Ratiopharm Arena, Neu-Ulm, Germany27th September 2025
Volle Kraft Voraus Festival 2025 with Hell Boulevard, Schattenmann, The Beauty of Gemina, Project Pitchfork, Joachim Witt, Eisbrecher
On September 27, 2025, an era came to an end for me - the sixth and final edition of the Volle Kraft Voraus festival took place. I had been there from the very first one, which made it especially hard for me to say goodbye. But the day was still young, and there was so much to experience before it finally came to a close.
Even outside the venue it was clear: this evening would be something special. Many familiar faces I had seen again and again over the years were also there this time. Warm greetings were exchanged, memories were shared, and everyone knew - this would be the last time we gathered like this. The atmosphere was a mixture of anticipation and melancholy.
Hell Boulevard
The honour of opening went to HELL BOULEVARD. The Swiss Gothic Rockers are known for their mix of dark glamour and Rock’n’Roll attitude. Their energetic performance immediately got the crowd moving, and it was obvious: the festival journey was kicking off one last time in style.
Setlist
01. Guillotine
02. She Just Wanna Dance
03. Not Another Lovesong (Requiem)
04. Satan in Wonderland
05. Dead Valentine
06. Weirdos
07. Zero Fucks Given
08. In Black We Trust
Schattenmann
With SCHATTENMANN, things got noticeably heavier. Their modern NDH sound shook the hall, and the band themselves radiated sheer joy of playing. What stood out most was how many fans sang along to every lyric - it was clear that SCHATTENMANN had grown into a solid force over the past years. Especially with songs like ‘Chaos’ or ‘Spring’, the strong bond between the band and their audience became unmistakable.
Setlist
01. Jeder ist schlecht
02. Brennendes Eis
03. Menschenhasser
04. Generation Sex
05. Chaos
06. Licht an
07. Kein Kommando
08. Spring
09. Hände hoch
10. Dia de Muertos
11. COSIMA
The Beauty of Gemina
A strong contrast followed with THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA. The Swiss band created a very special atmosphere. Michael Sele’s deep voice and the melancholic sounds made the audience pause and listen. Many simply stood still, immersed in the moment. For me, it was a true goosebump experience that enriched the evening immensely.
Setlist
01. Dreams of the Vagabonds
02. Whispers of the Seasons
03. End
04. Kings Men Come
05. One Step to Heaven
06. Hunters
07. Rumours
08. Endless Time to See
Project Pitchfork
Then it was time for electronic darkness: PROJECT PITCHFORK. For decades they have been pillars of the dark electro scene, and once again they proved why. Driving beats, visual effects, and a hypnotic sound made the crowd dance as if there was no tomorrow. Pure energy was in the air.
Setlist
01. Conjure
02. K.N.K.A.
03. Timekiller
04. Alpha Omega
05. Acid Ocean
06. Rain
07. Ascension
08. Souls
09. Titânes
10. Beholder
11. I Am (A Thought in Slowmotion)
12. The Island
Joachim Witt
Next came JOACHIM WITT, a living legend of German music. His performance had something celebratory, almost nostalgic. When he started ‘Der Goldene Reiter’, the entire hall sang along - a magical moment that connected generations.
Setlist
01. Herr der Berge
02. Das geht tief
03. Es regnet in mir
04. Die Erde brennt
05. Treibjagd
06. Signale (with Alexander Wesselsky)
07. Ohne dich
08. Quo Vadis
09. Dämon
10. Die Flut
11. Goldener Reiter
Eisbrecher
Finally, it was time for EISBRECHER - the hosts and the heart of Volle Kraft Voraus. Alex Wesselsky led through the set with his usual humour, charisma, and powerful voice. The band delivered a show full of energy, lights, and emotion. It was a finale worthy of the festival: loud, powerful, and unforgettable.
Setlist
01. Everything is wunderbar
02. Himmel, Arsch und Zwirn
03. Volle Kraft voraus
04. So oder so
05. Waffen Waffen Waffen
06. Leider
07. Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt
08. Kaltfront
09. Zeitgeist
10. Eiszeit
11. 1000 Narben
12. Miststück (Megaherz cover) (Acoustic)
13. Sturmfahrt
14. Auf die Zunge (with Frank of Schattenmann)
15. This Is Deutsch
16. FAKK
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17. Zwischen uns
18. Was ist hier los?
19. Verrückt
20. Out of the Dark (Falco cover)
Between the sets, people could be found everywhere sharing their memories of the festival. Some spoke about the very first edition in 2017, others about special encounters or favourite moments. It felt like one big family coming together for the last time. When the final notes faded and the lights slowly came back on, it was hard to just walk away. For me, it was a farewell with tears in my eyes, but also with a grateful heart.
This festival has accompanied, shaped, and enriched me over the years. And even though Volle Kraft Voraus is now history - the memories will remain. Still, a small spark of hope lingers: maybe Alex will change his mind after all…
All Pictures by Daria Tessa
