Journalistin, Aufnahmeleiterin & Filmemacherin
Unlike Wacken Open Air, FULL METAL JAPAN had assigned seating – but fans were on their feet for the shows, including headliner Powerwolf © Sonja Blaschke | Unlike Wacken Open Air, FULL METAL JAPAN had assigned seating - but fans were on their feet for the shows, including headliner Powerwolf © Sonja Blaschke
Unlike Wacken Open Air, FULL METAL JAPAN had assigned seating - but fans were on their feet for the shows, including headliner Powerwolf © Sonja Blaschke

FULL METAL JAPAN 2026 – Working behind the Scenes

On 24–25 October 2026, FULL METAL JAPAN brought the “Powered by Wacken” label to Japan for the first time. Two days of hard rock, heavy metal and power metal in Yokohama – and a rather different kind of assignment for me!

Looking back, it was quite a coincidence. In October 2025, a chance encounter in Japan with a former Wacken booking agent, who also happens to book the dinosaur-metal band HEAVYSAURUS, led to an invitation to my first Wacken Open Air in Germany the following summer.

Separately, the German Embassy in Tokyo had introduced me to Tokyo Onkyo, the Japanese organisers of FULL METAL JAPAN, whom I’d briefly met in Tokyo. We crossed paths again at Wacken, and just a few months later, I found myself working behind the scenes at their festival in Yokohama.

I interviewed international artists for a Tokyo Onkyo documentary and Wacken/Loud Society content, helped coordinate international media, including reaching out to German broadcasters, and looked after VIP guests and guest lists.

After my final interview during the festival, having yet another lovely chat with Edu Falaschi, long-time ANGRA vocalist and solo artist from Brazil (Photo: Sonja Blaschke’s private archive)
After my final interview during the festival, having yet another lovely chat with Edu Falaschi, long-time ANGRA vocalist and solo artist from Brazil (Photo: Sonja Blaschke’s private archive)
Right after the POWERWOLF set with the ARD crew at FULL METAL JAPAN. I helped arrange and coordinate their festival coverage © Sonja Blaschke
Right after the POWERWOLF set with the ARD crew at FULL METAL JAPAN. I helped arrange and coordinate their festival coverage © Sonja Blaschke
ANGRA & special guests during their performance at FULL METAL JAPAN – with pyros and explosive energy © Sonja Blaschke | ANGRA & special guests during their performance at FULL METAL JAPAN - with pyros and explosive energy © Sonja Blaschke
ANGRA & special guests during their performance at FULL METAL JAPAN – with pyros and explosive energy © Sonja Blaschke
German band POWERWOLF headlined both Wacken Open Air in Germany and the inaugural FULL METAL JAPAN in 2026 © Sonja Blaschke
German band POWERWOLF headlined both Wacken Open Air in Germany and the inaugural FULL METAL JAPAN in 2026 © Sonja Blaschke

Compared with Wacken Open Air in Germany, FULL METAL JAPAN was quite a different experience: an indoor arena with assigned seating instead of sprawling festival grounds and standing crowds, and a line-up with a strong 1980s/90s hard rock and heavy metal flavour. An unusual concept for a metal festival, but one that worked surprisingly well – especially thanks to the enthusiastic Japanese audience, who spent much of the shows on their feet anyway.

All in all, it was a pretty full-on but highly enjoyable experience. There wasn’t much time to enjoy the concerts myself – some bands I only heard through closed doors! Still, it was a great opportunity to combine my work in journalism and international production in Japan with my passion for heavy music.

Watch my personal recap on Instagram:

instagram.com/reel/dfmjh8ps-uj