| Festival: | Summer Breeze Open Air |
| Date: | 14th – 17th August |
| Location: | Dinkelsbühl, Germany |
And it’s time for Summer Breeze again! Once again, I’m looking forward to hitting the camping ground with my boys, watching bands and having a beer or two. Unfortunately, this year’s line-up is not quite as rich as last year’s for my personal taste. In addition, many of the gigs on my must-see list overlap. Last year I was immensely lucky here, this year it’s unfortunately the exact opposite. Nevertheless, like last year, I would like to point out one or two bands in advance that are not mentioned on the top list of the line-up or would be worth a detour to the usual big names or are favourites of mine.
Wednesday 14 August
Ankor – Wera Tool Rebel Stage (17:40 – 18:20 p.m.)
Why not start with catchy metalcore? A band that is in the process of gaining a larger fanbase, I assume that many of the younger generation’s metal experiences start with this band. Nevertheless, the band has a good sound, even if I would like to hear more oomph here and there instead of clear passages.
Nakkeknaekker – Wera Tool Rebel Stage (20:50 – 21:30 p.m.)
Five “very young” Norwegians playing old school death metal? Bring it on! The band has only been making a name for itself since the beginning of the year and has a fanbase that makes even elite death metal enthusiasts nod their heads. A rough diamond of a band that still needs some fine tuning, but I’m already predicting a great future. Give these guys a chance if you like death metal.
Hemelbestormer – Campus Circus Stage (22:00 – 22:30 p.m.)
One of my favourite announcements of this year are the four Belgians with their great mix of black, doom and post-rock. Unfortunately, only 30 minutes, which roughly corresponds to three songs, but absolutely worth listening to as I already mentioned in my Top 10 releases of 2021.
Punk Rock Factory – T-Stage (01:15 – 02:15 p.m.)
Want to feel like the early 2000s again with fun punk rock? Then Punk Rock Factory, as its name suggests, is well worth a visit. If you still have the energy at this time of night, you can really let off steam here, have fun and maybe even make a few new festival mates. Don’t forget the beer!
Thursday 15th August
The Baboon Show – Main Stage (13:50 – 14:35 p.m.)
The second punk recommendation of the festival, a bit early for my taste. But just like before, they’ll do a lot with classic punk, smoky vocals and great riffs.
Aborted – T-Stage (15:45 – 16:30 p.m.)
A band I discovered via line-up cross-listening, even though I’ve come across the name here and there. Normally I’m not the biggest fan of such a grindcore/death metal mix, but there’s something about this band that I like immensely. Must be seen live.
LEAVE. – Campus Circus Stage (16:45 – 17:30 p.m.)
A new German band playing emo rock. Never thought I’d recommend something like this, but there’s a lot of talent and heart in them. Very catchy songs, with a good bit of heaviness. For me, one of the potential discoveries of this year’s Breeze, I can only say that I always put them on the preparation playlists that I like to skip through.
Heretoir – Wera Tool Rebel Stage (23:30 – 00:15 p.m.)
A great German blackgaze band who have also worked with Alcest. Another announcement I was looking forward to, also because genre bands like this are few and far between at big festivals. Melancholic, driving and with the right amount of melody. Definitely interesting for the fans who were at Amenra last year.
The Ocean – T-Stage (00:20 – 01:20 p.m.)
As I said, Post-Bands are rare this year. So The Ocean is a must for me. Post-metal that likes to put you in a trance. Their last albums were always on the best of lists of genre blogs, even here in Germany.
Friday 16 August
Svalbard – T-Stage (11:30 – 12:15 a.m.)
Summer Breeze organisers, why so early? Svalbard’s last album literally stormed the 2023 top lists, including mine. One of the must-see programmes, even if I think they’re absolutely wasted for the time, as I think they’re one of the strongest bands in this year’s line-up in terms of quality. Modern themes are taken up in metalcore/post-metal style and shouted into the microphone in an angry but life-affirming way, if there’s one band I MUST recommend, it’s Svalbard.
Los Males Del Mundo – Campus Circus Stage (21:00 – 21:45 p.m.)
Another band I discovered through cross-listening to the line-up. Unfortunately, they are playing in parallel with other more popular bands, which is why I’m afraid that the two Argentinians won’t get the attention they deserve for their special black metal sound. For fans of Der Weg einer Freiheit, this is actually a must, if only because the band’s bassist and drummer will be there for the live performance. One of THE insider tips of SB 2024 and the best alternative to the parallel Amon Amarth.
Saturday 17th August
First of all, Saturday is jam-packed with good bands, whether from the mainstream or insider tips. I’ve often heard people say that they were annoyed that the day was so packed and that they wished there had been a better range of quality across all days. Nevertheless, there are a few good tips apart from Heaven Shall Burn, Spiritbox, Cult of Fire and co.
Bokassa – Wera Tool Rebel Stage (18:00 – 18:30 p.m.)
The Norwegians are somewhere between stoner and rock and offer great quality throughout their songs. I’m going to see them just because they are a good contrast to the usual line-up and will give the ear canal something new for 30 minutes. Again, I can say that I rarely skipped their songs in preparation, there’s too much going on for me not to have the heart to mention them here.
Sodom – T-Stage (20:30 – 21:30 p.m.)
I don’t know from how many corners I’ve been strongly advised to “go see Sodom, you won’t regret it!” Praised by many as a very good live band that has been representing German trash metal with dignity since 1982, they are on my list, even though they will be battling with well-known competition on the other stages at the same time, which is why they deserve a recommendation here. I would have liked to see the four guys from Gelsenkirchen set at another time, but I will definitely try to be here at least partially.
Angstkrieg – Campus Circus Stage (21:00 – 21:45 p.m.)
Can someone please explain to me why the Danes have so few clicks across all platforms? Hardly any other band plays such creative black metal, tearing up norms and sewing them together anew, often in combination with other bands and genres. An absolute discovery recommendation!
Myrkur – T-Stage (22:25 – 23:25 p.m.)
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this artist for her music. Such a wonderful, enchanting voice, whether she uses it in Nordic folk or when she unpacks one of her blackgaze songs. The album Folkesange is still very important to me. Here, too, I would have liked a slot isolated from other bands for personal taste. But that means I’ll be moving from the Main Stage to the T-Stage as soon as I can.
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