06.08.2011 Subway To Sally

Wacken Open Air XXII

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax k-x with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Was there a deluge already during Children Of Bodom so the last tones were not yet faded away when the sky opened for the second time but this time more persistant than during the first time and so there was nothing more for me to do than to watch the first three songs fo Subway To Sally from the roofed gangway to the press area.
The German medieval metaller due to that had bad luck as many due to the rain went back to the tents earlier or directly made themselves on their way home. When it got somehow better from weather point of view there was a quite thinned out audience in front of the stage and a field slowly turning into a huge puddle of mud. Anyhow, with their German lyrics and the catchy melodies Erik-Uwe Hecht as well as his co-singer and guitarist Michael Boden and Simon Levko could make the remaining audience fly into a rage. It was quite impressive what was going on on stage towards the end of the festival. No matter if "Das Schwarze Meer" or "Sag Dem Teufel" everybody was giving everythign. During "Besser Du Rennst" it was even tried to open a circle-pit but that was not working for a long time.
Also figuratively spoken on stage there was hot stuff going on as besides the pillars of fire or the blood red burning fire bowls two band members additionally were fire breathing. With the encore "Julia Und Die Räuber" there were last goose bumps as all remaining already intonated the song even before it was announced and after the last tones a really long but great festival was coming to its end.
Even if I did not expect it due to the weather there was a real "Now more than ever" spirit in front of the stage and the atmosphere was constantly great. In my point of view it was a well fitting and worthy ending and so this means to wait one more year before the Wacken Open Air 2012 opens. So, on this view: See you at Wacken 2012! Rain or Shine!