 |
| Credit: Dearohwell photography |
Hi friends and welcome to another episode of the festival pilgrimage. On episode four, the team is packing their bags and preparing to depart for the unholy grounds of Wacken Open Air, and what better way to prepare for the festival than making a must-see list for you all? If you're new here, this is a series where we attempt to navigate the confusing and usually clashing festival running orders by suggesting 10 bands that every festival-goer should check out.
01. The Amity Affliction
We have a soft spot for Australian bands here and The Amity Affliction has been a favourite for over 10 years now. With their powerful latest album, "Not Without My Ghosts", they did a deep dive into violence, loss and grief culminating from the pandemic and personal woes from that period. The crushing tracks are cleverly combined with their catchy previous anthems, rendering their setlist an emotional rollercoaster with big singalongs.
When: Friday 02/8, 13:45-14:45
Where: Harder stage
02. Scorpions
The legendary German rockers are celebrating their Golden Jubilee and they don't seem eager to stop any time soon. Despite some farewell tours over the past 20 years, Scorpions are not phoning it in and will perform a best-of, nostalgia-filled set. Grab a beer, hug your friends and pull up, you won't regret it.
When: Thursday 1/8, 22:15-00:00
Where: Harder stage
03. Brutus
Brutus is one of the most talked about bands of the past couple of years and with good reason. The Belgian trio released a magnificent album, "Unison Life", in 2022 and their trajectory has been nothing but linear since. With plenty of festival appearances and sold out shows under their belts, they are headed towards the end of this chapter and we are certain that the stop at Wacken will be nothing short of remarkable.
When: Saturday 3/8, 18:00-18:45
Where: Headbangers stage
04. Jesus Piece
While this year's Wacken seems a little low on hardcore bands, the ones that will grace its stages are truly unique. Jesus Piece's metallic hardcore is the soundtrack of running through a wall; the band is at its prime, evolving their sound while still maintaining a core of formidable anger and pain. Their noise hits this sweet spot where it's pleasing to both metalheads and hardcore kids alike, and the friendly violent fun in the pit is a testament to their magnetic stage performances. Don't sleep on them.
When: Thursday 1/8, 20:00-20:45
Where: Wasteland stage
05. Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a household name in the Celtic punk scene and with good reason. While their themes oftentimes touch on dark subjects from Irish history, their music is still fun, their shows are energetic and they fit right in with the crowds, folk-inclined or not, who want to drunkenly dance. A must-see in such settings.
When: Wednesday 31/7, 19:45-21:00
Where: Faster stage
06. Behemoth
Behemoth is one of the biggest names in contemporary metal. A phenomenon of our times, the Polish black metallers seem to owe this success to a combination of factors, ranging from their unhinged stance towards organized religion to the complexity of their sound to a plethora of cotroversies that surround them. At Wacken they will celebrate their anniversary, tongue-in-cheek dubbed "33 years, outliving Christ" in a blasphemous set full of "deep cuts". You may love them or hate them, but you can't deny that their performances are always impressive.
When: Saturday 3/8, 19:15-20:30
Where: Faster stage
07. Feuerschwanz
You can't have Wacken without Feuerschwanz. If you've been keeping up with the festival, you know that these folk metallers are festival darlings and their every appearance here celebrated as a milestone. Hordes of faithful fans are joining them for a big party and the band, even under the sun, never disappoints.
When: Friday 2/8, 17:30-18:45
Where: Faster stage
08. Opeth
There is no doubt that Opeth is one of the most influential metal bands of all times. They artfully combined death metal and progressive elements in a time where people couldn't even fathom this fusion and influenced a generation of young creatives who have since paved their own way. Michael Akerfeldt, he brain behind this operation, has incessantly produced music but even in his most inspired days, he can't surpass the legacy he himself crafted with "Damnation", "Deliverance" and "Blackwater Park".
When: Thursday 1/8, 22:00-23:30
Where: Louder stage
09. Baroness
There's not a lot to say about Baroness. The Georgia-based outfit is known for their heavy/stoner riffage and tons of liveliness on stage. With a critically acclaimed new album, and a rich and colourful (pun intended) discography, Baroness is guaranteed to knock your socks off. Case in point, who hasn't even hummed absentmindedly the catchy hook of "Take My Bones Away" at least once in their lives?
When: Thursday 2/8, 19:00-19:45
Where: W:E:T stage
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Motionless In White: A band we always enjoy catching. In the recent years they've enriched their stage production with visuals and a haunting lightshow to accompany their storytelling.
Planet Of Zeus: It would be impossible not to mention Planet Of Zeus in this feature. From grassroot beginnings to securing slots in the most prestigious European festivals over a decade is a testament that hard work and talent pay off, and the Greek stoner rifflords deserve everything they've accomplished
Spiritbox: The Canadian metalcore powerhouse features a vocalist who made heads turn on her one-take vocal videos during the pandemic and they have blown up since -and quite rightly so. Phenomenal performers, they reinvigorated metalcore when the genre needed it the most.
Svartsot: The Danish folksters are no strangers to Wacken. They stand out of their peers due to their ability to keep their distinctive identity in a genre where innovation is nearly impossible.
10. Amon Amarth
After a surprise set in 2022 under the moniker "Guardians Of Asgaard", the Vikings are returning triumphant to Wacken this year. The cycle of "The Great Heathen Army" continues with a grand stage production, stage actors and inflatable dragons creating an immersive experience for the listener. And anyone familiar with Amon Amarth just knows that two things are indispensable during their set: to sit down and row on "Put Your Back In The Oar" and to chug your beer with the band on "Raise Your Horns".
When: Saturday 3/8, 20:45-22:30
Where: Harder stage
Wacken Open Air is taking place on 31/7-3/8.
The festival is sold out; for infos visit www.wacken.com
0 σχόλια :
Post a Comment