As a fervent metal enthusiast and a dedicated fan of the Butcher Babies, I had the extraordinary pleasure of witnessing the band live at the legendary Wacken Open Air Festival in 2022. Memories of that unforgettable event are still vivid and brimming with energy. And now, recently, on June 20, 2023, the heat in Cassiopeia was so intense that one could believe the devil himself had turned off the air conditioning. Yet, even amid the sweat and humid atmosphere, the Butcher Babies and their fans persevered valiantly. It was a true test of body and mind, akin to being in a sauna-like metal hell.
5Rand
The first opening act of the evening, 5Rand, impressed me thoroughly. They gave it their all and nailed us to the wall. Singer Julia immediately captivated the abundant audience with her powerful voice, and the set created a fantastic atmosphere among concertgoers. Despite the intense heat in the room, they delivered an energetic performance.
KrashKarma
The second opening band, came with high spirits and set up their stage themselves. The entrance with the megaphone at the start of the concert made an immediate impression. While their music was not as brutal as 5Rand’s, it was still powerful with gripping riffs. The band had good songs in their repertoire, and you could feel that they were having a lot of fun on stage.
Butcher Babies
Carla and Heidi took the stage, amidst all the sweating and heat, they unleashed their energy and literally tore the stage apart. With a deadly combination of brutal riffs and aggressive vocals, they unleashed a tremendous power that swept the audience into a true metal storm.
Their set was a true rollercoaster that showed no mercy. Amidst the roaring mosh pits, they swept from one song to the next, unleashing an incredible energy that set the room ablaze. A particularly intense moment was their brief respite when they struck up the song “Last December.” The music slowed for a moment, but the darkness remained present. The audience used this brief pause to recover from the past song storms before the Butcher Babies returned with full force.
Another highlight of the concert was undoubtedly their song “Killing Time.” Otherwise, it was full power in the glowing furnace of Cassiopeia. It had probably been 20 years since I felt so exhausted and worn out (in a club). Kudos to the Butcher Babies for this outstanding performance!
