La 'a cappella' metal band tedesca Van Canto parteciperà alla prossima edizione del Wacken Open Air festival che si terrà dal 31 luglio al 2 agosto a Wacken (Ger). Questo il bill provvisorio:

As I Lay Dying
At The Gates
Autumn
Avantasia
Axel Rudi Pell
Axxis
Carcass
Children Of Bodom
Corvus Corax
Crematory
Destructor
Dream Of An Opium Eater
Enemy Of The
Evocation
Excrementory Grindfuckers
Gorerotted
Gorgoroth
Hatebreed
Iron Maiden
Kamelot
Killswitch Engage
Kreator
Krypteria
Lord Belial
Nifelheim
Nightwish
Obituary
Powerwolf
Primordial
Sabaton
Saltatio Mortis
Sonata Arctica
The Bones
Van Canto
Warbringer

"The German people have an enviable and just reputation for thoroughness and attention to detail, so it is very disappointing to report that during negotiations for CYNIC (UK) to play at Wacken [Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany] (including telephone conversations to and from England), that whilst they booked and promoted a British heavy metal band from Worcester, England, they (Thomas from Wacken Open Air) believed he had entered into contract with a thrash metal band from the U.S. Dear Thomas (ever the promoter professional), when he realised his error (well, in fact, he sent our team a link to Wikipedia of CYNIC U.S. and asked if that was us), and when receiving the negative response, binned us from the show.

"So, sorry, guys, we won't be playing. If anyone could suggest another venue, we would be all ears to come and play. In the meantime, and putting this distraction behind us, we will crack on with the album and get it out to you."

According to the Wacken Open Air festival organizers, 60,000 tickets have already been sold for this year's event, which is scheduled to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. The organizers write in a press release, "We think that [we'll be] sold out latest at the end of March/beginning of April! Those who haven't already bought their tickets should act promptly. We will definitely not sell any tickets at the festival. Also one-day tickets will not be offered. Furthermore we'd like to warn you [not] to buy your tickets at eBay or any other high-priced online ticket shops!"

Reactivated death metal band MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with ex-MASSACRE/current DENIAL FIEND members Terry Butler (bass), Steve Swanson (guitars) and Kam Lee (vocals) — hasbeen confirmed for this year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany.