Slowly but unstoppable Wacken Open Air 2018 tends to its end. But not before the dark symphonic metal roller Dimmu Borgir swept across the fields. Opposite to other Wacken Open Air before it was still quite cuddly in front of the Faster Stage.
As I am not such a big Halloween fan, who were allowed to rock the Harder Stage with their Pumpkins United show really impressively for roughly 2.5 hours (I watched the rest of the show from the press area) I decided to go for more calm sounds of a small Islandic band.
It was back in 2011 when I watched Ensiferum at the Wacken Open Air for the last time. Unfortunately they had to open the day to that time which was not very good from atmosphere point of view but this year they were able to play just before the headliners.
Risque lyrics that invite to rumble along paired with great classic glam metal music and of course tits. So simple the recipe for success of Steel Panther can be summarized. According to that motto the boards were labeled that were risen by the guys in the first rows.
Two bands inside the tent should be enough. Time for some more fresh air and so back to the Faster Stage. There it was already quite crowded, and the people were looking forward to Gojira. They showed directly what they are capable of and got the audience really moving.
After classic heavy metal with Night Demon on the Headbanger Stage I went over to the adjacent W.E.T. Stage. Here the Belgian Dutch combo Spoil Engine left no doubt that they came here to burn down the tent.
After so much fresh air (although on the basis of the much lower temperatures today it was way more agreeable compared to the days before) I went for the first time of the day into the Bullhead tent where the band Night Demon already lined up on stage.
The Finns of Wintersun were the next on my schedule. Founded was the band by front man and guitarist Jari Mäenpää after he left his former band Ensiferum (which I would also watch later that day) in 2004.
One of the pioneers of American power metal should be today’s starter on the Louder Stage. Riot V was founded already in 1976 and was over numerous redeployments as well as some disunions and reunions. After the last large redeployment on vocals the name of the band was changed to Riot V (before that the band was simply called Riot).
At the end of the great third festival day I went back to the Bullhead tent where the band Soen was just warming up for their show. The five guys from Sweden had all successful careers within other bands (Opeth, Testament, Willowtree, etc.) before they united with the current lineup.