So this years Wacken is not without controversy. If you read the forums, there are quite a few unhappy people talking about the unexciting line up, especially for a 20th anniversary. On first appearance when you look at the list, it does seem like a lacklustre line-up, especially when you look at what the Hellfest festival has pulled out.
So far, 46 bands have been announced, with a few self-confirming (it’s a shame when a band has to do that!). I definitely think the organisers have made some serious mistakes and while Wacken itself is an institution and always will be, reading some of the posts on the forums, especially from people who have been coming for many years, there is a lot of discontent among the faithful.
I must say that I’m also of the opinion that comparing to the Hellfest line up, Wacken is not as amazing this year as the 2008 show was (and that was epic).
However, enough whining and bitching, let’s take a look at what we have. Consider the fact that we have 3 days of music, and you’re never going to get every band you are dying to see. My *must see* bands from the list so far are;
So that’s 20 bands that I really badly want to see. That’s a helluva lot if you think about it. Now let’s add the bands I would like to check out between my *must* list;
So that’s another 7 bands. Not to mention the additional 15 that should still be added before the festival (going on tradition of around 60-70 bands on the bill).
They may not all be super popular bands, but fuck me, it’s still a brilliant line up of bands that here in Oz we may never get to see. Of the ones I listed, we have only seen 5 live. Running Wild announced this was their final show ever, and while there is somewhat of a power metal overload this year, it’s still something to see.
I am not going to say how I think that BFMV and BMTH (sorry, can’t bring myself to type out their names) are a really strange addition to what is typically a classic/dark metal festival. But hey, everyone needs a break to go to the toilet or drink some more beer between the star acts.
To sum up this fucking long post, I can see why this years line up is disappointing people who have been coming to Wacken for many years. I probably share the sentiment to an extent, where I was hoping to see some acts that we’ve been dying to catch live – Type O Negative would be one that immediately comes to mind.
But on the whole, am I totally fucking excited about Wacken 09? In a word, FUCKYEAH.
PS: Where is the Gojira announcement? Come on Wacken organisers, don’t disappoint these Aussie travellers!
