It’s been two years, but Europe’s biggest Festival is back with a bang. For the uninitiated the site where this festival is held cannot be described as other that Disneyland for rock music. The setting is just as impressive as a fully immersive themepark. From the entrance via Hellcity to the Metalcorner area dedicated to refreshments. And then there’s the arena where you are greeted by the magnificent gates to Hell, it expands over acres of perfectly manicured grass and metal sculptures to submerge the punter in a rock n roll Heaven (ermmm Hell) With six stages to choose from time is not enough to cover it all so after a careful selection/planning we started with opening act “Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons”, a superb opening act to kick start the four day weekend, the heir of “Motorhead” and kin got the crowd surfing, hell horns raised, smashing Motorheads greatest of hits and a personal favourite “Killed by Death”. More please.

Five minutes after over on the Mainstage II we have the delightful “Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown” their brand of rock n’ roll is infectious but for some reason they leave some of their potential untapped, not sure why they haven’t reached the heights that we thought they will, maybe is the songs or they are just missing “one song” that will catapult them into stardom, there’s is still time but the clock is ticking.

They are followed by seasoned pros “Thunder” and they as usual deliver the goods, awesome command of the stage and the crowd, one by one they launch on to their hits and they leave everything onstage, not a single complaint in hearing range, quite the opposite, well done old boys.

Then is “UFO” turn, the veterans treat us with their classic signature sound and Phil Moog sounds great today, even though they should be chilling in sunny Spain or something they are here playing hard and delivering a short set packed of familiar tunes like “Too Hot to Handle” and the closing classic “Doctor Doctor” still on top form.

By the early evening is turn for the mystic master “Steve Vai”, what can we said about a genius, his command of the guitar is on another level, even though the “Hydra” guitar is not here (and he actually couldn’t play it this time due to his injury) he can still play better than anybody here. His shoulder is still not fully healed but my goodness he can play the “normal” stuff. It is really unbelievable, he is a the top of his game, absolutely awesome to witness.

With the two mainstages set up the days are long but fully utilised, that means we are in main support territory and now is turn to the mighty “Whitesnake” with mr Coverdale and gang. Even though some of the high notes are missing the support cast help deliver the goods with excellent harmonies and high quality dexterity, even though we are missing the talented Reb Beach due to illness, the band treat us to classics like “Bad Boys” and “Fool for Your Loving”. With an arsenal of great songs they launch into “Is this Love” and “Here I Go Again” bringin back memories from 1987 but they save the best for last and they choose to close as usual with “Still of the Night” but this time they have a guest, the guitar wizard still on site, so mr. Steve Vai joins the band for a tune and send us into ecstasy. No-one saw this coming, what an absolute treat.

“Helloween” is next and they deliver the surprise of the evening with loads of energy, three singers and quality musicians everywhere, it s a blast of colour, sound and visuals. The Germans know how to deliver precision and power. This lineup is very good and play all the classics as good as ever, great show.

And finally the main course, the “Scorpions” hit the stage with “Gas in the Tank”, delivering song after song of classic rock with a new revitalised twist , they go through “Peacemaker” “Send Me an Angel” and “Wind of Change”with a tactful and heartfelt change in the lyrics, fine tuning it to 2022, Ukraine we are with you. “Rock Believer” is a fine new Scorpions tune and paired with “Blackout” “Big City Nights” and “Still Loving You” send us into final song territory and for the closing they the bring a familiar face and Phil Campbell joins the band for Hurricane and that brings two worlds colliding as the spiritual Motorhead reunion is in full swing. All designed to give the audience a little trip down the loudness lane and ending with a lovely tribute to Lemmy and walk to the brand new Lemmy statue down in the Warzone carrying some of his ashes and officially unveiling the magnificent tribute. What a night!