With the first weekend of August already a week behind us, the Festival Season would have peaked by now at the annual Wacken Open Air, marking not only the biggest international Metalfestival but for many the go-to-destination for their private vacation. And even those who don’t enjoy the mass pilgramage way up north in Germany, we would have seen so many open air events by now that staying home is just not an option. All of this in 2020 is only a mere memory or wishful thinking at best due to the pandemic situation that struck pretty much all of our lovely planet a few months back. Life as we knew it has become so different that hardly anyone was prepared and I found myelf scared and shatterd facing empty shelfes at the groceries and shops shut down until further notice as the lockdown was decided by the German Government.
My plans for the past few and upcoming months have been laid to rest and I feel like excisting in a standby-mode, ready to get out and finally enjoy being part of a huge crowed and watch some of my favourite bands with friends. Who knows if this will ever be possible again the way it was before Corona…that said, I didn’t even expect to be shattered about not going Rock Hard Festival for the first time in ages – visiting the local event every year since 2009 and for a total of 13 time so far. Now all that’s left to do is look back at all the fun we had in the past and hope for better days to come. Also I’m hoping for more female musicians to enter the stages at Gelsenkirchen amphitheater – the trailer for the cancelled edition might be a hint for more female empowerment, as it shows Rock Hard editorial assistent Mandy Malon in her natural metal infused habitat, inviting us to the whitsun festivities. Apart from that, only Coralie Baier of Bavarian Epic Metal band Atlantean Kodex would have been around.
Those who are frequent followers of my facebook page or know me in person, will also be aware of the fact that I do enjoy the occational Nineties Nostalgia. Well, that of course is a complete understatement or let me put it this way: In my mind there is a neverending party with all the Eurodance, Boygroups, Girl Power, Techno, R’n’B, Hip Hop, Grunge, Punk, Alternative and what not going on. Strangely enough though, many acts of this decade I only grew fond of rather recently, many of which I saw live last summer at “Die 90er live in Bonn“. Today should have been the day for me to return to the former state capital, but with Germany facing a servere heat wave and my part of the country will reach some sweaty highs at almost 40°C (that is 104°F for all my readers from the US), I am a little less sad that it’s been postponed. Guess all that’s left to do for the time being, is enjoy some old and brand new music. And luckily both Blues Pills and Lucifer got some fresh tracks in 2020. While “Lucifer III” came out on March 20th, the new Blues Pills album “Holy Moly!” will be released on August 21st. So, feast your ears, stay strong & healthy, don’t be a maskhole, keep your distance, thanks for your service, enjoy the summer and be a proud woman, man or anyone you want to be! And of course, see you somewhere sometime in 2021.
Oder auch “Das Runde muss ins Eckige” – denn Sport-Allegorien machen im Ruhrpott weitaus mehr Sinn, als klassische Probleme der Geometrie und wer freut sich nicht über Fußball-Zitate? Im Fall des diesjährigen Rock Hard Festivals ist die Mannschaftsaufstellung zwar noch nicht vollständig beschlossene Sache, doch dank internationaler Topspieler, können wir auf ein spannendes Wochenende hoffen. Zwei Positionen sind bisher noch geheim, aber sicher wird hier nicht die Ersatzbank der globalen Metalszene in Anspruch genommen werden. Auch für mich persönlich geht es nach den ersten zehn Spielzeiten dieses Jahr tatsächlich doch noch in die Verlängerung beim alljährlichen Stelldichein im Gelsenkirchener Amphitheater. Auch wenn hier, anders als in der Arena Auf Schalke keine Länderspiele ausgetragen werden, besticht die Location mit ihrer traumhaften Lage am Wasser direkt am Rhein-Herne-Kanal.
Da mir Nachwuchsförderung schon immer sehr am Herzen lag, freue ich mich ganz besonders nach meinem letzten Treffen vor fünf Jahren in Wacken, den isländischen Classic Rock Exportschlager The Vintage Caravan endlich wieder zu sehen. Wer es nicht zu Pfingsten schafft, kann die drei Jungs aktuell auf Tour zusammen mit den Belgiern Black Mirrors sehen. Kommende Woche machen die beiden Bands Halt im TuRock Essen und das pünktlich zum Oster-Sonntag.
Alle bisher bestätigten Bands könnt ihr hier finden – und hoffentlich in den kommenden Tagen mitsamt finaler Running Order auf der RHF Homepage.
ANTHRAX
GAMMA RAY (Erste NRW-Show seit 2015!)
CANNIBAL CORPSE
WATAIN
POSSESSED (Exklusive Festival-Show in Deutschland!) MAGNUM
SKID ROW
SYMPHONY X
FIFTH ANGEL
CARNIVORE A.D.
THE OBSESSED
TYGERS OF PAN TANG
LONG DISTANCE CALLING
THE VINTAGE CARAVAN
HEIR APPARENT
VISIGOTH
CHAPEL OF DISEASE
THE IDIOTS
TYLER LEADS
THE VULTURE
Upon my arrival on thursday morning about eight, not even the VIP parking lot is guarded yet. After parking my car at the exact same spot I already settled down in 2012, I pay a short visit to the camping ground to watch the first visitors fighting with the construction of their tents. Hanging out in the green scenery of Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen where the famous Amphitheater is settled finds a sudden end, as the rain is heavier than the tunes of the growing number of campers…The day ends as it has started, with the rain decided to stay, leaving no room for the sun. A few hours later after picking up my pass, I take the bus to Gelsenkirchen central station to spend a final night home in my own bed before I completely switch to the annual ROCK HARD FESTIVAL mode.
By the rivers of Rock Hard
Despite the melancholy touch of the weather, I can not wait to get back on sight and end up with a bit of a delay towards my own scheduled arrival. Anyhow there is nothing much to be missed in the early afternoon. After a bit of sightseeing and the first few bands of this first festival day – HELLISH CROSSFIRE, FLESHCRAWL and DENIAL OF GOD – comes the first and unexpected highlight of the day: AUDREY HORNE. Fearless of chilling winds or possible rainfall their guitarist on the left side, wearing a white wife beater, is posing as if there was no tomorrow. The mood of the band and the audience is quite well and keeps up to this level during the full hour set. Up next is ASHES OF ARES, the new band of former ICED EARTH vocalist Matt Barlow. To complete this whit friday a true Metal Veteran is welcomed to the sacred stage of ROCK HARD FESTIVAL: Udo Dirkschneider and his ACCEPT successor U.D.O. prove that rocking knows no age. But if it wasn’t for the indisputable ACCEPT classics, above all “Balls to The Wall”, one doubts that there was a sing-along quality to what Dirkschneider and his band play tonight. The day ends after another hour of small talk and drinks at the VIP-tent…
– Saturday –
Since I have pretty much adjusted to the weather at this point, it comes with not that big of an unexpected downer that this day starts off just like last night ended: Cold and wet! At least there is some good tunes I am looking forward to and after an extended breakfast with my neighbours – in fact the same couple from Cologne like last year – swedish Rock fiver is already in the midst of their set. The sound comes in well, but this band works so much better in a hazy club atmosphere as it has been the case at HELL OVER HAMMABURG in early march. Apart from her striking leather outfit vocalist Kristina Karlsson and her rocking mod squad ( Johan Berg – Lead Guitar, Tobias Ander’s live-replacement whose name I still did not catch – Guitar, Niclas Svensson – Bass, Peter Henriksson – Drums) do not seem to be that much in the mood. Might be due to the opening position or a lack of alcoholic beverages at this time of day…
HORISONT singer Axel giving his first Rock Hard assault
Up next are my parking lot neighbours from Gothenburg: HORISONT! The guys are in a far better mood and get right to the audience. Their mix of bluesy riffing, hippie vibes and classic Hard Rock is a real crowd pleaser and the rows fill up quickly. HORISONT play songs from their two records “Två Sidor Av Horisonte” (2009) and “Second Assault” (2012) and look like being in this bands requires a large collection of boots, flared pants, belt-buckles and an exquisite fashion of facial hair. Born too late, but I’m glad you showed up this date! Between lunch and a sudden case of drinking disaster the rest of the day becomes one blurry vision and I have clearly missed D-A-D and Queensryche, which is no pity to me at all.
Setlist HORISONT
Visa Vägen
On the Run
The Unseen
Crusaders of Death
Time Warrior
Mange Kills
Thunderfight
Nightrider
Second Assault
– Sunday –
The final festival day takes off with hope – hope for warmth and at least a short visit from the sun to gleam onto the face of this soaked up earth along the waves of Rhine-Herne-Canal, hope for uplifting tunes as I arise from my car. And for once my hopes won’t be left as a mere mindchild I bear. Opening up under the bright midday sun ATTIC act as they’ve seen many a stages this size, yet their confidence might be due to the fact that all members derive from this very region and certainly have known ROCK HARD FESTIVAL as visitors. Although their being on stage has its entertaining momentum to me at present, the sun requires to put on a necessary protection or else I will turn into a skin-burned person. Missing the rest of the “heirs of KING DIAMOND”, as ATTIC are referred to by some, I return to witness the GOSPEL OF THE HORNS. Their blackened Thrash works as little as ATTICS masquerade around noon, still the sound invites me stay, just before escaping ORDEN OGAN…just not me cup of tea.
ORCHID’S leading hippie Theo showing his aggressive face
After reinforcing my energy I am right up for my highlight-to-be and as it turns out, ORCHID can be called the secret headliner of the day or even the entire event! Expectations are through the roof among all present and in its now 11th year ROCK HARD FESTIVAL might have never seen an act playing on sunday afternoon fully filling up the ranks. “California hippies brought you sunshine“, singer Theo Mindell rightfully points out with the brightest smile on his face. Specially after I’ve met the band just about two weeks earlier in Siegen, the joy and gratitude they feel at this moment comes over me just as well. Just after the first track and title to the current second album “The Mouth Of Madness”, dozens of fans join in for a collective chant, calling the bands’ name – people singing-along with the songs won’t come as a surprise now, but makes it all worthwhile. The set is a brilliant mix of ORCHID’s debut “Capricorn” and its follow-up. Mark Thomas Baker (git.), Keith Nickel (bass) and Carter Kennedy (dr.) along with their charming fronter clearly sink into every second with pure joy and for anyone who has seen them play before, it’s fair to say that they are on top of the world. As the caravan of photographers and journalists – and myself – leave the pit, several concurring glimpses pass my sight.
Setlist ORCHID
1. The Mouths Of Madness
2. Eyes Behind The Wall
3. Capricorn
4. Silent One
5. Eastern Woman
6. Wizard Of War
7. He Who Walks Alone
A final extended break for food consumption and relaxation has me missing most of TANK, THRESHOLD and gets me right back in time for some SEPULTURA classics. The crowed reaches a brutality peak and the sun is still around as setting up stages for one KING DIAMOND lasts long enough for notorious organ entertainer MAMBO KURT to perform a most infamous set. Between amusement and shame, the audience finds itself to be mainly in a good mood and sings along with the weirdest versions of “Ace Of Spades” and some Eurodance trash. As the moment most visitors have been waiting for, since this attendance has been announced arrives, my power goes down quickly, but still keeps me through the whole set of former MERCYFUL FATE singer KING DIAMOND. Worn out but happy having been part of these three days of rockin rituals , I step on the gas and drive right home – thanks so much ROCK HARD FESTIVAL, see you all next year!
KING DIAMOND: Gathering the masses for his sabbath
Setlist KING DIAMOND
1. The Candle
2. Welcome Home
3. At The Graves
4. Up From The Grave
5. Voodoo
6. Dreams
7. Sleepless Nights
8. Drumsolo (Matt Thompson)
9. Shapes Of Black
10. Come To The Sabbath (MERCYFUL FATE-Cover)
11. Evil (MERCYFUL FATE-Cover)
12. Eye Of The Witch
Encore 1:
The Family Ghost
Encore 2:
Halloween
Encore 3:
Black Horsemen
All live pictures courtesy of Jörg Litges / lautundinfarbe
Psychorizon 
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