Our photographer Daniel hit the road last week to soak in some sun, sweat, and serious metal – and to capture one hell of a lineup at the Hessentag Open Air in Bad Vilbel. On the bill: heavy-hitting support from Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons and the legendary Accept, all leading up to a headlining set by none other than Judas Priest. What unfolded was a full-blown celebration of classic metal with no holds barred.
Old-School Rock’n’Roll to Kick Things Off
Things kicked off hot and loud with Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons. The former Motörhead axeman and his sons brought gritty, straight-up rock’n’roll to the stage – raw, loud, and bursting with energy. They didn’t waste time: the riffs hit hard, and the Lemmy spirit was alive and well. When “Ace of Spades” rang out, you could feel the entire crowd light up.
German Metal Pride
Next up, Accept – and they brought the thunder. With decades of experience and more than enough power in their amps, they tore through a tight, fiery set. Tracks like “Fast as a Shark” and “Princess of the Dawn” reminded everyone why Accept is still a force to be reckoned with. The crowd? Totally in it, from front row to the last beer stand.
Enter the Metal Gods
As night fell, it was time for Judas Priest to take over. The moment Rob Halford appeared – decked out in leather, spikes, and total metal glory – the place went absolutely wild. The band launched straight into a set packed with classics and newer bangers alike. “Electric Eye,” “Turbo Lover,” and of course the blistering “Painkiller” hit like a freight train.
And yes – that moment everyone waits for – Halford did ride his Harley onto the stage, because some legends never skip tradition. The pyro lit up the sky, the solos screamed, and the fans were right there every second of it.
Loud, Legendary, Unforgettable
Three generations of metal. One perfect summer night. Judas Priest, Accept, and Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons turned Bad Vilbel into a headbanger’s paradise. Whether you were there to relive the glory days or simply to get rocked, this night hit every mark.Huge thanks to Daniel for capturing the action up close – stay tuned for the photo gallery. Until next time: crank it up and keep it metal!
More Photos from the evening you can find here!
All Photos by Daniel Benner fo us!