The Place of Wild Horseradish – Wolfszeit Day 2

Zur deutschen Version geht es hier.

You know when you come home from a concert or festival and you’d just give anything to turn back time and experience it again (or again and again)? That’s what I call “festival hangover”. In a way you do feel bad, but it was bloody worth it! 

What the day was characterized by, what touched us extremely, what I would have wished for and what was completely unexpected, you can read below in the article, which is probably the longest daily report from a festival that I have ever written…

Many thanks also to lightinmirror.de for the wonderful pictures! You are the best ❤

First things first

Day 2 started for us early in the morning around 13:00. We had read in the program “Show fight of the Vikings” and that was already a reason to be at the festival early. Personally, I have virtually no idea how the Vikings fought, what weapons they used, let alone how they used them. So the exhibition fight was the perfect opportunity to see what was actually going on! Due to the heat, the fight wasn’t as furious as I thought it would be, but the more subdued approach meant that the festival guests were able to join in a bit! Personally, I thought that was even better. The only question that remained was why a cast-iron frying pan was part of the arsenal of weapons…

All in all, there was a lot to discover at the festival apart from the music. There was a kind of army camp and the pagan village, where traditional craftsmanship could be admired and purchased. There was even a tattoo artist on site with a wonderful selection of Viking tattoo motifs, which were applied to the skin of willing festival-goers using the hand-poke method. Teams were also able to compete in various disciplines at the Viking Games. 

Unfortunately, to my great regret, we didn’t make it to the summer toboggan run! I had actually made a mental note of this, but the bands were simply more important at this point. If we come back next year, I’ll have to make it a firm part of our plans! To my salvation, however, I have to say that I’m not sure where the way to the toboggan run would have been… Perhaps it could be signposted more clearly in future!

At this point, perhaps a few words about the infield: I thought it was a very well thought-out concept! In the entrance area there were a few options for hot food, and on the opposite side there were a few sales stands for metal items, such as patches. However, as I have no need for such things, I didn’t take a closer look around. 

Passing these stands, we went up to the right to a wooden throne, which was a welcome photo spot and which we also used! Past this, we came to the beer tent sets where we could sit and watch the action on the stage below. At the end of this “corridor” on the hill was the band merchandise sale and the signing booth.

If you didn’t go up this hill, but went along to the right, below the throne, you came to two drinks stands, the festival merch stand and the stage. I thought the idea of separating the festival merch from the band merch was outstanding! It prevented so much pressure and queuing! I didn’t wait longer than five minutes at either stand and I always got everything I wanted.

The only thing I would change would be to separate the signing sessions from the band merch sales. Due to the fact that there were no real structures for queuing, people were suddenly standing in front of the stand completely at random. In some places, it wasn’t clear whether they wanted band merch or something signed. As there was an area behind the band merch where you could go by car, I would leave the sale there. This would prevent the unnecessary lugging of heavy boxes. But it might be an idea to move the signing sessions to the front of the infield. There’s room for another stand, you can sort the people into a queue and by queuing further forward, the waiting autograph hunters don’t block the view of the stage for the other spectators. It would also have the advantage that the crowd could be spread out a bit and not so many people would have to crowd into a small space. The metal scene is so relaxed that the bands can easily walk through the infield to the stand without being significantly inconvenienced. Alternatively, you could certainly open the construction fence for a short time.

Before we get to the music, I’d like to give a special shout-out to the guys who stood in our way with the words “Do you fancy horseradish?”! Apparently the plants growing underneath the throne were wild horseradish. Whether that was the case or not, I can’t say, but it shows true courage (or true alcohol intoxication) to pick a plant at random at a festival and then eat it. I hope you’re all well!

Balm for the soul

Musically, the day started with the Viking Deathers from SKELFIR. We had already seen them last year at the Helmfest. I was really glad that the band, with the exception of the singer, didn’t wear band shirts like they did last year. But I just can’t get over the fact that the singer dresses up like that and the rest of the band stand behind it like extras. As a band, you should put up a united front! Musically, the gig was good and a worthy start to the second day of the festival.

The second band of the day was WELTENBRANDT and I really don’t have the words to adequately describe what we were allowed to hear. Stylistically, the music is Post Black Metal, so it’s characterized by classic Black Metal elements as well as modern influences (orchestral parts, catchy melodies, etc). I’m not lying when I say how glad I am that this band found me, because I would have been annoyed forever if we had missed out!

The set, which was also a kind of release show for the new album Transzendenz Schatten Romantik, was interspersed with sensitive songwriting that met nasty vocals and brutal guitars. True to the band’s name, the band opened up emotional worlds to the audience, only to set them on fire musically. From these ashes of transience emerged energies that gave us constant goosebumps. It’s strange, because even though this may sound very grandiose, it only captures a fraction of what this gig did to me… It was simply an amazing experience!

If the band can now become a little more aware of their impact and connect more with the audience on this level, then it really will be perfect. Looking back at the videos I made, however, I noticed that the bass was very loud in places when I was in the front row. Perhaps that can be improved in the future. 

However, I would highly recommend the current album to all those who like bands like HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, KARG, GROZA or ELLENDE. Songs like Resilienz, Prana or Melancholia Urgewalt really picked me up and all the aforementioned bands are also represented with features on the album. 

After the set, I was also extremely surprised at how exhausted I was. But well, emotions are also exhausting, but MUNARHEIM were a good mood lifter. Although some people might not classify “black symphonic folk metal” in this category. I don’t really care at this point, because the music was exactly what I needed afterwards, especially in combination with a portion of fries. 

At this point, props to the planning team for putting the bands together in such a good way!

We missed DRUDENSANG because of an interview, so our next stop was NACHTBLUT. During this set, what is known in the Metal scene as a “party atmosphere” came to life. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, many had flocked to the infield for this band. NACHTBLUT knew how to use this to their advantage in a detached, distanced way and to further heat up the atmosphere. 

Personally, I was a little disillusioned by the song Frauenausbeiner. The song from the album Apostasie has a rocky AC/DC component that really sets the mood. In terms of content, however, it struck me as bitter that they use a (fictional) character who uses women as objects to satisfy his own lust and then murders them. I don’t assume that the band seriously thinks about women in this way. However, in light of the whole Me Too and Row Zero debates, it would be appropriate to take another look at the song and perhaps check its suitability. The band’s discography also provides enough material to be able to make a good exchange here!

You know that really bad music is coming when upside-down crosses are driven onto the stage. It was time for DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT. The German-Polish band play black metal in its raw form, but they are characterized by the fact that they have a female singer. To be honest, I have to say that this original, satanic black metal isn’t really my thing… So this wasn’t my band, but at least you have to give them credit for sticking to their guns!

After the acoustic set on the first day of the festival, the “regular” performance by VARG was of course a must on day 2. It was clear that we were in for a home game gig when the flames were tested! Fire is always an assertion, in my opinion, because as a band you simply have to play hotter than the fire. And guys, what can I say? VARG really knocked it out of the park! True to the motto “I’m at home here, I rock out here!” there was just so much power and energy in the music! I’ve never really experienced them like that before. It was also amazing that singer Fylgja was able to perform despite a fever of 39°C the night before! The setlist included songs like Schildfront, Ewige Wacht and Schildmaid. They must have played the latter because I was there! (I’ll believe that as long as I don’t get any proof to the contrary!)

The infield was full to the brim with people who wanted to experience this musical highlight. Unfortunately, there was one idiot who thought it was necessary to constantly give the “HItlergruß” during the first few songs. I don’t know what goes on in the head of such morons, but there were prompt consequences: singer Freki had noticed these actions and then had him expelled from the festival, including the removal of his wristband. I hope this person always steps with bare feet into really disgusting liquids. There is no place for this kind of thinking at Wolfszeit or in the scene. 

However, the mood was quickly restored and everyone was able to enjoy the outstanding set to the full. I think the magical atmosphere of the place gave VARG a completely new energy and you could tell!

For us, the last band of the day, and therefore of the festival, was KRZYSZTOF DRABIKOWSKI’S BATUSHKA. This is the real version of BATUSHKA, which after a lengthy legal dispute is also the only band allowed to perform under the name “Batushka”.

Here, too, it is difficult to describe what was actually on stage… I think if you describe it as a “satanic version of an Orthodox requiem mass”, you come pretty close. BATUSHKA are definitely a band that does better in a club than on a festival stage, but the whole show was put together with a lot of attention to detail and really impressed me! But it could also be that they’ve mixed something into the incense that makes you get addicted to them… Would have been very metal in any case!

That’s it for us from Wolfszeit 2024 at this point… But don’t worry: a bit more content on selected bands will follow. So stay tuned for the next few days!