My annual pilgrimage to the holy land of Heavy Metal is the highlight of my year. Germany / Hamburg / Wacken is the perfect host for this event. What is Wacken? Four days (24 hours/day) of heavy metal, beer, camping and partying with metal fans from every inch of the globe - life just doesn't get better than this for me. Although the music is incredible - this experience is really about the people. 100K metal fans from all over the world coming together on a farm located in northern Germany for a common cause - Heavy Metal. Unlike many festivals of this size (with unlimited alcohol), you will not witness a fight, argument, violence or discrimination - it just doesn't happen. Although the music is angry / aggressive, the fans share a love for the music & metal culture that translates to an instant sense of community / belonging (regardless of race, sex, age income level, language etc). I made awesome friends over the years from Japan, U.S. Sweden, Europe, Finland, Brazil and Australia. Nice to bump into these guys / gals each year Bottom line: If you are a metal fan lucky enough to have attended this festival, you know exactly what I'm saying. If not - you probably will not understand! Quote from Sam Dunn (film producer - A Headbanger's Journey): "Ever since I was 12 years old I had to defend my love for heavy metal against those who say it's a less valid form of music. My answer now is that you either feel it or you don't. If metal doesn't give that overwhelming surge of power that make the hair stand up at the back of your neck, you might never get it, and you know what? That's okay, because judging by the metalheads around me we're doing just fine without you" Wacken - see you in 2015 (264 days to go) BK read more

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One of the most thrilling music events in germany. 4 days full of metal, alcohol and an international audience. Just awesome. If you like Metal and if you like new contacts, you must visit this unique festival. read more

I have been to wacken open air three times (2003, 2004 and 2008). I will base my review on my 2008 experiances. To be completely honest, i loved the bands and music, but the festival was very crowded this year for my liking. There were quite a few bands i would have liked to have seen in the WET however we only managed to get inside the tent once in the 3 days we were there. I think food was reasonable (5 eur for loads of noodles and sweet and sour chicken), however i think beer has been much cheaper in past years (i didn't help that the exchange rate wasn't amazing). I think the thing that usually makes Wacken is the people that attend, and in previous years we have met some very great people, however i feel this year (due to it being so busy )it was a case of every man for himself when doing things like trying to get a beer which i felt affected the bonding. On a positive note i feel that the cup recycling and the toilets were very good. read more

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