W:O:A 2016 – the first bands for the festival!
The last festival day has started and as usual we can now present you the first bands for the next Wacken Open Air. We have prepared 17 acts from several genres to form the foundation for our lineup - more names will follow in the next weeks and months!
Pre-sale of W:O:A 2016 tickets is starting in the night from Sunday, 2nd to Monday, 3rd of August at midnight exclusively through Metaltix.com! We will publish a news with all the information in the next hour.
Blind Guardian
The one and only Blind Guardian are back! The Power Metal bards from Krefeld (Germany) will come to W:O:A for the sixth time to celebrate the biggest metal festival in the world with us. Expect a very special best-of show!
Ministry
The last time the pioneers of Industrial Metal performed on our stage was in 2012 and the show has been released on DVD. Now they will return and present another Industrial show: hard, metallic and honest!
Steel Panther
The Panther returns! To 50% parody, to 50% homage, to 50% awesome Glam Metal: finally 150% pure entertainment. Right after their gorgeous show at W:O:A 2014 there was no question that they will have to return – and here they are in 2016.
Eluveitie
Unbelievable but true: Eluveitie have never been at W:O:A yet. It´s high time to change that! With the time the Pagan Metal band from Switzerland is able to present you songs out of six studio albums. They combine elements from genres like Melodic Death Metal and Folk Metal.
Dragonforce
Power meets Speed – Dragonforce combine lightning fast guitarriffs with epic vocals and yet reached a big fan crowd. After events like the underwater-guitarsolo at the Full Metal Cruise II, it was for sure that they will have to return to W:O:A. We are glad to have them back!
Callejon
They are probably the most important German-speaking Metalcore band and leveled up their presence with their new album “Wir sind Angst”. After the entertaining cover album “Man spricht Deutsch” the new album is way filthier.
Axel Rudi Pell
For more than 25 years Axel Rudi Pell does his solo-career supported by chosen musicians. His trademark is Heavy Metal played on a high level. There are no musical revolutions, but for sure it´s thoroughly honest Rock.
Legion of the Damned
The Dutch Death/Thrash legion marches back to Wacken´s battlefield. Be prepared for the return of this likeable steamroller.
Orden Ogan
Yet Orden Ogan have only played at Wacken in 2010- and there were a lot of changes since! The band has developed and released with “To The End” and “Ravenhead” two new albums. Fans of Melodic Metal should definitely watch their show- best at W:O:A!
Orphaned Land
Understanding among nations a la Heavy Metal: The Folk & Progressive Metal band from Israel not only mixes different music genres, they also combine cultures. Mainly, the songs deal with religions and the resulting problems in their home country. At their gigs, Israelites and Arabs celebrate together in front of the stage – that´s the way it should be!
Borknagar
Borknagar could be described as black metallic supergroup, as the band consisted of members of influential Black Metal bands like Gorgoroth, Immortal and Ulver. The last time the band performed at Wacken was back in 2009 and now the fourth show is up on the agenda.
Eskimo Callboy
Love them or hate them: The young musicians split the scene, but gather a big crowd under their banner. Here all comes together: Metalcore, Techno-Sounds and a freaky live performance.
Henry Rollins - Spoken Word
Wacken is and has ever since been more than music. In 2016 there will be a lot of supporting program, too. We start with Henry Rollins! The former Black Flag vocalist will hold his spoken word appearance for the third time on W:O:A.
Therion
Since 2007, Therion have not been at Wacken again – but now they will return! To focus on one particular music style would be tricky, because they mix Death, Black and Symphonic Metal. With this mix the Swedes are successful and we eagerly wait for their return to Wacken.
Unisonic
Is Unisonic Germany´s outstanding Power Metal supergroup? One could really say so! Former members of Helloween, Pink Cream 69 and Gotthard play together under this banner. We are happy to have them here for their first Wacken show ever!
Kylesa
Want to listen to some Sludge? With three equivalent vocalists and two different drum-tracks Kylesa create a very interesting and catchy sound at the same time.
Pyogenesis
Pyogenesis are back! The German band will release their comeback-album “A Century In The Curse Of Time” in a few days; so we have booked them for the W:O:A. Pyogenesis mix Death, Gothic and Alternative Metal together with Punkrock and sometimes a bit of Pop-Music.
Blasting The North In August 2016 – rain or shine!
