now that the post-fest covid is done kicking my ass (mask up, friends) let's get to the WACKENPOSTING
my little group and i stayed in itzehoe and commuted in and out every day - not the typical wacken experience but we're old and tired and enjoy showering. the airbnb left us the bus schedule which was really sweet, and we still set up a tent for food/down time between sets
day 1 kicked off for me with hellripper, which was a great fuckin show at the wasteland stage, then equilibrium at wackinger which was also fantastic. caught a bit of in extremo as well, and spent a lot of time wandering around and checking out merch
opeth had a really cool set - all the songs were chosen by fan vote so we got to hear some absolute classics
blind guardian was my absolute highlight i had so much fun - stayed right up front and center for about half the set and then moved back after the bard's song. got some food and caught unleash the archers from a distance, and then stayed up until 2am for watain
made it in time to catch red fang, it started raining about halfway through their set which meant heidevolk was LIT (i absolutely love a rain show and they killed it, i don't even have pictures i was headbanging so hard). the rain stopped in time for asagraum and then i caught a bit of cradle of filth
primordial and insomnium closed out the fest for me! it was such an absolute blast, feels amazing to check something off the bucket list that i've been wanting to do for over half my life and it absolutely held up. i hope i get a chance to go again some day