Millennial metalheads are eating well at Wacken 2025. There’s no shortage of nu metal and turn-of-the-millennium bands across the weekend with the likes of Helmet, Prong and Clawfinger, but on Saturday alone a run of Drowning Pool, Wednesday 13 and Fear Factory leading into Faster stage headliners Papa Roach suggests a serious cultural reappraisal and revival.
Not that the Vacaville, California quartet needed it, mind. Survivors of nu metal’s original decline, their arsenal of anthems shows they’ve not only weathered ups and downs, but continued to churn out massive bangers. All that said, this is their first time headlining a major European festival: they’re clearly here to make it count.
