Heavy Metal Deep In The Swiss Alps
Slipknot
After the 3 hour train ride, and the 30 minutes to get into the festival, I make it in time to see Trivium. These guys have a tight set, and are visibly enjoying themselves. The classics such as "Rain" or "Pull Harder On The String Of Your Martyr" go down like a storm.
Next up, I head over to the tent stage to see Gallows. Huge energy, fantastic interaction with the crowd. Singer Frank Carter even starts the biggest circle pit of the festival. The fans have unleashed hell and I literally have to peel myself away from the barrier at the end of the gig. Success.
After the hurricane that is Gallows, headliners of the evening Nightwish seem, well, a bit tame and boring to be honest. Yes, Anette Olzon has a great voice and yes, the true Nightwish fans are wiping tears away from the eyes, but I'm too tired to fully appreciate their set, and head back for an "early" night.
Next day, I head to the front of the mainstage to witness the floridian metallers A Day To Remember. The crowd (mainly composed of teens wearing skinny jeans and with stretched earlobes) sing along to every song, even demanding a Wall Of Death, which the band gladly oblige to.
After an early afternoon nap, (trust me, festivals are tiring) I go watch Billy Talent light up the stage. The Canadians are on top form, delivering their light pop punk/rock music with visible love and passion. "I'm bleeding for you Switzerland", says singer Ben Kowalewicz, showing the crowd his plastered-up thumb.
The crowd seems to be lot older for the next and last act of the evening. Legendary recently reformed Faith No More hit the stage with a surprising and funny cover of "Reunited" by Herbs and Peaches, before throwing themselves into "The Real Thing". Faith No More are definitely today's highlight, and every single face is a beaming one. Welcome back.
I arrive at the festival Sunday at about 4pm. (Yes, late, you may say, but I had a nice lie-in, lunch, and a walk around Interlaken, which is a beautiful place.) I make sure I have a good spot up against the barrier, because I'm going to be here for a while.
First up, Disturbed. Good set, great mix of old classic song and ones of the new album "Indestructible". Sadly, they're a bit weak live, but it wasn't enough to make their set disappointing. And finishing up with "Down With The Sickness" is always a thumb's up.
Korn hit the stage. Their heavier than a blue whale bass seems to echo against the nearby mountains . However their set was nearly cut short half way through, as the weather seemed to object to their riffs. A freak storm crashes down on the festival, half destroying the stage. But still Korn continue their set, and the crowd's spirits aren't dampened at all.
To finish off the festival - Slipknot. It's now 9:30 pm (Yes, I have been in the same spot for 5 hours) I'm soaking wet, exhausted, cold and hungry but all that is quickly forgotten. Slipknot have never been so good live, Corey's voice sounds superb, rapping, growling or singing. The 9 Iowan metallers play for about an hour and a half. Their setlist includes "Left Behind", "(Sic)", "Duality" (the crowd is louder than Corey on this one) and of course ending with "Spit It Out" with Slipknot's famous "Jump the fuck up" part, where the crowd get down on their knees, to then jump back up like the crazy maggots they are.
"Spit It Out" marks the end of a fantastic festival, truly unforgettable. Already looking forward to next year.
