Seeing as Wade can't keep up, which is cool, I'll update everyone with the lineups so far, well for the fests that most people are interested in anyway:
OBSCENE EXTREME 09 (July 16 - July 18):
40% Gradi
Blood Duster (Aussie represent
)
Captain Cleanoff
Jig-Ai
Mob 47
Slavebreed
Early days yet, but I'm already fairly intreged. 3 fairly solid bands (Duster, Cleanoff and Jig-Ai) and it seems to be a good festival to check out new bands if you're into grind. If other fests around this time prove to be good then I'll be hitting this one up for sure. Plus I've never been to this fest and always up for something fresh. Heard this is an awesome fest also.
WACKEN 09 (July 30 - Aug 1):
Amon Amarth
Cathedral
Einherjer
HammerFall
In Extremo
In Flames
Kampfar
Korpiklanni
Machine Head
Tristania
Walls of Jericho (the only band I wouldn't mind seeing that I haven't already seen. See if the female frontman actually has it and isn't an Angela rip off)
For it's 20th Anniversary the lineup is looking pretty weak at the moment, heading more and more into mainstream every year. So far it's a definite no from me.
PARTY SAN 09 (Aug 6 - Aug 8 ):
Unleashed
Swallow The Sun
Thyrfing
Satyricon
Marduk
Shining
Den Saakaldte
Party San as always is going to be another year of extreme metal leaning more towards black metal. Usually produce fairly good European death metal bands as well but so far it's pretty much all black. Even if the lineup is mainly tr00 black metal this is still my favourite fest and will always be a place for good times. Positives are that the markets and stage is all in the same area with the markets around the stage and the stage being at the bottom of a hill so even you small metalheads will be able to see the stage show. Again it will all depend on the lineup and the fests around this time if I go or not.
Early days though people but if you are considering to go to Wacken then I'd get your tickets very soon. This year it sold out in March so I'd be quick. Also book your flights before Christmas, usually you get a pre-Crissie deal or some shit.