Launched in 2016, Release Athens has become one of the most important summer music events in Athens and across Greece, hosted mainly in Water Square (Plateia Nerou), a beautiful open – air venue right by the sea within minutes of downtown Athens.

With extroversion and optimism as its main mottos, against the turbulent times where the festival took its form, Release Athens rejuvenated the local entertainment scene, believing in the liberating power of music – from which, after all, it took its name.


The program of Release Festival 2024:


THE OFFSPRING
Sunday, 09.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in California in 1984, The Offspring were one of the bands that revitalized punk in the 90s. The main reason for this was the release of the epic “Smash” (1994) on Epitaph Records, which has now sold over 11 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling indie record in music history, while the singles “Come Out And Play”, “Self Esteem” and “Gotta Get Away” became timeless anthems for a whole generation and sealed the band’s place at the top of the music scene.

What followed was a series of iconic albums, such as “Ixnay on the Hombre” (1997), “Americana” (1998) and “Conspiracy of One” (2000), legendary songs like “Gone Away”, “Kids Aren’t Alright”, “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid”, “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)”, “Why Don’t You Get A Job” and hundreds of live performances around the world.

Dexter Holland, Noodle, Todd Morse, Jonah Nimoy and Brandon Pertzborn have embarked on a massive tour following the release of their tenth album ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’ (2021), performing in Australia, USA, Canada and Europe in front of thousands of people who celebrated one of the most special bands of the last few decades.


THE SUBWAYS
Sunday, 09.06.2024, doors open 17:30

In 2005, The Subways burst onto the international music scene with the release of their first album, “Young For Eternity”, to the acclaim of John Peel and NME, who proclaimed them “the sexiest thing to sweep rock ‘n’ roll off its feet in years”. “Rock & Roll Queen”, one of the most iconic singles of the 00s, put them on the map and their thrilling performances took them to the world’s biggest festivals (Glastonbury, Reading, Rock Am Ring, Lollapalooza, etc.) and on tour with the likes of AC/DC, Foo Fighters and Oasis.

What followed was equally impressive. They released four more albums, working with great producers such as Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage) and Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur), and a series of excellent singles such as “We Don’t Need Money To Have A Good Time”, “Kalifornia”, “You Kill My Kool”, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Bang” and many more.

2023 was a very important year for the group, as apart from the release of “Uncertain Joys”, they went on a huge tour with Ash and confirmed that they are still one of the most thrilling bands on stage.


MEGADETH
Friday, 14.06.2024, doors open 17:30

The name Megadeth is in itself one of the most important chapters in the history of heavy metal, and it began in the immediate aftermath of Dave Mustaine’s much-discussed departure from Metallica. Although he was a key composer on the first two albums of the aforementioned band, the 22-year-old guitarist, hungry for music and creativity, decided to form his own group and forge his own unique path.

Infusing the NWOBHM sound with radically faster riffs, unique technical versatility, dense compositions and the primal energy of punk, Mustaine never stopped pushing the boundaries of the metal scene.

Since their debut album, “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good!” (1985), and the consecutive masterpieces “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying” (1986), “So Far, So Good… So What!” (1988), “Rust In Piece” (1990), “Countdown To Extinction” (1992), “Youthanasia” (1994), down to the uncompromising “Cryptic Writings” (1997) and “The System Has Failed” (2004), Megadeth’s ferocity never wavered, captivating metal fans and selling over 50 million copies worldwide.

Their latest, 16th album of their career, “The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!”, is the organic follow-up to the Grammy-winning, “Dystopia” (2016), and a clear reference to their leader’s victorious battle with throat cancer. “Now I feel more energy than ever”, Dave declares – and he proves it on stage, along with the whole band, leaving everyone stunned.

Get ready for endless headbanging with the iconic “Hangar 18”, “A Tout Le Monde”, “Tornado Of Souls”, “Symphony Of Destruction”, “Peace Sells”, “Holy Wars…. The Punishment Due”, “In My Darkest Hour”, “She-Wolf”, “Wake Up Dead”, “Sweating Bullets”, in another truly great, heavy metal night!


BLIND GUARDIAN
Friday, 14.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in Krefeld, Germany, in 1984 by Hansi Kürsch and André Olbrich, Blind Guardian have since evolved into one of the most innovative and influential bands in European metal.

With an impressive discography that peaked in the ’90s with an epic quartet of albums (“Tales From The Twilight World”, “Somewhere Far Beyond”, “Imaginations From The Other Side” and “Nightfall in Middle-Earth”), Blind Guardian left their mark on the metal scene thanks to their ability to create an imaginary world with majestic songwriting, a unique sense of melody and Kürsch’s distinctive vocals.

Their latest album, “The God Machine”, was released in 2022 and finds the group in top form, as it is yet another impressive work that treads firmly on the Germans’ glorious past, while at the same time brings their timeless sound into the present.


GRAND MAGUS
Friday, 14.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in Stockholm in 1996 by Janne “JB” Christoffersson and Mats “Fox” Skinner, Grand Magus have already managed to leave an indelible mark on heavy metal history with a number of classic songs.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 2001 and started to stir up the metal underground with its perfect combination of stoner rock and doom metal. Over time, however, Grand Magus introduced elements of classic metal that, combined with their inherent groove, became the band’s signature sound as showcased on flawless albums like “Monument” and “Wolf’s Return” (2005).

Their breakthrough came a little later with the release of the critically acclaimed “Iron Will” (2008), which propelled them to the forefront of the metal scene and touring with legendary acts such as Electric Wizard and Cathedral. The release of “Hammer of the North” continued this momentum, as did their explosive live shows, that led them to the world’s biggest metal festivals.


PAROV STELAR
Saturday, 15.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Marcus Fuereder, better known by his stage name Parov Stelar, has earned a special place in the music world, with his groundbreaking and unmistakable combination of electronic dance sounds with jazz and swing samples.

Celebrated since his first releases in the early 00s, he has enjoyed a stellar career over the past 20 years, with countless hits and sold-out performances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. At the same time, he’s become one of the scene’s most reliable and sought-after remixers, working with names across the musical spectrum – including Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Bryan Ferry and many more.

The numbers speak volumes about Parov Stelar’s success. Over 500 million views on YouTube, more than 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and his songs have been featured in more than 700 compilations worldwide, as well as in tv series, films and commercials.


JAIN
Saturday, 15.06.2024, doors open 17:30

French pop singer Jain has earned acclaim for her vibrant multicultural style influenced by the many places she has called home. Growing up in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Congo, she soaked up the distinctive music traditions and cultures of these regions and integrated them into her diverse sound. As a teenager, she began combining Arabic and African rhythms with electronic music, creating a truly personal style.

Her distinctive sound, full of urban concerns and political awareness, helped her build a devoted fan base online. As a result, her debut album “Zanaka” (2016) went gold and sold over 1 million copies. Her sophomore LP “Souldier” (2018), took France (her she lives now) by storm, topping the charts and earning a place among the most successful albums of the year.

With the release of her third album “Fool” (2023), Jain is now recognised as one of the most original artists of our time, with a unique and bold sound that combines a dance-worthy vibe with the pop aesthetics of today.


TELENOVA
Saturday, 15.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Telenova formed in 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. The band consists of vocalist, songwriter and filmmaker Angeline Armstrong and multi-instrumentalists Edward Quinn and Joshua Moriarty.

Their sample-driven songs combine trip-hop and dance-pop, as evidenced at their debut EP “Tranquilize”, released in 2021. Propelled by the lead single “Bones” and the sweeping follow-up EP “Stained Glass Love”, Telenova have built a dedicated audience in their home country and beyond, with support from BBC 6 Music, KCRW, Vogue Paris, NME, Triple J and other major radio stations around the world.

Accolades followed, including the 2022 AIR Breakthrough Artist award, sold-out tours and appearances at all the major festivals across Australia, millions of streams and, of course, a beautiful cover of Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’ that sent their popularity soaring. Without a doubt, Telenova is a name you will be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.


PULP
Thursday, 20.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Led by the charismatic Jarvis Cocker, one of the best frontmen of the global music scene, Pulp composed the soundtrack of adolescence and adulthood for an entire generation, remaining relevant and influential to this day. “Common People”, “Disco 2000”, “Something Changed”, “Razzmatazz”, “Do You Remember The First Time?”, “Babies”, “Lipgloss”, “Sorted for E’s & Wizz”, “This Is Hardcore” are just a few of the masterful singles they gave us, adding a unique quality to what it is called pop music.

Part of the “big four” of the Britpop era (Oasis, Blur, Suede being the other three) Pulp never sounded like anything else.

Since their beginning in the late 70s, when Jarvis was just 15 years old, they have followed a path of their own. The first two albums – “It” (1983) and “Freaks” (1987) – didn’t successfully reach the audiences, luckily, the arrival of the 90s was to change everything.

With the band’s lineup becoming steady, one great album followed another. “Separations” (1992) immediately grabbed the attention of audiences and critics alike, with outstanding tracks such as “My Legendary Girlfriend”, “Death II”, “Countdown”.

In 1994, “His ‘n’ Hers”, was their game-changing masterpiece, including tracks that still remain untouched by time and preparing the world for the triumphant sequel.

The monumental “Different Class” (1995) skyrocketed Pulp into the stratosphere, stirring up the buzz around them. “Common People” remains the absolute Britpop anthem and one of the best pop singles of all time, the brightest peak in an album full of such. A timeless pop song of wit and bliss that will never cease to sound contemporary and meaningful.

“Different Class”, still tops every list related to the British scene of the 90s, unsurpassed both by the rest of their contemporaries and by themselves. The stunning “This Is Hardcore” (1998) and “We Love Life” (2001) round out the band’s discography to this day, faithfully embodying the creative and adventurous spirit of a band that has consistently aimed to evolve and push the boundaries of their music.

Indie, glam-pop, alternative rock, art-rock, it’s hard to label Pulp. They had the rare gift of talking about everyday things that we all had experienced too (or would like to)!

Immersive, theatrical and at the same time entertaining, just like Jarvis Cocker! One of the best lyricists of his generation, witty, elegant, always in his velvet jacket, with his framed glasses and his unique dance moves.

Pulp disbanded in 2002, triumphantly reunited for concerts in 2011, and they are returning again this year! The rave reviews described their shows and stage presence as equivalent to their glory days.


THE SMILE
Thursday, 20.06.2024, doors open 17:30

The Smile was created during the lockdowns. Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood had a lot of new ideas they wanted to work on but at the same time the other members of Radiohead were also busy with their own projects.

The band took their name from the title of a poem by Ted Hughes. Yorke said it was “not the smile as in ‘ahh’, more the smile as in the guy who lies to you every day”. Their first appearance came via streaming for Glastonbury Festival, in May 2021, and a year later, their excellent debut, ‘’A Light for Attracting Attention’’, was released. “Enchanting with fascinating ideas”, “without a doubt, the best side-project from members of Radiohead”, “complex as well as wisely simple” are some of the rave reviews from the Media.

“You Will Never Work in Television Again”, “The Smoke”, “We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings” are immediate standouts. A post-punk sound, merging afrobeat and electronica, along with progressive arrangements. The stunning “Pana-vision” was part of the “Peaky Blinders” soundtrack, while “Open The Floodgates” is a dreamy masterpiece, similar to the finest moments of Radiohead.

Their sophomore album, ‘’Wall Of Eyes’’, recorded at the Abbey Road studios, will be released on January 2024. The first single, ‘’Wall Of Eyes’’ is accompanied with a video directed by the great Paul Thomas Anderson, creator of “There Will Be Blood” and “The Master”, in which Greenwood wrote the το soundtrack. P.T. Anderson also worked with Yorke for the 15-minute music video, “ANIMA”, in 2019.


RIDE
Thursday, 20.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Ride were formed in Oxford in 1998 by four friends who combined 60s guitar-pop sensibilities with avalanches of noise and driving rhythms. It was a recalibration of indie-rock that would come to be defined as shoegaze, music that was both experimental and direct, powerful and fragile.

In 1990, they swept the nation with the release of three critically-acclaimed EP, while in October of the same year they released the amazing “Nowhere”, which reached no.11 in the UK charts and is regarded as one of the greatest debut albums of the 90s. Their follow-up was “Going Blank Again” (1992), a stunning album that appeared on every respectable best-of list of the year and brought the band considerable commercial success.

With “Carnival of Light” (1994), they distanced themselves from shoegaze, at least temporarily, and focused on the strong psychedelic influences of the 60s, emphasizing even more the undeniable melodic charisma of the group’s leaders, Andy Bell and Mark Gardener. “Tarantula” (1996) was to be the fourth and last album of their first period, as intra-band turmoil led to their break-up.

In 2014, while their influence was evident in the top indie bands of the time, Ride reunited for a series of shows in Europe and America, which eventually led them back into the studio to write two brilliant albums, ‘Weather Diaries’ (2017) and ‘This Is Not A Safe Place’ (2019), introducing one of the most forward-thinking guitar bands of their generation to a whole new audience.


TRAUMHAUS
Thursday, 20.06.2024, doors open 17:30

Tramhaus formed in Rotterdam during the lockdowns by five friends who share a love for everything that touches the realm of post-punk. In the span of its relatively short existence, they have managed to transcend the borders of their hometown, not only thanks to their explosive songs that stand firmly in the immortal punk ethos, but also thanks to their energetic live performances at major festivals such as Eurosonic Noorderslag, Best Kept Secret and Hop Pop Hop.

They are currently on a major UK tour, reaching a wider audience for the first time, while the rest of the season includes stops at major European festivals and the legendary SXSW in Texas.


VASILIS PAPAKONSTANTINOU
Saturday, 29.06.2024, doors open 18:30

One of the most recognizable figures of Greek music, Vassilis Papakonstantinou counts more than 50 years of stable presence in the music business and has won millions of fans of all ages and from every spectrum of the local music scene.

From 1972, when he made his debut, until today, Papakonstantinou has faithfully served every form of Greek song, collaborating with the most important composers, lyricists and poets born in this country (Manos Loizos, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Mikis Theodorakis, Tasos Livaditis, Kostas Karyotakis, Nikos Kavvadias, etc.). Albums such as “Ta Agrotika” (1975), “Fobamai” (1982), “Diairesi” (1984), “Xairetismata” (1987), “Sfentona” (1992), “Thalassa Sth Skala” (1999) and many others, are unforgettable landmarks that continue to inspire the younger generations, as is evident at every live performance, where he attracts audiences of all ages.

Vassilis Papakonstantinou, despite his incomparable career, remained eager to perform and always available to “talk” about today, about everything that moves and worries us, about love, society, our fears and our dreams.


THIEVERY COPORATION
Tuesday, 09.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Thievery Corporation, the groundbreaking duo from Washington, have been a mainstay of electronic music for years, with an extensive array of influences ranging from dub/reggae traditions to jazz and 60s bossanova. Formed in 1995 by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, they have not only become one of the most successful acts in the genre, but have also defined the downtempo/trip-hop scene with their innovative productions and outstanding songs.

Their career began with the now classic “Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi” (1996), which laid the foundation for their signature sound and for what was to follow. “Mirror Conspiracy” (2000), “Richest Man In Babylon” (2002), “The Cosmic Game” (2005) and the more recent “The Temple of I & I” (2017) and “Treasures From the Temple” (2018) have all been praised by the music press, while the duo have gained a dedicated audience that now follows them every step of the way.

Throughout their three-decade career, Thievery Corporation have become renowned for their electrifying live performances, conquering the world’s biggest stages and captivating audiences with their unique and ever-evolving sound.


BLACK PUMAS
Tuesday, 09.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Black Pumas were formed in Texas in 2017 by singer-songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist-producer Adrian Quesada. They burst onto the scene in 2019 with their self-titled debut album, which was not only recognised as one of the top releases of the year, but was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

Combining elements of soul, funk, R&B and psychedelic rock, the Black Pumas, thanks to Burton’s wonderful vocals and Quesada’s masterful arrangements, managed to collect six more Grammy nominations in a short period of time, release some of the best songs of recent years (“Colors”, “Black Moon Rising”, “Fire”) and sell out shows across U.S.A. and Europe.

This year, the group is preparing to embark on a new world tour to promote their long-awaited second album, which was released a few weeks ago. “Chronicles of a Diamond” is an impressive new step, full of power, passion and more originality than ever before. The album’s first two singles, “More Than A Love Song” and “Mrs. Postman”, have already surpassed 6 million streams and topped both US and local radio stations.


THE BUDOS BAND
Tuesday, 09.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Based in Staten Island, New York, and inspired by their love of James Brown’s funk, Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat and Mulatu Astatke’s Ethio-Jazz, The Budos Band created a unique sound that led them to the legendary Daptone Records, where they released some of the best albums in the genre over the last 20 years.

During this time, they have worked as session musicians for the biggest acts in the scene, from Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones to Amy Winehouse and Lee Fields, while their rich discography has earned them several notable fans, like Madonna (who invited them to perform at her birthday party), Iggy Pop and the Wu-Tang Clan.

In 2023, they embarked on a new and important chapter in their career, founding Diamond West Records and releasing the EP “Frontier’s Edge”, which takes their sound into an even more adventurous territory.


MASSIVE ATTACK
Wednesday, 17.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in Bristol, England, in 1988, as members of partying collective the Wild Bunch, Massive Attack have consistently remained ahead of their time.

With only 5 studio albums, they changed the sonic landscape of modern music forever. Challenging every known pop form and cliché, they gave birth to trip hop, a sound of their own that could not be put into any category. A dark and soulful combination of electronic sounds, hip-hop, samples, influences from dub / reggae / soul, even from post-punk, which captivated the world scene in the early 90s and offered us some of the greatest pieces of musical creation of the last 30 years.

With the classic debut, “Blue Lines” (1991), they established themselves immediately. The beautiful “Protection” (1994) confirmed their status and their masterpiece “Mezzanine” (1998) remains an unsurpassed pinnacle.

The haunting “100th Window” (2003) and the charming “Heligoland” (2010) complete their discography to date, which, however, contains many remixes and EPs (with the amazing “Ritual Spirit” marking an impressive comeback in 2016), as well as many collaborations with artists such as Liz Fraser, Tracey Thorn, David Bowie, Madonna, Tricky, Damon Albarn, Horace Andy, Hope Sandoval, Young Fathers, among many others.

Massive Attack set the questions and never wanted to offer easy answers. They touched the hearts of millions of people without compromising with the usual dictates of marketing or record labels. Mysterious and inaccessible, but at the same time with a musical proposal of unique intensity and beauty, they remain one of the most important and respected bands in the world.

3D and Daddy G, along with the wonderful voices that accompany them in their iconic tracks – from “Unfinished Sympathy” to “Safe From Harm” and from “Teardrop” to “Angel” – are the ingredients that make their live shows unique!


DURAN DURAN
Thursday, 18.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Duran Duran’s latest album DANSE MACABRE sees the band unearth bright melodies from the darkness, with 13 tracks threading together new songs, themed covers, and newly reimagined versions of their classics and favorites.

The album has been met with a rapturous response from fans and critics alike, described as “great ghoulish fun” by the Evening Standard, “a treat” by The Independent, “a stylish, warm-hearted album with a sense of humor” by The Line of Best Fit, “damn good fun” by The Telegraph, whilst The Sun praised “energy and excitement”.

In addition to current single ‘Black Moonlight’, and title track ‘Danse Macabre’, the music video for which is powered by cutting- edge AI techniques and has been described by Rolling Stone as “a graveyard smash”, fans are enjoying a third new song in epic album closer, ‘Confession In The Afterlife’. Elsewhere gothic-tinged covers of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend’, The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’, the Rick James-inspired ‘Super Lonely Freak’, Siouxsie and the Banshees’ ‘Spellbound’, Cerrone’s ‘Supernature’ and The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’ reveal the darker side of Duran Duran.

As well as Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin providing guest bass and vocals on ‘Psycho Killer’, the album features special collaborations with former Duran Duran band members Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo, Nile Rodgers, producers Josh Blair, Mr Hudson, and long-time touring guitarist Dom Brown.

DANSE MACABRE follows a wave of landmark achievements for Duran Duran. Their 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame marked yet another career peak with the year already having seen the band headline London’s Hyde Park, perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, close the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in their home town of Birmingham, and a headline tour across North America which included sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden and three nights at the Hollywood Bowl.

Duran Duran has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, in addition to scoring 21 Top 20 UK hits. Their numerous awards and accolades include eight Lifetime Achievement Awards, two GRAMMY® Awards, two Ivor Novellos, two BRIT Awards (including “Outstanding Contribution to Music” in 2004), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They penned the only James Bond theme to reach #1 in the US, while David Lynch directed their outstanding concert film (“Duran Duran: Unstaged”) in 2014.

You can hear their music sampled in songs by everyone from The Notorious B.I.G. to 5 Seconds of Summer and in reverent covers by Muse, Deftones, and more. “Rio” has claimed spots on Q’s “100 Greatest British Albums,” NME’s “100 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and Pitchfork’s “Top 100 Albums of the 1980s.” Summing up their enduring impact, Vanity Fair proclaimed, “Duran Duran’s always been about constant innovation and the ‘new’.” Given a penchant and flair for fashion, rock music never looked the same after their emergence either. Their impact as style icons has been well-documented.

The Release Athens announcement follows a huge year of live activity for Duran Duran, including sold-out arena shows across the UK, Ireland, North America and Canada. The performances continued the band’s acclaimed FUTURE PAST tour and were feverishly received, described as at “royalty status” by The Times, “decadent and bombastic” by The Telegraph, “a first-class and commanding performance” by CLASH, and “national treasures” by The Spectator.


SOFI TUKKER
Thursday, 18.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in 2014 by Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, SOFI TUKKER were nominated for a Grammy with the release of their debut single ‘Drinkee’, followed by a second nomination for their debut album “Treehouse” in the “Best Dance/Electronic Album” category.

With their love of Brazilian music and culture as a reference point, SOFI TUKKER combine their diverse influences to create addictive songs, as evidenced by their big hits “Best Friend”, “Purple Hat” and “Brazilian Soul” (in collaboration with The Knocks). Meanwhile, their versatility as a live act has them selling out headline tours and packing the world’s biggest festivals such as Coachella, Lollapallooza, Bonnaroo and many more.


JUDAS PRIEST
Sunday, 21.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Judas Priest originally formed in 1969, in Birmingham, were set to shape the sound of heavy metal and hard rock. For the last 50 years, there is no praise left that hasn’t been said for them.

Releasing such all-time classic albums as “Hell Bent for Leather” (’78), “British Steel”, (’80), “Point of Entry” (’81), “Screaming for Vengeance” (’82), “Painkiller” (’90), “Firepower” (2018), they continued to go from strength to strength until today.

Their records spawned countless timeless metal anthems, including “The Hellion”, “Electric Eye”, “Riding on the Wind”, “The Sentinel”, “A Touch of Evil”, “Rapid Fire”, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”, “Painkiller”, “Metal Gods”, “Breaking the Law”, “Living After Midnight” and many more, in an astonishing back catalogue that secured them a place in the hearts of every metalhead.

Judas Priest are planning to repeat their crushing headline show from 2022, along with the largest stage set-up they ever had with them, performing live for the first-time songs from their forthcoming new album, “Invincible Shield” (release date, March 8th). In the first single, “Panic Attack”, they sound at the top of their game, causing great enthusiasm to millions of fans. Not bad at all, considering this is the 19th studio album of an enduring and successful career.


BRUCE DICKINSON
Sunday, 21.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Bruce Dickinson needs no introductions. Renowned around the world as one of the greatest and most distinctive heavy metal vocalists of all time, Bruce is best known as the lead singer of Iron Maiden, an iconic band not only for heavy metal but also for the entire rock’n’roll scene.

A celebrated polymath, he has become globally known as an author, pilot, broadcaster, brewer, businessman, sportsman, spoken-word performer, screenwriter and internationally successful solo artist – and 2024 is set to be his year!

“The Mandrake Project”, his 7th solo album (early 2024), is the next step to a glorious career, while the much anticipated first single “Afterglow of Ragnarok” is coming out on the 1st of December!

Having sold over 100 million albums with Iron Maiden, Dickinson begun his own successful streak of solo albums in 1990 with “Tattooed Millionaire”. In 1994, he made history when he decided to perform in war-torn, occupied Bosnia. The subsequent documentary, Scream For Me Sarajevo, became an award winning movie (2018).

He continued, while fronting Iron Maiden, with highly praised albums like “Accident Of Birth” (1997) and “The Chemical Wedding” (1998). His last solo work was “Tyranny Of Souls”, in 2005.

Eighteen years later, he is collaborating once more with producer/guitarist Roy Z (who has also worked with Judas Priest and Halford) on the “The Mandrake Project”

Besides Roy, Bruce Dickinson assembled his band with Tonya O’Callaghan (bass), Dave Moreno (drums) and Italian keyboard player, Mistheria.


ACCEPT
Sunday, 21.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Accept were formed in 1976 in Solingen, Germany. Led by guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, the band went on to become one of the most important acts in the scene, influencing the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Iron Maiden.

The pivotal moment for Accept came with the release of “Restless and Wild” (1982), which catapulted them into the metal elite, featuring iconic tracks such as the title track, “Fast as a Shark” and “Princess of the Dawn. Following this triumph, Accept reached new heights with the release of “Balls to the Wall” (1983), now regarded as one of the best heavy metal albums of the 80s.

Despite lineup changes and brief period of inactivity, Accept were rejuvenated in 2009 with the addition of vocalist Mark Tornillo and went on to write some of the best songs of their career, including “Blood Of The Nations”, “Teutonic Terror”, “Dark Side Of My Heart” and “Stampede”, while their latest release, ‘Too Mean To Die’, entered the top 10 official charts in 9 countries, cementing their importance and influence on modern heavy metal.


BEHEMOTH
Sunday, 28.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in 1991 by enigmatic frontman and guitarist Adam “Nergal” Darski, Behemoth played a pivotal role in Poland’s renowned extreme metal scene. Although their roots lie unquestionably in black metal, Nergal’s distinctive vision transformed them into one of the most unique groups of the last few decades.

The band’s early releases, “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)” (1995) and “Grom” (1996), established Behemoth as a force to be reckoned with in the underground metal scene. However, it was with albums like the groundbreaking ‘Satanica’ (1999) and ‘Thelema.6’ (2000) that catapulted them onto the international stage, gaining acclaim for the ferocious intensity and intricate musicianship.

Nergal’s deep interest in the occult and mythology became integral to Behemoth’s identity, evident in both their lyrics and visual aesthetics. The release of “Demigod” in 2004 marked a pivotal moment, not only for the band, but for extreme metal as a whole.

Despite facing controversy and legal challenges in their native country, Behemoth continued to push boundaries with albums like “The Apostasy” (2007) and, of course, “The Satanist” (2014), the latter earning them not only critical acclaim but also topped many lists with the best metal records of the decade.


PESTILENCE
Sunday, 28.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Pestilence was one of the first major bands to emerge from the Dutch extreme metal scene of the 80s. While all the other groups from that era have since vanished into ancient history, Pestilence is as vital, relevant, and ambitious as ever. The band, still led by founding member

Patrick Mameli on vocals and guitar, is working on two albums and will embark on a European tour in 2024.

Formed in 1986 in Enschede in the east of the Netherlands, Pestilence immediately caught the attention of the country’s most important metal label, Roadrunner. With albums such as their debut “Malleus Maleficarum” (1988), the legendary “Consuming Impulse” (1989), the impressive “Testimony of The Angels” (1991) and the experimental “Spheres” (1993), they placed themselves at the forefront of the European extreme metal scene and toured non-stop.

After many line-up changes that led to two hiatuses, Pestilence returned in 2018 to prove that their story is not over and that they remain an uncompromising and essential band, with a unique sound and a reputation that continues to resonate across the decades. “Portals”, an album of brand-new material, is due for release next autumn, while “Levels of Perception” will feature reinterpretations of the band’s most classic songs.


TESTAMENT
Sunday, 28.07.2024, doors open 17:30

Formed in California in 1983, Testament quickly became a seminal force in the infamous Bay Area thrash scene of the 1980s, which played a key role in the explosion of metal around the world.

With their debut album, “The Legacy” (1987), Testament quickly gained a fan base and the intricate guitar solos of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson, plus the distinctive vocals of Chuck Billy, set them apart in a crowded landscape. Subsequent releases like the stunning “The New Order” (1988), “Practice What You Preach” (1989), “Souls of Black” (1990) and, of course, the masterpiece ‘The Gathering’, further solidified their status as thrash metal icons.

Renowned for their dynamic live performances and impressive chemistry, Testament are one of those bands that seem to defy time, leaving a great legacy that has a lasting influence on the metal scene.