03.08.2018 In Flames

Wacken Open Air XXIX

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

At 0:15 the screens next to the stage announced that In Flames would be the next to enter the stage. It was much more crowded compared to Running Wild which is quite uncommon for an act playing that late and so I was extremely looking forward to what the guys from Gothenburg brought with them.
I was definitely not disappointed. Just like 2012 when I was able to watch them the last time at Wacken they had also this time an impressive stage setting with them. That was composed of LED display towers with spots on top that formed together with the huge display at the background of the stage a gigantic unit. So, the stage was either enlightened as bright as day and all were running across it encouraging the audience, or there were videos shown suitable to the songs, or the light was dimmed that much that one is basically alone with Anders Fridéns voice when he was singing his pain off his chest. The set was really great arranged so that again and again fast and heavy tracks like for example “The Mirror’s Truth” of the 2008 album “A Sense Of Purpose” alternated with more quiet songs like “Where The Dead Ships Dwell” of the album “Sounds Of A Playground Fading”.
After some leavings and redeployments In Flames momentarily consist only of singer/shouter/growler Anders Fridén as well as the guitarists Björn Gelotte and Niclas Engelin. On tour the trio is reinforced since last/this year by bassist Bryce Paul, keyboarder Niels Nielsen and drummer Tanner Wayne. But that did not do any harm to quality. All appeared as a unit and everybody knew how he could draw attention to the others. Especially Gelotte and Engelin, playing again and again their superb solos and doing that without posing, were standing out doing so. Fridén was more staying at the background but being effective with only his great voice. Besides that, the band seemed to be deeply impressed by the crowd that was completely going insane. One crowdsurfer after the other was flying towards the stage. The arms were near-continuous up in the air and it was sung along at the top of one’s lung. Fridén only meant that they were already often and since many years guests at Wacken (at least the band exists already in changing line-ups since 1990) and they would continue this as long as they are wanted to. If necessary they would have to be shoved onto stage in wheelchairs.
Wow, what a show! I raise my hat very high to them. Really everything was perfect: light, effects, voices, sound, atmosphere on and in front of the stage. That is just what a successful gig should look like. I experienced only rarely that the atmosphere was always at boiling temperature at such late hour. That was why I did not have goose bumps only once. Unfortunately, they only had 75 minutes available and so the end was there formed by the song “The End” (how appropriate) unfortunately way too early. All in front of the stage would have liked to hear more and requested that loudly. For me personally it was the definitely the highlight of the whole Wacken Open Air 2018 and could not be outdone by any other act. Live the guys from Gothenburg were again a class of its own and due to that my urgent recommendation: If they are somewhere nearby, just join one concert of them!