Timo Pässler, Maike Eisenmenger, Melanie Haack, Samira Alinto
J.B.O Friday, 18:45 – 19:45
True Metal Stage
Friday evening, right after the usual lunch break, it was time for ultimative nonsense. The partly knowing, partly curious crowd was attracted by huge pink J.B.O. Letters on stage and an urgent countdown to get to the stage. This fun Metal band, founded in 1989 in Erlangen, Germany, should not be missed, so they say. In order to win over the Wacken audience, they started with some „Rock Muzik“ before they became „defenders of nonsense“, „Verteidiger des Blödsinns“. Singer and guitarist Hannes insisted that „Wacken, you are so sweet“, and that was true as several dedicated fans had put on J.B.O. Pink. During the show a happily jumping grim reaper appeared on stage („Faulheit siegt“), as well as a Country-Britney, and with a lot of comedy time flew by. Who did not really know the lyrics could read them – thanks to the cameras – from a huge screen, even from a distance. J.B.O. Is indeed big fun!
(kd)
Four ears – two opinions
Admittedly, J.B.O. is a question of taste, and not mine. But it´s a fact that the majority of the audience is of different opinion. This is why despite summer temperatures spirits are high. The Franks add funny statements and rhymes to their usual musical program, targeting e.g. Britney Spears, Sido and Edmund Stoiber, When J.B.O. end their set after one hour, everybody feels like party. And even Metal fans should have their share of nonsense!
(tp)
Lacuna Coil
Friday, 20:00 - 21:00
Black Stage
Because of their recent success Lacuna Coil can play this year in the evening hours. And the dark sounds of this Italian band draw many people to the Black Stage, remarkably many females among them. You could have expected that a good front woman would particularly attract the guys. Altogether the show of Lacuna Coil was quite good, considering that their sound in the style of KORN doesn´t really fit to the rest of the program. (tp)
Enslaved Friday, 20:00 – 21:00
Party Stage
With their particular melodic Viking/Prog/Black Metal-style the Norwegians roamed on Party Stage. Those posers par excellence are infectious because everywhere around me air guitars are played and people are moshing. Enslaved also had the best sound on this stage. Grutle Kjellson and his guys offered a great show that is regarding sound, atmosphere and performance among my Wacken Top 5 this year.
(sa)
Blind Guardian Friday, 21:15 – 22:45
True Metal Stage
Blind Guardian gathered all 72.000 visitors in front of their stage. So how it seems as the area from the entrance to the photo pit is one single huge mass of people. The guys from Krefeld choose the usual opener `Into the Storm` and receive a lot of cheers. The security has a rough job just because of all those crowd surfers. Guardian are at their best: Tight, playful and entertaining. I´ve hardly ever seen them so perfect on stage!
Musically the fantasy Metallers present a Best-of-Set, enriched with some new songs, e.g. the on the tour rarely played `Otherland`. Visually they add an effective Lightshow and video projections
Therefore: Anno 2007 Blind Guardian live have become a Gesamtkunstwerk!
(tp)
Dimmu Borgir Friday, 23:00 – 00:15
Black Stage
Whether the darklings Dimmu Borgir have an enchanting live show or not is mainly up to Shagrath´s mood. Luckily he seemed to have a good day, and the band managed to create their special atmospheric worlds and take the audience into it. The light, the show, the program including all hits – it all worked. Also the new material appealed. Only the sound was something to complain about, some guitars could not be heard from my position (left side). Yet I heard afterwards that in the middle and on the right the sound was OK.
(sa)
Schandmaul Friday, 23:00 – 00:15
Party Stage
A special treat for Metalheads who also like bagpipes and flutes were Schandmaul this year. The genre might be questionable for the world´s biggest Metal festival, but the audience at the stage proved that this wasn´t really important. The Party Stage area was full, you better didn´t suffer from claustrophobia in the front rows. There were no stage divers but other attractions. Invited by singer Thomas Lindner all people crouched and jumped up at his command. That brought life into tired bones. And people danced like hell, especially people in the back who made use of their space: „Walpurgisnacht“, „Vogelfrei“ and „Kein Weg Zu Weit“ are some examples. Some guys shook their hair to the faster guitar parts. Yet this time Thomas Lindner cut out all those nice stories he usually tells because there was not enough time. The encore was something for the female fans, another highlight: „Dein Anblick“.
(me)
Fastway Friday, 00:40 – 01:25
W.E.T Stage
Who wants to listen to ingenious guitar soli? Well, according to the size of the W.E.T. Tent audience most people rather preferred Iced Earth, one of the True Metal Stage headliners, than listening to Eddie „Fast“ Clarke, Ex-Motörhead guitarist and living legend. For this year´s Wacken Open Air the Hardrock band Fastway, founded in 1983, was reformed, mainly appealing to fans of 70s to 80s Rock. Fastway remind you of Led Zeppelin, Guns´n´Roses and also Europe... „Steal the Show“, an 80s classic, was the motto of some indecisive festival visitors, and the tent filled up slowly, perhaps to half of it´s capacity. Those who chose Fastway instead of Iced Earth definitely didn´t regret it. We enjoyed a great show with impressive guitar licks in a comfortable surrounding.
(kd)
Iced Earth Friday, 00:30 – 01:45
True Metal Stage
Jon Schaffer and his crew start with `Burning Times` and inspire from the first second. You can feel their and especially Jon´s hunger and pleasure to play. No wonder, the last Wacken gig was 10 years ago. Iced Earth impressed with a selection of their back catalogue and presented also two new songs that have you longing for the soon-to-be-released new album even more. Not only sound and songs are great, but also the master mind´s stage presence, hardly ever to be seen of a guitarist. Yet also singer Tim Owens deserves to be mentioned, he had a great vocal performance also during the old Barlow-songs. Because of the 75 min limit Iced Earth cannot play the grandiose `Ghettysburg`-epos. Still the Americans leave me impressed and are for me THE positive surprise of this festival.
(tp)
Die Apokalyptischen Reiter Friday, 02:00 – 03:00
Black Stage
Even before Die Apokalyptischen Reiter were on stage, you could see raised fists and cheers everywhere. Reason was singer Fuchs who was lowered from the stage roof. A good start that even woke up the tired fans at two o´clock. As usual Dr. Pest spent the show playing keyboard in his cage. Naturally they needed a beauty, too, so frontman Fuchs picked a girl from the audience, and after dancing with her, put her into the cage to Dr. Pest. But one was not enough, he fetched another one for adding vocals, a beauty in white sang with him a duet. Not only she was beautiful, but also the pyroshow: Firewalls lit up the festival area. They focused on the new album „Revolution“, „Friede Sei Mit Dir“ and „Riders On The Storm“. Fans were enthusiastic as if every song was the last. Those high spirits on and off stage turned this show in one of the best of this festival.
(me)
Samael Friday, 02:00 – 03:00
Party Stage
Samael managed to breathe new life into the tired masses. Singer Vorph tried very hard to add this sinister cold feeling to every verse – and he succeeded – if you did not look at bass player Mas who jumped all the time with a big smile. Very funny. Moreover, it was great to hear Samael classics in dark night. Unfortunately I was too exhausted after half of their show, but not because of the band who played a great show, but because of my uncomfortable shoes.
(sa)
Samstag, 03 August 2007
Forum Band – Victims Of Madness Saturday, 12:00 – 12:20
W.E.T. Stage
It is every time a funny highlight, getting up early to watch Victims Of Madness anzusehen. The musicians on stage have never rehearsed together and met via Internet. And it sounds exactly like that. The first song was no good for hangoverish audiences who forgot ear plugs. Only the toughest could survive that. The second song, a Saxon cover „Princess Of The Night“ played by differend musicians was more digestible, and the singer had a nice posing. The Iron Maiden cover „Run To The Hills“ worked best. Big fun and there was still time to see the second half of Disillusion. Until next year, VOM.
(sa)
Sonic Syndicate Saturday, 12:00 – 12:45
Black Stage
For the newcomers Sonic Syndicate one dream after the other must be fulfilling. First the record deal with scene giant Nuclear Blast, then the well-received album and now a gig on Wacken main stage. But the seven musicians live up to expectations and played actively, with fun and competent. Remarkable is also the fact that a lot of people were in front of their stage. If also the next album fulfills expectations, a lot of things must go wrong for Sonic Syndicate not to play next time at some better time.
(tp)
Disillusion Saturday, 12:00 – 12:45
Party Stage
Unfortunately I just saw Disillusion´s last 15 min as their show started simultaneously with the Forumband who I wanted to see. But those 15 min were enough to get an impression of the new band members´ live qualities. Alex Tscholakov, who had played with Disillusion before, and Alla Fedynitch (Enemy Of The Sun, Ex-Pain) seemed to enrich the band that sounded better than before. Yet I still cannot stand Andy Schmidt´s voice. So for those who like it the Crossover Metal breakfast must have been appealing as there was nothing to complain about.
(sa)
Sacred Reich Saturday, 12:50 – 13:50
True Metal Stage
Despite the 10 year break Sacred Reich had no problem to mobilise their „sleepers“ and unite them to an international „One Nation“ at Wacken, Germany. Singer and bass player Phil Rind thanked the fans for their loyality that has been lasting throughout those 20 years of band history. Sacred Reich play US Thrash/Speed Metal with some melodic parts and rather political topics. Songs like „The American Way“, „One Nation“, „Ignorance“ or „Independance“ are a good example. The band from Phoenix, Arizona, even featured the Black Sabbath classic „War Pigs“ and invited the audience to sing along, so that their position to US foreign policy – pretty much the same as back then - became clear to everybody. This cover was fun and even produced a circle pit in front of the stage. Sacred Reich are a very sumpathetic band I can just recommend!
(kd)
Moonspell Saturday, 13:55 – 14:40
Black Stage
I have often found that Moonspell in daylight don´t really appeal, just like Samael, Dimmu Borgir, or Immortal – no go! Still Fernando Ribeiro gave everything and captured you after a long war-up and pulpy sound. Finally the guys from Portugal – with a great backdrop – really enchanted the audience, and then... well, then came „Alma Mater“, and then it was over. It might be that the sun heat slowed down the set and only later the spell was broken, but I wasn´t the only one feeling that this set was way too short. Hopefully Moonspell have a later slot next time.
(sa)
Heaven Shall Burn Saturday, 13:55 – 14:40
Party Stage
Heaven didn´t burn but it must have felt like that in front of the stage. As soon as the band was on stage the fans freaked out. They didn´t need a song to warm up, the first body divers started right away, being picked out of the crowd by Security. Stress made those otherwise nice guys look angry. Singer Marcus Bischoff invidet to do crowdsurfing and therefore added work for security. Quite a lot of action was on stage, too, with a hyperactive Marcus and his band colleagues who used every chance for posing. Fans and band stimulated each other, the moshpit looked like an anthill going wild. Who thought that this was tough had not seen a „Wall Of Death“. Over and over Marcus split the crowd in two and had them run towards each other on command. Luckily there were no injuries, all participants had a lot of fun. After short 45 min it was over, although both parties would have preferred some more.
(me)
Stratovarius Saturday, 14:45 – 15:45
True Metal Stage
The guys of Timo Tolkki find with `Hunting High and Low` an excellent start for their set. You can feel the fun they have on stage. Still the spirits cannot stay that high during the whole set. Stratovarius still had a good and solid show, and in this form (also on CD) you can definitely expect much more of those virtuosos.
(tp)
Rage Saturday, 17:15 – 18:30
True Metal Stage
For Rage this show was an anniversary: It was exactly 10 years ago that they appeared first with the Lingua Mortis-Orchestra in Wacken. It starts with a best-of their bandhistory, before they unwrap the long ``Lingua Mortis-Medley`` in the middle of the set. Altogether it was a good show, just the short orchestra parts during which the band left stage were a bit annoying. First it was interesting but then it became boring. Still it was great to hear the classics also live in a powerful orchestra-Metal-wrapping.
(tp)
Norther Saturday, 18:45 – 19:45
Party Stage
With good sound and cool sunglasses – in this weather situation that wasn´t just for decoration – the Finns started their set. Their catchy Old School Thrash/Death had several Finnish flags waved and a lot of Metal-heads bang. Those days when Norther seemed a bit insecure are definitely over, yet their show was a bit too much routine for my taste.
(sa)
Destruction Saturday, 18:45 – 20:00
Black Stage
German Thrash-Veterans Destruction lured fans to the "Black Stage": Up to the very back the space was filled, but comfortably as people didn´t want to squeeze into the front rows. And right after chief destroyer Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer entered stage, classics like "Mad Butcher" or "Death Train" were played, before guests come on stage to play "Alliance Of Hellhoundz" from the recent album "Inventor Of Evil": Peavy - Rage, Blitz - Overkill, Oddleif Stensland - Communic, Onkel Tom and ex-guitarist Harry Wilkens. A nice effect that still cannot distract from the fact that Destruction are basically very ho-hum. This was the reason why their show became more and more boring, and it was apparent in the crowd, too. Only the front rows had some action, but further back people just stood and applauded politely. A show to be seen, especially as a fan, but you could save your energy for the following bands.
(Death Angel / Metal.de)
Turisas Saturday, 19:05 – 19:50
W.E.T. Stage
It was dripping from the ceiling, when Turisas started in the packed Sauna named W.E.T Stage with „To Holmgard and Beyond“. I simply melted away and didn´t want to think about the situation for the Finns on stage in their make-up and furs. Turisas were brave, though, and tirelessly fired up the audience. Their costumes are – like Lordi´s – a question of taste, I think it´s ridiculous but nice for photos. Musically Turisas´ Battle Metal was exactly what the crowd wanted, and they would deserve a bigger stage next time.
(sa)
Type O Negative Saturday, 20:15 – 21:30
True Metal Stage
Is this really Pete Steele? Some fans might have asked who have not seen Type O Negative for a while. Marked by his excesses but seemingly good-humoured the icon and his colleagues entered the True Metal Stage in Wacken. Fans could see a well-known design, water bottles besides wine and Jägermeister for Mr. Steele. Naturally it was mainly the alcohol that was consumed, what else. A bit unusual, though, was Peter Steele´s voice that sounded rather thin. Many songs were supported or entirely sung by band colleague Kenny Hickey. There was not much playfulness or fun in that show. In between the band left stage several times, and every time you wondered if they will come back. They played many of their top classics: „Black Nr. 1“, „My Girlfriends Girlfriend“ or „Bloody Kisses“, but still everything sounded like routine. The major disappointment was the premature finale of their gig, only after 45 min - including all breaks - Type O Negative left and thousands of confused, waiting and disappointed fans remained.
(me)
Immortal Saturday, 21:45 – 23:00
Black Stage
They are back. Abbath, Horgh and Apollyon have been playing live together again since April and appeared in Wacken for the first time in Germany. Somehow it´s like they´ve never been gone. Songs like „Battles Of The North“, „At the Heart of Winter“ and „Blashyrkh“ win back the old fans. Unfortunately the sound was much too low and a lot was lost, but the obvious good vibes on stage and the cult factor made up for that. This time no Teddy bears were thrown on stage, as it had become a habit in the old days before they had their rest period. Pyro and great light show, spitting fire and making faces, and pulling the legs of their audience a bit, Immortal offered despite low sound a great show.
(sa)
In Flames Saturday, 23:15 – 00:30
True Metal Stage
After that you get a lesson in Modern Metal / Melodic Death Metal: In Flames work as a hit factory on high speed. You realize how many Metal anthems those likeable Swedes have already released: Older songs like ``Colony`` or ``Episode 666`` or new stuff like ``Take this Life`` or ``The Quiet Place``: everything is inspiring and has the crowd cheer enthusiastically. In terms of stage acting you can see that In Flames learned a lot from their many support tours for giants like Slayer, Priest and Metallica. They use the whole stage and appear quite self-confident in front of such a huge crowd. Routine – but definitely not boring. Quite the opposite: You have hardly ever seen In Flames having so much fun during a show, and hardly ever the communication with the audience was that entertaining. Plus this huge light show and those Pyro effects. Great, this is Metal entertainment!
(tp)
Haggard Saturday, 00:45 – 01:45
Party Stage
Many bands might promote their music as "Metal meets Classic" nowadays, but there is only one band that indeed created a union, on an equal basis, of orchestra music and Metal elements - Haggard, with the probably biggest cast of the whole festival. It is not simply replacing Rock music with bombastic orchestra nor interpreting classic-pieces on electric guitar. The Bavarians with head master and guitarist Asis combine in terms of song writing and live performance the perspectives of Rock music and classic and create something unique. There are not as many spectators as Schandmaul had the day before, but still impressive for the third exhausting festival day. Both "Eppur Si Muove" and "Awaking The Centuries" CDs are featured with the biggest hits, but it is not easy to make a pick for just one hour performance time, especially if the compositions are somewhat excessive. Unfortunately Haggard´s new output is still to be waited for, but there was a little preview of it, yet not enough to understand the whole song material fully. But the first impression was good. At least it´s honourable that Asis and his crew – listen, Mr. DeMaio – rather strain the nerves of their waiting fans than releasing something half-baked. And as Haggard are absolutely unique they are far from any danger to become boring. This gig ended way too soon for my taste.
(Xeledon / Metal.de)
Cannibal Corpse Saturday, 00:45 – 01:45
Black Stage
Saturday evening, 0.45 Uhr, Black Stage in sinister lighting. Red and blue spots illuminated vague silhouettes on stage. They were Cannibal Corpse. The crowd cheered to enthusiastically to one of the world´s biggest Death-Metal-bands. As soon as they started playing, the moshpit was on the move, too. Thousands of Metalheadz threw their hair in circular motion, just like their Mosh-icon George „Corpsegrinder“ Fisher. Fisher, who must have the neck as strong as a bull´s, still managed to be much faster than anybody. Perhaps only gravitation stopped him from flying off like a helicopter. The good mixture of old and new songs appealed to the audience, and the gig became more and more frolic. „Fucked With A Knife“ is only one song as example for many that satisfied the hungry crowd. The highlight was yet another song that especially German fans, and Wacken, had been waiting for, quite a long time: 2007 Cannibal Corpse finally played „Hammer Smashed Face“! A happening to be remembered for a long time.
(me)
Subway To Sally Saturday, 02:00 – 03:00
True Metal Stage
Subway had the honour to wrap up this year´s Wacken Open Air. Late at night they gave their best and inspired the still remaining bangers. Besides their festival best-of program they presented two quite promising new songs from the upcoming album „Bastard“. One of those is even filmed that night for a live-video, a courageous act because nobody knows the material yet. But Eric Fish has a good idea: ``Just pretend that you know that song for 10 years!``. No need to inspire the crowd more, people cheer as loudly as for the many hits of the band.
So basically STS ended the WOA with a competent show, a slightly ill-fated festival that still worked out nicely and was a lot of fun. So until next year!
(tp)
1349
Full of expectations I arrived punctually in the tent for Vital Remains which should be my Wacken finale, but soon it turned out that they won´t play, and I could not find out why. Still this should not be a reason for 1349 to postpone their set for an hour, but people waited patiently. Then finally, a long intro, cheers, two fire-breathers appear, breathe fire. Cheers. Intro. Then a drummer constantly on1890 BpM, guitars plugged in, and diabolic fun began. The crowd seemed to enjoy it, there´s no room for headbanging, therefore people just stand and applaud in an elitist and misanthropic manner. I personally could not stand this high speed attack longer than for two songs and preferred to have some beer instead. Cheers!
(Raphi / Metal.de)
This year´s Wacken was hopelessly overcrowded, and although there were problems now and then the organisation managed a huge job, and there was a nice line-up. And although many of us spend the days afterwards sick in bed, we have to say again: See you next year!
Timo Pässler (tp), Maike Eisenmenger (me), Katrin Dietl (kd), Samira Alinto (sa) and the Metal.de - Crew; transl. K. Dietl, K. Weber
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