First band to open the day today is Japanese melodic metalcore band Crossfaith. I’ve seen them a couple of times live before and it is always a great time. And a great workout. Even though they are the first band of the day on the main stage, both this year and in 2018, everybody moves. It’s a great early festival morning workout. This band has and gives a lot of energy and it’s addictive. Crossfaith brings us melodic metalcore, but uses a whole lot of electrical noises in it which creates a whole other genre, reminding me of Electric Callboy. But Crossfaith delivers a bit heavier music and the party element is not there. They also add a rap element sometimes. Crossfaith is all about moving and moshing, in one way or another. During Jägerbomb, guitarist Kazuki Takemura walked into the crowd and interacted with them. As did the lead singer Kenta Koie during the end of the last song. A bit of bad luck happened during one of my favourite songs Catastorphe; the sound just cut out all of a sudden. So much for my favourite song. But luckily they got to continue their show quite soon.

I expected to see lead singer Marcus Bischoff when the band came on stage. But those who have followed the band closer may have already known that Marcus has an infection and he has to rest. Since the band doesn’t want to cancel more shows than necessary, Britta Görtz from melodic death metal band Hiraes is filling his spot so we can still enjoy Heaven Shall Burn’s music. Her vocals were amazing and she did a great job. You could see her going back to a certain spot on stage were probably the lyrics were so she could check them. But she had to fill in for him on a short notice and I’m happy we can all enjoy the music. She did an incredible job with both the growling vocals and clean vocals. She called for mosh pits, circle pits, and kept the energy high. Heaven Shall Burn always has very fun live shows with a crazy crowd, and so was this one. Great job and thank you for not cancelling!

Another band my boyfriend took me to. I’m started to think he has a good taste in music. Savatage brings us progressive rock from the 80’s. The band took a break for a while and they are now back with a line-up change. It is either a very nostalgic show if you already knew them, and if you are getting to know them like me, it was a great rock show. It reminded me of the genre that Running Wild brings us. Savatage proved to still be legendary and brought a great show that brings you back to the blooming years of progressive rock.

In Flames, a band close to my heart. They always give the best live shows and leave you with the best feeling after the show as well. Their music creates piece and happiness if you ask me. You can let your anger and stress out during the show, and leave relieved. Also, that can probably be said about a lot of bands that played these last four days, but for me, that’s In Flames. They played some classics like closers like I Am Above and Take This Life, and gave us a great selection of songs throughout their discography. And, I did my first tiny circle pit 🙂 A show I will remember for a long time.

An oldy but a goldy. Judas Priest is getting old, and you notice that by the way lead singer Rob Halfort moves, or doesn’t move. He still gets the motor cycle out during ‘Hell Bent for Leather‘, but he isn’t able to get on it too well and I think he even was stuck trying to get off it. You hear it in his voice that he is coming of age. But hey, if he is still doing it at his age, it must mean he really loves it and that is much appreciated by the fans. Judas Priest still sounds good and they get all of the classics out to give you an amazing time at the festival. So who can be mad at that? It is amazing to hear classics like ‘Breaking the Law‘, ‘Painkiller‘ and closer ‘Living After Midnight‘ live, and I hope we can still hear them for a long time.

It either is your cup of tea or it isn’t. Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann came to show off his solo project at Dessel. He was asked to keep it family friendly though, since his shows often have sexual elements in them. This time he couldn’t show a vagina on stage, so he brought real dead fish and threw them in the crowd during Fish On. Special, but not really nice if you get one directly on you. He also brought pie that was thrown during Allesfresser. But one thing is for sure; Till has talent and always gives you an excellent show. The lights, the vibe, the costumes of not only him, but the whole band. It are all pieces to a perfect performance. Combine that with the perfect sound; his vocals are so clear and the instruments solid. And let us not forget his stage presence. The man know how to put on a show and deliver it to us. Yes, it either is your cup of tea or it isn’t, but one thing is for sure, it is a spectacle to look at. A worthy closer of the festival.