Jester’s Tears opening the first ever Prog Metal Mania in Munich! 2nd May 2025
Prog Metal Mania 2025. A first edition that felt like the 20th!
On May 2nd and 3rd 2025, the very first edition of Prog Metal Mania took place at the Backstage Werk in Munich, and what a debut it was! The Progspace was proud to be there as an official media partner, and I had the chance to experience the whole thing from three perspectives: as an attendee, photographer and reviewer. And honestly? I didn’t notice a single mishap. Everything ran smoothly, on time and professionally handled from start to finish.
Big props to the entire team: the organizers, the friendly venue staff, the volunteers, and everyone else involved. The atmosphere was just perfect!: friendly, warm, relaxed and genuinely enthusiastic. Sure, the food and drink options at the venue could’ve been a bit more varied, but there were enough options nearby to survive the long days. The whole event ran so smoothly it felt like they’d been doing this for 20 years already, and I pray to whoever listens out there: I really hope they actually do!
As the hosts mentioned on stage (our own Dario Albrecht and Julia Suckfüll), the festival is the brainchild of our friend and longtime The Progspace collaborator Katha (a.k.a. "Mostly Metal") who turned her dream festival into a reality. She pulled this off with her usual precision and passion, and with the help of family and friends, she pulled off one of the best-organized events I’ve seen in the scene. Hats off, Katha!
Jester’s Tears
Local heroes from Munich, Jester’s Tears kicked things off with heart and precision. While they might not be a household name for everyone in the crowd, they played like headliners - tight, confident and emotionally charged. Their melodic, classic prog metal style set the perfect tone for the weekend: soaring vocals, melodic keys, and guitar work that walked the line between nostalgic and fresh.
The band delivered a cohesive and strong show that drew the audience in as people where arriving and by the time ending their set with a roar of the fully warmed up crowd. A more-than-fitting start for a festival that’s bound to become a staple.
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Thank you very much!
We would be very happy if we could be considered for the band selection for upcoming festivals.
Keep on progging.
Dimi