Thursday

Metal Yoga / Metal Workout

Thursday arrives, bringing with it a fresh wave of brutal sun’s heat. Yet the early risers shake off the dust of the previous night with the now-traditional Metal Yoga at 10 am already and immediately follow up with the Metal Workout.

Allt

The main program kicks off with Schattenmann on the T-Stage at 11:30, an opener that gets the crowd moving. Due to a schedule change only a few days before the festival, the day starts for us right after with the Swedish progressive metalcore band Allt. Their name translates from Swedish to “everything”, and that’s a quite fitting statement they live up to with a complex and dynamic sound. They combine downtuned, djent-infused riffs with a hauntingly melodic and atmospheric soundscape. Their lyrics, often inspired by post-apocalyptic and sci-fi themes, create a rich, immersive world for the listener. Their performance is both heavy and beautifully crafted, providing a captivating start to the long day ahead.

Hanabie.

With a vibrant transformation, we welcome Hanabie on the main stage. The young Japanese band enlivens the stage in vividly colorful attire, introducing a striking contrast to the usual black-clad metal hordes. Their performance brings a whirlwind of pop-infused metalcore energy, with a bright pink LED backdrop providing the perfect canvas for their performance. The frontwoman Yukina‘s high kicks and gravity-defying jumps give the impression that she is constantly airborne – truly, they’re pink and they fly. In a moment of pure rock ‘n’ roll spirit, the bassist lives up to her reputation as the band’s heavy drinker, as she chugs a full can of beer on stage. Their infectious energy and playful aesthetic add refreshing variety to the lineup.

Britta Görtz Harsh Vocal Workshop

While Hanabie’s performance is still fading out, a different kind of gathering takes place at the Campsite Circus Stage. While the main festival grounds give space for performances by Stesy, Ensiferum, and Benighted, a dedicated crowd makes its way to the smaller stage for a special group lesson. Under the intense afternoon sun that leaves many with a sunburn, vocal coach Britta Görtz holds her harsh vocal workshop.

Known for her powerful presence in Hiraes and her role as the interim singer for Heaven Shall Burn, she proves to be a great teacher, too. She delivers her instructions in a manner that is both beginner-friendly and non-dogmatic. Rather than enforcing strict rules, she carefully explains the ambiguity of certain terms, offering her own experience in an overall safe and educational approach. As a fellow vocal coach, I find the workshop to be a worthwhile detour from the main musical acts and a lot of fun. And yet another addition to the festival’s diverse offerings and the community’s passion for the craft, even under the most punishing conditions.

Arctis

Next on the agenda is Finnish modern metal band Arctis. The stage presence is as striking as their sound, with the singer’s glowing white dress matching her bright blonde hair, creating a memorable visual. The contrast between her ethereal appearance and the band’s crushing, djent-infused riffs is a powerful statement. The same contrast is also depicted in the other band members’ darker attire. With a blend of heavy instrumentation and pop-infused hooks, they are a hit with the crowd. It’s a performance that has both polished and raw elements, in a well-balanced mix. A perfect example of a band that knows how to command a stage and win over an audience with a great mix of aggression and melody. Thankfully, we can enjoy them under the shade of the Wera Tool Rebel Stage, so the sun doesn’t limit the party in any way.

Mr. Hurley & die Pulveraffen

In contrast to that, Mr. Hurley & die Pulveraffen, your friendly neighbourhood pirates from the Caribbean Osnabrück, Germany, show little to no mercy in the summer heat. Jumping, rowing, pits, and overall heavy partying are demanded. One might wonder whether that borders on irresponsibility. But the crowd goes along, and people take care of each other. And if that weren’t enough, the fire is ultimately lit by accordion player and singer Buckteeth Bannock joining the crowd on a pedestal.

Landmvrks

Last time I had the pleasure of seeing the Landmvrks, I was impressed by how much they did with as few as two neon tubes on stage to create their atmosphere. It was amazing to see the impressive lightshow that they brought this time on the LED backdrop with visuals of glowing moths embedded in a bright, colorful landscape. Obviously, that is only the foundation of a musically diverse, cathartic Metalcore sound that gets us hooked every time anew.

Hiraes

Earlier today, we could witness the calm instructor version of Britta Görtz. Now we are also able to enjoy the privilege of witnessing her perform with her own band, Hiraes. Her appearance and energy clearly changed like day and night as she assumes that role. A technical, modern sound holds her deep, harsh growls and once again captivates the heated-up crowd at the Wera Tool Rebel Stage. This is also clearly visible by the sheer number of people at the smallest stage on the infield. An audience happy to welcome Britta in their midst during a final blow-the-roof-off circle pit.

Within Temptation

As the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, the main stage lights up for the evening’s first headliner, Within Temptation. The Dutch symphonic metal veterans deliver an epic performance, drawing heavily from their latest album, Bleed Out. Sharon den Adel’s vocals are as powerful and crystal clear as ever, soaring over the band’s bombastic sound. It’s a performance that proves the band’s enduring relevance and ability to merge theatricality with powerful, thought-provoking themes.

Gojira

With the stage still smoldering from Within Temptation’s symphonic fire, the French titans of progressive death metal, Gojira, take over for the final headlining set of the day. A clear cut from soft to harsh. Gojira immediately lives up to their reputation, delivering a set that is both relentless and energetic. With an immense amount of pyro erupting from the stage, they literally burn down the night, turning the already-sweltering festival grounds into a veritable inferno. Their performance is not just a concert; it’s a visceral, rough-edged experience.

End of the night

Into this night we are carried by Cult of Luna, Septicflesh, Coldrain, quite spectacularly with loud canon shots, Kanonenfieber, and as the closer till 3am, the atmospheric Mantar.