Cheerz metalheads!

I guess I ought to say a couple of words about Wacken. It is the fastest, the hardest and the loudest metal festival there is after all. With 70000 metalheads it's the biggest metal party in Europe.

First the negative sides. 70000 visitors. Last time I was here in 2002 there were 40000 people here. Now it's a bit too crowded. You can't get closer than 50 meters from the stage.

But as all the people are so friendly - a true metal family indeed it doesn't really bother that much. The feeling here is something amazing. I know it's not true, but I have been all smile all the time here. It just feels great.

And then there are the bands... So far all the gigs I have wanted to see have been just brilliant. First one we saw was Therion. I haven't listened to their newer stuff but they delivered a lot better gig than I expected. They didn't use any choirs, only two male and two female singers. Each had their own role and area of voice and it worked well in its simplicity. Another band I hadn't been following for some time was Enslaved. (Actually both Therion and Enslaved I have last seen in the legendary Lepakko in Helsinki in mid 90's.) They kicked some serious ass by playing songs from most of their records. To my great surprise they even finished with "Slaget i skogen brotenfor" (or something) from "Hordanes land", their first split with Emperor. Right after Enslaved there was Blind Guardian. I have never liked them too much, but they did a lot better gig than in Tuska a month ago. The german audience seemed to enjoyed themselves at the fullest. And then there was Iced Earth. It was the first time I saw them with Ripper and my did they blow your mind. To my disappontment they didn't play a single song from Glorious Burden, but Ripper did the old songs very well. And based on the two songs from their upcoming album, it's going to be a killer.

(As a sidenote, I have currently 1,25 promille alcohol in my blood accoring to an alcometer. Janne has 2,53 and Vesku has 1,55.)

Today I have seen Moonspell so far. They had a shorther gig than in Tuska, but once again I got tears of happiness in my eyes. They are in excellent live shape at the moment. If they are coming near you, go see them.

Today there's still Rage, Type O Negative and Immortal to be seen. Tomorrow we are planning to drive to Hamburg (80 km) and cure our hangover there.

-Skoll

Score:
Vesku: 2
Janne: 0
Skoll: -1