{"id":899,"date":"2011-06-06T20:30:37","date_gmt":"2011-06-06T19:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=899"},"modified":"2011-07-29T10:04:35","modified_gmt":"2011-07-29T09:04:35","slug":"dong-open-air-2010","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/?page_id=899","title":{"rendered":"DONG OPEN AIR 2010 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

DONG OPEN AIR 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations Dong Open Air! Between all the festival giants of the Metal scene we report about it may seem strange to some of you finding a review about a much smaller open air. But this is no coincidence! The Dong Open Air stands for what Metal is about: Good music, a friendly, fan-orientated as familiar, unique atmosphere and an excellent organization.
\nWe don’t know any Metal (Open Air) on earth which got sold out after 30 minutes like the DOA edition of 2010 did! And we don’t know any festival organization which stays that true to themselves persisting at the same area instead of moving to raise profits! By the way the prices for food and beverages are that fan-friendly constant, too (e.g. 1,50 \u20ac for a 0,5 l \u2013 bottle of beer! The DOA 2010 was its 10th edition, so the organizers decided to offer a best of billing from all the editions before. A concept which worked very well! And this year there was no cancellation and the weather was fabulous, so everything turned out to a wonderful weekend!<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong>
\nFolkedudl \/ Chainheart<\/strong> The first act turned out to be two in which several ex- as still active members of the Dong team played. It wasn’t my cup of tea \/ can of beer, but the Folk \/ Rock Metal seemed to be the right sound to start the party what it actually did.<\/p>\n

Guerrilla \/ All We Hate<\/strong> So this concept continued with the second billing position. The Cologne Thrash Metal fivepiece Guerilla and its successor \/ side project All We Hate are still popular in the underground and entertained besides new \u201cKickstart Revolution\u201d material by \u201cSleepwalker\u201d as \u201cClemency\u201d in which they integrated a \u201cLa Bamba\u201d interlude.<\/p>\n

Adorned Brood<\/strong> The Pagan formation from the close Rhein region were the first popular Dong headliner in 2002. After co-headlining DOA 2003 this was their third appearance on the hill. Fronter Markus Frost explained why they had such an early position: They had to play in Belgium in the evening. So the five classic Metal instrumentalists as flutist Anne paganized Dong with mainly newer songs like the current title \u201cNoor\u201d or their self-titled \u201cAdorned Brood\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hate Factor<\/strong> After splitting in 2006 the underground Death Metal formation from Krefeld reunited for the DOA. But they still knew how to perform because several members still played in other bands like Grind Inc. So the fivepiece set the first brutal signal on the Dong hill.<\/p>\n

Motorjesus<\/strong> The Rock ‘n’ Roll machine from M\u00f6nchengladbach turned out to be the first highlight of DOA 2010. \u201cThe Howling\u201d, \u201cFist Of The Dragon\u201d, \u201cDistortion Sleep\u201d, \u201cDestroyer\u201d as the classic \u201cPowertool\u201d from the days the band had been named Shitheadz. The fivepiece played a tight set, fronter Chris Birx was the biggest poser of the Dong Hill for sure and the crowd partied. What else!<\/p>\n

Blood Red Angel<\/strong> The headliner of the very first headliner of the Dong Open Air 2001 returned. And it was supposed to be the last show of the Krefeld Thrash Metal institution as shouter Klaus \u201cMr. Crime\u201d Spangenberg had told me before the gig. And smashers like \u201cThe Language Of Hate\u201d, \u201cInsanity Divine\u201d or the title track of the current \u201cAbyssland\u201d still rock, but just a small crowd came into the tent to take part in.<\/p>\n

The Excrementory Grindfuckers<\/strong> Five years after the chaos combo animated the whole Dong hill to a laughing fit they returned to do the same by their Grindcore interpretations of mainly cheesy originals. One of the two vocalists who looked like Jesus himself wore a leopard shirt while his sixstringer college played with a pink Hello Kitty guitar. So everyone knew not to take this band too serious. The pretty packed tent celebrated \u201cEin Bisschen Grind Muss Sein\u201d, \u201cThe Final Grinddown\u201d, \u201cVater Morgana\u201d and \u201cStaatsgrind Nr. 1\u201d. Very entertaining!<\/p>\n

Van Canto<\/strong> The a-capella-quintet added by a drummer hat raised their popularity since their latest Dong appearance three years ago. After they had switched their positions with Dark Age they started by \u201cLost Forever\u201d with an own composition. But off course the majority of the audience wanted to hear the interpretation of Metal evergreens like Nightwish’s \u201cWishmaster\u201d, Blind Guardian’s \u201cThe Bard’s Song \u2013 In The Forest\u201d, Metallica’s \u201cMaster Of Puppets\u201d and the encore of Manowar’s \u201cKings Of Metal\u201d. The most metalheads enjoyed it while I got bored pretty quickly.<\/p>\n

Dark Age<\/strong> The Melodic Death Metal quintet from Hamburg showed from the first tone how professional their songwriting as their live performance is. Songs like \u201cOutside The Inside\u201d or \u201cFix The Focus\u201d are little compositions between catchy choruses and musical talent. So it didn’t take too long the band earned respectable support. And after leaving by the pretty new \u201cKingdom Nevercome\u201d they were allowed to return with the encore \u201cSuicide Crew\u201d.<\/p>\n

Rotting Christ<\/strong> The still most popular Metal export from Greece convinced the following 70 minutes. Fronter Sakis Tolis performed although he had broken his leg a few weeks ago. Cancelation hat never been an issue, so he appeared on a stool. The show was completely covered in red light which put \u201cThe Sign Of Evil Existence\u201d, \u201cFire, Death And Fear\u201d or the final \u201cThrenody\u201d in a suitable atmosphere. The band played tight and the filled tent celebrated the South Europeans.<\/p>\n

Dark Tranquillity<\/strong> In a best of edition of the Dong Open Air there’s no way without the Melodic Death Metal institution from Gothenburg which probably was the first big confirmed act of DOA ever. And they ruled like in 2008. The enthused fans partied the packed tent to the new \u201cWe Are The Void\u201d songs \u201cThe Fatalist\u201d, \u201cAt The Point Of Ignition\u201d and \u201cThe Grandest Accusation\u201d as to the familiar classics like \u201cThe Wonders At Your Feet\u201d, \u201cFocus Shift\u201d \u201cMisery’s Crown\u201d, \u201cFinal Resistance\u201d, \u201cPunish My Heaven\u201d, \u201cTherin\u201d and the final \u201cTerminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)\u201d. Band as crowd rocked, especially vocalist Mikael Stanne showed another agile performance, so another triumphant show of the sixpiece was done. Amazing!<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong>
\nGun Barrel<\/strong> It seemed like there’s no better way to get waken up than by the Cologne Hardrockers. The quartet played a refreshing gig and knew how to perform their Biker Rock hymns like \u201cRoll Of The Dice\u201d and especially \u201cLonely Rider\u201d which should become the party anthem for the rest of the festival. Nice guys as we should find out after the show till they had to leave because guitarist Rolf needed to join the 30th birthday of his daughter. Oops! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Jack Slater<\/strong> After these melodic tones the time had come for a brutal massacre done by the Grindcore group which showed together with the mentioned day opener which musical variety the city of Cologne offers in its Rock \/ Metal scene. While the show some strange costumed fan showed himself on stage which got destroyed by the Grindcore commando.<\/p>\n

Insignium<\/strong> This was the first sign of the Black Metal fourpiece from Hagen. But there got no missing live experience noticed. Just the songs became more and more boring. Time for a new ouput after the last \u201cIn Die Abgr\u00fcnde\u201d release from 2005, they played one new track.<\/p>\n

Synathasia<\/strong> The following act didn’t excite me more. The Power Metal band from the very close city of Duisburg has different connections to the Dong Open Air and pretty many supporters went into the tent, but to me their Power Metal was much too pathetic whether they played typical material like \u201cFate\u201d and the new video single \u201cDestination Nowhere\u201d or party stuff as \u201cIn Beer We Trust\u201d and the Culture Beat cover \u201cMr Vain\u201d. Three years ago they covered Die Kassierer, that was much more entertaining. The fans enjoyed it anyway.<\/p>\n

Orphan Hate<\/strong> Just one year after they had convinced on the early position of the saturday morning opener the quartet from Berlin returned. Their Thrash Metal around female vocalist Sina animated many fans again to rock to \u201cKing’s Misery\u201d, \u201cCircus\u201d, \u201cPassion\u201d and \u201cHomeless\u201d. As last year I’m pretty sure we won’t have heard about the band for the last time.<\/p>\n

Raintime<\/strong> Of course Raintime got invited again. The band from Italy weren’t an audience magnet, but they presented an interesting mixture between Melodic Death, Prog and Power Metal. And they showed their new album \u201cPsychromatic\u201d is able to hold the level by the opener \u201cFire Ants\u201d, \u201cNothing But A Mistake\u201d, \u201cNeverending Stairway\u201d and \u201cBeaten Roads\u201d with its predecessor \u201cFlies & Lies\u201d from which they performed the title track, their former video single \u201cRolling Chances\u201d, the Michael Jackson cover \u201cBeat It\u201d and the final \u201cMatrioska\u201d as the unforgetable announced \u201cOne Day\u201d (\u201c… Onnnnne Dayyyyyyyyyya\u201d). <\/p>\n

Elvenking<\/strong> And the program continued with another formation from Italy. Their Melodic Metal with a Folk Element produced by their violinist motivated more fans to step into the tent as their fellow countrymen had done before. Especially their most well-known video singles \u201cThe Divided Heart\u201d and \u201cCabal\u201d as the Skyclad cover \u201cCivil War Dance\u201d earned applauding as headbanging reactions from the crowd.<\/p>\n

Persefone<\/strong> This band from the very small state of Andorra was the absolute discovery of DOA 2008 and the best one of the whole Dong history. Their very unique Progressive Death Metal excited me for another time stressed by an amazing live interpretation. Compositions like \u201cRage Stained Blade\u201d, \u201cFall To Rise\u201d or the silent \u201cPurity\u201d showed the class of the innovative band we’ll hopefully hear more from and impressed every spectator being in the tent.<\/p>\n

Debauchery<\/strong> Three years ago the Death Metal machine from Stuttgart played in the sunny afternoon. Until 2010 their popularity had been raised, so they earned an evening billing position. In contrast to the band before the simple aspects of Metal ruled the tent by \u201cBack In Blood\u201d or \u201cBlood For The Bloodgod\u201d taught (sic!) by fronter Thomas. To me it just reminded me a bit too much to Six Feet Under.<\/p>\n

Grailknights<\/strong> For the third time the masquerade circus of the Grailknights populated the tent by absolutely loyal fans as the stage by musicians and different actors. Those were an ork, a dragon, some Skeletor guy, the special new role of the Dong cow and of course the four Power Rangers suited musicians of the Grailknights on their search of the holy grail. The numerous fans enjoyed \u201cGrailquest Gladiators\u201d, \u201cWhen Good Turns Evil\u201d, etc. and especially the distinctive show.<\/p>\n

Skyclad<\/strong> You can call the Irish Folk Metal institution a steady member of the Dong hill family. From my first Dong participation on the sixpiece appeared for the fifth year at the DOA 2010 edition, and it was an event for another time filling up the tent. The band celebrated with the fans the 20th anniversary of their existence by playing one song each album minimum beginning with the current \u201cIn The? All Together\u201d (\u201cWords Upon The Street\u201d) album up to their \u201cThe Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth\u201d debut release from 1991 (\u201cThe Widdershins Jig\u201d). After this live presentation of their musical history the band returned for the encores \u201cThe Parliament Of Fools\u201d, \u201cAnother Drinking Song\u201d and the final \u201cInequality Street\u201d during which they got co-assisted by the members of Elvenking. Fifth Dong appearance \u2013 fifth party!<\/p>\n

Die Apokalyptischen Reiter<\/strong> One of the most horrible live shows I have ever seen was one of Die Apokalyptischen Reiter at Up From The Ground in 2003. And although I don’t enjoy their music at all I need to mention they played a good live gig. The tent was packed, the fans celebrated from the beginning with \u201cWir Sind Das Licht\u201d, \u201cRevolution\u201d over \u201cRiders Of The Storm\u201d, \u201cEs Wird Schlimmer\u201d, \u201cAdrenalin\u201d, \u201cReitermania\u201d, \u201cWe Will Never Die\u201d until the set finishing \u201cMetal Will Never Die\u201d and the show had an own atmosphere by several big balloons which got pushed from the stage through the whole tent. A nice closure for another awesome Dong Open Air!<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong>
\nSo our third Dong Open Air experience participating as a reporting magazine became another great one!
\nThe weather was fine, there was no cancellation and the organization worked very well! At the bottom of the hill the DOA organization built a new parking lot which even improved the spectators’ arrival.<\/p>\n

We need to mention the catering as the drinks got offered in a big variety and very fair prices. So don’t bring your beer on top of the hill, support this festival and its prices! Instead of that bring warm clothes for the nights (a hint for the freeze-ladies) and don’t forget a camera: A more beautiful perspective for different shots you won’t find on any other festival. You can walk up the hill or take the shuttle service getting driving service including the transport of your luggage for 3,- \u20ac! The toilet situation stayed the same by mobile Dixi-toilets getting cleaned continuously. The security was nice and helped whenever they could as the DOA team did.<\/p>\n

Generally we can conclude: At DOA you have the option to be one of 1.500 metalheads celebrating a great, familiar and peaceful party in a unique atmosphere! So try to be one of them next year when it’s up to celebrate Dong Open Air 2011!
\nThanks go out to Benjamin \u201cColamann\u201d Munsch and the DOA team!!!!!
\nAt the Dong Open Air rocked, drank and partied Tobi Wan Kenobi and Dumbo!!!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DONG OPEN AIR 2010 Congratulations Dong Open Air! Between all the festival giants of the Metal scene we report about it may seem strange to some of you finding a review about a much smaller open air. But this is no coincidence! The Dong Open Air stands for what Metal is about: Good music, a … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “DONG OPEN AIR 2010 Review”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":21,"menu_order":20,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/899"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=899"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":964,"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/899\/revisions\/964"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/new.metal-festivals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}