Muddy Friday
It was about time to kick off the 2026 festival season! I almost overslept the date, but Dirk “Dykes” sent me a reminder just in time. On Friday 12 June, after work, I’m off to Ulmbach for the UOB – Ulmich om Braand – festival at the Schützenhaus. I park the car at the campground and in the day-parking area, then make my way – a beer’s-length walk – to the festival site. It’s not exactly easy going; it’s been raining heavily over the last few days, so we’re faced with conditions reminiscent of Wacken.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere is great and the crew is clearly full of anticipation as they wait for the festival to begin. The festival kicks off with HotWire and their irresistible 80s charm. Bon Jovi and Co. send their regards in the best possible style and with a hard-hitting edge.
.
After a set change, V.E.R.S.U.S. take to the stage with provocative lyrics and straight-forward Deutschpunkmetal. – Is that how you say it, ‘Deutschpunkmetal’? In any case, the band really knows how to get the crowd going, and the marquee quickly fills up.
.
The third band on Friday evening is Journeye; as the name suggests, it’s a cover band dedicated to recreating the 80s sound of legendary Journey, and their exceptional vocalist Steve Perry. The vocal challenge is tackled in an unusual way: alongside the lead singer, there’s a female backing vocalist; together, the pair comes remarkably close to the original. For me personally, Journeye is the highlight of the day, when a packed tent of metalheads not only sings along to ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’, but practically sings it all by themselves!
.
Friday’s headliner is Victory with their new singer, Dyan Mair. Many will recognise him from his time with Bonfire; he fits seamlessly into the band and shines with his vocal and showmanship skills.
.
The closer was foreseen to play on the small Rohbaustage but the double bass drum kit already is bigger than the whole stage. Thus, Black Jack change over to the main stage with a fine set of 80s Stadium Rock Anthems.
.
Not to be forgotten is Mike Gerold; just like last year, he fills the set-change breaks on both days with his charming little acoustic sets. That’s pure, top-class entertainment from a true musician.
And there were you, the amazing audience, without you there would be no festival.
Sunny Saturday
After a short night involving a lot of driving and little sleep – as I had to commute for logistical reasons – things get going again at midday. Whilst I’m still walking along the drying muddy path to the Schützenhaus, the opening track from today’s opening act rings out: a cover version of Judas Priest’s ‘Turbo Lover’ that’s every bit as good as the original. The band is called Sirens Curse, and they’re doing a great job – a really, really great job – with the original songs that follow. I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from this band; the potential is undoubtedly there.
.
Skulls & Crossbones is the name of the next band, and no, it’s not pirate metal, but no-nonsense, straight-forward rock of the very best quality. What more could you want at the perfect time for coffee and cake?
.
That’s right, Stepfather Fred deliver more no-nonsense rock with their inimitable, genuine charisma. I’m delighted that Simon’s stepping in on guitar again after leaving the band a few months ago, but he’ll continue to lend a hand to his old friends from time to time – I’m curious to see when they’ll take to the stage as a five-piece with two guitarists… By the way, Julius, that French moustache suits you well.
.
Things then take a industrial and brutal turn with the duo Maschinist. I saw them several years ago, back when the band was still a four-piece… It doesn’t matter; the band is such great fun and really engages with the audience – especially the younger crowd, as the photos show – so the atmosphere goes completely through the roof.
.
GodSnake, hailing from the far north, come across as a bit more down-to-earth. The finest, extremely melodic thrash metal reigns supreme on stage during their magnificent set. I’ll be seeing the band again two weeks later at Rock & Metal Day’z in Oschersleben – let’s see if they live up to this great first impression! Although… I’m pretty sure they will.
.
And then it’s time for the festival’s ultimate headliner. None other than THE German metal legend Udo Dirkschneider takes to the stage with his eponymous band. It’s by far the best concert I’ve seen from this line-up in recent years.
The band and Udo are clearly enjoying playing ‘back to the roots’ on a smaller stage with fans right up close, rather than at some nameless festival. They play the ‘Balls To The Walls’ album in its entirety, as it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary.
.
The finale is provided by Living Theory, a Linkin Park cover band from Italy. Unfortunately, there are some technical issues, so the performance is delayed, but the long wait is well worth it. The original isn’t that much better, really.
.
Not to be forgotten here is the UOB house band Dykes, who performs twice. Once with a three-song set before Dirkschneider and with a fitting, partly ad hoc improvised longer set before the closing band. The band’s joy in playing and the audience celebrating them is priceless. That’s pure joie de vivre and genuine metal.
.
In general, the technical skill of the musicians in all the bands deserves special mention; for the most part they are amateurs or, at most, semi-professionals, yet they far outshine many a big name in the genre.That’s what a festival is all about – better small and intimate than big and anonymous. Wacken, Rock am Ring and the like certainly have their place, no question, but it’s the small festivals ‘just round the corner’ that really capture what metal is all about.
Go along to these festivals and you’ll never be disappointed – neither by the quality of the bands nor by overpriced merch, food and drinks. I’ll definitely be back in 2027 and hope to see as many of you there as possible! Check it out, the first bands are already confirmed as is the date.
Online:
UOB – Ulmich Om Braand festival
Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands official sources and don’t stream music for free because it steals your artists’ income
photos and text by Friend.X aka Mr. Deep