{"id":510,"date":"2011-03-09T20:35:37","date_gmt":"2011-03-09T19:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=510"},"modified":"2011-03-09T20:35:37","modified_gmt":"2011-03-09T19:35:37","slug":"wacken-2004-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=510","title":{"rendered":"Wacken 2004 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wacken 2004<\/strong>
\nAfter improving many circumstances to reach an ideal organization of the world\u2019s biggest Open Air Festival (if you measure this by the number of visitors) we were curious if the festival was still able to top itself, and it was! So nothing new from Wacken? Wrong! Besides holding the high organization standards the WOA celebrated its 15th anniversary. Everybody who had attended on its 10th anniversary knew what that meant. A maximum of crazy people, a fantastic outdoor-party and of course Heavy Metal. Right in the middle: The Metal-Festivals.com-team! At WOA 2004 played 64 bands in 65 appearances on five stages in three days for about 48000 visitors.<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nZodiac Mindwarp<\/strong> Does anybody know Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction? Not really? I just remember good rocking albums about 15 (Does this number sound familiar to you?) years ago. So the Americans opened the biggest festival stage with their Heavy Rock and earned with the Thin Lizzy-cover \u201cThe Rocker” and \u201cFeed My Frankenstein” (This is not a cover! Zodiac wrote it together with Alice Cooper and they both released it on their albums!) some applause although this show didn\u2019t really become spectacular.
\nMot\u00f6rhead <\/strong>The Rock\u2019n\u2019Roll institution saluted the huge crowd with the suitable \u201cWe Are Mot\u00f6rhead” and with \u201cNo Class”. The spectatorship including numerous of B\u00f6hse Onkelz-fans got excited and celebrated every of Mot\u00f6rhead\u2019s many hits. It didn\u2019t matter if those dated from older (\u201cShoot You In The Back”, \u201cDoctor Rock”, \u201cMetropolis”) or newer ages (\u201cSacrifice”, \u201cGod Save The Queen”, \u201cLife\u2019s A Bitch”). Just \u201cBomber didn\u2019t find a consideration in their setlist. After the final \u201cKilled By Death\/Iron Fist” Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell and Mickey Dee returned on stage left the jubilating crowd with the two encore-classics \u201cAce Of Spades” and \u201cOverkill”.
\nB\u00f6hse Onkelz<\/strong> The next appearance had been the most discussed one ever in Wacken. Although Frankfurt\u2019s finest had headlined Wacken Open Air 1996 many people doubted the idea to let the controversial rock-band headline Wacken\u2019s Thursday. Anyway they fitted into the Thursday-concept \u201cA Night To Remember” like no other band could. Beginning their last tour before splitting the group bassist and songwriter Stephan Weidner saluted the fans with the anouncement to play one of the longest gigs in the band\u2019s history. As the co-headliner the B\u00f6hse Onkelz started with a suitable welcome song (\u201cHier Sind Die Onkelz”) and from now on the whole festival area celebrated songs from the new \u201cAdios”-output (\u201cOnkelz vs. Jesus”, \u201cSuperstar”) and of course the big number of classics (\u201cFinde Die Wahrheit”, \u201cTerpentin”, \u201cNichts Ist F\u00fcr Die Ewigkeit”, \u201cGehasst, Verdammt, Verg\u00f6ttert”, \u201cHeilige Lieder”, \u201cAuf Gute Freunde”) which were even sang by people who had criticized this band a short time before (Hello Doombek, you seem to know all their lyrics!). Kevin, Stephan, Gonzo and Pe couldn\u2019t have wished a better atmosphere. And Weidner\u2019s anouncement should become true, and even more: With 31 songs in nearly three hours this showcase turned out to the biggest as longest ever have held in Wacken and the longest festival appearance I have seen yet. So they left a satisfied crowd with the evergreen-encores \u201cMexico” and \u201cErinnerungen”. In my opinion this show was as the Mot\u00f6rhead-show a nice party. No more, no less! By the way: Around the gig there was no special violence noticed as some people had apprehended before.<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nParagon <\/strong>The first Friday-big-stage-band offered True Metal from Germany and so nothing to me. After a bombastic intro which sounded like the \u201cLord Of The Rings”-soundtrack the band began with the \u201cThe Legacy”. By songs like \u201cThunderstorm” or \u201cSteelbound” they sounded like Grave Digger and worse. Some friend of mine enjoyed it while I didn\u2019t (except the intro!).
\nWeinhold <\/strong>The solo-project of former Zed Yago-singer Jutta Weinhold introduced the new release \u201cFrom Heaven Through The World To Hell” in a very pathetic way. Especially the reciting of self-written poems between the songs became pretty ridiculous. Much more acceptance found the finishing Zed Yago-cover \u201cBlack Bone Song” in which Jutta \u201cGoethe” Weinhold got support by Holy Moses-voice Sabina Classen.
\nBrainstorm <\/strong>The five Suebes probably played one of their best gigs. Supported by an astonishing spectatorship in the hot (!) afternoon the gig turned to a whole celebration of Power Metal-hymns like \u201cDoorway To Survive”, \u201cHollow Hideaway” and \u201cHighs Without Lows”. The sympathic as fantastic singer Andy B. Franck ran the stage as the photo pit up and down and animated the willing crowd. With the cover \u201cAmarillo” they finished a hammer-appearance. Thumbs up except for the burning sun (My poor forehead!).
\nGrave Digger<\/strong> As their \u201clittle brothers” from Paragon Chris Boltendahl\u2019s band didn\u2019t really inspire me. Serving a best of-setlist (\u201cThe Grave Digger”, \u201cScotland United \/ Rebellion”, \u201cKnights Of The Cross”, Excalibur”, \u201cIn The Dark Of The Sun”) and supported by a cool pyro-show they reached much more fans than on the WFF a month before. Those celebrated the gig of their faves until the final \u201cValhalla” and \u201cHeavy Metal Breakdown”.
\nDio<\/strong> The time had come for the metal-voice to entertain the huge crowd awaiting the little man with the big melodies. And he inspired them by a fantastic 90 minutes lasting best of-program in front of a \u201cHoly Diver”-backdrop. Ronnie and his band began his set with \u201cKing Of Rock\u2019n\u2019Roll” to present a wonderful choice of classics he had done in his career. Besides playing one song from the forthcoming album \u201cMaster Of The Moon” (\u201cThe Eyes”) they did a trip through Ronnie\u2019s Rainbow- (\u201cStargazer”, \u201cLong Live Rock\u2019n\u2019Roll”, \u201cGates Of Babylon”) as through his Black Sabbath- (\u201cSign Of The Southern Cross”, \u201cHeaven And Hell”) era without forgetting the numerous Dio-solo-milestones like \u201cRock\u2019n\u2019Roll Children”, \u201cStand Up And Fight”, \u201cDon\u2019t Talk To Strangers” and the encore \u201cWe Rock”. No question: The \u201cdwarf” was big! Bigger than Joey DeMaio\u2019s (Manowar) guest appearance (non-musically) praising Dio in his words: \u201cRock, drink and fuck in the name of Dio!” Huhu, \u201cJoke-Joey”! You\u2019 ll better perform here next year!
\nDoro, Warlock & Orchestra<\/strong> The first part of the show contained Doro performing classic versions of \u201cI Rule The Ruins”, \u201cAlways Live To Let You Win” or the final (of this first part of the set) \u201cAll We Are” supported by an orchestra. While some Iron Maiden-covers like the opener \u201cFear Of The Dark”, \u201cRun To The Hills” and \u201cMan On The Edge” she got support from former Maiden-vocalist Blaze Bayley as while \u201cF\u00fcr Immer” she was supported by Savatage-guitarist Chris Caffery. Her Judas Priest-interpretation of \u201cBreaking The Law” became as conflicting as the whole orchestral part did.
\nAfter a long break Doro entered the stage again in the 1986-line-up of Warlock consisting of drummer Michael Eurich, bassist Frank Rittel, the guitarists Peter Szigeti and Niko Arvatis and of course Doro herself. The performance included all the eighties classics of Doro\u2019s breakthrough band from D\u00fcsseldorf (\u201cOut Of Control”, \u201cTrue As Steel”, \u201cMidnite In China”, \u201cHellbound”, \u201cBurning The Witches”, \u201cFight For Rock”) to make the second part of this showcase much more valuable than the first one. But the hymn \u201cAll We Are” should have belonged to the Warlock-part.<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nOrphanage <\/strong>The Dutchs represented Gothic Metal of its better kind. After I had seen them on the Dynamo for several times it had been pretty quiet around them. They had replaced all musicians and so they were back. Lead by the sympathic grunter George and by the characteristic female voice Rosan they succeeded with \u201cDriven” and of course the classic \u201cAt The Mountains Of Madness”.
\nCathedral <\/strong>The British band around the charismatic frontman Lee Dorian offered Doom Metal of its best. Despite the weak sound they convinced for another time by \u201cCongregation Of Sorcerers”, \u201cCarnival Bizarre”, \u201cRide” and the definite Cathedral-hit \u201cHopkins (The Witchfinder General)”. Besides those songs the Doomsters presented the \u201cProbot”-title \u201cIce Cold Man”.
\nArch Enemy<\/strong> Again I need to praise the band\u2019s live power with which they excited the crowd by their hits like \u201cRavenous”, \u201cSilent Wars” or \u201cWe Will Rise”. But again I need to point out shouter Angela Gossow didn\u2019t only stuck on my nerves with her stupid comments between the tracks. Ignoring that the show was great musically while I still had enjoyed the former male singer much more.
\nMayhem <\/strong>Norway\u2019s cult-Black-Metal-band and the hot afternoon sun didn\u2019t really fit together. Beginning with \u201cDeathcrush” and \u201cCarnage” the Blackies didn\u2019t of course ignore the show-effect. Like at WOA 1999 the stage was prepared by some pierced pig heads which became the object of fronter Maniac\u2019s strange ideas. He burned it or played with it by his huge knife while his tool decided to cut in Maniac\u2019s hand. And not too less as it was obvious by his flowing blood. Shit happens! While I was waiting for the men with the white coats \u201cManiac Flew Over The Cockoo\u2019s Nest” to \u201cAncient Skin” and \u201cView From Nihil”. Greetings to the totally unprofessional guitarist! You don\u2019t know who you are (Huhu!)!
\nFeinstein \/ The Rods<\/strong> For the first time after ten years the Hardrock-legend The Rods appeared in Germany. And the band around the original members singer\/guitarist David Feinstein and bassist Garry Bordonaro started with the classics \u201cHurricane”, \u201cCrank It Up” and \u201cPower Lover” just to leave the stage suddenly after it. David Feinstein returned with his nowadays solo-band lead by the phenomenal voice of John West to present their new release \u201cThird Wish”. In the end of this showcase Manowar-bassist Joey DeMaio whose ex-drummer Rhino belonged to the \u201cThe Rods”-line-up played the intro of \u201cSting Of The Bumblebee” and performed with the band.
\nDestruction <\/strong>As you may have noticed I don\u2019t count to the biggest fans of Destruction and fronter Schmier. Nevertheless the German-Thrash-act brought a greatest hits-choice which shouldn\u2019t have left too many wishes of its fans open. Classics like \u201cMad Butcher”, \u201cThe Butcher Strikes Back”, \u201cBestial Invasion”, \u201cNailed To The Cross” and \u201cMetal Discharge” took care of a celebrated Thrash-gig which included guest-appearances of ex-Immortal-guitarist Abbath, Hypocrisy-voice Peter T\u00e4gtgren and Holy Moses-voice Sabina Classen for the title \u201cTotal Desaster”.
\nAmon Amarth<\/strong> At 2:00 a.m. a much bigger crowd than expected awaited the vikings which showed their importance they had earned over the last few years. And the crowd didn\u2019t get disappointed. Grunter Johan Hegg and his fellowhip inspired their fans with classics like \u201cVictorious March” or new mashers like \u201cPursuit Of Kings”. After a convincing hour of Death Metal they left the satisfied fans to sleep or to party on.<\/p>\n

Party Stage<\/em>
\nMnemic <\/strong>The Danish breakthrough-band presented their debut album \u201cMechanical Spin Phenomena” in the hot morning (11:00 a.m.). By this one longplayer they had created more than enough Industrial Metal-smashers (\u201cLiquid”, \u201cGhost”, \u201cBlood Stained”) which also excited live. Cool gig!
\nRaunchy <\/strong>The next Danish Industrial-attack was performed by our camp-neighbours (We don\u2019t want to mention any of some funny party-occurrences!). The group who had replaced Lars Vognstrup by new fronter Kaspar Thomsen introduced besides the new bandmate the current output \u201cConfusion Bay”, but were handicapped by several sound problems. So they didn\u2019t reach the same power their fellow-countrymen had done before.
\nEl\u00e4kel\u00e4iset <\/strong>The crazy \u201cFinnish National Drink-Team” celebrated another beer-influenced \u201cHumpa”-party. The five madmen sat at a table and brought their funny polka-versions of well-known rock-hits like Bon Jovi\u2019s \u201cLivin\u2019 On A Prayer”, Europe\u2019s \u201cThe Final Countdown”, IronMaiden\u2019s \u201cRun To The Hills” and Van Halen\u2019s \u201cJump”. What a party which inspired me to dance some waltz (Okay, call it a try, huhu!) with a nice partner!<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nMisery Index<\/strong> The fourpiece from Maryland which consists of some former Dying Fetus-members burned down the tent by their mashing Death Metal. The fans who filled nearly the whole tent were curious by songs from the \u201cRetaliate”-output like \u201cThe Lies That Bind” or \u201cThe Great Depression” and saw a good as fast show of their faves.<\/p>\n

Jim Beam Stage<\/em>
\nMambo Kurt<\/strong> This year the WOA-organization created the new Jim Beam-stage and added it to the beer garden in front of the festival area. But the best of this idea was letting the hammond organ-god play on this stage. Interpreting classic rock- (\u201cEngel”, \u201cParadise City”, \u201cThunderstruck”, \u201cThe Final Countdown”) and pop-songs (\u201cI Just Called To Say I Love You”, \u201cMy Heart Will Go On”, \u201cJust Can\u2019t Get Enough”) in his crazy way and motivated the crowd to do a long polonaise. A well entertained exciting show. Or how Mambo Kurt himself summarized: \u201cIn the beginning of this show no security-man\/woman seemed to care about and in its end there stood six of them in front of the stage.” Nothing to add!<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nTrue Metal Stage<\/em>
\nDeath Angel<\/strong> The Bay Area-institution around Mark Osegueda and Rob Cavestany had to play in the much too hot noon because Saturday\u2019s billing of Wacken\u2019s biggest stage consisted of high quality. Nevertheless the thrashers proofed of their high live intensity by the opener \u201cSeemingly Endless Time”, \u201cThrown To The Wolves”, \u201cThicker Than Blood”, \u201cVoracious Souls” and the final \u201cKill As One”. At least by this gig they should have earned a later position in the billing for the next time.
\nAnthrax <\/strong>The gods of Thrash Metal are a huge power whether on records or in live shows. The legend had replaced bass-icon and live-animal Frank Bello by Joey Vera well-known from John Bush\u2019s ex-band Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Tribe After Tribe, etc. Without ignoring their current masterpiece \u201cWe\u2019ve Come For You All” by its opener \u201cWhat Doesn\u2019t Die” or the fantastic hymn \u201cSafe Home” bandfounders Scott Ian, Charlie Benante & Co brought many classics to Wacken (the opener \u201cInside Out”, \u201cRoom For One More”, \u201cGot The Time”, \u201cAnti-Social”, \u201cCaught In A Mosh”, even the debut-track \u201cDeathrider” and the final hits \u201cOnly” and \u201cIndians”). All those killers were interpreted by John \u201cThe Voice” Bush and thousands of fans who filled the festivalsite. Phenomenal!
\nNevermore <\/strong>Seattle\u2019s finest appeared for the third time at WOA and once again they convinced without any doubt. Starting by the two \u201cThe Politics Of Ecstasy”-tracks \u201cThe Seven Tongues Of God” and \u201cThis Sacrament” they opened their setlist containing complicated, but kickin\u2019 Power Metal. Supported by new member (full-time or stand-bye?) Steve Smyth known from Vicious Rumors, Testamen, etc. songs from the new album (the title track, \u201cNever Purify” \u201cI, Voyager”) as older milestones (\u201cNext In Line”, \u201cBeyond Within”, \u201cThe River Dragon Has Come”, \u201cThe Heart Collector” and the final Simon & Garfunkel-interpretation \u201cSound Of Silence”) were sung by thousand\u2019s fan voices adding this gig to the big collection of Nevermore\u2019s festival-triumphs.
\nHelloween <\/strong>The German Melodic Metal-institution wasn\u2019t able to hold this high level the bands before had built. Nevertheless the pumpkins offered a best of-setlist containing all younger (\u201cHey Lord!”, \u201cIf I Could Fly”, \u201cPower”) as older classics (\u201cStarlight”, \u201cKeeper Of The Seven Keys”, \u201cEagle Fly Free”, \u201cDr. Stein”) which got celebrated by the spectators. And those should be witnesses of the historic part when the surprise guest, ex-member and nowadays Gamma Ray-mastermind Kai Hansen entered the stage to perform with his ex-band its classics \u201cHow Many Tears” and \u201cFuture World”. Nice surprise (A little obvious perhaps, but who cares?)!
\nSaxon <\/strong>You can\u2019t stop the Metal-legend! The British band headlining WOA for the third time celebrated its 25th anniversary by an overwhelming show together with about 30000 fans and many surprise guests on stage. With \u201cHeavy Metal Thunder” voice-phenomenon Biff Byford & Co started into a set containing all those classics they call their own like \u201cDogs Of War”, \u201cSolid Ball Of Rock”, \u201cPrincess Of The Night” and \u201cThe Eagle Has Landed” before they got support from diverse special guests: The first one was Thomas Jensen (one of the main Wacken-organizors) who played bass while \u201cStrong Arm Of The Law” followed by ex-drummer Nigel Glockler appearing to \u201c747 (Strangers In The Night)”, Stratovarius-drummer J\u00f6rg Michael who had acted on the current \u201cLionheart”-album (\u201cCrusader”), the eagle hanging on the stage\u2019s roof which came out for \u201cWheels Of Steel”, Savatage-guitarist Chris Caffery and Destruction-fronter Schmier who both appeared to \u201cDenim And Leather”. By the encores \u201cForever Free” and \u201cDallas 1 p.m. they closed a great performance which \u201cWe Will Remember”. Heavy Birthday!
\nJ.B.O.<\/strong> The Comedian Metal-fourpiece were the last band of this year\u2019s WOA. They entertained a big audience which still hadn\u2019t enough and spread a good temper into the auditorium. The fans didn\u2019t hesitate to accept the invitation and took part in the party. So the Bavarians became celebrated for their interpretation of well-known rock-classics (\u201cEin Fest”, \u201cRoots Bloody Roots”, \u201cVerteidiger Des Wahren Bl\u00f6dsinns”) as for their own songs (\u201cEin Guter Tag Zum Sterben”). I had seen them to often to get really excited, but the crowd got and that counts!<\/p>\n

Black Stage<\/em>
\nBal-Sagoth<\/strong> The British Melodic Black Metal-formation didn\u2019t really unfold itself because of a bad sound. So the very keyboard-dominated material from albums like \u201cPower Cosmic”, \u201cAtlantis Ascendent” as from the forthcoming new release didn\u2019t reach more than a small bunch of fans in the late morning (11:00 a.m.).
\nUnleashed <\/strong>After a long time of abscence the Swedish Death Metal-machine had performed well at the same place two years ago. So the growing spectatorship expected a lot and they shouldn\u2019t feel disappointed. The vikings around the grunting \u201cpackage” Johnny Hedlund animated to headbang by smashers like \u201cImmortals”, \u201cDeath Metal Victory”, the Death-cover \u201cEvil Dead” which they dedicated to Chuck Schuldiner as to Quorthon and \u201cInto Glory Ride”. Cool oldschool!
\nCannibal Corpse<\/strong> Even to the Deathers from Florida where you\u2019re normally very used to the sun it must have felt strenuous to play in the afternoon under the hottest temperature conditions. Nevertheless the fivepiece who introduced by Jeremy Turner a new sixstringer played a very tight concert. \u201cFront-windmill” Corpsegrinder and Co didn\u2019t fulfill the numerous shouted wishes to play \u201cHammer Smashed Face” for some reasons the most know. But they also excited with the title track of the new release \u201cThe Wretched Spawn” as with well-known hammers like \u201cThey Deserve To Die” or the final \u201cDevoured By Vermin”.
\nHypocrisy <\/strong>After a long drunk night with Corpsegrinder mainman Peter T\u00e4gtgren didn\u2019t really seem to feel well. But he and his band delivered a strong gig they\u2019re known for. Opening with \u201cFractured Millenium” the Swedish Death Metal-protagonists presented a set that contained new tracks (\u201cEraser”, \u201cTurn The Page”) as of course a few classics (\u201cThe Final Chapter”, \u201cGod Is A Lie”, \u201cDeathrow (No Regrets)”) which earned much fan support. Closing an hour of celebrating Death Metal of its best the band played \u201cRoswell 47″ (T\u00e4gtgren anounced it \u201cWacken 47″!) and \u201cBorn Dead Buried Alive”.
\nChildren Of Bodom<\/strong> The band from the land of the thousand lakes had a high position in the billing and the huge number of fans who had partly assembled over an hour ago vindicated it. Frontman Alexi Laiho and his band which presented a new guitarist by Roope Latvala (known from Waltari, Stone,etc.) instead of Alexander started with one of their hits (\u201cHate Me!”) into a set celebrated by the wild crowd with nearly no compromise. No wonder while performing old Melodic Death Metal-pearls like \u201cSilent Night, Bodom Night” and debut-hit \u201cDeadnight Warrior”, \u201cFollow The Reaper”-tracks \u201cSilent Bodom Night”, \u201cAngels Don\u2019t Kill” or songs from the new \u201cHatecrew Deathroll”-release like \u201cSixpounder”, \u201cNeedled 24\/7″ or its title track which represented the end of a a tearing show.
\nSatyricon & Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone)<\/strong> This Black Metal-collaboration between the successful band Satyricon with the frontman of the underground-cult Darkthrone was one of the most awaited appearances of this year\u2019s WOA. In its first part the band around Satyr and Frost entered the stage and presented their classics beginning with the debut-song \u201cWalk The Path Of Sorrow” over \u201cThe Night Of The Triumphator”, \u201cForhekset”, Repined Bastard Nation”, \u201cFuel For Hatred” and \u201cFilthgrinder” to leave the stage after 45 interesting minutes in which they were supported by pyros and a fascinating light show.The band returned with \u201cits new frontman” Nocturno Culto to continue with his blackened classics. \u201cKathaarian Life Code” excited the masses (about 30000 spectators) as after Nocturno Culto\u2019s dedication of this performance to Bathory\u2019s mainman Quorthon \u201cThe Hordes Of Nebulah” and especially \u201cTransilvanian Hunger” did. After \u201cUnder A Funeral Moon” the artists left the stage and entered it again with the Stayricon-encore \u201cMother North” to dismiss the impressed crowd which had seen a memorable show.
\nParty Stage
\nAfter Forever<\/strong> In spite of Cannibal Corpse playing at the same time numerous people wanted to watch Gothic Metal. And the gig of the Dutch sixpack became a triumph. Whether songs from their current album \u201cInvisible Circles” (\u201cReflections”, \u201cBetween Love And Fire”) or older compositions (\u201cGlorifying Means”, \u201cMy Pledge Of Allegiance Part I \u2013 The Sealed Fate”) were celebrated. The reactions became even bigger when they covered Iron Maidens \u201cThe Evil That Men Do”. Another advantage of the band was the top performance lead by the characteristic and sympathic female singer Floor Jansen.
\nKnorkator <\/strong>I was astonished about the area in front of the Party Stage filled up with fans who preferred to watch the madmen from Berlin instead of the shooting stars Children Of Bodom who were playing on the big stage the same time. What happened was a great appearance with brilliant humor. The crazy band started the party on the Party Stage with the debut song \u201cKurz Und Klein” and besides newer hits like \u201cNarrenkappe”, \u201cIck Wer Zun Schwein”, \u201cIch Lass Mich Klonen”, the Boney M-cover \u201cMa Baker” or the title track of the new album \u201cIch Hasse Musik” they set their main focus on the great first longplayer \u201cThe Schlechtst Of Knorkator” by \u201cIch Will Nur Fickn”, \u201cKonflikt”, \u201cKlartext” and the final \u201cB\u00f6se”. While that Stumpen, Alf Ator, Buzz Dee and Co entertained by their costumes (singer Stumpen wore a yellow body of the impossible kind), by teaching math lessons, by throwing a keyboard conterfeit into the crowd, etc. Hammer show, in my opinion the surprisingly best one at this year\u2019s WOA!
\nSchandmaul <\/strong>Despite playing against the unique Black Metal union appearing at the same time nevertheless many visitors had assembled to watch the Folk Rock\/Metal-hopefulls. The band from Munich which introduced their new release \u201cWie Pech Und Schwefel” jumped with the euphoric crowd to \u201cLeb”, \u201cDein Anblick” and \u201cWalpurgisnacht”. Vocalist Thomas \u201cDer Sichelmond” told the audience how nervous they had been because of playing on a pure Metal-festival. A nice gig of a sympathic band which I watched for the first time was finished by \u201cKalte Spuren” and \u201cWillst Du?”.<\/p>\n

W.E.T. Stage<\/em>
\nDisbelief <\/strong>The Psychedelic Death Metal-band presented their new great album \u201cSpreading The Rage” in the full tent with the strange smell (Huhu!). Blessed by the excellent frontman \u201cJagger” and a tight band they invaded the tent and its personal content by a short time with songs like \u201cMisery” and \u201cIt\u2019s God Given”. A strong gig performed by Germany\u2019s definite Death Metal elite who qualified for the bigger WOA-stages the next time! Hats off!<\/p>\n

Jim Beam Stage<\/em>
\nOnkel Tom & Firefighters Band<\/strong> Usually Sodom\u2019s Onkel Tom Angelripper and his drink-orientated side-project appeared as Wacken\u2019s last band each year (exception 2000), but at WOA 2004 they acted on the new Jim Beam Stage in the morning at 10.00 a.m. (!). A hard excercise to celebrate alcohol-hymns like \u201cEs Gibt Kein Bier Auf Hawai”, \u201cImmer Wenn Ich Traurig Bin”, \u201cDelirium” and \u201eIn M\u00fcnchen Steht Ein Hofbr\u00e4uhaus\u201c in a appropriate way to which they partly got support from the Wacken Firefighters Band. Suitable to the message of the songs the beer garden was very close to the stage, so nothing could go wrong. But please next time later!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nThe 15th Wacken Open Air anniversary turned out to be a great assembly of many interesting bands, lots of nice fans and ideal organized conditions. The WOA-team retained all improvements of the last year to keep the visitor\u2019s comfort high. And against some fears because of the appearance of the band B\u00f6hse Onkels the atmosphere was peaceful. So far we know there happened a violentless great party lasting over the whole festival. And that\u2019s why we always return! Like next year! See you then!<\/p>\n

A special thanks to Sheree Hesse, Britta Kock and the WOA-team!!!!!
\nAt the Wacken Open Air 2004 rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi, Melli and Dumbo!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wacken 2004 After improving many circumstances to reach an ideal organization of the world\u2019s biggest Open Air Festival (if you measure this by the number of visitors) we were curious if the festival was still able to top itself, and it was! So nothing new from Wacken? Wrong! Besides holding the high organization standards the … <\/p>\n

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