Wacken - the biggest metal festival in the world. This time I was there. What I have seen, what was good, what was bad - here's my report.

Unfortunately it was not possible for me to arrive on Thursday when the metal legends “Alice Cooper” and “Iron Maiden”, but especially “Motley Crue” had their show.
So I arrived at Wacken on Friday at 3pm. The VIP Campingground was totally overcrowded so that I built up my tent on the “regular” Camping ground.

The first band that I enjoyed that day together with my first beer was "The Boss Hoss". Later on Grave Digger played with a complete bagpipe orchestra a great show, where Doro Pesch (DORO) and Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) have been included.

In the backstage area I meet guys like Udo Dierkschneider, Mad Max, Kissin Dynamite and of course lots of business people. Talking about today's music business almost made me forget that "Slayer" was playing that evening.

The music of these guys is really pure violence and very powerfull. I saw "Circles" all around in Wacken and the area was clouded into dust.

Later in the campground there was no chance to find some rest. Here the real parta starts. Now at 2 a.m.the grills getting started, the beer was unpacked and – go. I had to give a lot of autographs and we had a lots of fun.

When the first rays of sun shone onto the land, I fell dead on my mattress.

When the next day started, I first had to sort myhead, legs, arms and the rest. But everything was on it’s right place. And then I had to look for a Wacken-Dixie, a gateway to the underworld. Uaahhh. At least I preferred the more comfortable toilets in the VIP area ;-)

Then again the grill was started. Mmhh sausage with mustard and apple juice for breakfast. There was also a farmer who offered Jägermeister breakfast. Sounds interesting - maybe next time

Then I take a look at the Metal Market to by something to prevent my head against the sun.

In Wackinger-Village's then I took a cherry beer. Very sweet but also succesfull to conter my hangover. Next door then a few naked girls were showered with drinks. For me a waste. I prefer drinking it by myself.

I watched the shows of WASP and especially "Edguy" which performed an absolutely great Gig.

"Soulfly", "Stratovarius" and "Fear Factory” later on and the area was dusted by the action of the audience.

At the end I went to the Beergarden Stage to see "Mambo Kurt" With his Organ he animated even the hardest Headbanger to stagediving, crowd surfing, and headbanging.
At the end he destroyed his organ with a sledge hammer and the crowd wants him to burn the rest. Mambo Kurt, the Jimi Hendrix of the organ. Wow. What a show! Take a listen.

The trip back on the next day was boring with a lots of traffic jams. Funny were the residents sitting down at the roadside and watching the departing metalheads while selling coffee or water, glad that it’s over for this year.

Thank you and see you next year.

Cheers
Harry

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