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This photo essay is not about the big names, the secret newcomers, about double base drums, death growls and Satan. Instead, these photos are an attempt to build a stage for the true WOA-headliners, the fans - the Metal Heads. Wacken is a place where roughly 80000 of these meet, drink, mosh, live their distinct culture. It's something quite different from any music festival out there. Everybody here loves (some sort of) metal and yet each fan has a unique personality. Then there is some kind of ... warmth, authenticity and character among these folks. All this makes the days of Wacken Open Air so special. Hopefully these shots reflect that.