Review | W.O.A. Wacken Eau de Parfum

A Unique Range Of Scents

Holy hellfire, the sky just lit up brightly for all you festival-goers! The brand expansion of Wacken takes a serious turn solidifying their classic festival outlet and adding a range of products we wouldn’t expect easily. From tents and a range of cell phone covers, all the way to pet accessories like collars and a Wacken bowl. The brand has widened its perspective zooming in on the wildest array of products for metalhead lifestyle. Partnering with the right set of designers and some of the best producers in the field, makes them branch out in various directions to bring a new era of metal addiction to the front.

Proven effective at their already legendary festivals was their immense variety of shirts, hoodies and other apparel. The regular dark and black settings with ominous logos and artwork were keenly injected with modern twists and fashion statements, making them sell out easily. On top, their range of metal jewellery found approval with fans as a statement of their devotion towards the festival and heavy metal in general. Everything added up style-wise. But they went beyond….

W.O.A. FULL METAL HOLIDAY BIKINI

Popping eyes when you first notice a metal babe parading in her W.O.A. Full Metal Holiday bikini, you immediately sense the brand is devoted to cutting it tailor made towards demand. It seamlessly matches our metal-style and transcends as a true head turner for all lingering in the heath, metal crusaders and pop sheep. Cut with a daunting and refreshing 80s variance to regular swimwear, it drops jaws.

It all adds up for us, followers of the heavy religion of crunchy riffs, piercing vocals and growling grunts, and the rhythm of galloping pounding drums. Our music is nothing short of a religion, and we are devotees to fall in praise to our heroes.

FESTIVAL LIFE – AN EXPERIENCE IN MUSIC, ATMOSPHERE AND SCENTS

When at a festival, hygiene isn’t always for the masses. Festivals in the sizzling sun bring out the best in us slamming down a Wacken beer and dancing in the mosh pit. But it’s not only the best is brings out of us. Beers held up high in salute can pour down your arms and find refuge in your brooding armpits, where, after 3 days of partying hard and being devoted to fast food, it broils with our body scents. The stench of the sweaty tent at night, combined with our transpiration cooked to the max, makes some dazzle and raises the levels of festival atmosphere towards festival end. Seriously, crockpot and stew odor overpowering the smell of roast from the foodcourts is dominantly present, making the last hours of a festival an attack on the senses. This eau de metalfest is something we don’t endure easily.

A NEW ODOR

Wacken would not be the smart W.O.A branding merch team if they weren’t able to find a solution aligned with the experience and the challenge of the fest. And here it is, my devoted metal fans! Welcome the W.O.A. range of perfumes, evoking your senses and bringing an intense new odor to the fields of bouncing metalheadz!

Two female editions, and no less than three editions for men. Well, it’s up to you to decide why that might be, and if it has anything to do with the way women take care of themselves or how men experience life at a festival. Think….

The presentation of the masculine and feminine scents is instantly recognizable. All bottles have the same slick presentation, with the bullhead and horns featured prominent on the middle. The unison of bottles creates the line that will be featured prominently in the bathroom of the Mr. and Mrs. agreed on the holy matrimony of heavy metal during their wedding. The variance is in the detail.

W.O.A. WACKEN PINK BLOOD EAU DE PARFUM

100ml. / 3.4 oz.

Brace yourselves for this dark and mystical concoction that’ll make your senses headbang!

The light pink presentation isn’t immediately impressing the femmes of our beloved genre. The gold and light pink aren’t exactly breathing heavy metal, but the horned skull obviously reveals the underlying theme more than expected. Even though it isn’t what you immediately expect, it adds up to the range and its presentation.

This Eau de Parfum 100 ml for women kicks off like a face-melting guitar riff with the impressive sensual huating notes of myrrh and cardamom. The elixir that is hitting your nostrils is reminiscent to Rituals’ recent issue L’Éclat with remote wave of MK’s Sexy Amber. It’s like the swirling opening notes of ,,War Pigs’’ dancing into your head while hitting your senses! In the heart note, we’ve got a headbanging combo of incense and light smoky notes, as if you’re standing in the front row of a DIO concert with the dragon spitting his fire! But wait, there’s more! It’s freshened up with a touch of jasmine, like that unexpected melodic break in a brutal death metal track. There’s a serious twist of Guerlian’s Boix Mysterieux in its mysterious welling body. It teases and adds a serious touch of mystery to the potion, well balanced and subtle. The drydown?

THE REAL MAGIC

Oh man, it’s where the real magic happens!

Amber and cedarwood take over, leaving a lasting impression that’ll stick with you longer than the ringing in your ears after a Motörhead gig. Light and crisp, with some notes of the above mixing the palate. It is that twist where the scent tips towards Jo Malone’s Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense. This scent is gradually taking over without downing the overall sensual touch of its body. It is well balanced and very subtle, making its appeal impressively wide and generic. In short: this is a keeper!

But hold onto your spiked chokers and torn nylons, because there’s another femme fatale fragrance that’s about to blow your mind!

W.O.A. WACKEN WITCH EAU DE PARFUM

100 ml. / 3.4 oz.

Leaning more towards the masculine presentation is the Witch bottle. Its dark and purple presentation are in line with their male counterparts and only divert from them by the cover. Not golden like on the Pink Blood bottle, the black cover features the same graceful feminine chalice style. This new Eau de Parfum 100 ml for women is more than a tad darker than Ozzy behind his sunglasses and more mystical than any of our beloved Ronnie James Dio lyrics!

It kicks off with a combo of rose and pepper that’s like the perfect blend of beauty and aggression in a symphonic metal ballad. Rose dominating it slightly ebbs with the peppery notes, lightly subdued in the flowery front. It wells with sift bliss of Chloé at first glance before the middle notes are dancing into your nostrils with piercing but very graceful panache.

This heart note is like a whirling mosh pit of musk and orange, with a sneaky crowd-surfer of patchouli thrown in. The patchouli fuses with the peppery hints and reveals a more earthy and herbal mid-range with the musk. Titled fresh, the orange briskness puts a mark on it. This nice blend of scents hits a bit like a lighter version of Yves Saint Laurent’s current femme classic Black Opium and remotely brings the wonderful Guerlian high end perfume Patchouli Paris forward. It’s as intoxicating as the first whiff of smoke machine fog at a Nightwish concert. The mist thickens mystical.

For the grand finale, black amber takes center stage for the drydown, leaving a lasting impression that’s as unforgettable as the first time you heard the opening melting riff of Iommi’s ,,Black Sabbath”.

BOTTLED METAL ANTHEMS

These feminine versions aren’t just perfumes; they’re bottled metal anthems! Whether you’re headbanging at a festival or just want to channel your inner rock goddess in everyday life, these fragrances have got you covered. They add to the studs and spikes, your denim and leather. It paints completes the picture of sheer metal and rock-solid ego boosted attitude. So, spray on, rock on, and let your scent do the shredding! It’s not just a perfume, it’s a statement that screams, “I came to rock, and I smell amazing doing it!”

But hold onto your studded leather jackets, because there’s no less than 3 masculine counterparts that are equally mind-blowing! Yes, you heard that right. Emphasizing our masculine experience of banging at a festival for 3 to 4 days, we can now cover up our primal scents of brooding body fluids with a whiff of eau de toilet as well.

W.O.A. WACKEN THUNDER EAU DE PARFUM

100 ml. / 3.4. oz

Falling perfectly in line with the above Witch bottle, the male bottles for Thunder and Flame have the same black presentation. Though the top cover has been replaced by a knob, like a volume knob, it perfectly falls into place for this exquisite line of scents. Its deep green adds to the luster and perfectly presents what is underneath.

The men’s version of this Eau de Parfum 100 ml starts with a power chord of bergamot and pineapple that’s brighter than Judas Priest‘s ‘Painkiller’ album cover! There’s a crisp scent inside its tantalizing body that is slightly reminiscent to the opening notes of Boss Elixer. A light leathery subnote in the bottom that opens the body of the perfume. to It’s like a spotlight hitting you as you step on stage. The energy keeps flowing with its juniper and birch sap in the middle notes. Elixer morphing to Creed’s timeless classic Aventus, with a drying metallic presence. It’s as invigorating as the first chug of a Monster Energy drink before a mosh pit, a Jägermeister before crowd-surfing, or even better; a shot of Mettermalt Wacken 2025 whisky before participating frontstage in a wall of death!

ADVENTUROUS

It’s nice balance makes it settle boasting the senses. Musk and oakmoss deliver a bright, tart finish that’ll leave you feeling fresher than Dave Mustaine‘s red hair waving blow-dried in a Megadeth music video. It conveys a variety of scents blended with the above and nest somewhere in between Dior’s Sauvage and Azzaro’s Most Wanted perfume. The first obviously the one often dubbed as a remake of the mighty and timeless Aventus.

The scent is very adventurous but fades and needs a spray or 5 to really nest dominantly. It is a little bit on the safe side and will suit anyone who is in for a treat without going over the top. Subtle.

W.O.A. WACKEN FLAME EAU DE PARFUM

100 ml. / 3.4 oz.

Wacken Flame is an absolute center piece of this line. It stands out as a bold anthem for the modern man, especially those with a passion for metal music. This 100 ml Eau de Parfum is not just a scent; it’s an olfactory journey that mirrors the intensity and complexity of a metal concert.

As the first notes hit, the fragrance opens with a powerful chord of bergamot, neroli, and anise. This invigorating trio is like the first electrifying riff of Metallica’s ,,Enter Sandmen”, grabbing attention and setting the stage for what’s more to come. The citrusy punch of bergamot, coupled with the spicy kick of anise, creates an opening that’s as memorable as the first power chord of this immediately recognizable metal classic. There’s a remote note of Dsquared’s original Wood with its light swirls of anise. The piney notes aren’t present like in that out of production classic, but there’s a serious hint of this nostalgia present, and it is refreshing.

The heart notes then take center stage, much like the intricate melodies in a progressive metal piece. Lavender, geranium, and sage blend harmoniously, creating a herbal symphony that adds depth and character to the scent. This middle phase is where Wacken Flame truly blazes and shines, showcasing its complexity and versatility. It is almost like a love child of Guerlain’s Neroli Outrenoir and Guerlian’s L’instant with remote touches of their Gentleman Noir.

LIKE A WELL-CRAFTED METAL ALBUM

The latter to start its dominance in the palate when the fragrance settles. The base notes of tonka, patchouli, and oakmoss emerge, providing a strong foundation reminiscent of the heavy basslines in doom metal. The hints of oakmoss take the spotlight, darkening into a musky aroma that lingers like the final reverberations of a guitar solo. It dances into your head like the Réserve Privée edition of this appraised line of scents.

It is what sets Flame apart is its evolution throughout the day. Much like a well-crafted metal album that takes listeners on a journey, this fragrance transforms from its initial burst of energy to a deep, resonating finish. It’s a scent that tells a story, one that metal enthusiasts can appreciate for its boldness and complexity. For the man who wears Wacken Flame, it’s more than just a fragrance: it’s a statement. It speaks to those who appreciate the artistry and intensity of metal music, translating those qualities into a wearable form. Whether you’re heading to a concert, a night out, or just want to carry the spirit of metal with you throughout the day, Wacken Flame delivers.

W.O.A. WACKEN RAIN EAU DE PARFUM

100 ml. / 3.4 oz.

This 100 ml Eau de Parfum for men captures the essence of an open-air concert caught in a summer shower, bottling the magic that happens when rain meets earth and music fills the air. Its presentation holds the middle of the darker presentation of masculine versions Flame and Thunder, and the feminine scent Witch, and lands right next to the crisp light presentation of Pink Blood, minus the spray cover. No, for this they used the volume knob and made it shiny metal.

From the first spray, Wacken Rain takes you on a sensory journey that mirrors the arc of an epic festival day. The opening notes of lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, and apple hit you like the first rays of sun breaking through festival grounds. It’s crisp, invigorating, and full of promise; much like the anticipation that builds as you approach the main stage for the day’s first act. It bears reminiscence to Tom Ford’s Oud Wood but also has a lingering light Burberry twist in its lower notes.

As the fragrance settles, it reveals its heart notes of white rose, Arabian jasmine, and cedarwood. This middle phase is where Wacken Rain truly shines, blending the delicate florals with the earthy aroma of rain-soaked wood. It’s reminiscent of that magical moment when a light drizzle falls during a powerful set, when Judas Priest’s ,,Victim of Changes” gets covered by Queensrÿche and Todd evokes the high pitches with insane precision, intensifying the connection between the crowd and the music. The dazzling guitar licks and insane melodies that nest around the vocal delivery; Mayhem! It is here where the magic happens and the scent reveals its face, linking it with Armani’s Fresh & Woody dark bottled version of their timeless masterpiece Acqua di Giò. Well rounded, refreshing, and subtle in its body.

THE FINAL ACT

The true character of Wacken Rain emerges in its final act. The base notes of white musk, sandalwood, and amber create a deep, lasting impression that pays homage to petrichor… that distinct, earthy scent that rises from the ground after rain. It’s as if the fragrance is capturing the very essence of the festival experience: the lingering memories of great music, shared moments, and the raw beauty of nature. It reveals the essence of Armani’s Acqua di Giò without coming across as a remake. There’s something special in it, that makes it very tantalizing.

What sets Wacken Rain apart is its ability to evolve throughout the day, much like the ebb and flow of a festival line-up. It starts bright and energetic, builds to a complex and harmonious middle, and finishes with a deep, resonant base that stays with you long after the initial application.

W.O.A. WACKEN EAU DE PARFUM – THE CONCLUSION

These scents aren’t just perfumes, they’re olfactory anthems that scream, “We came to rock, and we smell amazing doing it!”

Whether you’re headbanging at a festival or just want to feel like a rock god in your everyday life, these fragrances have got you covered. So, spray on, rock on, and let your scent do the shredding!