Thursday
The Morning
At a time, we barely had breakfast the day before, the first band open the day, Hammer King from Kaiserslautern rule the stage for the next half hour with their Power Metal songs.
With a little delay due to technical issues, it is time for Nyktophobia and some Death Metal. They speed and catch up to play their set of mighty Death Metal.
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My Thursday Highlight
As a complete contrast, one of Germany’s finest NDH and Industrial metal band follows, none less than Heldmaschine. The band impresses me again and again since I first met them about 12 years ago. Heldmaschine started as a Rammstein-cover band, built up their own project beside it and now they captivate the masses of Rockharz.
By the way, do you know that vocalist René Anlauff also played an important side role in the Film “Karl Denke – The Cannibal Next-Door“? Not only that, Heldmaschine wrote the title track of the film. And they perform it live at Rockharz with the special appearance of Rolf Bach as Karl Denke. Guess what he is throwing into the audience! Check out the film, it indeed is worth watching it!
The Afternoon
Sadly, it starts raining heavily during the set of The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats, I am soaked through and through and I need to change clothes in the camp. I’m not the only one and I also help securing our tents because the wind becomes stronger too, additionally there was some barbeque left over….
So, I miss Massive Wagons and only return to the infield during the set of Bullet. It still lacks a part of the audience due to the heavy rain which has stopped in the meantime, but it doesn’t hold back the Swedish guys from delivering a furious show.
Varg take over on the Dark Stage. Their theatrical show and very Teutonic lyrics attract their very special fans and audience. The infield fills again and gets ready for the next act.
The water on the roof of the Rock Rage Stage is ready too and hits the bass equipment. It is not playable anymore and Peavy needs to rely on his vocal skills only. It is a bit of a strange sound without bass thunders but that is what can happen at an open-air concert. Good musicians overcome it as they do.
Afterwards it is time for Dynazty, the second project of Nils Molin, we will see him again on Friday. Of course, now Swedish Power Metal rules for 50 minutes.
Long awaited and most appreciated is the slot of Pain, Peter Tägtrens’ solo project. It is a mix of Industrial Metal and everything he likes, everything Peter thinks is right. I hesitate to call it a fun project. For that, it is far too serious, but one can indeed feel the fun he has with Pain and so does the audience.
It doesn’t make it easier for The Halo Effect. The Swedish Dark metalists on the Dark Stage do what they can do best. They take us on a wild ride through their career and even present some brand-new songs to please the audience.
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The Night
Ready for some American Hardcore Metal? Yes, it is about time for Hatebreed. With them come constant circle pits, walls of death, mosh pit and everything else which drives the audience wild.
The mood is right, the blood nearly boils when Hammerfall enter the stage. It becomes epic tonight; this is true Heavy Metal of the finest. Hammerfall celebrate their slot to the climax. That’s what the audience came for! And I accidently have the pleasure to watch their show together with René of Heldmaschine and a buddy who really are in perfect festival mood. But everything comes to an end.
So does their show to make space for Thrash-Metal giants Kreator. Again, wall of death and circle pit rule, even bigger than before. That’s what Thrash Metal is made for, pure energy and adrenaline. Shortly after midnight we change the genre to the extreme.
From Thrash to Folk Metal is more than one big step for mankind and the audience of Rockharz. Nevertheless, Dartagnan, the new project of Feuerschwanz’ Hodi is celebrated by the masses. We even hear songs of the new album to be released the week after!
Closing act Dominum don’t stand back with their obscure and visually very convincing show. I just wished I was a bit more awake after these 14 hours of Metal to honour their set more. It certainly is a band I will keep an eye on! The night doesn’t end though because back to the camp I realize that I would be the only one going to sleep so early. Who cares about lack of sleep on a festival anyway?
