Wednesday – Rock-climbing Day
The Tradition of the “Teufelsmauer”
We decided to pay the traditional visit to the Teufelsmauer (translated: “Devil’s Wall”), a rock formation, on Wednesday morning. Due to circumstances and a very late night the day before, we didn’t climb it before somewhat late noon. It is the spot each Rock Harz Festival visitor has to go to. Some climb up there at night to find a bit of silence. Others take a couple of beers to enjoy sunrise or sunset. And even musicians are known to visit the Devil’s Wall to have their true Rockharz experience. The way up is steep, very steep and may be exhausting, even though it is probably only a few 100 meters up. The party the night before certainly takes its toll here… If you haven’t been to the top of the Devil’s Wall yet, have you really ever truly participated in the Rock Harz Festival?
Baptism of a “Kutte”
Before we could enter the infield to watch the first bands, we had a very special service to do… One of our members presented his virgin “Kutte”. Tradition is tradition, baptism is baptism. So here they are, some pics of its baptism with beer and more beer. And yes, it was kind of crazy.
Würdiger Auftakt, A Worthy Kick-Off?
Somehow we still managed to be right in time for the opener of the festival. Spectaculations and rumours went around for some weeks but most of the suggestions were wrong. It turned out to be a (not so) Würdiger Auftakt for many of the massive number of head bangers on the infield. Subway to Sally’s Eric Fish And Friends opened with a very special, very acoustic and very demanding set. It was not what most people had expected even though it was good fun to listen to once you were into it. Even Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian joined for The Bard’s Song! It was an interesting experience which did not receive the recognition it deserved because too many people decided to leave for a drink or more instead.
Next bands delivered more of what was expected, no matter if Kneipenterroristen, Exhorder, Tanzwut or Letzte Instanz. I left out Tanzwut in between but please enjoy the pics of the other three bands playing in the evening.
The night was opened by none less than Battle Beast with a furious set, to the point, followed by heavily delayed As I Lay Dying. Thanks to a big airline, all their equipment had gone elsewhere but not to RHZ. Thus the set was only 25 minutes long instead of 60. Let’s hope for a complete set in 2024! Next ones were the uncrowned kings of Dark Metal, Mono Inc. presenting songs of their No. 1 album Ravenblack and their other greatest hits. You know what you can expect from them and they delivered.
We had already listened to one of their songs earlier that day. Now it was time for the first top headliner. It is well known for its very own Speed/Thrash/Bombast-Metal-sound. Yes, we welcomed Blind Guardian and heard The Bard’s Song a second time beside their other great, greater and greatest hits.
Soon it was clear who was the “Surprise Act”. Rumours had already been on for a while because the son of their keyboarder would play on RHZ as well. You are right, Knorkator ruled the stage as closer of the first night in all their glamour, brightness and humorous glory!
