Finally it happens: all gates are opened into the heart of Holy Wacken Land. Visitors are entering in droves onto the still green field. Let’s see, how long the grass will endure this treatment.

Each year one question needs to be answered: what is the meaning of "Wacken"? There are probably as many replies as there are fans and bands on the grounds. Some are having fun watching Mambo Kurt playing home organ in the beer garden, while drowning a litre of beer. For some this is "Wacken" too.

Other fans are regulars in front of the W.E.T Stage watching the Metal Battle. Bands from all around the globe are having a serious but friendly fight for the crown of the up and coming stars in the not so distant future of hard music. To support the underground and newcomers with a lot of effort also means "Wacken" for two days in this tent.

In the Wackinger village a considerable group is listening to the Folk Rock of Russkaja with a lot of hearty Slavic humour for added spice. Others like to stroll around dressed up in a lot of armour going clang or even cross swords. Some brave metalheads are submitting themselves to the local inquisitor to experience medieval torture methods first hand. It is possible that these activities are also meant by "Wacken".

"Wacken" holds a special meaning for musicians as well. A bunch of young Norwegians is jumping out of a shuttle behind the scenes of Bullhead City. Kvelertak are initially disappointed not to play one of the inner area stages, but after a quick glimpse into a tent that feeling is replaced by awe. Just before their show the guys are sitting around the backstage trying to focus, when one of these magical festival moments happens. "Kvelertak, Kvelertak", a chant is rising on the other side of the curtain. The Norwegians raise their heads and a sparkle shines in their eyes. After these special second the shooting stars deliver a furious and celebrated performance. This might be the meaning of "Wacken" – as well as staggering around happily drunk at the party afterwards.

"Wacken" might also be something rather unexpected and surprising. For example when German schlager star Roberto Blanco suddenly appears on stage with Sodom to sing his evergreen "Ein bisschen Spaß" ("A Little Bit of Fun"). That is surely worth a big grin. To have some sense of humour and not to be a spoilsport is certainly a big part of "Wacken". "Tomorrow the fun is over", promises Tom Angelripper regarding his upcoming Sodom show on the next day. To take the music seriously and have respect for the scene is another large part of "Wacken".

Well of course the main meaining of "Wacken" is music: hard music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal and whatever-kind-of-Metal-there is Metal. The band Skyline, which was kind of the reason for founding this festival, is opening this year’s proceedings with the support of such celebrities as Doro or U.D.O., which sees the inner area already full of people. Frei.Wild demonstrate that they are not only already big in the German speaking countries, but will be even bigger soon. Their songs are easy to like and sing along with – provided you know your German. Helloween are a force in and out of the north of this country but an international factor too, which also applies to Blind Guardian. Their Metal anthems are sung along to by tens of thousands of voices today.

Now it is time for the highlight of the day: Ozzy Osbourne the Prince of Darkness enters the stage and the inner area is more than just well filled. Ozzy might not be the youngest guy around and no longer hitting all the notes with complete precision, but who cares. Here stands, sings and jokes a living legend. Metalheads are true to their icons. This is Wacken. The selection of songs has heavy hearts beating faster. One classic after the other comes crushing out of the P.A. system. Ozzy is in a good mood, drops his pants and shakes his behind and sprays foam into the first rows. We are witnessing a historic performance that reaps standing ovations by the crowds.

Wacken is also a place, where the small things become important. German stand-up comedian Bülent Ceylan is more than happy, when Ozzy allows him to take a picture. Guitar hero Gus G. has a big heart and donates a signed guitar to the Wacken Foundation (www.wacken-foundation.com). Metal can be beautiful.

Until late at night there are parties everywhere. Some join the annual bash of Metal Hammer Germany in the W.E.T and others are turning the camping areas into on big fest. The weather turns out to be better than predicted, but hey we are in Wacken. To have fun is most definitely very "Wacken"!

Your Wacken diary team