Wacken Open Air 2004 Part I.

Text and Photos: Azchael

Arriving Thursday morning (5th) the festival was just about to really start as thousands and thousands of fans pushed their way through the narrow streets of Wacken towards the festival area.

The following pictures were shot between the 5th and the 8th August by Max-Leonhard von Schaper for the Painkiller Magazine.

The average temperature was about 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. A boiling hotpot of moshing fans under a blazing sun.

The German rock-punk-metal band Boehse Onkelz

The new electro trash band Mnemic during their performance of "Ghost".

One of over 15 filled up camping sites.

Children of Bodom giving a monstrous performance of "Needled 24/7".

Ronnie James Dio giving a wonderful show including old hits such as "Holy Diver", "Rock'n'Roll Children" and "We Rock".