Fire from the sky, dust from the ground
Nova Rock Festival 2019
Pannonia Fields II, Nickelsdorf, Österreich 20190613-16
The fields are burning. The Pannonia Fields II to be more precise. For the fourteenth time, the biggest and most visited music festival in Austria scores with a top-class line-up: the Nova Rock.
Thursday
On five stages, the fans of mostly heavy sounds can celebrate their idols. At the Jägermeister Rockgarage, a very special act from Feldkirch in the west starts the series of gigs: the Dead Beatz don’t need more then a contrabass, a mouthharp and a drumset but not even sticks to let the people dance. With Godsmack, the afternoon has a very rare band to offer. Later the formerly acclaimed rapper, partner of Afrob and member of Deichkind Ferris MC presents his latest rock songs, while the genre pioneer Ska-P spread good mood with songs like “A La Mierda”. But they are not the only ones who are back, but also Nu Metal heroes Slipknot enter with “People = Shit” and Sum 41 are one highlight especially with the wonderful “Pieces”.
Friday
To enjoy the Singer-Songwriter stage, one has to start the day early. But acts like Romance Dawn, Sam Chalcraft and Yunger are worth to take a seat in the burning sun. Then the unbelievable Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats draw in their audience. They gained publicity with records like “The Night Creeper” and were supported by e.g. Ecstatic Vision. Parasol Caravan won the Bandvoting and play before Like A Storm. The Black mass once again is held by Behemoth, and the Dropkick Murphys are responsible for the Irish Folk Punk party. Puddle Of Mudd surprise with a great Grunge show including their hits “She Hates Me” and “Blurry” and attract amazingly many people. The headliners are the hardest decision as The Cure is just wonderful to drift away, but at the same time Slayer take their final bow of the Austrian stages after the Stadthalle.
Saturday
Half time. And time for another visit of the Rockgarage, where local Heavy Metal maniacs Roadwolf do what they do best: celebrate the genre with their audience. Children Of Bodom later do the same with asking “Are You Dead Yet?” And All Faces Down (featuring Yunger) take the opportunity to shoot a live video. Also this day has its surprises, as Welshly Arms not have the biggest crowd but a very likeable plus the great show animates to dance. If Bonez MC & RAF Camora are on the right festival could be discussed, but their friendly way and very fun performance including “Primo” and “Gotham City” let the majority party and the haters go down. And while Die Toten Hosen even play a Slade cover, In Flames show that no matter the grey hair and softer sounds they are the important Melodic Death Metal founders “Here Until Forever”.
Sunday
The final day acts like Kontrust, Bad Wolves and Cari Cari welcome the early birds. Testament start the last marathon, followed by Lagwagon / Face To Face supergroup Me First & The Gimme Gimmes who also play at Southside, getting it on with “Believe” and “Heart Of Glass”. Another highlight marks Ministry with 60-year-old Al Jourgensen who released amazing “Relapse”, “From Beer To Eternity” (including an appearance at the Arena) and “AmeriKKKant” but focus on the famous works especially of “The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste” like “Burning Inside” which they “haven’t played in Europe since a long time”. Wolfmother are great as they’ve always been at Rock im Park or Conrad Sohm, as well as Rob Zombie with his Horror show, who played here 2014 too. Everything then ends with a great show of Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators including “Doctor Alibi” and “By The Sword” with Andrew Stockdale, before Die Ärzte go for it with “Unrockbar”, “Angeber”, “1/2 Lovesong” and more like back at the Frequency.
And for the sake of completeness, in moments of a concert pause, you can e.g. visit the Otta-Pool, a fun game presented by Ottakringer. Even if you don’t want to participate it is hilarious to watch. Also to taste the products of Rockwein is interesting, plus you learn that the man behind the delicious drinks is playing in the band Restare. And at the end of the day you can enjoy the better temperatures outside of the party tent dancing to the tunes of DJane Pierre Ciseaux.