The Big Review: Wacken 2024

Come one, come all, and immerse yourself in metal: Architects, Amon Amarth, Jesus Piece, Korn, Neil Diamond, and many more converge on Europe’s premier metal festival.

Understanding Wacken truly is a unique experience, as Amon Amarth’s Johan Hegg notes in the festival’s daily ‘Bullhead’ newspapers. There are other major European metal festivals like Download, Graspop, and Hellfest, but none match Wacken’s rich history, atmosphere, and dedication to showcasing niche bands. Organizers Thomas Jensen and Holger Hübner, who oversee this week-long event that attracts 85,000 metal enthusiasts to northwestern Germany, are deeply passionate about the festival’s mission. Their enthusiasm is evident as they move energetically backstage, continuously validated by the enthusiastic cheers from Neil Diamond’s fans.

Wacken is more than just a music festival; it’s an experience. The event’s influence extends beyond the festival grounds with activities including performances at a local church and the initiation of a rock and metal Walk of Fame, where legends like Scorpions, Doro, and Joey Belladonna of Anthrax imprint their handprints in cement.

The ‘Metal Market’ remains unmatched, featuring unique items hard to find elsewhere. Official festival merchandise includes items related to a ‘metal’ swimming pool located across town. Art installations and Mad Max-style ‘Wasteland Warriors’ add to the festival’s eclectic atmosphere. A spectacular drone show reveals the first bands for next year’s UFO-themed edition. Wacken has grown into a haven for metalheads, with more to see and do than one could manage even in seven days.

As temperatures rise and beer flows, the main ‘infield’ at Wacken opens on Wednesday afternoon. The crowd, many kissing the revered ground, is ready for The Darkness. Their set, featuring crowd-pleasers like “Growing On Me” and “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” culminates in a triumphant performance of “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” and a nod to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”

From Huddersfield, West Yorkshire’s Evile make a strong impression with a late-night slot in the Wasteland. Their set, including “Killer From The Deep” and “Head Of The Demon,” showcases their enduring appeal and career-spanning repertoire, confirming their place in the metal scene after two decades.

Blind Channel, having won Wacken’s ‘Metal Battle’ competition a decade ago, now close the Headbanger Stage as one of Europe’s most exciting rising acts. Despite a fatigued crowd, they deliver an electrifying performance with tracks like “DEADZONE” and “WHERE’S THE EXIT,” along with entertaining covers of Backstreet Boys and Scooter. Their future at Wacken looks promising.

Neil Diamond may be taking a breather after a record-setting year, but K.K. Downing and Tim “Ripper” Owens are set to electrify the Harder stage. With over 50,000 metal fans roaring along to original tracks like “Hellfire Thunderbolt” and “One More Shot At Glory,” as well as classics like “Night Crawler” and “Breaking The Law,” their performance cements their status in the metal pantheon, even as they close with lesser-known tracks like “Of The Sinner” and “Raise Your Fists.”