Wacken day 3 starts with Bavarian brass music from the neighbouring plot. It is half past eight when I roll out of my tent, very grumpy. The toilets are no longer clean and there is a queue for everything. This is the first morning I am not loving being here. It gets better after the first pot of coffee, though. Marie uses Chris' multitool to puncture my blister (don't try this at home!). Always good to have a doctor at hand.
I had planned to go and see the Dio Disciples at noon, but I can't bring myself to go. We sit at breakfast for a long while and start playing an EXIT game. Well, the others are playing, I have zoned out. Logical thinking is not my strongsuit. The only band I really want to see today is Uada and they are only playing at 6:15 PM, so I do have some time to get some rest. I spend the whole afternoon on the campground. It is nice and cool in the shades. I am tired and actually doze off several times. It feels a bit like a vacation. Minus the pool and cocktails. Marie and JH are more adventurous and trot off at some point to see The Sweet and Mister Misery. JH takes his children's plushie's to the Holy Ground and they are having the best time. The Wasteland Warrios show their soft side and agree to a selfie with the dinosaur and the mouse.
At half past four, I am finally hauling my ass out of the camping chair and make my way to the W.E.T. Stage to see Uada. There is still room in the front row and I enjoy seeing the soundcheck. There are moments where you can actually get a glimpse of the faces under the hoods. While I am waiting for Uada, Messiah from Switzerland are playing soulless death thrash on the Headbangers Stage. The volume is earsplitting. After Messiah we witness a marriage proposal on the Headbangers Stage. It is being repeated several times that the woman receiving the proposal has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER, because she is deaf-mute. Yeah well, she is being hauled on stage though by her boyfriend... so unless she is stupid... Whatever. There is an impressive gathering of photographers in the pit by now and I am awed by all the equipment in front of me. Uada starts their set with a 3-minute instrumental, atmospheric intro with wolf howls and the tension is rising.
Uada play for 45 minutes and when the last song ends, I am surprised by how quickly the set is over. The stage show was understated and minimalistic with nearly no audience interaction, but it worked perfectly. Despite the summery weather and the early hour, Uada managed to create a cold and black atmosphere. Jake Superchi's live vocals are superb, he sounds just like on the records, which isn't a given. I had goosebumps several times. I am so looking forward to seeing them again in Hamburg in October. I am very happy after this performance and make my way back to the tent to change into something warmer. The sun is gone and it starts to cool off. Afterwards, we wander around, get some food and soak in the atmosphere.
Musically, I am a bit at a loss this day. Marie and JH went to see Alligatoah on the Louder Stage, whis was closed off, because it got too crowded. Accept are playing on the Faster Stage and we are waiting between the stages for our friends, hearing music from both stages, which nearly drives me crazy. None of us want to see the Scorpions. Chris, Marie and Jan-Hendrik decide to stay put for Opeth, I on the other hand make my way back to the W.E.T. Stage to see Trelldom. In retrospective, this was a bad decision. I heard Opeth was great and put on a great show, so I am afraid I missed out.
While I wait for Trelldom, I see Gaahl wandering around the stage. Arms crossed, straightfaced, sometimes he is stroking his beard pensively. It is exciting to see him, he is a fascinating character in metal history for me and I think this is why I went to see Trelldom. Less for the music, more because of Gaahl. Jungle Rot are playing on the Headbangers Stage. I hadn't heard of them before and I am pleasantly surprised. It gets repetetive after a while, but they deliver a very solid and entertaining set of death metal. The double bass feels so extreme, it nearly takes my breath away. Chris makes his way over to me after seeing the first half hour of Opeth. It takes him forever to wade through the masses of Scorpions fans. The infield is packed. I feel bad he left Opeth for me, because Trelldom is... I don't know. I guess we were just not in the right mood for it. Light is a nightmare for the photographers and I see several of them just giving up. There is fog and red light and you can't see much. Sadly, you can't hear much either. The first song is around 8 minutes long and I am not sure if Gaahl is singing or speaking or just standing there. I think he is doing something, but the instruments are so loud and erratic, I can't be sure. What I see of Trelldom is very experimental, psychodelic and artsy and I am just not loving it. It is late and I am tired and after two songs, which only sound like a wall of noise, we leave early. Should have gone and seen Opeth. My biggest regret, I think.
Back at the campground, we have a new plot neighbour, who is favouring us with Rammstein until 2 AM. In the tent behind us, someone is snoring like crazy. Finally, I am treated to some real festival campground atmosphere.
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