GERMANY - HEAVY METAL HAMLET
For 362 days a year, Wacken is a sleepy German hamlet, population: 2000. But for three days every August, 70,000 headbangers descend on the village to attend the biggest festival in the heavy metal universe. Now in its 18th year, Wacken: Open: Air has become an integral part of village life, with the community embracing their annual invaders. Local families drape their houses in banners that read "Welcome Metalheads!" and turn their gardens into makeshift bars serving beer and food to passing revelers. We went to Wacken and asked the fans what they thought about this heavy metal hamlet.
Vice: Are you a regular here at Wacken?
Axel Krosch, 25: Nah. This is my second time here.
How did you get here?
I drove here from Munich in an old Volkswagen with my friends. The
trip took nine hours but it is definitely worth it.
Why?
I've been to many other festivals and there's nothing like Wacken.
It's the biggest festival in the world dedicated only to metal! It's
so great here. Good people. Getting drunk all day long. You can't get
anything better in the world for €90.
Aren’t you a bit young to go to a
metal festival on your own?
Sandra Radeboldt, 11: I live here in Wacken. I like metal and I like
the fact that the festival comes back every year.
What is it that you like?
Everything is great here. The music is good and there are lots of hot guys to look at. The only bad thing is that there is so
much cool stuff to buy and I want it all. But that doesn't
matter. I will come back again next year. And if I can’t afford the
ticket, I'll break in!
So it’s your first time here, right? What do you think of the
place?
Lea Schmidt, 25: I love it! It has good people and good music.
Do you go to other metal festivals?
I used to go to goth festivals and I was totally into that. But I got
bored both with the people and the music. Metal
music and metal people are much better. Here it's all about drinking and having a good time. There is no
fighting and no problems.
Do you like it here?
Ricardo Michelini, 23:
It’s my second time here. For me, Wacken is my wonderland! There is
nothing like it at home in Italy. Here you can find everything you
need in life: love, beer, meat and party!
Is there anything bad with the festival?
Yeah, the toilets. And the women aren't as good as back home. Well,
they are good, but not like Italian women. But I'm definitely coming
back!
How did you get here?
Laura Arcari, 25: We drove here from Italy. It took 16 hours. I’ve
been here before and I will come here again. It’s so much better here
compared to festivals in Italy.
Anything you dislike about Wacken?
It’s hard to find anything to drink apart from beer, and I don’t like beer. Some grappa or whiskey would be great. I prefer stronger things
than beer.
Hey, what bands do you most want to see?
Bräuni Bräuningen, 19: Fuck the bands! I’m here to party and that’s it!
CARL UNDEHN
Hell yeah thats rocking. I do live in Schleswig-Holstein, the German state where this village is located. Honestly dont you wish all Germans would be cool like we are in the north? The guys in their "Lederhosen" at Munich Oktoberfest are retards.
Posted by: stupidkid | 09/08/2007 at 18:38
Axel Krosch looks like a total douche.
Bräuni Bräuningen looks like a totally rad dude.
Posted by: haha | 09/08/2007 at 18:46
Metal dudes are so clueles and hell the know it and love it. Maybe that's why most of them are such nice people.
Posted by: dani r | 09/08/2007 at 20:25
yeah, nobody let axel near sandra.
Posted by: chris | 09/08/2007 at 21:50
see you all there next year
Posted by: karasu | 10/08/2007 at 13:47
thanks for the Kreator footage
Posted by: big carl | 12/08/2007 at 18:10
I love that the 11 year old girl has a cart full of Bacardi and Coke
Posted by: | 12/08/2007 at 21:37
You do know there's a new documentary about this? Way to get on the bandwagon...
Posted by: Nick | 13/08/2007 at 11:33
www.myspace.com/fetusaftermath
we are from canada and we would like an interview
Posted by: fetus aftermath | 09/01/2008 at 13:52
I really enjoyed the video and added it to my site as well. I have heard of the Open Air festivle but I learned more from that video and your post more than anywhere else. Hope to go there some day.
Posted by: Heavy Metal Music Fanatic | 05/07/2008 at 21:05
Keeping it heavy and hardcore in Canada ! Fetus Aftermath on Facebook.
Posted by: Anne | 18/01/2009 at 04:05
See this brasilian thrash metal band (ATTOMICA.
it is a old band that now preparing new songs to return to the scenery of the heavy metal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDn9JOYUkEs
Posted by: Marcos | 06/07/2009 at 19:27