01.08.2014 Heaven Shall Burn

Wacken Open Air XXV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

Finally getting the auditory canal blown free again that is what Heaven Shall Burn from the Thuringia Saalfeld is just the right thing for. Already 2011 the guys knew to enthuse the audience from the Black Stage and today should not be less lively.
With them they brought a lot of their latest album “Veto”, e.g. “Land Of The Upright Ones” or “Godiva”. The meanwhile seventh album has much more parts from death metal within the metal core and so a wild bunch is pogoing and swirling around in front of the stage. But for front man Marcus Bischoff there was too much light due to the afternoon slot and so he asked the people to darken the sun (which was not a big issue due to the blown up dust). Again and again the audience was cheered on by him (as if that would have been needed).
Fire is by the way also an excellent key word. It was more subdued compared to the last show at Wacken but they could not do without it (nomen est omen). Very nice towards the end of the gig was that the already gigantic circle pits of 2011 were even bettered. The whole area in front of the stage started moving to form an enormous circle around the front of house. Incredible! Due to that much action during the last song it was nearly getting contemplative. Heaven Shall Burn has made a cover version of the Blind Guardian classic “Valhalla” that all were singing along loudly. What should I say: the band had a lot of fun (Bischoff announced to make party on the camping ground after the show), the band having the audience down pat and providing a terrific show. All this exceeds in my point of view even the gig of 2011 and left me there with a big smile on my face!