The sixth band I had the pleasure of photographing at Kiel Week 2025 was Rage, the powerhouse German heavy metal group led by Peter “Peavy” Wagner. Their story goes all the way back to when they first formed under the name Avenger and began making a name for themselves in the European metal scene. By the time I arrived at their set the sky was already hinting at rain and soon it began to fall in a light, steady drizzle.
I was using my Sony Alpha 7 III with a Sony 70-200 f2.8 lens and I could feel every drop of moisture add a layer of atmosphere to each frame. The rain danced in the air around the band members and caught the stage lights in little sparkling bursts. It forced me to slow down and really anticipate the moment so I could capture the perfect shot without missing anything. I felt like I was part of the action rather than just an observer.
Spotify Player - Rage
At one point the lighting rig flooded the stage with pure white beams so bright that all other colors faded away. I remember the scene looking almost otherworldly in my viewfinder. That instant made me refine the picture in black and white so I could emphasize the bold contrasts between the performers, the raindrops, and the shadows on stage.
Shooting Rage in the rain was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve had at this festival. I came away with some of my most dynamic concert photos yet. Let me know what you think in the comments. Have you ever seen Rage live and felt that same rush of energy? I would love to hear your stories
All Photographs Copyright by louis88