| Legendary KALTENBACH OPEN AIR returns to its long-established domain after a dramatic pause! The organization team round Darkfall-singer and interview partner Thomas Spiwak sets the festival’s focus on local underground, garnished with some international acts.
Leo: KALTENBACH OPEN AIR 2014 goes back to the roots at all points – the visitor can expect the well-known landscape in the Kaltenbachgraben and a concept like in the starting years, right?
Thomas: Yeah, KALTENBACH OPEN AIR returns to the basics and takes place at the ancestral location in the midst of Styrian Mountains and woods. 33 national as well as international bands will perform on stage, whereby it was very important for us to hold dear the Austrian bands this time. Besides international dray-horses like SODOM, ABORTED, GRAVE, MALEVOLENT CREATION, KAMPFAR, NARGAROTH or KEEP OF KALESSIN, many local warhorses like BELPHEGOR, DISASTROUS MURMUR, MASTIC SCUM, DARKFALL, IRDORATH or some younger bands like NORIKUM, MORTAL STRIKE, VINEGAR HILL and whatever they are called will be part of the KALTENBACH OPEN AIR. We wanted to combine diverse extreme Metal genres and we hope that people appreciate the billing and go on a pilgrimage to the Metal Mountain.
Leo: It is important for me to ask you about a special band which may cause acid regurgitation every now and then, namely NARGAROTH…could you please deliver a statement to avoid misconceptions?
Thomas: I can assure you that KALTENBACH OPEN AIR has been an apolitical event since the beginning and we will not support any extreme political opinions nowadays. Our booker had an extensive talk with Ash in Vienna before a concert and we wanted to clarify certain things of the past concerning the band. This conversation went very factually and the band distanced from certain political subjects, so that we did the deal. In the same way, the band explained and cleared many things, by what the bond was no problem. Once again I want to say it quite clearly: there is no place for any political extremists on our KALTENBACH OPEN AIR and we just want to celebrate a cool Metal-party, organized by fans for fans. There are events for political opinions and movements, but we only try to come up with a fan-friendly performance.
Leo: How is it possible to offer this very fair entrance fee and where can we buy tickets?
Thomas: It is only possible to act fan-friendly, if you drive a hard bargain and if you do not long for an enormous profit. Of course we try to get back our private investments or run some profit, but in this case we will reinvest it all for a hopefully happening follow-up-event. We have a small budget this year and we worked hard for this event. May there be troubles, who knows, but we can look in the mirror with peace of consciousness, that we did not take anyone for a ride, at least the fans, who will celebrate KALTENBACH OPEN AIR with us. For sure we have to keep up with the price increase, but we will try to stay as cheap as possible. Everything got its price nowadays and the infrastructure round the festival costs a lot of money. Nobody donates us a stage, technique, tents, electricity, barriers or whatever needed. This is a matter of fact and we try to calculate as realistic as possible. We determined an entry fee of 47 EUR (pre-selling) and I think that this is quite fair for a three day lasting festival with 33 bands in Austria. In any case, we’d be glad, if sufficient fans will attend and buy a ticket on http://www.kaltenbach-openair.at/tickets.php or through Ö-Ticket.
Leo: Are there any alterations concerning camping and the entrainment of beverage? Could you tell us the point of time for opening the legendary aslope campground?
Thomas: No, in this case everything stays the same. We have to settle some bagatelles, but the bigger part of the campground is warranted and the stage area is clarified as well. Concerning the fees, we will be at a low level; camping or parking is for free and we’ll take 5 EUR deposit for garbage, which will be fully paid back after returning the trash bag. The campground will open Thursday forenoon and the stage area Thursday 5pm.
Leo: I can remember the aslope merchant-mile of last years – so I get this possibility of purchasing CDs and merchandise anew?
Thomas: Of course this merchant-mile will take place again directly besides the entrance. At the moment, we work hard to acquire a small but nice market and you will get the chance for bargains. In addition, we will sell our festival shirts and merchandise of bands performing at KALTENBACH OPEN AIR on the inside area.
Leo: Thanks a lot and good luck with KOA 2014, we’ll meet at Semmering soon!!!
Thomas: Thanks to you for this interview and your interest concerning KALTENBACH OPEN AIR – see you at the Metal-mountain in Spital/Semmering!
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