Rock Hard, Continental Concerts, Musikhaus Thomann, Blackstar, and WDR Rockpalast present: Rock Hard Festival 2025
Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen, Germany
June 6 - 8, 2025
The most atmospheric metal party of the year! As the first rays of spring sunshine warm the air, Rock Hard Festival puts the finishing touches on its line-up, announcing another major name in the German Metal scene! Udo DIRKSCHNEIDER will bring his highly successful tour back on stage one more time, presenting ACCEPT’s legendary ‘Balls To The Wall’ album live. In the Ruhr area, this is what they call a “home game”. Sing-along Heavy Rock is also the trademark of Los Angeles metal giants W.A.S.P., who will finally return to the Amphitheater after their last appearance there in 2012.
Another big name joining the line-up: Thrash Metal titans EXODUS. Guitarist Gary Holt and his band made waves in the San Francisco Bay Area as early as 1981, even staying ahead of young Metallica in their early career. Also confirmed for Gelsenkirchen: DEATH ANGEL and MUNICIPAL WASTE. Swedish death metal pioneers DISMEMBER have announced an exclusive comeback show in Germany with their original line-up. Metal legend GEOFF TATE will also take the stage. His powerful live performances bring back the magic of early QUEENSRŸCHE classics, especially the iconic ‘Operation: Mindcrime’.
Fans of Melodic Metal with theatrical flair will be excited about the return of CRIMSON GLORY, while NILE will deliver their signature brand of technical death metal infused with ancient Egyptian mythology. North African influences will also be present in the music of Tunisian metal act MYRATH. On the progressive front, British masters THRESHOLD seamlessly combine technical prowess with melody. DOOL will bring their dark, melancholic Rock to the festival, while Swedish group THE CRYPT - featuring burlesque dancer Pepper Potemkin - will perform songs crafted by Doom Metal legend Leif Edling (CANDLEMASS).
Female-fronted power will be on full display with THE GEMS, while doom trio SANHEDRIN represents New York’s heavy scene. The younger Metal generation will be well represented by TAILGUNNER, DESERTED FEAR, and AMETHYST. Expect loud “Ruhrpott, Ruhrpott” chants when ATTIC and THE NIGHT ETERNAL take the stage. Hanover will be making two appearances this year, with the reunited VICTORY and the energetic Melodic Death Metal band HIRAES joining the line-up. A carefully curated line-up, straight from the headquarters of Rock Hard magazine!
Rock Hard Festival 2025 - Final line-up
W.A.S.P., Dirkschneider - 40th Anniversary “Balls To The Wall” Set, Exodus, Dismember (Exclusive 2025 Germany Show), Crimson Glory, Geoff Tate, Nile, Death Angel, Threshold, Municipal Waste, Myrath, Victory, Dool, The Gems, Deserted Fear, The Night Eternal, The Crypt, Attic, Hiraes, Sanhedrin, Tailgunner, Amethyst
Tickets
3-day tickets cost €148.50, including all fees.
Ticket link: shop.rockhard.de
For ticket inquiries, contact the festival at +49 231 - 56 20 14 20 (10 AM - 5 PM CET) or
Digital print-at-home tickets are available through the partners at Stagedates: www.stagedates.com
For the latest festival news, videos, interviews, and venue insights, visit: www.rockhardfestival.de / www.facebook.com/rockhardfestival
Why not extend your stay and explore the Ruhr region? The Rock Hard editorial team has put together recommendations for shops, clubs, bars, and must-see attractions in the area: www.rockhard.de/rhfestival/info/in-der-region
Source: Press Release
