N. O. A. F. 20th edition
Thus, first of all: HAPPY JUBILEE N.O.A.F.!
It is the end of August, autumn is already knocking at the door, and it is time for another festival, N.O.A.F. at Wörrstadt near to Mainz. It is close to my hometown, so I don’t need to load my car with camping equipment. Instead, I can sleep at home due to the short distance of far less than 50 km. Thus, a good night’s sleep, cuddling with my cats, and a proper breakfast are guaranteed. For those who camp, Metzgerei am Eichenhof, next to the festival’s car park, is nevertheless offering breakfast at very fair prices.
Arrival on Friday is easy-peasy: no traffic jams and an easy-to-find location next to country road L401. A five-minute walk, passing the camper parking area, leads to the entrance, with trees surrounding the cosy festival infield. I take a look around. The food and beverage tent, festival merchandise, external merch dealers, and of course my friends from Metality e. V. are all prepared for the spectacle to come. In its 21st year, it is the 20th edition of N.O.A.F. — Corona messed up the counting…
Friday
After the additional warm-up on Thursday with three cover bands, it is soon time for the first band. TRUTH GRIP from Frankfurt take the stage at 14:50 and give the not-too-small audience its first blast of Hardcore, Beatdown, and Metal, dominated by heavy riffs and powerful breakdowns. The three musicians do a decent job, and the crowd in front of the stage grows quickly.
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One hour later, after a short break, it is time for WEDGE from Berlin. Style-wise, it is a complete change and a total contrast to the previous band. Some buddies from Metality and I discuss the band’s style, but we can’t decide between early Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and a bit of Dire Straits. Long instrumental parts dominate, and maybe it is simply a progressive mix of all three.
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It becomes South American at 16:55, but expect no Samba when NERVOSA from Brazil fire one volley of fine Thrash Metal after another. The four women convince the audience “as always”. I’ve never seen a bad show from them, and it is no different this time, although I could have listened to and watched them for a few minutes longer – as always.
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But it is what it is, and the next band is already on fire and burning for stage presence: ELWOOD STRAY from Essen, in the so-called Ruhrpott. The band demands circle pits, mosh pits, a wall of death, and crowd surfing, and the audience is more than willing to obey. Even if you are not a fan of Post-Hardcore or Metalcore, you have to like the band for its wild stage performance.
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If you prefer more traditional Heavy Metal, you should be happy with the next band. GRAVE DIGGER celebrate 30 years of the legendary “Tunes of War”, which tells the story of Scotland’s historic fight for freedom against England, from the early 11th century through to the final defeat at the Battle of Culloden. This is also the moment when Lydia from Metalogy joins me for the evening, and we photograph the following bands together, with some lovely conversations in between.
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It is already getting dark when PALEFACE SWISS are ready to perform some sweet little innocent music for a romantic Heavy Metal Thunder. Beatdown, Hardcore, Deathcore, and Nu Metal influences create a real and intense musical hurricane that blows you away. Nothing more, nothing less — and most importantly, nobody gets hurt, because it is still nothing but a little family gathering to enjoy the music together.
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Friday’s headliner begins its show at 22:45, and it is dominated by costume changes and humorous Metal. That is exactly what the crowd expects from the five musicians from Wales. And it is exactly why SKINDRED have been one of the UK’s most successful Ska, Rap, and Alternative Metal bands since 1998. Almost 30 years already, and the band still sounds fresh.
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For me, it is time to say goodbye for tonight and drive back home after a long day that already started at 5:15. Every minute of sleep I can get is well earned. I just need to be fit again in time for Saturday morning and the second day.
