The set is split into 3 discs: Black/Death/Thrash, Power/Traditional, and Underground. For old-school fans, there's the presence of Dio, sounding much raspier and aged since his heyday, but still clearly charismatic and energetic, and his version of "Holy Diver" clearly brings the crowd to its feet. Lemmy is his usual blunt-spoken self, and the 2 Motorhead numbers, both among the newest in the band's catalogue, are appropriately brutal. Anthrax, as always, deliver the goods with 2 of their most notable hits, "Indians" and "Only"to kick off the set with energy. '80s metal pinup Doro Pesch, on the other hand, doesn't come off nearly as well. She is clearly hoarse and her band is tired and listless. Similarly, seminal grindcore pioneers Cannibal Corpse choose a strange song to perform at an open-air festival-"Gallery of Suicide" is just much too long, intricate, and atmospheric for the crowd, and it stops the album cold.

For fans of newer artists, Orphanage's "5 Crystals" is a phenomenally unusual experiment with strings and flutes that somehow works. It's simultaneously epic and energetic. Similarly, Reckless Tide's brutal "Death Train" is quintessential metal, pure aggression. Cathedral's "Stained Glass Horizon" is phenomenal, and the enthusiastic crowd chanting is the kind of pleasure only live albums can provide. The bluesy bar-band metal of Dr. Rock and Gutbucket serve as a welcome change of pace.