Germany’s Iron Fest Open Air enjoyed its fifth airing at the Ohmbachsee lake recently, consolidating its place among Europe’s boutique metal festivals, with long-time audio partner, SPV Neuschwander, using HK Audio’s Cosmo Line Array System to provide sound reinforcement throughout the three days of the weekend.
Known for their close relationship, the SPV team recently attended an HK Audio Cosmo demo and were impressed by the system’s flexibility, reliability and sonic character. ‘We had complete trust in the Cosmo system,’ says the festival’s Technical Producer, Karsten Neuschwander. ‘It provided powerful, crystal-clear coverage throughout the site and thanks to its modular design, our load-in was faster and smoother than ever, which, at a small, independently run festival, is crucial.’
With a daily capacity of around 800 attendees and a line-up that included US speed mtal merchants Bewitcher, Germany’s own Thulcandra turning out their death metal and Chilean hard rocker Ronnis Romero on the bill, Iron Fest is built on intimacy with fans never far from the stage or the artists themselves. But with the site’s asymmetrical footprint, including a hill on one side and a slope on the other, delivering consistent sound came with its fair share of challenges.
‘The main requirement was ensuring both the main stage and the nearby Biergarten area received appropriate coverage,’ says HK Audio Application Support Engineer and festival System Technician, Vicente Rios Silvestre. ‘We needed punch and precision in front of the stage and a more relaxed mix in the social spaces. Cosmo gave us that control and the terrain didn’t interfere as much as we initially feared.’
With a rotating cast of FOH engineers throughout the weekend, each with their own tastes and backgrounds, the system was put to the test: ‘What impressed me most was how quickly engineers could dial in a great mix,’ Rios Silvestre says. ‘Cosmo gave everyone a reliable starting point and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive – it meant a lot.’
From metal legends to underground heroes, Iron Fest continues to grow in reputation for both its atmosphere and production values. With no technical issues reported across the weekend and a sea of satisfied engineers, artists and fans, Cosmo proved itself a match for the challenging outdoor environment. ‘It’s not just about the gear, it’s about trust,’ says Rios Silvestre. ‘Cosmo truly earned it at Iron Fest.’
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