Friday 12 August 2011

All for one, All for METAL

A Wacken 2011 festival review

So last Wednesday myself and Mike headed to Germany to watch some heavy metal. This was the second time we had been to this festival and by the time we left for the airport I was incredibly excited. After a great breakfast at the airport and a not so good one on the plane we arrived at Hamburg airport and ventured outside to make our way to the central train station. Then came the small problem that after 3 years neither of us remembered what the next step was. In the end we decided to go for the S-Bahn (underground) and found it was incredibly simple and cheaper than the bus! We then got a direct train from Hamburg to Itzehoe, albeit with a small delay for some reason, only known to those who spoke German. Which was nicer than having to change at a small station called Elmshorn as it means less moving with baggage. Had a small wait for the bus to the festival but once there, the ticket exchange and camping spot finding were both relatively quick and simple. We set up our tents and then began our Wacken festival.

We decided to watch the football tournament as it gave plenty of laughs last time. It was enjoyable but we decided to have a stroll around the village to see what else was going on. We ventured into the part of the arena that was open to have a look in the tent and found that they had more of the side open so it would be much easier to get in and out, this put smiles on our faces after the last time when we only saw 1 band in there and vowed never to go back. So we walked over to the newly extended part of the festival site Bullhead City. There was a huge crowd outside the tent so we walked to a nearby screen which showed what was on stage at that time, the answer on this occasion was boobies! It appeared to be a group of strippers who ripped off their clothes before the water even touched them and then made out with each other.  After that entertainment we strolled back to the football pitches to watch the conclusion of the tournament and saw some great football and fantastic goals. Once the final had concluded we went back to the Bullhead and were able to get into the tent. It was a very good size with a wrestling ring in the middle and a walkway linking that to the stage. We were there to witness the football trophies being awarded but were there a little early and so caught the act before. Big mistake. It could be that we didn't speak German but whatever was happening on stage was not cool. It was the Masters of Comedy, which included a guy dressed as a dog, an invisible motorcycle rider and an invisible pilot, mixed with "stand up". It was extremely awful! But that finished and we managed to move ringside to applaud the triumphant footballers and then to watch some wrestling. I enjoyed the wrestling as much as you can enjoy amateur wrestling, along with the earlier strippers dancing around and showing off their boobs once again. There was an English wrestler there called Robbie Brookside and it would be cool to see him here one time. After this the second Miss Wet T-shirt began, this time it appeared the strippers were replaced by members of the crowd. All of whom seemed happy to lose their clothes to huge cheers from a mainly male crowd. We then left the tent and walked across to the Beergarden stage for the first bit of live music of the festival.

(Stages key: Bullhead City Tent - BC, Beergarden - BG, Headbangers Ballroom/W.E.T Tent - WET, Party - P, Black - B, True Metal - TM)

Mambo Kurt - BG - 4 - We were looking forward to seeing Mambo Kurt as the stuff we had heard before the festival, unfortunately it transpires to not be so fantastic live. We stayed for a couple of songs and then headed back to the tent after an interesting first day.

Thursday

We woke up and decided to grab our festival merch before the music began. This decision was made due to the massive queues that were at the stand the day before. So surely they'll be a lot smaller this time? Not so much! However, after a 90min wait, I had my shirt and was very happy with it. We dropped the merch back at the tent and decided to chill for a little bit. This meant missing Ski's Country Trash but nevermind.
We then headed to the arena to start the festival day with some bands from around the world.

Sacramental - WET - 6 - These were the Metal Battle (MB) winners from Latvia. They were very enjoyable and it was easy to see why they won the chance to play at Wacken.

Seven Stitches - WET - 6 - MB winners from Portugal were also very enjoyable.

Achren - WET - 6 - The MB winners from here in the UK were very good and can quite easily become a major force in British metal. However, they need to work on their crowd interactions as all I heard was growling and therefore couldn't tell you any of the songs we heard.

Exquisite Pus - WET - 2 - MB winners of Spain, um yes, that's it.

Kvelertak - BC - 8 - We strolled into the Bullhead a little earlier than we planned seeing as Exquisite Pus were really that bad. We heard a small band outside so went to investigate. Blaas of Glory, a metal marching band were playing outside the supermarket and we heard Highway to Hell, very funny and enjoyable. Then we couldn't get into the tent so went to watch on the screen. Kvelertak were incredible to listen to and I reckon had we been in the tent the score would've been higher.

Skyline - B - 8 - Since we were outside the tent we decided to stroll back into the arena and watch Skyline & Guests. These included Doro who I now want to see at her own show. They played what I assume were a couple of the Wacken hymns. U.D.O's and GraveDiggers lead singers also performed with the band.

Severenth - BC - 7 - We then headed back to the Bullhead to see this band who turned out to be English, so helpful when you understand the band! They were very good and I hope they tour near Pompey at some point in the future. Preferably coming to Portsmouth. It was a shame they had a small crowd but those that were there seemed to enjoy what they saw/heard. I know I did.

Onkel Tom - BC - 7 - This band were very good and a lot of fun. They tapped a beer barrel and 2 very good looking girls were handing out cups of beer to the crowd. They got a great reaction from a crowd that had grown massively. German bands are popular in Germany, who knew?! Mike made a new friend in the form of an extremely drunk dude who was falling asleep when trying to take a swig of beer. I say beer, Wacken is sponsored by Becks, probably the only bad thing about the festival.

Hayseed Dixie - BG - 10 - What can I say? Once again Hayseed were incredible. I always enjoy their set and the banter. The first 10 rating of the festival was well deserved and I can't wait to see them again.

Helloween- TM - 6 - We caught a little of their set as we made our way to get a spot for the next band. They sounded pretty good. I don't know much of their stuff but would probably check them out if the chance arose again.

Blind Guardian - B - 9 - I have wanted to see this band for ages, and I was not disappointed when I finally did. They were fantastic and I would happily see them headline their own tour. They were the perfect band to have on before the headliner of 2011's Night To Remember.

Ozzy Osbourne - TM - 9 - The king of heavy metal. And performance wise he was, I was expecting his voice to be frail and not as strong as in his Sabbath days. However, he was very surprising and I enjoyed his set list which included all the classics I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, I have a couple of gripes about this set. One, your Ozzy Osbourne, you're going to get a crowd reaction. You don't need to constantly ask for one after every song. Two, if you're given a 90min slot, don't disappear for 20mins in the middle of it leaving your band to jam. To then come back on, sing a couple of songs and then go off ready for your encore. If you can't manage a full headline set, take a lower less time slot. Other than that, Ozzy was brilliant and I'm so happy to say I have seen him live.

Friday

Everyone should start their day with Power Metal!

Primal Fear - P - 8 - What a wake up. Another band I have wanted to see for ages and another band who did not disappoint. They were brilliant and had a decent sized crowd for an opening band.

Suicidal Tendencies - TM - 7 - A band I didn't know too much about and now I have seen them, well still don't. They're kind of like a better LimpBizkit. And they did play one of the two songs I know of theirs, Subliminal. They were good at what they did and kept me entertained throughout their set. Although, they continued every song after the crowd had clapped and cheered. I'm not sure if this was to fill time or to get a bigger reaction but it was a little annoying.

Morbid Angel - B - 7 - We split this set with another band that we wanted to see. What I saw of MA I really liked.

Van Canto - P - 7 - 4guys, 1girl, 1drumset. How will this work I hear you ask. Very bloody amazingly well is the answer. Watching guys beatbox the bass and guitar to Master of Puppets and Fear of the Dark are memories I will have forever thanks to this band. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Sodom - TM - 8 - I sat though this set as my left ankle was trying to give out. They were a very good band and I enjoyed chilling out and listening to them. Apparently this is Tom Angelrippers (Onkol Tom) other band. That guy has a great voice!

As I Lay Dying - B - 9 - According to Mikes 2008 review and photos we saw this band at that festival too, not that either of us remembered that. However, they were brilliant. I really enjoyed watching them and found myself entertained throughout.

Trivium - TM - 10 - A thoroughly deserved 10 rating. The previous times I have seen Trivium I have really liked them but this was something special. They were so together and tight on every song. It was the first time I have heard them with their new drummer but he may well have been there since the creation of Trivium! They played a few songs off the new album, all of which sounded brilliant. I'd quite like to see them at their own headline gig again soon.

Heaven Shall Burn - B - 9 - HSB were awesome. A very energetic front man in Marcus Bischoff, a lot of pyro and a strange video show as their backdrop. I really liked their set and would be happy to see them again. Great band.

Judas Priest - TM - 10 - We saw the first 3 songs of Priests set before shooting off to see another band for half an hour. To be honest after the first 3 songs I was happy to disappear. Frankly they were boring and just didn't seem to be on form at all. However, after we came back to see them they pulled a 10 performance out of the bag! I don't know what happened whilst we were gone but I enjoyed every song after that break. They were miles better than when I saw them at Wembley and I was singing and bouncing along a lot by the end of their set which included 2 encores. So much so, I ended the set by sitting on the floor so that my left foot didn't itself snap off.  Quite why the crowd sang the whole of Breaking the Law I don't know. Maybe Halford swallowed a fly.

Sirenia - WET - 10 - WOW! During Priests set we wandered into the tent to catch Sirenias half hour set. And I'm so glad we did. They were fantastic! Symphonic/Operatic metal is definitely my favourite genre of music and I am glad to have found another band to add to that collection. Absolutely brilliant. Well worth getting away from the beginning of JP.

Accuser - WET - 8 - We were going to wander to the Party stage to see Kyuss Lives but with the amount of people and distance of walking we decided to just duck back into the tent as that's where we would be ending up later. Accuser were very good, one of those bands that you can enjoy as background music without getting bored.

Skindred - WET - 10 - Finally I have seen Skindred!! A band who I have wanted to see for years and every time the opportunity arises I have either money issues or can't get time off or whatever. But, now I have seen them and they certainly didn't disappoint! I asked my left ankle to give me a couple of hours standing time, however you cant stand at a Skindred gig. From the first beat to the last you are moving and loving it! I will definitely be seeing this band again and hopefully they will be back at Wacken in a bigger slot one day.

Airbourne - TM - 10 - We were going to stand at the back for their set but as we left the tent we pretty much got carried out of the arena. So we stood outside the entrance and watched on the big screen. They sounded brilliant as Airbourne usually are. We saw Joel climb to the top of the stage and continue playing as is his gimmick. And then our feet were killing so we strolled back to the campsite listening to these guys. They got a 10 based on their sound as they seemed phenomenal.

Saturday

Visions of Atlantis - P - 9 - As I said for Sirenia I love this genre of music and Visions certainly didn't disappoint. A great set and a great band. It was a brilliant way to start the day and I'm happy to have found another band to enjoy. They are more of a  Evanescence/Lacuna Coil style with the harsher male lyricist and that is another reason I enjoy this genre, soft vs harsh vocals are win.

Crash Diet - TM - 4 - Instead of trekking across the festival site just to come back again we decided to stop at the True metal stage to watch Crash Diet who are a sort of Glam Rock band. Well, I guess that's what they are. I just call them shit. The only reason they got a 4 was that they used a harmonica. I'm probably being unfair but the guitars drowned out the singing and if your on the big stage you get time to sound check and erase those problems. It was so bad that I didn't realise there were backing vocals until I noticed the guitarists leaning into their mics. Very poor showing but awesome pyro.

The Haunted - P - 9 - We saw these guys back in 08 and they were awesome then, they were awesome this time too. A great set and some good banter including the colour of shirts being changed from black to lavender.

Torture Squad - WET - 7 - These guys are pretty damn good. I think they will become quite a force in the metal world with more gigs like this. Only managed to catch a few songs but they had a lot of energy and a great reaction from the crowd. It also meant missing Dir en grey which makes them heroes.

Stormzone - WET - 8 - You know when you just sit down and listen to a band you've never heard of? That's what we did here and I'm so glad we did. Stormzone were brilliant! Mike likened them to Maiden and I agree with him. I hope they tour in the UK as they would be a great headline act in a small venue.

Mayhem - B - 3 - And that's a very generous 3! I enjoy black metal but not this. I can't say anything about this set other than there were guitars, drums and a guy screaming or groaning or something. At times on screen it looked like he was screaming but nothing was coming over the speakers. I was extremely bored with this band and won't be seeing them ever again. EVER!

Iced Earth - TM - 10 - Brilliant, fantastic, awesome. I really like Iced Earth and glad I have seen them, especially as it was front man Matt Barlows last day with the band. It was actually quite emotional watching him say goodbye to his friends and band members but what a great atmosphere to be caught up in. And it did not disrupt an awesome show by a brilliant band.

Sepultura - B - 8 - I liked this set. I like their music and Derrick Green is a good front man, keeping the crowd entertained and playing drums when he feels like it.

Then as we were waiting for the next band the screens showed an advert for next years festival, including announcing 7 bands. Myself and Mike had been toying with the idea of Wacken again but decided it would be line up dependant. This first announcement made us decide there and then, Wacken 2012 will be happening for us.

Avantasia - TM - 10++++ A*** - Fuck music genre. Fuck pop. Fuck hip hop. Fuck rap. Fuck metal. This was a celebration of music and one of the best live shows I have ever witnessed. This was absolutely stunning. Tobias Sammet is an incredible front man and I am gutted that this was the last ever Avantasia show. Although I feel honoured and privileged to have seen it. Tobias looked so astounded at the reaction he got from the crowd that I can't see why he would want to stop. However, I didn't know he was the lead singer in Edguy, who have a new album out and a European tour happening. That is a lot to balance but I do hope he pulls Avantasia out of the wardrobe again one day as it is so incredible to see. Every song was awesome live especially The Story Ain't Over and Lost in Space. I keep watching the video taken of this set and think I will be for a long time yet.. Here it is . Unfortunately it cuts off the very beginning where they played the opening bars to Twisted Mind behind a curtain. And the end of the set but those songs are spread out across youtube.

Kreator - B - 10 - Kreator were amazing when we saw them in 08. This time, they were better. I really enjoy watching them live and it was a fantastic way to close the festival. What with still being on a major high from Avantasia. I enjoyed Violent Revolution and Enemy of God and am sure I will see Kreator again in the future.

Motorhead - TM - 10 - We decided that sleep was needed before the day of travel that was to follow so we left after Kreator and just listened to Motorhead on the way back to the tents. They sounded amazing! Much better than when we saw them at Sonisphere earlier this year and so we awarded them a 10 rating. As I tried to sleep I could still hear them belting out songs so just lay back and listened until they finished, although falling asleep during their last song Overkill.

Sunday

I awoke to some epic rainfall on Sunday morning, this is the last thing I wanted as having to pack away a tent and trudge along with a bag in the rain is by no means fun. However, when my alarm went off the rain had stopped and in fact the sun was trying to come out. Packing went smoothly enough and after some fighting with the tent, we were ready to leave Wacken 2011. We got to the bus stop after negotiating some gloop and jumped straight onto a bus waiting there.
At Itzehoe station the conductor sorted us with a ticket although I'm sure it wasn't what we wanted as a) it was cheaper than going and b) it didn't say Hauptbahnhof (central station) but no matter. This time we did have to change at Elmshorn. So after having a nice 4 seat section of a train we ended up being crushed into the door section of the train into Hamburg. Not much fun for me but I was fairly grounded on top of my bag, Mike had a little trouble with peoples bags and his meat & veg region but you can ask him about that. At Hamburg we decided to just get to the airport so that we knew we were there in plenty of time and wouldn't be rushed at all.
Once there we checked in, Mike had a shower and we flew home. Mikes parents met us at the airport and the final leg of the weekend began back to Portsmouth.

I am so happy that I went to Wacken 2011 and now cannot wait until the 2012 festival for which not only do we have tickets but they will likely arrive on Mikes doorstep within the next week!! Now that's efficiency.

The, now 9, bands announced for 2012 are; Scorpions, Ministry, Forbidden, Axel Rudi Pell, Hammerfall, U.D.O., Cradle of Filth, Amon Amarth & GammaRay.

I seriously cannot wait to see who else they book. I know plenty that I would like to see but I know that whatever happens, Wacken 2012 will be incredible.

Thanks for reading.