Hello there!
News flash from the Dong hill! Unfortunately we have to start out with
bad news. We are incredibly sorry, but we have to inform you that
Primordial cancelled their show at the Dong Open Air for the second time! Despite spending several months of both their booking agency and ourselves, it was not possible to make the band around Alan Nemtheanga fullfill their contract and to let happen their show at the festival.
Last year the band cancelled their show due to early recording sessions, but offered to play at the Dong Open Air 2008 to make up for their cancellation. It seems like the band didn't take the written contract seriously at all though. Last year Alan told us that Primordial were very serious about their shows and the audience, still this year's show fails due to bizarre shuttle route suggestions all the way through Germany and/or the Netherlands as well as band members missing someone's birthday. The only thing we could do is realize that this exceptional band can apparently afford to act this way. They will be playing on several well-known festival this year. Despite the attention they have been getting and all the shows they will be playing, the band calls themselves unprofessional, still complains about playing a very early show at the Wacken Open Air. Unfortunately the Dong Open Air team has to confirm this "unprofessional" impression strongly.
And the bad news continue: What's going on in the metal jungle?! Just lately
Morgana Lefay had announced "Morgana Lefay will live for all eternity and spread like a virus..." and now -- out of the blue --
cancelled their show at the Dong.
Thus we now have to make up for a second headlining band in 2008 and are aware that our credibility is suffering immensely. To prevent further negativity, we'd like to announce the band's statement, which we owe you for sure, which the band has so far withheld though.
In a mail, the band apologizes for their cancellation, caused by problems in the band not allowing them to play live. The band wants to take a break, to recharge their batteries and allow themselves to get back in shape.
We received another cancellation: This time from
Sheephead. Due to important exams the band will not be able to perform.
But enough with the whining! We would now like to present to you the complete billing of the Dong Open Air 2008! Replacing Sheephead we got you the Swiss thrash grenades of
Roots of Death. Primordial will be replaced by the fine and of course professional guys of
Suidakra, who just returned from their US tour! We'll never forget, and neither will some of you, how they played at the Armageddong 2004. They had to play most of their songs as an acoustic set and eventually played with the PA working, but without light... Just one insane fan and our dear Atze took turns holding a lantern on stage. We are looking forward to seeing that fantastic troop around singer Arkadius back on our hill!
We rearranged the running order as well:
On Saturday night, Sabaton will switch off the lights on stage. The band has yet again proven to be quite the right choice for this slot at the running order when they rocked the stage at their release party for their new album "The Art of War" in Essen. Due to high demand the party had to be moved to a bigger location to allow the camouflage-Swedes to show what they're made of to more people, proving yet again that Sabaton stands for party and great shows! Despite the Morgana Lefay cancellation the Dong should thus still have a very happy end!
Slipping right into the Sabaton slot at 20:45h are
Hollenthon. Not quite power metal, but rather symphonic black metal coming straight from Vienna to present their brand new album "Opus Magnus" which has already made members of the press swoon from excitement! And if Summer Breeze and Graspop want them, the Dong should take the opportunity to get them, too!
Check out our website for the
complete running order, info on the bands and links to their websites at
http://dong.walismus.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=78!
And once again
we start collecting your stories for the D.O.A program guide! Tell us your weirdest Dong experiences and best ideas and find it printed in the guide at the festival! Please send them to
leserbriefe@dongopenair.de . The best stories are awarded a free DOA 2008 shirt each!
Last but not least we want to ask for your support regarding a very important issue! You all know that the Dong hill is a landscape conservation area. That's why we'd like you to help us keep the hill as far from a waste dump as possible! I know, this is a festival and not your Mom's kitchen floor. Still we want to ask you to, please and thank you, use the trash bags we give out when you pick out your wristband. Use the garbage bin and don't wreck bottles. This saves us and you money, time and injuries and will help the reputation of the Dong Open Air and its audience skyrocket!
Rock!
Your Dong Team
