Hey, you know what? A true Wacken experience really isn’t the same without a bit of rain, don’t you think? Is this the 2023 take on that classic? Actually, that's not true, but it's definitely pretty damp out there. Sticking to our tradition, we got there a few days early to capture some photos of the vibrant atmosphere. It felt like a warm summer day, but that warmth didn’t hang around for too long. This year, with the space theme, we've got some really exciting chances to learn! The team has set up talks, workshops, and discoveries all around the festival area, aimed at igniting curiosity about space. Who knows, we could even spot some aliens! Wacken Open Air keeps coming up with fresh ideas and enhancing the facilities every year. But, you know how it is—sometimes the weather just doesn’t play nice, and we find ourselves stuck in deep mud like we did a couple of years back. Check out some of the highlights from this year: Guns N' Roses hitting that legendary stage was such a standout moment, but seriously, how about that amazing performance by Saltatio Mortis in the pouring rain? That was something else! Big thanks to everyone who showed up to witness it all unfold!
Okay, let’s dive into this a bit more.
Words by Sabrina Schiavinato
Pictures by Peterson Marti
Wednesday
We started off the first day with an exciting metal battle experience! First up at the WET stage, we’ve got the German band Gun Called Britney kicking things off, and they were joined right after by the Canadian group Killotine. So, the first official band of the day was Dogma, and even though the weather wasn’t the best, there was a solid crowd all set and excited for their performance. The all-female band hit the Louder stage with their catchy riffs and pop-like choruses, leaving us with some unforgettable melodies. We ran into some issues with the sound—the bass was way too loud, and it was tough to catch the vocals. We still had a good time listening to a few songs before the heavy rain started pouring down on us.
Right when the weather was really bad, we were completely surprised when the doors swung open at 15:30. Picture this: wasteland warriors crowding the infield, and green fog swirling all around. It felt like we had stepped right into a Mad Max movie. Tina Guo stepped in, and her smooth cello notes really lifted the whole vibe as all the metalheads were running towards the main stages.
The band starting things off in the infield for the 2025 edition was Wind Rose. They've been to Wacken before, but this was their first time performing on a big stage. While listening to their most well-known songs, we got a glimpse of some emotional dwarfs performing on the Faster stage. The audience was excitedly awaiting the start of the show, holding up inflatable picks in the air. They transformed the stage into a veritable battleground with their powerful choruses and incredible riffs. “Diggy Diggy Hole” really pumped up the crowd, with everyone jumping and chanting along together. Their set was a blast and really engaging—a total standout for the first day of the festival!
Apocalyptica's performance of Metallica had everyone in the audience totally hooked. One moment, it was quiet, and the next, they burst into loud applause, completely enchanted by every single note.
But unfortunately with the weather turning for the worse and a thunderstorm rolling in, we had to leave a bit earlier than planned. We were hoping for some better vibes the next day.
Thursday
Looks like our prayers were heard! The sun was shining bright on the second day of the festival! After picking up our first coffee of the day, we headed over to the WET stage to catch the first band, Refore. This year's Metal Battle was split into two days, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the new acts alongside the bigger bands instead of cramming it all into one day. They totally brought their A-game, performing with so much polish. The live performance had such tight rhythms, and the guitar work was just amazing! Fans in the front rows were really getting into it, headbanging away to every riff from this up-and-coming Finnish powerhouse.
As the sun began to set at 1pm, Prong delivered a raw, hard-hitting set that was brimming with attitude and incisiveness. The crowd was alive from the very first note of Tommy Victor's performance, energised by his distinctive riffs and strong vocals. The audience's applause really highlighted how powerful Prong's industrial-infused sound still is today.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to mix beekeeping with mediaeval music, then Tabernis has something perfect for you. The German band made their way back to the Wackinger stage for their ritual, playing there for the second time. We were eager to catch up since we hadn't seen them the day before.
We checked out some black metal at the WET and Headbanger stages. Umbra Coscientia totally had this dark vibe that just pulled you in with its mysterious and intense feel. We were all completely captivated by their immersive, almost ritual-like performance, as their layered sound enveloped us like a thick fog. Wow, Svarttjern really turned up the intensity with their black metal performance, unleashing a fierce wave of icy aggression at Wacken. They put on a show that had everyone headbanging and dealing with sore necks afterward, especially with some of the controversial moves from singer HansFyrste, ex-Ragnarok. He had a fantastic time playing with his “body part” while he was on stage (go and check the recording if you don’t know what I’m talking about).
As soon as we wrapped up watching the legendary Grave Digger, we made our way back to Bullhead City to dive into some fast-paced metal with Macabre and Hellbutcher. Macabre's quick riffs and dark tales created a strangely fun and gruesome experience. They had everyone cracking up and feeling a little on edge—in a fun way—with their lyrics and stage presence, making us all forget about the day before. Hellbutcher delivered an intense, fiery blast of classic metal that really energised the afternoon. Fans who were looking for that classic, old-school evil really connected with the intense, fire-and-brimstone vibe. This was such a captivating show, packed with spikes and studs! We had a blast every single minute!
As the day started to unfold, we caught the legendary Static-X tearing it up on the Louder stage. They paid tribute to Wayne Static's legacy while keeping things fresh with their energetic beats and amazing visuals, featuring giant monsters roaming the stage and smoke bubbles everywhere. "Push It" transformed the venue into a massive dance pit, leaving the crowd bouncing, chanting, and completely engrossed in the electrifying grooves.
Right before we catch Guns N’ Roses, we get to experience the intense energy of Krisiun’s relentless death metal that ripped through Wacken. Their intensity and precision were really something, and the pit just blew up right away. It was right on the mark, fast-paced, and full of energy—exactly the kind of excitement fans were hoping for.
What can I really say? Guns N' Roses put on a show that everyone will talk about for years. Sure, everyone was singing along to the song that made history, but honestly, the performance was really long and not that outstanding, if it weren't for Slash's amazing skills. Lots of people have said that their first time at Wacken wasn’t all that great and will definitely be the last. We have to say we agree, as we’ve definitely seen better acts that could have taken the bigger stages. Sorry, not sorry, Axl!
Saving the night for us is Ministry! It was definitely the highlight of the day! Wacken became this crazy, dystopian dance floor because of them, and they really saved the night. The crowd was totally into it from the get-go, drawn in by that blend of industrial sounds, a political vibe, and those infectious rhythms. The band's heavy grooves had everyone nodding along in the midst of the chaos, and Al Jourgensen's presence was just as powerful as ever. It’s bittersweet knowing this might be one of the band’s last performances, and we’re really wishing them all the best.
Friday
So, at 11am, we found ourselves at kindergarten, where Heavysaurus was uniting young metalheads and their parents by the fence of the WET stage. They totally brought the fun with their awesome family-friendly dino-metal show! They truly commanded the stage with their impressive riffs and engaging personalities, all while donning their delightful dinosaur costumes. It was truly the most heartwarming mosh pit of the weekend, with both adults and kids dancing and smiling together.
As the rain pours down, we gather in the press tent to relax and prepare for the upcoming hectic day. We caught Iotunn and Eihwar performances at the Wackinger stage, and they were definitely the most intriguing ones of the day.
While we were taking a break between sets, we stumbled upon a really cool performance by Wednesday 13. They brought a glam-punk vibe and a touch of spooky theatrics. transforming the Headbanger stage into a horror-metal circus. It felt like we were at a crazy party!
Hey, you won't believe this! Nailbomb made a comeback at Wacken! They really brought this intense, gritty, industrial-thrash vibe that just hit hard. It was really tough to handle. The crowd totally fed off their intense performances and wild headbanging, bringing a wonderful energy and vibe to the whole experience. We thought it was a pretty rare and unexpected moment.
This year, it seems like the most exciting performances for us are happening on the Louder or smaller stages. It feels a bit strange since the Louder stage is quite a distance from the others, and then there's all that mud to contend with. No need to stress! Fear Factory was waiting for us to unleash an intense wave of cyber-metal, hitting hard with their unique set. The crowd was really vibing with Dino's incredible riffs and the band's tight rhythms. The circle pit was a little hesitant because of the mud, but it was still happening.
Back at the Wackinger, Moonsorrow's set was super expansive and atmospheric, really creating this epic vibe that was just wonderful. We all found ourselves on a deep folklore journey as the songs revealed themselves in layers. Everyone was completely amazed by their storytelling and the richness of their sound. It was a refreshing change of pace from some of the more intense performances earlier and later in the day.
Dimmu Borgir put on a wonderful performance! They truly delivered a show that was both dark and majestic, bringing such powerful energy to the stage with smoke and light effects, almost as if they were about to unleash some sort of monster with all their chanting songs. It was incredible to witness!
Late was the hour, but we weren't quite ready to call it a night just yet. We headed over to the Louder stage for a special show with Dark Funeral, and let me tell you, they put on an intense performance of their whole album, “Diabolis Interium”. Even with the 20-minute delay because of pyro problems and the pouring rain, it was an unforgettable wall of black metal energy. People were really impressed by their amazing stage performance and attention to detail. The way they took command of the stage made it feel like a special event, and after the first song, a fire artist took the stage, and the performance took a really intense turn. The whole audience was captivated by the movements perfectly in sync with the music.
Saturday
With the last day finally here, we were running on barely any sleep after catching the Dark Funeral show late into the night. Still, we had just enough energy to make sure we didn’t miss out on some wonderful acts.
Starting the day with Destruction. The German thrash legends brought the heat with their nonstop, fast-paced sound and that classic old-school aggression. The pit was pretty chaotic, but the band really nailed it—no extras, just pure, classic thrash at its finest. On our way back to the main stages, we took a moment to check out August Burns Red, who delivered some serious modern metalcore vibes, packed with heavy breakdowns and high-energy tracks.
Wow, what an amazing performance by Floor Jansen! She really brought something special with her solo project, showcasing such strength, beauty, and emotion in a slower set. She totally owned the stage, belting out everything from beautiful symphonic ballads to powerful metal anthems. To maintain the metal vibe of the holy ground, she added a little flair to some of her pop tunes to better fit the crowd, all while showcasing her amazing voice.
For the first time ever on the holy ground, Mastodon delivered their one-of-a-kind blend of sludge, prog, and massive sound on the main stage with incredible force. Songs like "Oblivion" and "Blood and Thunder" really hit you like waves. The crowd was totally blown away, and we certainly were too!
As we returned to the WET and Headbanger stages, we witnessed Night Demon and Midnight tearing apart the stages with their high-energy blast of heavy riffs. In just a moment, we were right back in that classic vibe, with blazing solos and everything tight. Midnight took the stage with their “Complete and Total Hell Show”, unleashing a whirlwind of raw, fast-paced black 'n' roll energy despite the weather getting worse and worse.
We hurried over just in time to see W.A.S.P., and then the rain started pouring down. With all the glam and attitude, those folks definitely have plenty of energy to spareBlackie Lawless possesses a unique stage presence, and his classic hits resonated perfectly.t. The crowd belted out every chorus, and it brought back some really nostalgic vibes.
For those who were lucky enough to see Månegarm at the Wackinger stage in the pouring rain, it was truly an unforgettable show. The crowd was super pumped, shouting like warriors, totally energised by the band's infectious vibe and those thrilling chants. It's pretty amazing to see how people really hang in there, even when things get tough.
The stage setup was absolutely stunning, featuring a half circle that shot fire in the back. The Gojira show was something else entirely! Their set kicked off with a bang, blending heavy and light vibes, really shaking things up and leaving everyone in awe with amazing pyro and visuals on the screen. There's not much more to say, but even with such simplicity, the band truly shone as one of the best performances of this year's edition.
After the promoters said their goodbyes and the 2026 announcement got everyone excited, we ended the night with a Machine Head show. But first, we had to make one last stop at the muddy Louder stage to catch a goodnight lullaby from King Diamond. It was a bit of a bummer that both performances clashed, but we still managed to catch a couple of songs from each band. It definitely made for a spectacular way to wrap up this year's edition!
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