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Saturday, the last day of the festival, the best bands were going to play today. I took the morning off to buy some stuff (Nice rime) –some CDs, some t-shirts, ...-. I regret I didn't see Wizard, Evergrey, Amon Amarth or Kalmah. After the cancelation of Angel Dust show – I really wanted to see this guys- the schedules were changed and because of that I missed  Sinergy, althought from what I heard later, it wasn't something extraordinare, with a very fat Kimberly Goss –the newlywedd life with Alexi Laiho starts to show-. In matter of concerts the day started for my with Shakra.

Metal Market
Metal Market

-SHAKRA: A not very known Hard Rock I really dig, who really kicked ass live, performing their songs really accurate. A great show were their singer showed that it isn't needed to sing always high pitched to be a marvelous frontman.

-FALCONER: With a singer who looked more like a family man and a Richie Sambora impersonator in bass, they offered a really nice folk metal show. A pretty unusual thing was that they singed some tunes in swedish- their mother language-. The ones who were there could enjoy a tight and funny concert. Althought they're not a new band they were one of the festivals surprises.

-VISION DIVINE: They had some sound problems at the begining, it had to be something bad because the lead guitar Olaf Thorsen left the stage leaving the band with only one guitar – who by the way for being new in the band and playing rythm guitar did a great job he deserved an aplausel-. About the performance of the group it was pretty good with a Fabio Lione showing one more time why he is considered one of the best singers in the powermetal secene. Astonishing voice.

-DREAM EVIL: They came as one of 2002 suprises and they confirmed it on stage. Playing a great show, performing each song just like in the Cd. The band constantly worked the audience to complete a nice show.

From now on the best was going to happen

Edguy stage
Edguy Stage

-EDGUY: The germans introduced themselves in a great stage, decorated with a big mask, an anth symbol, etc. Mr Tobias Sammet showed us that he is in good shape, singing every note almost like in the Cd. We enjoyed the show pretty much. The guitar and bass players were mental and the crowd celebrated every one of their moves. The band also played some tracks form the celebrated metal opera Avantasia wich made everyone go nuts. Now Blind Guardian.

Edguy en Wacken 2002

-BLIND GUARDIAN: It was time for the headliner of this festival, the most awaited, the best produced and who gathered more fans. It was time for Hansi Kursch & Co. who became very big after their latest album. With a stage similar to the one in their spanish tour, with large flags that covered the speakers they started the concert. Song after song the crowd enjoyed their performance like never before. "Majesty", "Lost in the Twilight Hall", "And then there was silence" and "Mirror Mirror" were the most cheered. But without a doubt the best moment was when they played "The Bard Song". It happened the same as in "Believe" of Savatage, I just felt like electrified, shaking ... To hear thousands and thousands of people singing along,with lighters in their hands was ... AMAIZING!! The best concert I've ever attented.

Blind Guardian in Wacken
Blind Guardian


-UDO: Althought I was totally destroyed by the previous show I couldn't miss Udo Dirkschneider one of the biggest leaders of 80's heavy metal with   Accept. He entered the stage dressed like a robot wich made him move really difficult. For the next song he lost the suit and showed everybody why he is famous for. A great voice and stage presence. He didn't stop moving the entire gig. Everybody applaused when he decided to sing "Fast as a Shark" an amaizing song peformed by an equally great band and a terrific singer.

So did Wacken Open Air finish for me, not without swearing to come back the next year, I'll endure the 30 hours road trip to see once again my favourite bands –Stratovarius is already confirmed-.
I'd like to make things clear and tell you that this isn't only the best festival in europe or maybe in the whole world just because of the bands and the music. There are lots of things that make it different: the atmosphere, people form everywhere, metal-market, beatiful ambiance, good food and beer, safety, clean and enough bathrooms. everything you can wish for is here. A little town in the north of germany called WACKEN.

A million Thanks Joruus!
            Joruus

Score: 9/10

Reviewed by Joruus.

We want to thank Joruus who starts this way his cooperation with Mighty Warrior and specially Jim Sundström who took most of the photos presented in this review. If you want to see more photos of WACKEN 2002 visit his website in WWW.WACKENMEN.TK