German Heavy Metal Fan Dies After Taking Part In 'Wall Of Death'

A 26-year-old German heavy metal fan died over the weekend from injuries sustained at the Pressure Festival in in Herne (near Dortmund/Bochum),Germany.

The accident occured Saturday when 26-year-old — whose named hasn't been released by the German media — took part in the "wall of death," a form of concert dancing where the crowd is split down the middle and on the signal, both sides ram into each other.

The impact on the fan's liver was reportedly so significant that he died the same night at a nearby hospital.

The German media, especially regional TV, are already talking about "casualties at a heavy metal concert", and calling the wall of death an "aggressive" form of dance.

The "wall of death" was famously popularized by LAMB OF GOD during their Ozzfest 2004 stint where it became a regular part of the group's live performance. [Click here to download a Quicktime video file recorded during last year's Ozzfest.]

In an interview with On Track Magazine conducted a few months ago, LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler was asked if the band ever feel concerned with the safety of their fans or if it is an "every fan for himself" kind of attitude.

"No, absolutely not, we definitely are concerned," Adler replied. "Y'know, we were doin' that Wall of Death for awhile, we were doin' it through the Ozzfest and we played a show on an off-date of Ozzfest where we headlined and we did the Wall of Death. And that night after the show we came backstage and there were two kids layin' there with broken legs. We went and talked to 'em and did our best to comfort 'em while they were waitin' for the ambulance and they were excited to meet us or whatever, but seein' somebody hurt after that kinda thing definitely made us stop and think about it a minute: and since that night we haven't done the Wall of Death again. It's not about people getting hurt, it's about people havin' fun and you're right, the audience is absolutely insane and we're not gonna throw out shoulder pads so nobody gets hurt. It is, in one way, every man for himself, but you gotta do your best to keep your eye out for each other when you're out there doing those things 'cause it can get pretty wild. And I think the energy and the release that we have as a band on stage and that the fans are able to have coming to see our live show, is really probably the most contagious thing about this band. I don't think we're writing records with big singles on 'em or metal anthems that people will never forget, I think it's about the show. And I think that's what's caught on and it's bringing more people out each time because of the stories, because of the fun that people are having; because the total insanity and the whole vibe. I get goose bumps when we take the stage sometimes and you can just see the eyes of these people lookin' at you, and they're all crazy. It's like somebody just released an entire prison yard to come to our show; it gets totally nuts. And I think as long as nobody gets hurt and everybody has a good time and they're able to let out a lot of the aggression and love doin' what they’re doin', then it’s more power to 'em and we're havin' a blast with it."

(Thanks: Théid)