Neuborn Open Air Festival 2026

Saturday

Saturday’s programme starts an hour earlier, and I encounter a little traffic jam on the motorway. Thus, I barely make it in time to get a refreshing beverage before the first band takes the stage. This first band is none other than MONOSPHERE. For those of you who are not familiar with them, expect a performance that is a journey through dynamic heavy music that is far more than just heavy — blending Post-Metal with Prog, Mathcore, Black Metal, Jazz, and even Avant-Garde. Without following mainstream algorithms or trends, they sound incredibly fresh and unique. I only wish there had been a larger crowd in front of the stage.

The audience indeed becomes larger when Croatian KRYN are ready to rock at 14:45. Alternative Metal is the order of the day. Straight into the head and right between the eyes, they leave no wishes unfulfilled. I am very sure they will take the Metal world by storm sooner or later; it is just a question of time and patience. Heavy riffs, dark atmospheric melodies, and a powerful vocal presence with a touch of positive aggression make the perfect combination at exactly the right time.

Last year, we saw April Art in August; now we see MARCH in August and I’m curious if there will be a February next year. The four Dutch musicians from Breda convince with a wild Melodic Punk Rock and Metal show, combined with political issues such as equal rights in their English lyrics. Wrapping messages like these in sweet melodies is important nowadays, helping them reach not only their true fans but also a broader audience and more radio airplay.

What comes next is perhaps the most progressive and complex performance of the entire festival. CHAPEL OF DESEASE from Cologne do not perform simple Death Metal; instead, they set the bar for intellectual and sophisticated music remarkably high. We discuss them at the Metality stall while celebrating the new members who joined at the festival, and for most of us, they are the most convincing band so far.

Afterwards, it is time for another German band. PARASITE INC. from Aalen present their interpretation of Modern Melodic Death Metal at just the right time for an early dinner. They serve up a very fine and delicate menu of unmistakable 80s synth atmosphere and a sound that is both powerful and distinctive, while ignoring the usual genre and sub-genre boundaries.

We swim across the Atlantic and cross half a continent with THE REAL MCKENZIES. They are based in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada, but they do not hide their Scottish roots. Not only that, they celebrate them with “Ceilidh”, the Gaelic word for a traditional gathering or days long party. There is nothing more to explain because that already says everything about them.

Back in Europe, we let a Scandinavian trio take over. GRAND MAGUS from Sweden perform their well-known and incredible combination of Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, and traditional Heavy Metal. It is always unbelievable how powerful a band’s stage presence can be when it has existed for 30 years and two of its members are still part of the original line-up. That is something the youngsters of the music business still have to achieve.

Right before the final band will played it is time for the raffle give-aways. 20 frames with festival wrist bands of all 20 festivals will be given away. Ticket could be bought during the whole festival and now it is time to call out the winners.

What counts for Grand Magus also counts for tonight’s headliner. SAXON had been scheduled for last year’s N.O.A.F. edition, but sadly, vocalist Biff had to undergo cancer surgery right after the first festival shows and was not completely recovered by late August. But the waiting is finally over at 22:30.

We get all the hits, all the evergreens of their finest Heavy Metal. Keep in mind that Saxon were one of the three major acts of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in the 80s, alongside Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The audience celebrates the “Princess of the Night” on her “Wheels of Steel”, while “The Band Played On” in “Denim and Leather”! And whilst with other groups – the boy bands – it’s bras that fly through the air, here it’s the battle vests with all the patches of the enthusiastic metalheads!

And then it is over. The last chord is played, and it is time to say thank you. Thank you to the audience, the bands, the organisers, the sponsors, and most importantly, the crew who kept the festival running. Very well done, ladies and gentlemen. Very well done! People living nearby drive home, as I do, or return to the camping area for a little after-show party or a few hours of sleep before heading home on Sunday.

Let me now say a few words about METALITY e. V. It is a charity association with more than 6,500 members worldwide, while its core is based in Germany, as far as I am aware. Check out the website for more detailed information and a closer look at the Metality projects, which range from attending concerts together to festival appearances and support for homeless people, including donations of tents, sleeping bags, clothes, and much more. It is not expensive to join, and what you get back is a fortune in friendship, love, and support. If you are a Metalhead with a golden or black heart, consider joining the Metality community — you will not regret it!