Live report KANONENFIEBER & MENTAL CRUELTY, Inselpark Arena, Hamburg – March 24th, 2026

Nothing illustrates the rapidly growing popularity of Kanonenfieber better than a look at the venues the band has played in Hamburg. Back in November 2023, they took the stage at the Logo as a support act for Batushka. Not even three years later, Kanonenfieber are headlining a sold-out show at Inselpark Arena. Such a leap in such a short time is remarkable – and you can feel the excitement.

Before Kanonenfieber kick off their set, the night of extreme metal will be opened by Mental Cruelty from Karlsruhe, Germany. The first surprise, at least for me, is that the band started their show at 19:00, which is 30 minutes earlier than communicated through some channels. So I missed the first song, but there’s still plenty more from Mental Cruelty to enjoy.

Three years have passed since the band released their latest studio album, “Zwielicht”, and this record forms the backbone of tonight’s performance. Five tracks, starting with the opener “Obsessis a Daemonio”, serve as powerful representatives of the album, unleashing a wave of intense, high-energy deathcore that quickly fills the room. The band is really trying their best to get everyone ready for the headline act, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, Mental Cruelty is doing a good job. The request for circle pits is followed and there is some jumping around. The only thing that feels a bit misplaced is the moment when everyone turns on their phone flashlights. It certainly looks nice, but I wouldn’t have expected it at a deathcore show.

Tonight’s show is the last one on the tour, and the guys from Kanonenfutter can’t resist joining Mental Cruelty on stage for a few moments, which leads to an extra round of enthusiasm from the crowd. All in all, Mental Cruelty did a good job and made the most of their 45 minutes.

(click on pics to enlarge)

The stage is unmistakably ready for Kanonenfieber when the intro fills the room. “Die Feuertaufe” is the first song of the night, and as soon as the band takes to the stage, it becomes clear why fans have come to the Inselpark Arena. Some of them are dressed in Kanonenfieber outfits and the room turns into a madhouse of enthusiastic fans who are completely captivated by the band, their image and their music.

Kanonenfieber don’t just deliver a metal show. They offer a fusion of extreme metal, a stage show and history, and it is this combination that makes the evening so thrilling. Since faces are hidden behind masks, the focus is not so much on the musicians, although the bandleader, Noise, is the one who is being focused on. There are no speeches to the fans, as Kanonenfieber deliver their theatrical performance, putting the audience under a spell.

There are also a few smartly integrated interludes featuring historic speeches and background context. Songs such as “The Yankee Division March” and “Kampf und Sturm” are introduced in this way, and these interludes create a special flow.

On the subject of theatrical moments, there is even some acting on stage, such as Noise crawling over the floor to reach the red light, which symbolizes fire and warmth during the merciless times of war. Furthermore, during “Heizer Tenner”, he ‘shuffles coal,’ and during the thunderous version of “Der Maulwurf”, he wields a spade. These are moments that complete the show and emphasis the theme of the cruelties of war. In its totality it’s an oppressive atmosphere the band generates which is intended and one part of the fascination.

Kanonenfieber deliver more than just a metal show. They provide a holistic and complete experience that captivates. Tonight, fans enjoyed 100 minutes of Germany’s rising metal star, and there is no end in sight. Noise and his project have achieved enormous success in recent years, establishing themselves as important representatives of German metal – a fact that was underlined in great fashion tonight.