Grab something to drink, perhaps a snack as well and dive on in!
*Since Wacken has announced that the following running order isn't the final one, then time and stage may be changed at some point. At that point we will update our post.
The camping area
When you enter the camping grounds of Wacken, do not be alarmed of the sheer size of it. Just navigate towards your preferred camping site and start unpacking, because the sooner you are done, the sooner you can sit down with a nice cold drink and let the festival feeling start flowing through you. If you happen to go 'early' to bed do not be frightened, if you suddenly awake from the thundering roar of tens of thousands of campers screaming "WAAACKEEEEN!!!" In the middle of the night. It is all a part of this amazing festival experience! By the camping area you will find several food trucks, toilet/water facilities and even mini supermarkets with every you might have forgotten at home. Something many festivals could learn from Wacken, is how to serve the campers in the early hungover morning, where the nearest food option/toilet has to be within a hundred meters. Here, you will get that!
The festival area
Like the camping area, you should not be alarmed by the size of the festival area. It is big! But once you get to know the area and where your favourite food shops/merch booths are, you will quickly be able to get from A to B without too much trouble. Take some time to go 'sightseeing' at the holy ground and just FEEL the area. It has a very unique feeling, and it feels good! From the great Beer Garden area to the amazing Wackinger area with medieval sword fighting and food, axe throwing and all-around pagan feeling. We guarantee that you will love it! There is also the newly created Wasteland area dedicated to the dystopian post-apocalyptic futuristic world, where you can really live like you were in a Mad Max movie! Rusty, loud cars and lots of flames!
WEDNESDAY - August 1st
Who: Jesper Binzer
Where: Beer Garden
When: 19:45 – 20:30
Jesper Binzer, the frontman of one of the most famous Danish hard rock bands D-A-D, who visited Wacken back in 2014, is returning with his own newly released solo material 'Dying Is Easy' from 2017. We can say from reliable sources that this is not to be missed and that you are in for a treat!
Who: Evil Invaders
Where: Wasteland Stage
When: 20:45 – 21:30
Evil Invaders is one of the newer bands in an old genre. Classic speed metal has been their game since the band started playing back in 2007. So, if you are into 80's speed metal, do not miss this opportunity to travel back in time where mullets were a fashion trend and everyone wore jeans outfit!
Who: Toxic Holocaust
Where: Wasteland Stage
When: 22:15 – 23:00
Toxic Holocaust is an American Crossover/Thrash Metal band that always deliver a smashing and violent evening. Expect some heavy pit action. No wimps or posers allowed!
*NO KARATE IN THE PIT!
Where: Wasteland Stage
When: 20:45 – 21:30
Evil Invaders is one of the newer bands in an old genre. Classic speed metal has been their game since the band started playing back in 2007. So, if you are into 80's speed metal, do not miss this opportunity to travel back in time where mullets were a fashion trend and everyone wore jeans outfit!
Who: Toxic Holocaust
Where: Wasteland Stage
When: 22:15 – 23:00
Toxic Holocaust is an American Crossover/Thrash Metal band that always deliver a smashing and violent evening. Expect some heavy pit action. No wimps or posers allowed!
*NO KARATE IN THE PIT!
Who: Sepultura
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 22:55 – 23:55
Sepultura's live shows are some of the most energetic you can find. Premium thrash metal with no compromise. Without any much else to do Wednesday we can highly recommend you going to this beast of thrasher concert!
You're not into thrash? Then check out Heilung on Wackinger Stage – and be prepared for a mind-blowing experience!
When: 22:55 – 23:55
Sepultura's live shows are some of the most energetic you can find. Premium thrash metal with no compromise. Without any much else to do Wednesday we can highly recommend you going to this beast of thrasher concert!
You're not into thrash? Then check out Heilung on Wackinger Stage – and be prepared for a mind-blowing experience!
Who: Heilung
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 23:00 – 00:00
Heilung is an exciting new band based in Denmark/Germany/Norway. Their live show is something otherworldly that can only be described as a trancelike out-of-body experience. This is by far one of the most recommended bands by us this year at Wacken Open Air. Take it from someone who witnessed their ritual at Midgardsblot 2017. We know what we are talking about!
If you're not into the kind of music that Heilung plays, then Sepultura is thrashing around at W:E:T Stage!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Wacken Metal Battle at W:E:T Stage and Headbanger Stage from 11:00 - 17:10
This is where you will get a chance to see dozens and dozens of brand new bands competing against each other for this year to hopefully become the next big thing, like many other Wacken Metal Battle bands have become!
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes! Check out more at the website and video below.
https://metalyogabones.com/
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 22:30 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
THURSDAY - August 2nd
Who: Skyline
Where: Harder Stage
When: 13:30 - 14:15
The house band of Wacken! You never know what you will get from Skyline's hundreds of cover songs, but one thing is for sure. They are the perfect band as the first on the main stages that will gather the crowd in sing-a-long whether it be Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, Manowar and so on!
Who: Dokken
Where: Faster Stage
When: 14:30 - 15:30
Dokken is one of the most known bands from the 80's heavy and glam metal era. A band that pretty much everyone could listen to. From the bay area thrashers that despised glam metal and all it stood for and to the Sunset strip glam rocker who rocked tights, women's boots and wore make up. All would listen to Dokken, and that is exactly why you should as well!
Who: Dirkschneider
Where: Faster Stage
When: 17.00 - 18.30
Udo Dirkschneider returns to Wacken Open Air to do his final show that will consist of Accept songs. After this he'll only focus on U.D.O. material, which is his solo band. Therefore, we recommend you attending this show and thank Udo for all his heavy metal anthems through the years!
If the German Tank is not your style, you could check out death metal band Gruesome at Headbangers Stage (but there is time enough to watch both)
Who: Gruesome
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 17:20 – 18:05
If you like truly old school death metal, then Gruesome is the band for you! With sound taken straight out of Death's Leprosy album from 1988, these guys have been doing their part of the chore in bringing old school death metal to the present age! Come headbang with us at the Headbanger Stage!
If old school death is not for you, you could check out Dirkschneider at Faster Stage, playing a set consisting only of good ol' Accept classics.
Who: Vallenfyre
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 18:15 – 19:00
As Vallenfyre has announced that they are splitting up the band, this will be their last tour. The band came out with their third full-length album “Fear Those Who Fear Him” last year. Since 2010 they have been very active with their music and even touring around Europe. For those who haven’t heard of them, Vallenfyre is a death metal band with doom influences from United Kingdom.
Who: Behemoth
Where: Harder Stage
When: 18:45 – 20:00
By now most likely everyone has heard of the Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. Their stage shows are rarely matched and with the amount life force present in Nergal Darski, you are surely to be grabbed by his enthusiasm. If you haven't heard of Behemoth before, we can only recommend this band to you, and especially their live shows. This will also be some of the last performances that Behemoth will do before heading back to the studio to start recording the newest album and forging the future of extreme metal!
Who: Hatebreed
Where: Louder Stage
When: 20:15 – 21:30
Hatebreed is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with. Night after night Jamey Jasta & crew are destroying the audience and the stage with their hardcore infused thrash metal. No one is standing still when these guys are onstage and you shouldn't be either. Get in the pit and get going, you will NOT regret it!
If this band is not something for you, you should check out death/black metal band Belphegor at W.E.T. Stage playing at almost the same time.
Who: Belphegor
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 20:20 – 21:05
From Austria with the Devil, we have one of the most extreme metal bands in the world. Belphegor. A more characteristic frontman is not easily found and especially not one with the musical skill like Helmut. If you want to experience an in-your-face extreme metal band with heavy ties to black metal and death metal, then this is the band for you!
If you're not into this kind of extreme metal, go check out hardcore thrashers Hatebreed on Louder stage.
Who: Watain
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 21:15 – 22:15
Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Watain is bringing fire and death to Wacken for the first time since 2012! Back then they played Party Stage in the middle of night, and their stage light consisted of mostly red lights, wildfire and flaming tridents. Watain's show never seem to disappoint and we expect nothing less of Watain when they enter the Headbangers Stage. A must-see for lovers of dark and heavy music!
Who: Judas Priest
Where: Harder Stage
When: 22:00 – 00:00
Do these guys really need an introduction? Judas Priest has been around for almost 50 years and has perfected what Black Sabbath created. Heavy fucking metal! With their newest release Firepower from 2018, Judas Priest have proved that they are still at the top and they are not willingly passing the torch! You can expect a Judas Priest show filled with both old and new classics and some rarities in between. And if we are lucky, we might even get to see Glenn Tipton on stage, that was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has therefore stepped back from Judas Priest and let Hell's own Andy Sneap take his place on this world tour.
If you're not into classic heavy metal, try something even heavier at W.E.T. Stage, where brutal death metal band Dying Fetus will be playing during this concert. After Dying Fetus Sarke will go on at Headbangers Stage
Who: Dying Fetus
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 22:25 – 23:10
Dying Fetus will bring their American borderline Slam Death Metal to Wacken Open Air for the first time since 2002. Since then A LOT has happened. Since then Dying Fetus has released 5 albums and they are itching to bring their sheer brutality back upon the holy land! Expect nothing but heavy riffing and tons of blastbeats, growling and groovy slamming.
At Harder stage Judas Priest will be playing during the Dying Fetus show, but there is enough time to be able to watch both bands.
Who: Sarke
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 23:20 – 00:05
With Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone on vocals you are surely in for a treat when Sarke enters the stage with their Norwegian black metal mixed with thrash, doom and death metal with punkish elements.
If you are not attending Judas Priest, you should definitely be here!
Who: Gaahl's Wyrd
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 00:15 – 01:00
From Norway to Germany, Wacken introduce the Norwegian black metal band Gaahl’s Wyrd formed by former Gorgoroth and God Seed member Gaahl. Since 2015 only one month after God Seed’s final show, Gaahl announced his new band. They even had their first show the month following after announcing the new band. With the tour coming to Wacken we can only hope for something mysterious and dark happening at this late hour.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Wacken Metal Battle at W:E:T Stage and Headbanger Stage from 11:00 - 16:20
This is where you will get a chance to see dozens and dozens of brand new bands competing against each other for this year to hopefully become the next big thing, like many other Wacken Metal Battle bands have become!
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
THURSDAY - August 2nd
Who: Skyline
Where: Harder Stage
When: 13:30 - 14:15
The house band of Wacken! You never know what you will get from Skyline's hundreds of cover songs, but one thing is for sure. They are the perfect band as the first on the main stages that will gather the crowd in sing-a-long whether it be Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, Manowar and so on!
Who: Dokken
Where: Faster Stage
When: 14:30 - 15:30
Dokken is one of the most known bands from the 80's heavy and glam metal era. A band that pretty much everyone could listen to. From the bay area thrashers that despised glam metal and all it stood for and to the Sunset strip glam rocker who rocked tights, women's boots and wore make up. All would listen to Dokken, and that is exactly why you should as well!
Who: Dirkschneider
Where: Faster Stage
When: 17.00 - 18.30
Udo Dirkschneider returns to Wacken Open Air to do his final show that will consist of Accept songs. After this he'll only focus on U.D.O. material, which is his solo band. Therefore, we recommend you attending this show and thank Udo for all his heavy metal anthems through the years!
Who: Gruesome
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 17:20 – 18:05
If you like truly old school death metal, then Gruesome is the band for you! With sound taken straight out of Death's Leprosy album from 1988, these guys have been doing their part of the chore in bringing old school death metal to the present age! Come headbang with us at the Headbanger Stage!
If old school death is not for you, you could check out Dirkschneider at Faster Stage, playing a set consisting only of good ol' Accept classics.
Who: Vallenfyre
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 18:15 – 19:00
As Vallenfyre has announced that they are splitting up the band, this will be their last tour. The band came out with their third full-length album “Fear Those Who Fear Him” last year. Since 2010 they have been very active with their music and even touring around Europe. For those who haven’t heard of them, Vallenfyre is a death metal band with doom influences from United Kingdom.
Where: Harder Stage
When: 18:45 – 20:00
By now most likely everyone has heard of the Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. Their stage shows are rarely matched and with the amount life force present in Nergal Darski, you are surely to be grabbed by his enthusiasm. If you haven't heard of Behemoth before, we can only recommend this band to you, and especially their live shows. This will also be some of the last performances that Behemoth will do before heading back to the studio to start recording the newest album and forging the future of extreme metal!
Who: Hatebreed
Where: Louder Stage
When: 20:15 – 21:30
Hatebreed is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with. Night after night Jamey Jasta & crew are destroying the audience and the stage with their hardcore infused thrash metal. No one is standing still when these guys are onstage and you shouldn't be either. Get in the pit and get going, you will NOT regret it!
If this band is not something for you, you should check out death/black metal band Belphegor at W.E.T. Stage playing at almost the same time.
Who: Belphegor
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 20:20 – 21:05
From Austria with the Devil, we have one of the most extreme metal bands in the world. Belphegor. A more characteristic frontman is not easily found and especially not one with the musical skill like Helmut. If you want to experience an in-your-face extreme metal band with heavy ties to black metal and death metal, then this is the band for you!
If you're not into this kind of extreme metal, go check out hardcore thrashers Hatebreed on Louder stage.
Who: Watain
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 21:15 – 22:15
Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Watain is bringing fire and death to Wacken for the first time since 2012! Back then they played Party Stage in the middle of night, and their stage light consisted of mostly red lights, wildfire and flaming tridents. Watain's show never seem to disappoint and we expect nothing less of Watain when they enter the Headbangers Stage. A must-see for lovers of dark and heavy music!
Where: Harder Stage
When: 22:00 – 00:00
Do these guys really need an introduction? Judas Priest has been around for almost 50 years and has perfected what Black Sabbath created. Heavy fucking metal! With their newest release Firepower from 2018, Judas Priest have proved that they are still at the top and they are not willingly passing the torch! You can expect a Judas Priest show filled with both old and new classics and some rarities in between. And if we are lucky, we might even get to see Glenn Tipton on stage, that was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has therefore stepped back from Judas Priest and let Hell's own Andy Sneap take his place on this world tour.
If you're not into classic heavy metal, try something even heavier at W.E.T. Stage, where brutal death metal band Dying Fetus will be playing during this concert. After Dying Fetus Sarke will go on at Headbangers Stage
Who: Dying Fetus
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 22:25 – 23:10
Dying Fetus will bring their American borderline Slam Death Metal to Wacken Open Air for the first time since 2002. Since then A LOT has happened. Since then Dying Fetus has released 5 albums and they are itching to bring their sheer brutality back upon the holy land! Expect nothing but heavy riffing and tons of blastbeats, growling and groovy slamming.
At Harder stage Judas Priest will be playing during the Dying Fetus show, but there is enough time to be able to watch both bands.
Who: Sarke
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 23:20 – 00:05
With Nocturno Culto from Darkthrone on vocals you are surely in for a treat when Sarke enters the stage with their Norwegian black metal mixed with thrash, doom and death metal with punkish elements.
If you are not attending Judas Priest, you should definitely be here!
Who: Gaahl's Wyrd
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 00:15 – 01:00
From Norway to Germany, Wacken introduce the Norwegian black metal band Gaahl’s Wyrd formed by former Gorgoroth and God Seed member Gaahl. Since 2015 only one month after God Seed’s final show, Gaahl announced his new band. They even had their first show the month following after announcing the new band. With the tour coming to Wacken we can only hope for something mysterious and dark happening at this late hour.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Wacken Metal Battle at W:E:T Stage and Headbanger Stage from 11:00 - 16:20
This is where you will get a chance to see dozens and dozens of brand new bands competing against each other for this year to hopefully become the next big thing, like many other Wacken Metal Battle bands have become!
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 23:00 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
FRIDAY - August 3rd
Who: Cannibal Corpse
Where: Harder Stage
When: 12:15 – 13:15
Cannibal Corpse, the bestselling death metal act in the world is returning to Wacken Open Air. Their style and sound have shaped death metal as we know it like no other band. Crunchy guitars and deep growling vocals have been their trade of the game for nothing but 30 years, which they can celebrate this year. Let's hope for a special 30-year anniversary show!
Who: Attic
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 13:10 – 13:55
If you are into heavy metal alá Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, then you should definitely go watch Attic. Having been blessed by King Diamond himself these guys are at the front lines, defending the heavy metal faith and keeping the spirit true!
Who: Amorphis
Where: Faster Stage
When: 13:25 – 14:25
Amorphis is a bit like wine, they just get better year by year! These guys continue to prove themselves again and again. With their latest album 'Queen of Time' from 2018 they have certainly done it again and delivered a smashing melodic metal album!
Who: Korpiklaani
Where: Harder Stage
When: 14:35 – 15:35
These pagan spirits of Finland are calling you, and they want you to attend this concert! Korpiklaani are finally back at the holy ground to bring you their humppa folk metal drinking music. Grab a beer or five and join the dancing and screaming, because now is when the party and dancing starts!
Who: Epica
Where: Faster Stage
When: 15:45 – 16:45
Since 2003, Epica has delivered some of the finest symphonic power metal. Located in The Netherlands, the female-fronted band delivers strong, epic melodies, mesmerizing vocals and heavy riffs. If you're into symphonic metal with a twist of classical singing mixed with deep growls and sweet guitar solos, Epica will be in your favour!
Who: Destruction
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 19:15 – 20:00
From Germany with hate! Destruction is here to set fire to the holy ground with their raging thrash metal anthems. Just try not to headbang while watching these guys perform. Impossible! If you're not into thrash metal, you should check out the goofy folk metal band TrollFest playing on Wackinger Stage!
Who: Trollfest
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 19:30 – 20:15
What do you get when you mix Balkan folk music with heavy guitars and blastbeats? TROLLFEST! Hailing from Oslo, Norway these guys have been releasing album after album of True Norwegian Balkan Metal! 7 albums in just 12 years! You do not want to miss out on this party when they enter Wackinger Stage - where they'll probably be dressed in safari clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 23:00 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
FRIDAY - August 3rd
Who: Cannibal Corpse
Where: Harder Stage
When: 12:15 – 13:15
Cannibal Corpse, the bestselling death metal act in the world is returning to Wacken Open Air. Their style and sound have shaped death metal as we know it like no other band. Crunchy guitars and deep growling vocals have been their trade of the game for nothing but 30 years, which they can celebrate this year. Let's hope for a special 30-year anniversary show!
Who: Attic
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 13:10 – 13:55
If you are into heavy metal alá Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, then you should definitely go watch Attic. Having been blessed by King Diamond himself these guys are at the front lines, defending the heavy metal faith and keeping the spirit true!
Who: Amorphis
Where: Faster Stage
When: 13:25 – 14:25
Amorphis is a bit like wine, they just get better year by year! These guys continue to prove themselves again and again. With their latest album 'Queen of Time' from 2018 they have certainly done it again and delivered a smashing melodic metal album!
Who: Korpiklaani
Where: Harder Stage
When: 14:35 – 15:35
These pagan spirits of Finland are calling you, and they want you to attend this concert! Korpiklaani are finally back at the holy ground to bring you their humppa folk metal drinking music. Grab a beer or five and join the dancing and screaming, because now is when the party and dancing starts!
Who: Epica
Where: Faster Stage
When: 15:45 – 16:45
Since 2003, Epica has delivered some of the finest symphonic power metal. Located in The Netherlands, the female-fronted band delivers strong, epic melodies, mesmerizing vocals and heavy riffs. If you're into symphonic metal with a twist of classical singing mixed with deep growls and sweet guitar solos, Epica will be in your favour!
Who: Destruction
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 19:15 – 20:00
From Germany with hate! Destruction is here to set fire to the holy ground with their raging thrash metal anthems. Just try not to headbang while watching these guys perform. Impossible! If you're not into thrash metal, you should check out the goofy folk metal band TrollFest playing on Wackinger Stage!
Who: Trollfest
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 19:30 – 20:15
What do you get when you mix Balkan folk music with heavy guitars and blastbeats? TROLLFEST! Hailing from Oslo, Norway these guys have been releasing album after album of True Norwegian Balkan Metal! 7 albums in just 12 years! You do not want to miss out on this party when they enter Wackinger Stage - where they'll probably be dressed in safari clothes!
If this band isn't your cup of tea, German thrashers Destruction are playing at almost the same time on W.E.T. Stage.
Who: Nightwish
Where: Faster Stage
When: 21:00 – 22:15
One day in 1996, Tuomas Holopainen was spending the night with friends around a campfire, when the idea of Nightwish was born. To this day, we dare to say that Nightwish is the biggest band in its genre. As we return to their last show at Wacken, we think everyone that was there is getting goose bumps just by thinking about it, and if you weren’t there, it was professionally filmed for a concert DVD – also available for viewing on YouTube (linked below). With their current “Decades: World Tour” and announcement of the setlist, this hour and fifteen minutes is full of old and new songs. With fans around the world and five years since playing at Wacken, this night will be an unforgettable one with Nightwish playing their greatest songs from their long-time symphonic repertoire!
Who: Bömbers
Where: Beer Garden
When: 21:00 – 21:45
Bömbers is a Motörhead tribute band formed back in 1996 from Bergen, Norway. This rock n' roll trio consists of Killminister aka. Olve Eikemo aka. Abbath (Abbath, ex-Immortal, ex-Old Funeral) on bass and vocals, Tore aka. Fast Tore (Studfaust, ex-Old Funeral) on guitar, and Pez aka. Party Animal Taylor (ex-Punishment Park) on drums. With their big passion for Motörhead, these skilled dudes make up one of the best cover bands you'll ever find! With Motörhead no longer around, this will be your best chance to experience Motörhead live, just like the band used to play the songs themselves. Grab a beer, close your eyes and listen - it won't get more authentic than this!
This is the first time for Bömbers attending Wacken Open Air, and they will actually play TWICE! Friday 21.00 - 21.45 and again Saturday, also in Beer Garden, 18.15 - 19.00. So there will be good opportunities to see this amazing tribute band live!
Who: Arkona
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 23:00 – 00:00
Hailing from Moscow, Russia, Arkona are bringing their Slavic pagan/folk metal music to Western Europe and we can't wait! Having existed since 2002, these guys and gals have not been resting at all. 9 albums released in 14 years! You can expect tons of dancing, tons of headbanging and tons of moshing when Arkona enters the Wackinger stage and metal madness starts!
Who: Ghost
Where: Harder Stage
When: 01:45 – 03:00
With their newly released 4th studio album ''Prequelle'' and renewed and expanded line-up, Ghost seems now stronger than ever. Ghost is a band that have grown enormously within a few years with their heavy melodies about satan, now being a popular heavy metal band all around the globe, and often sharing spots equally with bands like Judas Priest or Ozzy Osbourne on festival posters. Ghost is a band in a category of itself, often going by the term ''ABBA metal'' as the band is fond of using the hammond organ sound, likes to use pop'ish rhythms and melodies (by using a tambourine, for instance), and, like ABBA, originates from Sweden – therefore the comparison. This is also one of the reasons why Ghost often divides the metal crowd – either you love them or you hate them (even us here on Metal To Go have different opinions about this band). Nonetheless, this concert at Wacken will be one you would be sorry to miss, if you are into Ghost. The ''new'' frontman Cardinal Copia, who ''succeeded'' Papa Emeritus III, will be on fire on stage with dirty dance moves and probably pep talks about orgasms as well! If you have ghost, you have everything!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 22:30 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
SATURDAY – August 4th
Who: Wintersun
Where: Harder Stage
When: 13:15 – 14:15
Who: Alestorm
Where: Faster Stage
When: 14:30 – 15:30
Set sail and conquer! Yaaargh, Scottish/British pirate metal band Alestorm will blow wind in your sails and your hair with their energetic show this Saturday afternoon (most likely including a giant rubber duck!). If you like a great party, this will be the concert for you! Get your rum and peg leg on!
Who: Gojira
Where: Faster Stage
When: 17:00 – 18:15
Gojira is one those bands that have been foretold to carry on the metal torch when the giants are no longer there, and seeing these guys live you will definitely understand why! During the last 10 years Gojira have perfected their progressive groove/death metal sound and stage shows and are now playing the mainstages at the biggest festivals all over the world!
Who: Skiltron
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 18:00 – 18:45
When it’s time for some folk/power metal we say Skiltron! As they were formed back in 2004 it was a fusion between heavy metal and Celtic music, which was common in Europe, but back in Argentina Skiltron was pioneers of the genre. Five full-length albums on the go and still going strong they are coming back for Wacken with one hell of a concert! The sound of bagpipes of war!
Who: Bömbers
Where: Beer Garden
When: 18:15 – 19:00
Who: Steel Panther
Where: Harder Stage
When: 18:30 – 19:45
All the way from Los Angeles, California, the heavy glam rockers from Steel Panther will perform at Wacken for the third time. With great enthusiasm and a comic twist, Steel Panther will deliver a humorous and slightly perverted show (did we say slightly?...) with chance of a bunch of ladies from the audience on stage and most likely some boob action as well! So if you like classic heavy/glam metal, lyrics about sex, drugs & rock n' roll, vulgar jokes, scantily dressed women, and middle-aged men in tight pants, this will be something for you for sure! Let's all party like tomorrow is the end of the world!
Who: Ensiferum
Where: Louder Stage
When: 20:00 – 21:15
If you asked an avid folk metal fan about who is the biggest folk metal band of them all? They'd surely scream 'ENSIFERUM!' and it is no wonder why. Since 2001 these guys have been providing the world with seven whole albums of pure Finnish folk metal madness and they are nowhere near finished (no pun intended)! This concert will without a doubt be one of the highlights for this year's Wacken Open Air, and you should not by any means miss it!
Who: Enslaved
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 21:10 – 21:55
Enslaved has over the years changed the sound quite a lot. From the old school viking/black metal style to a more progressive oriented style of black metal. They recently parted with their long-time drummer Cato Bekkevold who wish to spend more time with his daughter and the rest of his family. In his place as drummer is Ivar Sandøy. We can't wait to see these guys perform!
Who: Helloween
Where: Harder Stage
When: 21:30 – 00:00
The pumpkins are back at the holy ground and their bigger, stronger and fiercer than ever! This Saturday night will go down in history as what we can only guyss will be one of the biggest shows of 2018. 2½ hours of power metal delivered by the masters themselves. With both Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen back in Helloween for their Pumpkins United world tour. Together they have created an instant Helloween classic 'Pumpkins United' that you can surely expect to hear this evening. Among others you can expect songs from all of Helloweens 3 eras and every single one will be represented as much as the other! We at Metal To Go have already seen this spectacular event two times and trust us when we say that this is THE highlight of Wacken 2018!
Who: Sólstafir
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 22:05 – 23:05
Earlier on, this Icelandic band played black metal. As they transitioned to their unique blend of metal and beautiful melodies, Sólstafir is playing at Wacken this year. The band was formed by three friends back in 1995, and with six full-length albums they are still active. With the newest album “Berdreyminn” with songs like "Silfur-Refur" and "Ísafold", one hour of beautiful melodies and psychedelic moments will be the last journey for us at Headbangers Stage for Wacken 2018.
Who: Heidevolk
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 23:00 – 00:00
Heidevolk from Arnhem, Netherlands have released 6 albums since they started their folk/viking metal invasion upon the world back in 2002. Having gone through numerous line up changing in the past years, the guys in Heidevolk are now stronger than ever with a new solid line up and they have blood on their teeth and are hungry for more! Do not miss these guys when they enter Wackinger Stage.
Who: Dimmu Borgir
Where: Faster Stage
When: 00:15 – 01:30
With their first album in nearly eight years, Dimmu Borgir are back to conquer the mainstages of festivals all around the world with their newest addition 'Eonian'! The Norwegian masters of extreme metal are combining symphonic elements with gloomy riffs and tunes, giving their music a sublime atmosphere. Last time these dark lords visited Wacken Open Air was in 2012 with no less than the Czech National Symphonic Orchestra, which was an amazing experience. We hope we are in for a show of great dimensions this time as well!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 22:45 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
Promoters Farewell & Thanks at Harder Stage from 01:35 - 01:40
Outro at Harder Stage from 02:55 - 03:00
Who: Nightwish
Where: Faster Stage
When: 21:00 – 22:15
One day in 1996, Tuomas Holopainen was spending the night with friends around a campfire, when the idea of Nightwish was born. To this day, we dare to say that Nightwish is the biggest band in its genre. As we return to their last show at Wacken, we think everyone that was there is getting goose bumps just by thinking about it, and if you weren’t there, it was professionally filmed for a concert DVD – also available for viewing on YouTube (linked below). With their current “Decades: World Tour” and announcement of the setlist, this hour and fifteen minutes is full of old and new songs. With fans around the world and five years since playing at Wacken, this night will be an unforgettable one with Nightwish playing their greatest songs from their long-time symphonic repertoire!
Who: Bömbers
Where: Beer Garden
When: 21:00 – 21:45
Bömbers is a Motörhead tribute band formed back in 1996 from Bergen, Norway. This rock n' roll trio consists of Killminister aka. Olve Eikemo aka. Abbath (Abbath, ex-Immortal, ex-Old Funeral) on bass and vocals, Tore aka. Fast Tore (Studfaust, ex-Old Funeral) on guitar, and Pez aka. Party Animal Taylor (ex-Punishment Park) on drums. With their big passion for Motörhead, these skilled dudes make up one of the best cover bands you'll ever find! With Motörhead no longer around, this will be your best chance to experience Motörhead live, just like the band used to play the songs themselves. Grab a beer, close your eyes and listen - it won't get more authentic than this!
This is the first time for Bömbers attending Wacken Open Air, and they will actually play TWICE! Friday 21.00 - 21.45 and again Saturday, also in Beer Garden, 18.15 - 19.00. So there will be good opportunities to see this amazing tribute band live!
Who: Arkona
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 23:00 – 00:00
Hailing from Moscow, Russia, Arkona are bringing their Slavic pagan/folk metal music to Western Europe and we can't wait! Having existed since 2002, these guys and gals have not been resting at all. 9 albums released in 14 years! You can expect tons of dancing, tons of headbanging and tons of moshing when Arkona enters the Wackinger stage and metal madness starts!
Who: Ghost
Where: Harder Stage
When: 01:45 – 03:00
With their newly released 4th studio album ''Prequelle'' and renewed and expanded line-up, Ghost seems now stronger than ever. Ghost is a band that have grown enormously within a few years with their heavy melodies about satan, now being a popular heavy metal band all around the globe, and often sharing spots equally with bands like Judas Priest or Ozzy Osbourne on festival posters. Ghost is a band in a category of itself, often going by the term ''ABBA metal'' as the band is fond of using the hammond organ sound, likes to use pop'ish rhythms and melodies (by using a tambourine, for instance), and, like ABBA, originates from Sweden – therefore the comparison. This is also one of the reasons why Ghost often divides the metal crowd – either you love them or you hate them (even us here on Metal To Go have different opinions about this band). Nonetheless, this concert at Wacken will be one you would be sorry to miss, if you are into Ghost. The ''new'' frontman Cardinal Copia, who ''succeeded'' Papa Emeritus III, will be on fire on stage with dirty dance moves and probably pep talks about orgasms as well! If you have ghost, you have everything!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 22:30 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
SATURDAY – August 4th
Who: Wintersun
Where: Harder Stage
When: 13:15 – 14:15
For the second time at Wacken, Wintersun returns stronger than ever. As they have been on tour around the globe almost the whole year so far, we can only expect a strong and powerful concert with their symphonic melodic death metal sound directly in front of us. "The Forest Seasons” is the third full-length album they came out with last year. The band is formed by Jari Mäenpää as a side project when he was in Ensiferum. Now with a full functioning band with very talented members they perform like never before. And everything is coming to life with their crowdfunding where you can help them reach the next level. Take a trip to Harder stage at this final hour, where you can dream yourself away with their lyrics about nature, winter and time!
Who: Alestorm
Where: Faster Stage
When: 14:30 – 15:30
Set sail and conquer! Yaaargh, Scottish/British pirate metal band Alestorm will blow wind in your sails and your hair with their energetic show this Saturday afternoon (most likely including a giant rubber duck!). If you like a great party, this will be the concert for you! Get your rum and peg leg on!
Who: Gojira
Where: Faster Stage
When: 17:00 – 18:15
Gojira is one those bands that have been foretold to carry on the metal torch when the giants are no longer there, and seeing these guys live you will definitely understand why! During the last 10 years Gojira have perfected their progressive groove/death metal sound and stage shows and are now playing the mainstages at the biggest festivals all over the world!
Who: Skiltron
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 18:00 – 18:45
When it’s time for some folk/power metal we say Skiltron! As they were formed back in 2004 it was a fusion between heavy metal and Celtic music, which was common in Europe, but back in Argentina Skiltron was pioneers of the genre. Five full-length albums on the go and still going strong they are coming back for Wacken with one hell of a concert! The sound of bagpipes of war!
Who: Bömbers
Where: Beer Garden
When: 18:15 – 19:00
Who: Steel Panther
Where: Harder Stage
When: 18:30 – 19:45
All the way from Los Angeles, California, the heavy glam rockers from Steel Panther will perform at Wacken for the third time. With great enthusiasm and a comic twist, Steel Panther will deliver a humorous and slightly perverted show (did we say slightly?...) with chance of a bunch of ladies from the audience on stage and most likely some boob action as well! So if you like classic heavy/glam metal, lyrics about sex, drugs & rock n' roll, vulgar jokes, scantily dressed women, and middle-aged men in tight pants, this will be something for you for sure! Let's all party like tomorrow is the end of the world!
Who: Ensiferum
Where: Louder Stage
When: 20:00 – 21:15
If you asked an avid folk metal fan about who is the biggest folk metal band of them all? They'd surely scream 'ENSIFERUM!' and it is no wonder why. Since 2001 these guys have been providing the world with seven whole albums of pure Finnish folk metal madness and they are nowhere near finished (no pun intended)! This concert will without a doubt be one of the highlights for this year's Wacken Open Air, and you should not by any means miss it!
Who: Enslaved
Where: W:E:T Stage
When: 21:10 – 21:55
Enslaved has over the years changed the sound quite a lot. From the old school viking/black metal style to a more progressive oriented style of black metal. They recently parted with their long-time drummer Cato Bekkevold who wish to spend more time with his daughter and the rest of his family. In his place as drummer is Ivar Sandøy. We can't wait to see these guys perform!
Who: Helloween
Where: Harder Stage
When: 21:30 – 00:00
The pumpkins are back at the holy ground and their bigger, stronger and fiercer than ever! This Saturday night will go down in history as what we can only guyss will be one of the biggest shows of 2018. 2½ hours of power metal delivered by the masters themselves. With both Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen back in Helloween for their Pumpkins United world tour. Together they have created an instant Helloween classic 'Pumpkins United' that you can surely expect to hear this evening. Among others you can expect songs from all of Helloweens 3 eras and every single one will be represented as much as the other! We at Metal To Go have already seen this spectacular event two times and trust us when we say that this is THE highlight of Wacken 2018!
Who: Sólstafir
Where: Headbangers Stage
When: 22:05 – 23:05
Earlier on, this Icelandic band played black metal. As they transitioned to their unique blend of metal and beautiful melodies, Sólstafir is playing at Wacken this year. The band was formed by three friends back in 1995, and with six full-length albums they are still active. With the newest album “Berdreyminn” with songs like "Silfur-Refur" and "Ísafold", one hour of beautiful melodies and psychedelic moments will be the last journey for us at Headbangers Stage for Wacken 2018.
Who: Heidevolk
Where: Wackinger Stage
When: 23:00 – 00:00
Heidevolk from Arnhem, Netherlands have released 6 albums since they started their folk/viking metal invasion upon the world back in 2002. Having gone through numerous line up changing in the past years, the guys in Heidevolk are now stronger than ever with a new solid line up and they have blood on their teeth and are hungry for more! Do not miss these guys when they enter Wackinger Stage.
Who: Dimmu Borgir
Where: Faster Stage
When: 00:15 – 01:30
With their first album in nearly eight years, Dimmu Borgir are back to conquer the mainstages of festivals all around the world with their newest addition 'Eonian'! The Norwegian masters of extreme metal are combining symphonic elements with gloomy riffs and tunes, giving their music a sublime atmosphere. Last time these dark lords visited Wacken Open Air was in 2012 with no less than the Czech National Symphonic Orchestra, which was an amazing experience. We hope we are in for a show of great dimensions this time as well!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Metal Yoga at Welcome to the jungle from 11:00 - 12:00
This is a great way to start your day at Wacken before enjoying tons of bands! With yoga instructor Saskia Thode in front, you will be guided through an intense and heavy yoga session which will wake you up and make you sweat for sure! The music accompanied with the exercises are well-known metal classics. After a workout like this, you can enjoy all the beers and greasy foods during the day with a good conscience. Don't forget to wear some stretchy and breathable clothes!
Karaoke till Death at Beer Garden from 22:45 - 00:00
Because it is late, you are most likely drunk and you probably want to go onstage and sing Celine Dion!
Promoters Farewell & Thanks at Harder Stage from 01:35 - 01:40
Outro at Harder Stage from 02:55 - 03:00
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