< PreviousWitches and Warlocks unite to open the Infield The Warlocks went into battle heavily armed The magical duel reaches its climax The witches keep a watchful eyengines were revving, witches were screech- ing, and wizards were cast- ing spells: Wednesday saw the official opening of the festival, with the witches and warlocks leading a pa- rade that culminated in an epic battle. After the Holy Ground had opened its gates shortly thereafter and Wack- en founders Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen delivered their welcome address, there was no more stopping the metalheads waiting to get in. One of the day’s big- gest surprises came in the form of mainstage opener Bülent Ceylan. The comedi- an brought the heat with his band, but also with his guest: German Rock legend Peter Maffay suddenly appeared on stage and joined Ceylan for one song. „When I was signing autographs after the show, people thanked me for bringing Peter on,“ Ceylan re- ports. „The show was massive. Hopefully, we were able to show people that I’m not just a comedian, but also a metal musician!“ Defying the midday heat were the participants of the international W:O:A soccer cup. Teams from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Nor- way, Chile and Mexico bat- tled it out in ten-minute in- tervals to win the unofficial title. In the end, team Rolnickstones from Germany dominated the matches. Wednesday’s lullaby was de- livered by In Ex- tremo, who had also secured a guest appearance: Santiano’s Björn Both and the band – framed by a bom- bastic light show and fireworks – lit up the Holy Ground. Credits: W:O:A, Susanne Müller Ready, set, rock: Metalheads take the Holy Ground Comedian and Rock legend unite for their performance Far from classical: The cello player is rocking out Björn Both from Santiano (R) joins Michael Rheins and In Extremo German Champion Sophie Wachter shows off her karate moves Kick it like Wacken: The Rolnickstones (white jerseys) are now inofficial W:O:A championsby Andrea Leim hat a warm wel- come: “Thomas!”, Biff Byford exclaims with a charming British accent as his longtime friend en- ters his backstage tent. The Englishman is lounging on a sofa in shorts and a t-shirt, wearing a faded black bath- robe. Long threads are hang- ing from the robe, which has clearly been worn a lot. Three white letters are emblazoned across the garment’s chest: “W:O:A”. “Biff is constantly wearing this thing,” his manager reveals and jokingly adds: “He could use a new one!” “No problem,” Thomas nods and takes a seat next to his buddy. Immediate- ly, the duo launch into a chat about Saxon’s first time at Wacken Open Air. “The first time you played was in 1992,” Thomas remembers. “Holger and I were very inexperienced then. Your rider arrived and it had Marlboros and socks on it!” Both laugh out loud. „True, we always used to include those. Cigarettes and socks. And Eng- lish Yorkshire tea.” Thomas, an avid tea drinker himself, takes a look around the tent and asks whether Biff has a kettle. “No. In 1992, Saxon first played Wacken – the first international band to headline the festival. Their regular visits have turned into a true friendship with the Wacken family and especially its two patrons. When Saxon played a show this summer, Thomas Jensen popped into his friend Biff Byford’s backstage tent. Here’s what went down. Credits: Andrea Leim, ICS Thomas and Biff in 2024, united in friendship and metal: Thanks to Wacken and music, Jensen and Byford have grown close over the yearsMaybe we’d have one if we were the headliner,” Byford jokes. Visiting Wacken Open Air and its two founders Thomas Jensen and Holger Hübner is a matter of the heart for Byford. “We’ve spent so much time together over the years that every reunion feels like a family event,” he explains. “I think Wacken kept bands like Saxon, Judas Priest and Motör- head alive during the nineties –more so than any other festival. Back then, nobody was booking classic rock or metal bands. People were going for grunge or some- thing more extreme like hardcore metal. But Wacken was different – and our salvation.” Thomas agrees and adds with a chuckle: “That’s because Holger and I were simply too ignorant and liked your sound better.” Byford nods: “You only booked the bands you liked, and that was perfect.” In return, Thomas says he is also grateful to Biff. He and his business partner Holger were still quite na- ive, especially at the start of their career. “There was no book that told you how to run a festival. But I was always able to talk to you and exchange ideas. I learnt so much from you, especially about how this crazy business works, what the risks are and where the idiots are hiding. That’s why a get-together with Saxon is always like coming home.” The two veterans continue to catch up on old friends, com- panions and acquaintances who have sadly passed away. They talk about Saxon’s current tour with Judas Priest and Uriah Heep, which Thomas would go on to at - tend in Hamburg shortly after the encounter. “By the way,” Thom- as then interjects. “Mikkey Dee sends his regards.” “We should tour with Scorpions sometime,” replies Byford. “I love them and we’ve known them for many years.” When asked what wish Thom- as should grant him, Biff im- mediately replies: “For us to be headliner at Wacken Open Air 2025!” Thomas likewise makes a wish: “For Saxon to play for free!” While they both burst out laugh- ing, we leave the backstage tent, knowing that the story of Saxon and W:O:A is far from over... ’ Deep within the W:O:Archives, The Bullhead found this shot of Biff Byford from Saxon’s first show at the festival in 1992 Grey locks and firm gaze – Saxon fronter Biff Byford in Wacken, 2004 Fans can expect Saxon to bring the heat in 2025, just like they did with this production in 2009Backliner, artist, promoter - like hundreds of others, Niko from Berlin works behind the scenes at Wacken Open Air. Without him and the rest of the crew, one of the biggest heavy metal festivals in the world would not exist by Katharina Metag humbs up! Nico waits by the side of the stage – invisible to the audience – and indicates to his col- league that everything is fine. On the W:E:T and Head- bangers Stage, the 28-year- old from Berlin ensures that everything runs smoothly, that the cables, connectors and amplifiers required by the bands are in place and ready to go and, above all, that they work. On each of the festival days, he is assigned to one of the two backliner shifts. But that’s not his only job at W:O:A … But let’s start from the be- ginning: When there were no more festival jobs during the pandemic, Nico met musician Mutz (Mutz & the Blackeyed Stagehand, rockstar, lifesaver Credits: Steve BraunBanditz), who has been part of the W:O:A crew for 20 years, via online streams. “When everything started back up in 2022, he simply invited me along. I’ve been working at Wacken Open Air ever since.“ This year, things get un- derway on Sunday, the arrival day for backliners like Niko. He and his colleagues organise their own shifts for the festi- val days: Starting Wednesday, three backliners for guitars and three for drums take turns on the twin stages. From 10 a.m. until after the last act. Afterwards, the stages are tidied up, sorted and set up again, like every morning and evening. A total of 140 stage- hands and almost 200 techni- cal staff, including backliners, work at the festival. “We receive lists of the things the bands need, keep everything on hand and have replacements in case some- thing breaks. We’re prepared for anything,“ says Nico. Things often get hectic behind the scenes. Niko: “There’s usu- ally hardly any time for food, but of course, we try to take breaks and take turns if some- one wants to see a show.“ Or if someone plays in a band themselves. Because Niko’s second job at W:O:A is that of an artist. With his band Blood- fang, the guitarist will make his musical Wacken debut on Thursday. Niko: “We are in- credibly grateful for this and also very proud of it. We know that this is very special“. The band has existed in this line-up for less than a year, with Niko and frontman Evan writ- ing their first songs in his child- hood bedroom in Berlin just a few months ago. Evan’s brother Rodney took on the bass. Bloodfang don’t have a fin- ished album yet, they don’t even have a car, but they have a lot of attitude and passion. Instead of a backdrop, home- made bat wings hang above the stage, and their fake blood is made in their own kitchen – from cherry juice, beetroot, starch and a little cocoa pow- der for an authentic colour. “Technically, people can lick us“, Niko laughs. “Somewhere between Ven- om and Motörhead” is how he describes the band’s style. Rock-heavy but dark, with lots of cult symbolism, but also 80s trash chic and a pinch of punk. Lead guitarist Max from France and drummer Eric from Australia fit in per- fectly, both visually and mu- sically. Cowboy boots, leather waistcoats, long locks, wild curls and porn staches. To- gether they want nothing less than to create a cult – the cult of Bloodfang. By the time the fake blood ooz- es from the mouths onto their half-naked torsos and eventu- ally drips from the previously immaculate ceiling of the club stage, this cult has gained new followers. With real blood, how- ever, guitarist Niko isn’t great. “It makes me feel queasy straight away,” he admits. Nevertheless, he and Bloodfang support the W:O:A blood drive. Because promoting this good cause is Niko’s third task on the Acker: Together with Charité transfusion specialist Dr Sven Peine, Niko and frontman Evan filmed the PSA “They only want your blood” for the Wacken Blood Donation. “Lives have already been saved thanks to the blood donations generated and the fantastic typing campaign. The depots are emptier than ever. Get out and donate!” With Bloodfang, Niko assumes his alter ego Hellhound and becomes a real rock star With Wacken Foundation and Charité doctor Sven Peine, Niko campaigns for the W:O:A blood donation drive As backliner behind the W:E:T Stage, Niko checks the equipment and provides everything the bands needhe day started out with plenty of passion: Amalgam from Hamburg were the first band to play on the Wackinger Stage and left it visibly pleased. The band is part of an accessible network of creative artists and played their fifth show ever at W:O:A. The fans celebrated the four musicians thoroughly! In the evening, there was hardly any space left in front of the Welcome To The Jungle stage when German comedian Atze Schröder took to the stage and had the metalheads sing “1000 und 1 Nacht“, a classic of German pop music. “That was amazing, unbelievable. I didn’t think it would turn out like that,” beamed Atze after his performance. At the same time, Alligatoah managed to draw enough people to the Louder Stage that the area had to be closed off. The hip-hop metal artist was so overjoyed he end- ed up reducing his set to rubble. The Scorpions gave us goose- bumps when the entire Infield sang “Wind Of Change” togeth- er. Among them was 72-year- old Frank. The music fan, who is gravely ill with cancer, was able to attend the festival for the first time with the help of a make-a-wish programme. At his side: his daughter Peggy, who – just like her father – was thrilled about this emotional day. Afterwards, drones il- luminated the night sky for the Growling Creatures show. 500 flying lights formed the moving silhou- ettes of endangered animal species and thus drew at- tention to the Wacken and Krombacher species protec- tion project. Mambo Kurt’s 20th-anni- versary show on the Headbang- ers Stage went on well into the night. Singer Stumpen from Knorkator was a guest, and Mambo Kurt even indulged in some crowdsurfing. Like A Hurricane: The legends rocking the Holy Ground High visibility for every person using a wheelchair Bye, bye, fixtures and fittings: Alligatoah had a blast Knorkator fronter Stumpen and Mambo Kurt share a moment, and fans really elevated the musician’s experience Happy faces: Dalia Majert, Linda, Peggy (Frank’s daughter), Frank, Arne Kappus and Luca MöhringCredits: W:O:A, Susanne Müller, Wünschewagen Trial by metal: newcomers Amalgam rocked their W:O:A debut Perm and proper: Atze Schröder had the crowd in stitches The giant bird watching over the Holy Ground during Growling Creatures’ set Marriage ceremony on the Holy Ground: Jan and Kira said “I do!”True legends made their mark on the Landgasthof in the form of concrete handprints Popular circle: Klaus Meine, Mikkey Dee, Doro, Rudolf Schenker and Joey Belladonna Despite his messy hands, Rudolf Schenker is having funby Andrea Leim ostling crowds line Wacken’s main road in front of the Landgasthof as several black limousines pull up on Thursday evening. As soon as the car doors open, cheers erupt: Klaus Meine, Ru- dolf Schenker, Mikkey Dee, Matthias Jabs and Pawe ł M ą ci- woda from Scorpions, Joey Bella- donna from Anthrax and metal queen Doro Pesch climb out! They all have travelled to W:O:A’s ninth and only perma- nent stage in order to be immor- talised forever – at the Wacken Walk of Legends! This new mon- ument is being created at the site of Wacken Open Air’s founding: the stars’ handprints and signa- tures in concrete, which will lat- er be embedded in the pavement in front of the venue. A tribute that is reminiscent of the “Hol- lywood Walk of Fame”. “The idea that the big stars of rock and heavy metal are immortalised here in Wacken has been around for some time,” says festival co-founder Thomas Jensen. The first steps have now been taken. The seven musicians gath- er on the Landgasthof stage and talk about what it means to them to be honoured as a legend in Wacken. “W:O:A will never be just any gig,” says Klaus Meine. “Although we’ve played a few big festi- vals this summer, it always feels like we’re coming home. You can feel the heart and soul of the place everywhere.” Heavy metal queen Doro agrees with her colleague: “I just love being on stage and making music. But performing at W:O:A is always a great honour. When we played here for the first time in 1993, Wacken was still small, but it was the biggest metal fes- tival around. Over the years Holger and Thomas have invit- “With Motörhead, we were Wacken’s resident band for a while. I always think it’s won- derful to be back. And this is the first time I’ve played here with Scorpions – it’s about time!” That’s right: Mikkey has been drumming with the band for eight years now. The seventh legend to take to the stage this evening is Anthrax singer and thrash metal veteran Joey Belladon- na. He has been a guest at the festival since Sunday and can be seen on one of the nine stages almost every day: “We get such a friendly and loving welcome here every time and just feel at home,” he says. “I am very grate- ful to be here.” After the little chat, the ac- tual ceremony begins in front of a cheerful audience: Wooden boxes filled with concrete are brought onto the stage and posi- tioned in front of the stars. With all their strength and a little wiggling of their hands, they are able to leave their imprints and signatures in the grey material. The concrete blocks that are created here are 45×45 centime- tres in size and have to cure after the ceremony. They will then be sanded down and sealed with oil so that they don’t look polished, but rather matt and natural. A few weeks after the festival, the slabs will then be embedded into the ground right next to the en- trance to the LGH. “This is just the begin- ning,” promises Landgast- hof boss Ulrike Jensen. In the coming years, other great artists from the rock and metal world will also be immortalised in the place where Wacken Open Air was founded. Hands down! ed me back and given me the opportunity to celebrate all my big anniversaries on the Holy Ground. I will be eternally grate- ful to them for that,” says Doro. “However, the fact that I am now being honoured as a legend here is a bit mind-blowing.” Ex-Motörhead and current Scorpions drummer Mikkey Dee has lost count of how many times he has played W:O:A: Joey Belladonna’s first … Mikkey Dee signs his hand-print Doro is pushing her hands into the concrete, Richie Löffler offers assistance … and second go at leaving his mark. Credits: W:O:A, Susanne MüllerNext >