Progressive Metal meets timeless class: With QUEENSRŸCHE, the Hard Circle Festivals welcome a band that has been one of the defining names in sophisticated Heavy Metal for decades. Following the confirmations of W.A.S.P. as the first top act, WARKINGS, and BATTLE BEAST, the Progressive Metal legends QUEENSRŸCHE reinforce the line-up of the four Hard Circle Festivals in December 2026.The Americans have written music history with albums like ‘Operation: Mindcrime’ and ‘Empire’, earning themselves a permanent place in the Metal world with their unique mix of powerful riffs, catchy melodies, and progressive finesse. Atmospheric songs, technical sophistication, and grand choruses make QUEENSRŸCHE an exceptional phenomenon between classic Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock to this day.
The band has lost none of its charisma live either. With an impressive career behind them and a catalogue full of classics, QUEENSRŸCHE deliver high-energy shows that thrill long-time fans and younger generations of Metalheads alike. The fact that QUEENSRŸCHE continue to operate at a high creative level more than four decades after their formation was recently underlined by their current studio album, ‘Digital Noise Alliance’, released in 2022.
The record combines the band’s classic strengths - sophisticated songwriting, progressive arrangements, and strong melodies - with a modern production, and was equally well received by fans and critics. Featuring long-time members Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson, alongside guitarist Mike Stone and drummer Casey Grillo, QUEENSRŸCHE present themselves today in a well-rehearsed and powerful line-up.
Above all, Todd La Torre has established himself in recent years as the defining voice of the band's modern era, playing a major role in ensuring that QUEENSRŸCHE still rank among the strongest live acts in their genre today. Anyone who appreciates sophisticated Metal with character, depth, and a multitude of unforgettable songs must not miss QUEENSRŸCHE’s performance at the Hard Circle Festivals.
With four festivals in four cities, the Hard Circle Festivals continue to grow in 2026, bringing the Metal community together once again this December. Alongside international top acts, the focus remains on the familiar atmosphere, reuniting with friends and like-minded people, and Germany’s biggest Heavy Metal Christmas parties.
Festival Dates
Friday, 04/12/2026
Storm Out Festival - Lichtenfels/ Stadthalle
Presented by Radio BOB!
Tickets & Info: https://stormout-festival.de/tickets.html
Saturday, 05/12/2026
Pott Out Festival - Bochum/ Ruhrcongress
Presented by Radio BOB!
Tickets & Info: https://pottout-festival.de/tickets.html
Friday, 11/12/2026
Rock Out Festival - Augsburg/ Schwabenhalle
Presented by Rock Antenne
Tickets & Info: https://rockout-festival.de/tickets.html
Saturday, 12/12/2026
Knock Out Festival - Karlsruhe/ Schwarzwaldhalle
Presented by Radio BOB!
Tickets & Info: https://knockout-festival.de/tickets.html
Source: Press Release
