Wacken Open Air: Over 70,000 to attend summer festival

Village to host 70,000 fans for 3-day metal festival from August 4 to 6.

In less than 25 days, a sea of black will descend on a quite village in Germany for one of the loudest summer festivals in Europe.

Wacken Open Air Festival, now in its 22nd year, began as a small operation in 1990 and featured six local bands. Over the years, Wacken has grown into one of the biggest metal festivals in the world and currently hosts over 70,000 fans and more than 60 bands on the three-day bill.

Located 50 kilometres from Hamburg, the quiet village of Wacken transforms into a vibrant community of metal listeners from all the over world. The four-day festival does not just limit itself to music and also hosts a number of activities, including Viking and knight battles, Scottish Highland games and other medieval games at the Wackinger Village.

Visitors at the festival camp on the massive grounds next to the festival area.

This year Wacken will see Motorhead, Ozzy Osburne, Judas Priest, the ever controversial Mayhem, Morbid Angel, Teutonic thrashers Kreator and Sodom, among others, perform in front of a 70,000 plus strong crowd from August 4 to 6.

The festival has seen many major metal bands reunite, including Atheist and Immortal, for past versions.

The complete festival lineup can be seen here.

A map of the camp site and festival area can be seen here.