Ludwigsburg turned into a battleground of riffs and adrenaline as NAILS, EXODUS, CARCASS and headliner KREATOR unleashed a relentless evening of extreme metal. The night opened early with NAILS, who hit the stage at 18:20 and immediately pushed the half‑filled hall into motion. Their raw, no‑frills mix of speed and thrash set the tone: tight, aggressive, and straight to the point. Even at this early slot, the first mosh pit and a lone crowdsurfer proved the trio deserved a later billing.

EXODUS followed with the confidence and ferocity expected from Bay Area thrash veterans. Backed by album‑cover visuals and overflowing with energy, they delivered a true “lesson in violence.” The crowd had filled out by now, celebrating Tom Huntings (drums) 51st birthday and Gary Holt’s razor‑sharp lead work. It was a lesson in violence!

CARCASS kept the momentum high. The British four‑piece showed their decades of experience with precision, charisma, and a barrage of guitar picks flying into the audience. Their sound was the cleanest of the night, supported by fog, screens, and massive lighting. While the pits were smaller, the band’s tight performance and bursts of speed held the crowd firmly in their grip.

Last but not least, the stage belonged to KREATOR. The German thrash legends arrived with a full arsenal: towering ghouls, fire, smoke, and a stage show as intense as their music. Mille Petrozza delivered his trademark snarling vocals with surgical precision. A standout moment came when guest vocalist Britta Görtz (HIRAES) joined for a surprise duet on ‘Tränenpalast’, and afterwards celebrating the 2nd birthday of the day: Sami Yli-Sirniö. After 18 songs, the night ended with ‘Pleasure to Kill’ — the track that launched their legacy 41 years ago and reaffirmed their place at the top of German thrash.