Topping 70,000 attendees (bands, fans, industry personnel and behind the scenes workers) the annual metal carnival has reportedly reached its “maximum.” As such, it’s a sensory smorgasbord, invariably set to overload from word go. Before entering the pasture-turned-fair grounds, everyone has downloaded and printed the running order, carefully outlining which bands they want to see, on which of four stages, at precisely which times. Problem is, there are several stylistic overlaps. While the two main stages (True vs. Black metal) alternate performances, the two smaller set-ups: outdoor Party and tented Wet stages run almost constantly and inevitably offer some interesting talent in conflict with a more known outfit on the bigger stages. So, do you go to Wacken for only underground entertainment? Seems unlikely given the expense and sometimes less than hospitable surroundings, so something has to give. I’m sure there are people who never set foot in the tent, content just to party and witness metal’s heavyweights, but for those of us enjoying some bands in all the sub-genres, it’s a dilemma.

Then there are the non-musical distractions. Sure, you’re planning on seeing Band X at 4pm, but then you meet up with old friends, or lose track of time at the metal market (or more probably, swapping stories over drinks at the beer garden), to say nothing about seeking out food or waiting for the toilet. Yeah, you can still “hear” the music (depending upon which venue we’re talking about) or get a glimpse of a main stage simulcast on the Jumbotron, but it’s not the same. That said, it’s near impossible to watch even the entire sets of all the main stage acts. Still, year in and year out, scores of bands, from around the globe via for a coveted roster slot at the world’s premier metal event. European countries even host round-robin tourneys to send a national representative, all housed in the smallest, tent stage. So, my apologies to the likes of the reunited Sabbat, Chthonic and Black Majesty (the trio playing opposite Grave Digger, Falconer and Lacuna Coil). Ditto Fastway, right in the middle of Iced Earth’s set. Hell even mainstays Over Kill conflicted with Saxon. On Saturday, the tug-o-war was between Swallow The Sun, Turisas and Moonsorrow (two of whom I’d already witnessed twice in ’07) going up against a special Destruction set and the reunited Immortal!

So, what did I see/hear, besides the “clinking” of plastic beer cups (courtesy, this year, of Becks)? A field of straw, organizers laying down a protective barrier even before the expanse disintegrated into the metalheads’ version of the La Brea tar pits. This isn’t meant to be a full, in-depth analysis of Wacken 2007, that’s for “rookie” Allan Grusie to tackle, within the pages of an upcoming issue of BW&BK.; This is just a one-time blog, offering some reflections and commentary to accommodate the photos (Wacken Photos #1, Wacken Photos #2) Wandering onto the straw strewn pitch, in anticipation of witnessing Sodom’s 25th Anniversary show, the first words written in my notepad were “Straw, what about a fire hazard?” Smokers carelessly discarding their butts into a combustible sea, might seem alarmist, yet prophetic, as it was still too wet on Thursday (a week or more of rain keeping everything moist, to say nothing of a persistent drizzle right up until showtime). However, around noon on the sunny Friday, right before Amorphis was to take the stage, the field caught fire, producing a blinding smoke and if not for the quick work of the omnipresent WOA Firefighters (they even have their own band, who play in the beer garden) things could have turned ugly.

Even though tens of thousands arrive at the campsite (literally many square miles) days early, hoping to minimize the walk to the festival (and/or parking on higher ground, should the usual rains come), the music starts in earnest on Thurs. Originally just a throwaway, to keep the early arrivals from creating too much trouble, the “warm-up show” has become a night unto itself, virtually undistracted performances (ie. “no competition”) for a momentous occasion. Last year it was almost three hours of the Scorpions, plus Michael Schenker and Uli Roth! In 2007, it was a career retrospective by Sodom, where Tom Angelripper was joined by virtually every ex-member of the band (drummer Chris Witchhunter conspicuous by his absence), playing a bunch of seldom heard songs. That was followed by Saxon, perhaps the kings of Wacken, performing almost every year, yet still keeping it fresh. How? Great songs, altering those aired and a handful of unexpected guests, like Edguy’s Tobias Sammet for ‘747’. Brilliant! Got to give the people some reason to stand around/watch for two hours.

Sun shining brightly, yet not oppressively, as BW&BK; awoke on Saturday morning. Seems annually the northern German weather, come the first weekend of August, is one of extremes: either teeming rainstorm (as it had been for weeks prior to Wacken), or brutal heat (near 40 degrees C), which we’ve also experienced. However, this was almost an idyllic setting (virtually guaranteeing several years of discomfort to come). Following the eventful, non-event fire, the day continued with a stage-full of participants, for Therion (including drummer-turned-singer, Snowy Shaw, a new lead singer in Tomas Vikstrom, formerly of Candlemass, circa their Chapter VI album and a duo of hottie back-up singers). From his wheelchair, Jeff Becerra did his best to headbang and thrash around as he ran his Sadistic Intent back-up band through the Possessed catalog, to the adoration of youngsters and those unlucky enough to have missed the original incarnation (which included future/current Primus guitarist Larry LaLonde).

Grave Digger is something of a national treasure and Chris Boltendahl enjoys the bigger stage, whereas Falconer were noticeably happy to not only have (now bearded) singer Mathias Blad back in the fold, but to be playing to so many people, even if it was the Party stage. Despite their virtual mainstream status (compared to other acts on the bill) Lacuna Coil still have a large fan base amongst true metalheads. Guess having Cristina Scabbia front the band has its advantages.

Blind Guardian played a rare daytime gig, no effect on the size of the crowd. As dusk became night, the atmosphere was set for Dimmu Borgir, lights, visible fog (or was it just the suddenly cold air, capable of seeing one’s breath) and flames. Giant stage, bigger sound, the perfect setting for an epic black metal outfit. The evening ended with the highly anticipated Iced Earth gig, their third and final festival of the summer (only third show with new line-up as well). In addition to older material, circa Something Wicked and Dark Saga, they performed two new tracks, ’10,000 Strong’ and the then unreleased ‘A Charge To Keep’. More flame cannons, light show and amazing sustain from Tim “Ripper” Owens.

Saturday came early, the “walking wounded” showing signs of wear by noon, may curled up in the straw, as the temperatures reddened many a passed-out skin. Actually, by gargantuan Wacken standards, the “must see” acts on the final day were minimal, beginning with Stratovarius, who debuted a new song. Rage played with an orchestra of teens. Neat effect, but the song selection was kind of weak, especially in front of that massive throng. Not to be outdone by compatriots Sodom, Schmier and Destruction also performed a special show, although the “real” 25th Anniversary shows will take place next year, worldwide. In addition to employing a trio of drummers (past & present) for ‘Reject Emotions’, they filled the stage with guest vocalists (Peavy, from Rage, Blitz, from Over Kill, Angelripper, from Sodom and the singer for Communic) to reprise the multiple voices on the original ‘Alliance Of Hellhoundz’.

Immortal were the band of the festival, by many accounts. Ripping through a career retrospective (‘Battles In The North’, ‘At The Heart Of Winter’, ‘Sons Of Northern Darkness’, etc.) and having fun in the process, judging from reactions onstage and afterwards. In fact, shortly after Wacken, the band announced three additional dates in their homeland. Wouldn’t have happened if everything weren’t copasetic. In Flames stuck mostly to recent releases, but being a metal festival looked into their catalog for the back-to-back airing of ‘Episode 666’ and ‘Graveland’ during a pyro-happy set.

It was nearly 1 AM by the time I finished photographing Cannibal Corpse, but Metal Tim stuck around for the entire set, which included some long banned material. Historically, the first three albums were off limits in Germany, but for whatever reason, the Corpse were allowed to play ‘Hammer Smashed Face’ and several others, to the delight (almost delirium) of the crazies still pressed against the barricade. De(a)dication!

WOA has already announced several acts for 2008 (July 31-Aug 2), including a rare gig by Avantasia, COB, Kreator, Sonata Arctica and Iron Maiden. Make your plans early, looks like it could be another sellout, like this year!