best appearances this year!
\nReckless Tide The second year in a row the German band appeared in Wacken. Before they entered the stage the tent had become much emptier. Those who had stayed saw powerful Thrash Metal with two fronters.<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nDragonforce <\/strong>The British group played Speed Metal in its deepest sense. So everybody in front of Wacken\u2019s biggest stage got woken up by them. Although they are a pretty new band with their two outputs \u201cSonic Firestorm\u201d and \u201cValley Of The Damned\u201d a lot of fans seemed to know the lyrics and celebrated their faves. Me didn\u2019t, but I need to mention this was a tight as professional appearance.<\/p>\n

Overkill <\/strong>One of the very few rainless phases in combination with sunshine of this year\u2019s WOA happened while the NYC-Thrash Metal-evergreens. For another time the band around fronter Bobby \u2018Blitz\u2019 Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni proved their live class by a bunch of classics like \u201cHello From The Gutter\u201d, \u201cElimination\u201d, \u201cRotten To The Core\u201d, \u201cWrecking Crew\u201d, \u201cIn Union We Stand\u201d the numerous supporters didn\u2019t hesitate to let grow the action on the spectatorside. With the final two smashers \u201cOld School\u201d and \u201cFuck You\u201d they left their happy fans. Right after the gig the sun got covered by clouds, which should cause rain again. Overkill seem to have a very mighty supporter!<\/p>\n

Axel Rudi Pell<\/strong> Then the time had come to give the fans of Melodic Metal \/ Hardrock what they want. Axel Rudi Pell and his international formation started with \u201cTear Down The Walls\u201d and \u201cNasty Reputation\u201d and let follow a best of by the medley \u201cMasquerade Ball\u201d\/\u201dCasbah\u201d in a maxi version including a lot of improvisation, \u201cStrong As A Rock\u201d and \u201cFool, Fool\u201d. By the Rainbow-cover \u201cTemple Of The King\u201d and the oldie \u201cCall Her Princess\u201d the band finished a performance that had made the decision easy to stay while it was raining. Vocalist Johnny Gioeli impressed by his voice for another time. But who was the guy singing as an hommage to the movie \u201cKids\u201d \u2018Oooooh, oooooh, skating with Casbah …\u201d while the chorus of the song \u201cCasbah\u201d? \uf04a<\/p>\n

Hammerfall <\/strong>Suitable two the visual concept of the new album \u201cChapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken\u201d and the latest \u201cIcereaker\u201d-tour the stage looked like somewhere around the poles. And the next 75 minutes should surprise me! The Swedes introduced new material as \u201cFury Of The Wild\u201d and the current video-single \u201cBlood Bound\u201d that was sung by the huge fan crowd like the classics \u201cRenegade\u201d, \u201cLet The Hammer Fall\u201d, \u201cRiders Of The Storm\u201d, \u201cHammerfall\u201d, \u201cCrimson Thunder\u201d, \u201cHeeding The Call\u201d. The band impressed me playing tight and appearing very professional. In comparison to their first gig outside Sweden in Wacken 1997 the band had evolved a lot. With \u201cTemplars Of Steel\u201d and \u201cHearts Of Fire\u201d to which the very huge hammer in the stage background got in motion Joacim Cans, Oscar Dronjak and Co closed an astonishing performance.
\nAccept The last concert of their jubileum-reunion in Germany was supposed to be held in Wacken. And although <\/p>\n

U.D.O.<\/strong> are the consequent evolution of the Accept-split this appearance spread out a very special atmosphere. From the opener \u201cStarlight\u201d the band ruled the festivalside like it had never been away and let \u201cLiving For Tonite\u201d, \u201cLondon Leatherboys\u201d, \u201cMetal Heart\u201d and \u201cUp To The Limit\u201d follow. After \u201cFlash Rockin\u2019 Man\u201d, \u201cBreaker\u201d, \u201cHead Over Heels\u201d and \u201cNeon Knights\u201d a long instrumental interrupted the songlist. Then Accept\u2019s voice Udo Dirkschneider, dressed with a long leather coat instead of his usual camouflage-brandmark, returned to the micro. With \u201cRestless And Wild\u201d, \u201cT.V. War\u201d, \u201cTurn Me On\u201d, \u201cMonsterman\u201d, \u201cLove Child\u201d, \u201cMidnight Mover\u201d they became celebrated like a soccer team after winning the Champions League-final. While the classic \u201cPrincess Of The Dawn\u201d the band had technical difficulties. No matter to the crowd filling the minutes with singalong choirs. After they had finnished the regular set by \u201cFast As A Shark\u201d Udo Dirkschneider, Wolf Hoffmann, Peter Baltes and supporting drummer Stefan Schwarzmann returned with \u201cBurning\u201d, \u201cI\u2019m A Rebel\u201d and the final encore \u201cBalls To The Wall\u201d. A great combination between musical skills, a hammer classicss-etlist and a wonderful atmosphere created by the musicians as by the euphoric crowd! Respect to a band which acted like they had never been away!<\/p>\n

Onkel Tom & W:O:A Firefighters<\/strong> On my ninth WOA-visit I watched my eighth Onkel Tom Angelripper-appearance. And I need to say: The other seven before had been much better. Last year\u2019s morning slot on the Jim Beam Stage right next to the beer garden with the Wacken firefighters had been a nice experience. But this time returning to the ideal Onkel Tom – party time the firefighters \u2018orchestra\u2019 filled the stage instead of a couple of fans Onkel Tom usually invites to come on stage. Besides the weather this was the main factor minimizing the party factor which had been so high all over the years. Drinking-hymns like \u201cIn M\u00fcnchen Steht Ein Hofbr\u00e4uhaus\u201d, \u201cWenn Ich Einmal Traurig Bin\u201d, \u201cKaramba, Karacho, Ein Whiskey\u201d or \u201cEs Gibt Kein Bier Auf Hawai\u201d get their real party-effect with fans on stage. So for the next time I would recommend to let Onkel Tom Angelripper and the WOA firefighters only play seperated. Cheers!<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nZyklon <\/strong>It was up to the Norwegian band with the discussable name to wake up for the third and the last day. No matter to the guys around the ex-Emperor-musicians Samoth and drum-wonder Trym. With hyperspeed-numbers from their two outputs \u201cAeon\u201d (\u201cSubtle Manipulation\u201d, \u201cPsyklon Aeon\u201d, \u201cTwo Thousand Years\u201d) and the debut \u201cWorm Ov Worms\u201d (\u201cWorm World\u201d, the set closing \u201cHammer Revelation\u201d) they played against the sunshine. An exotic weather phase many other bands would have payed for.<\/p>\n

Suffocation <\/strong>The band from New York inspired with their smashing Death Metal to much headbanging and moshpit activity in front of the stage. Not to bad for a band playing while noon. Shouter Frank Mullen thanked the fans in his pretty long statements for several times and after \u201cEffigy Of The Forgotten\u201d an impressing performance was done. It\u2019s good to have them back!<\/p>\n

Dissection <\/strong>Right back from prison this reunion is a very much discussed one. But one which attracted a lot of fans. Those were happy to watch classics as the opener \u201cNights Blood\u201d, the following \u201cFrozen\u201d, \u201cUnhallowed\u201d, \u201cThorns Of Crimson Death\u201d, \u201cThe Somberlain\u201d, Where Dead Angels Lie\u201d, \u201cRetribution – Strom Of The Light\u2019s Bane\u201d. The group around Jon N\u00f6dtveidt got supported by fourstringer Hakon Forwald and presented with \u201cStarles Aeon\u201d and \u201cXeper I Set\u201d two new tracks which will be published on the forthcoming album. But in contrast to their 1997-appearance (in the afternoon while hottest possible heat!) they didn\u2019t convince me at all. And according to the mentioned unmusical \u2018problems\u2019 I must conclude: I don\u2019t need such a reunion!<\/p>\n

Marduk <\/strong>The Swedish Black Metal-legend played one of their weaker shows. One opponent was the sound which disturbed tracks from the current output \u201cPlague Angel\u201d (\u201cSeven Angels, Seven Trumpets\u201d, \u201cSteel Inferno\u201d) as older classics (\u201cSlay The Nazarene\u201d, \u201cBaptism By Fire\u201d, \u201cPanzer Division Marduk\u201d) and that was too low by the way. The other opponent was new fronter Mortuus who acted like \u2018encino man\u2019 in his earliest days and din\u2019t seem to be the right replacement for Legion. Of course he needed to play with blood in the end of the show. Yawn! The bad sound wasn\u2019t the band\u2019s fault, but besides that there\u2019s a lot to improve, especially at the vocalist position.<\/p>\n

Kreator <\/strong>In contrast to Marduk the Thrash Metal-institution played a very strong show. This line-up had become a tight unity over the last years. So Thrash-grenades like \u201cPleasure To Kill\u201d, \u201cViolent Revolution\u201d, \u201cExtreme Aggression\u201d, \u201cPhobia\u201d or \u201cPeople Of The Lie\u201d found their optimal effect and the crowd went crazy. Fronter and mainman Mille Petrozza showed a wonderful gesture dedicating the classic \u201cFlag Of Hate\u201d to the Wacken visitor who had died at the weekend (look at introduction!). After \u201cTerror Zone\u201d and \u201cTormentor\u201d they left the stage and their satisfied fans in front of it. Very strong appearance that convinced fans from all different sub-genres!<\/p>\n

Sentenced<\/strong> A historic hour was supposed to follow: Suomi\u2019s finest played their last gig in Germany. Vocalist Ville Laihiala announced tonight\u2019s motto: \u201cOne hour, no bullshit, just music!\u201d They caught the crowd\u2019s attention with a greates hits consisting of the opener \u201cExcuse Me While I Kill Myself\u201d, \u201cMay Today Become The Day\u201d, \u201cNepenthe\u201d (which was played much too early!), \u201cNo One There\u201d, \u201cBroken\u201d, \u201cBleed\u201d, \u201cNo More Beating As One\u201d, \u201cEver-Frost\u201d, \u201cVegeance Is Mine\u201d and \u201cNoose\u201d. While the songs \u201cWhere Waters Fall Frozen\u201d and \u201cThe Rain Comes Falling Down\u201d it started to rain, but the crowd didn\u2019t care about. They watched a very special appearance which was finished by \u201cEnd Of The Road\u201d. But I missed something surprising and another \u201cAmok\u201d-track like \u201cNew Age Messiah\u201d. But nevertheless a great band said farewell and will leave a big gap! Good-bye!<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nHoly Moses<\/strong> The German formation around \u2018Mrs Grunt\u2019 Sabina Claasen presented a well-balanced set between new (\u201cSymbol Of Spirit\u201d, \u201cEnd Of Time\u201d) and old (\u201cWorld Of Chaos\u201d, \u201cFinished With The Dogs\u201d, \u201cCurrent Of Death\u201d) of their now 25 years long lasting career. The Shock Therapy-cover \u201cHate Is Just A 4 Letter Word\u201d was dedicated to a friend of the band who had died short time before and finished the regular set before they returned together with Onkel Tom Angelripper to perform together \u201cToo Drunk Too Fuck\u201d.<\/p>\n

Surprise Act: Martin Kesici<\/strong> \u2018What a surprise!\u2019, most spectators may have thought when the winner of the casting show \u2018Star Search\u2019 entered the stage. He was motivated to entertain the big crowd, but he earned total rejection. Nearly all spectators turned their back to the stage holding one special finger in the air. So you couldn\u2019t really describe this appearance as successful!<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nGoddess Of Desire<\/strong> While Onkel Tom entertained on a big stage the band from the Netherlands did the same in the tent. Count August and Co got the usual support by four stripping ladies. Some people enjoyed it, some didn\u2019t. Nothing special, but entertaining as well. Metal To The Metals!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nThis year\u2019s Wacken had the most difficult conditions caused by the weather. Since the Dynamo Open Air 1997 I hadn\u2019t experienced such a permanent anti-festival-weather. So we need to praise the big job done by the WOA-organizing team and all the helpers. Tons of straw were brought to the festival area to cover all the moist mud which was coordinated very professional. Besides that the visitors got the offer to let their car pull out by a tractor for free. Another exemplary aspect was the atmosphere: Fans, securities and everybody else were still relaxed defying the rain. The billing fulfilled high approaches and included many great appearances.
\nSo especially the writer of these words is looking forward to Wacken 2006, my tenth WOA-participation in a row since my debut in 1997! The first bands for 2006 are alreay confirmed: Subway To Sally, In Extremo, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Soilwork and Children Of Bodom! We\u2019ll be there: Rain or Shine! I think the next time(s) we all (orgnizers, helpers as fans) deserve much more shine! \uf04a<\/p>\n

Special thanks go out to Sheree Hesse, Britta Kock and the WOA-team!!!!!
\nAt the Wacken Open Air 2005 rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Primal Dirk, Dumbo and Vera!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wacken Open Air 2005 As the years before the WOA-Team presented an ideal organized festival. But this year this aspect became more important than before. The weather didn\u2019t seem to consider itself a friend of Heavy Metal for this weekend. In contrast to 2002 it wasn\u2019t one big \u201cNiagara Falls\u201d-shower. This year the rain was … <\/p>\n

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