News & Articles
Metal Friday in the Ruhr: Team Scheisse, Apes O'clock & Sean Webster Band Kick Off the Weekend
The weekend brings 79 shows to the Ruhr area! From Team Scheisse, Apes O'clock & Sean Webster Band to local acts - here are the highlights.
Powerwolf, Satanic Surfers & Nachtblut: 96 Shows From Arena to Basement
This weekend NRW explodes with 96 shows! From Powerwolf and Hammerfall at the PSD Bank Dome to Heaven Shall Burn at Palladium to Satanic Surfers at Turock – plus local heroes Nachtblut and Schockromantik.
Social Distortion: After Cancer and 15-Year Hiatus, "Born To Kill" Arrives – Plus Rock am Ring & Vainstream
Mike Ness beat cancer, and his voice is stronger than ever. "Born To Kill" drops May 8 on Epitaph Records – their first album since 2011. Live at Rock am Ring (June 7) and Vainstream Rockfest Münster (June 26).
Dana Fuchs: "Live In Denmark" – Raw, Uncut, and Live in Dortmund on April 5
The woman who played Janis Joplin on Broadway recorded a no-overdubs live album in a single night in Denmark. Out March 27 on Ruf Records – and live at Musiktheater Piano Dortmund on April 5.
Iron Maiden: "Burning Ambition" Documentary Hits Cinemas in May – Band Headlines Rock am Ring in June
The heavy metal legends unveil five decades of band history in a theatrical documentary featuring Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Paul Di'Anno's final interview. Tickets from March 18 – and Iron Maiden live at Rock am Ring on June 7.
Danny Bryant: "Nothing Left Behind" – Blues Rock Homecoming with NRW Tour Dates
The British blues-rock guitarist delivers his most personal album with "Nothing Left Behind" (Jazzhaus Records, 8.5/10). Live in Siegen on March 20 and Düsseldorf on April 1.
Geese: Brooklyn's Post-Punk Sensation Brings "Getting Killed" Tour to Cologne
Following their critically acclaimed album "Getting Killed" (Metacritic 89), Geese hit Die Kantine Cologne on March 18. One of the most exciting live acts in today's indie scene.
Between The Buried And Me: Prog Metal Legends Hit Matrix Bochum in March
The prog metal giants bring "The Blue Nowhere" to Matrix Bochum on March 11 with Monosphere support. Then it's off for a US headlining run.
The Beauty Of Gemina: New Single and Two NRW Shows on "Veil Of Rain" Tour
The Swiss dark rock band releases "Endless Ever" as a preview of their extensive Germany tour. Catch them February 27 at Groove Bar Cologne and March 7 at Kulttempel Oberhausen.
Anneke van Giersbergen: New EP 'La Mort' Out March 27 – Two Shows Near the Border
Anneke van Giersbergen releases her EP 'La Mort' on March 27 – part 2 of her trilogy on life, death, and love. Shows in Roermond (Mar 28) and Nijmegen (May 10) just across the NRW border.
Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter: Exclusive Open-Air Show at Cologne's Südbrücke
Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock with Frank Carter on vocals play an exclusive headline show at Cologne's Südbrücke on July 5 – the only solo show in Germany alongside a handful of festival appearances.
Hammerfall, White Lies & Nachtblut: Over 90 Shows in the Last Week of February
Over 90 shows between Rhine and Ruhr! From Hammerfall''s power metal at PSD Bank Dome to White Lies'' post-punk to local symphonic metal heroes Nachtblut – here are the week''s highlights.
Exhumed, Sylosis & Abstracted: Three New Metal Albums and a Live Tip for NRW
Death metal veterans Exhumed release "Red Asphalt", Sylosis return with "The New Flesh", and Abstracted deliver progressive extreme metal – plus a live show in Düsseldorf.
Buzzcocks, Airbourne & Violent Vira: Four Days of Full Throttle in the Ruhr!
This week brings over 90 shows to the Ruhr area! From Buzzcocks' legendary punk to Airbourne's rock'n'roll to Violent Vira's dark industrial party – plus local heroes like Night In Gales and Motorjesus.
KMFDM: New Album "ENEMY" Out Now – European Tour Postponed Due to Illness
The industrial veterans release their 24th studio album but are forced to postpone their entire European tour. The Cologne show at Essigfabrik is off – new NRW date in August at Oberhausen.
Alter Bridge, Buzzcocks & Motorjesus: Over 100 Shows From Arena Rock to Underground Clubs
This week brings over 100 shows to the Ruhr area! From Alter Bridge's arena rock to Buzzcocks' punk legends to KMFDM's industrial madness and local heroes like Motorjesus – here are the highlights.
Los Fastidios, Sixth June & Illegale Farben: Valentine's Weekend of Streetpunk and Darkwave
Over 30 shows across three days! From Los Fastidios' streetpunk at Die Trompete to Sixth June's darkwave in Essen to Illegale Farben's post-punk in Gelsenkirchen – the Valentine's weekend highlights.
Exhumed announce new album and upcoming show in Düsseldorf this April
Death metal veterans Exhumed are set to release their new album 'Red Asphalt' and will perform live in Düsseldorf this April.
Lorna Shore, Los Fastidios & Illegale Farben: This Week's Concerts in the Ruhr
This week brings over 60 shows to the Ruhr area! From Lorna Shore's deathcore package to Los Fastidios' street punk to local post-punk heroes – here are the highlights.
Lost Ozzy Osbourne & Randy Rhoads Rehearsal Tape from 1980 Discovered
A historic tape from 1980 has been discovered, featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads during early rehearsals.
Legendary Metal Label Combat Records Makes Surprising Return
Influential metal label Combat Records, known for discovering Megadeth and Nuclear Assault, returns under new management
Metal Friday in the Ruhr: ANDREW JAMES fka SKI KING, Spock's Beard & Space of Variations Kick Off the Weekend
The weekend brings 80 shows to the Ruhr area! From ANDREW JAMES fka SKI KING, Spock's Beard & Space of Variations to local acts - here are the highlights.
Sevendust Announce New Album 'One' and Prepare for Oberhausen Show
Alternative metal veterans release new single and are set to perform in NRW this February
Metal Friday in the Ruhr: The Baboon Show, Tigeryouth & Sector Kick Off the Weekend
The weekend brings 69 shows to the Ruhr area! From The Baboon Show, Tigeryouth & Sector to local acts - here are the highlights.
Counterparts nominated for JUNO Award - Cologne show approaching
Metalcore band Counterparts receives prestigious Canadian JUNO Award nomination and plays Cologne next week.
From Hardcore to Power Metal: The Ruhr Area Goes Hard This Week
Stick To Your Guns and the Testimony Records Metal Festival with Asphyx lead an explosive week. From hardcore to death metal to the local underground scene – the Ruhr area delivers!
Party Cannon Announces Innovative EP Release on Nintendo 64 Cartridge
Scottish slam death metal band Party Cannon surprises fans with a unique release of their new EP on a Nintendo 64 cartridge
Megadeth Release Their Take on Metallica's Classic 'Ride the Lightning'
In a historic moment, Megadeth officially cover a Metallica song for the first time on their final studio album
Metal Friday in the Ruhr: The Butcher Sisters, Dying Fetus & Suicide Silence Kick Off the Weekend
The weekend brings 52 shows to the Ruhr area! From The Butcher Sisters, Dying Fetus & Suicide Silence to local acts - here are the highlights.
Exodus Announces 'GOLIATH' Album - Too Brutal for YouTube and NRW Show in April
Thrash titans Exodus return with new album and Rob Dukes. While the video got banned from YouTube, fans can look forward to live action.
Sevendust announce new album 'ONE' and prepare for NRW performance
Alternative metal band Sevendust will release their 15th studio album 'ONE' on May 1st and perform in Oberhausen this February.
'The Ballad of Judas Priest': Metal Doc Premieres – Judas Priest Live in NRW!
New documentary about Judas Priest premieres! And: Judas Priest live in Mönchengladbach and Bielefeld in summer 2026! KRACH informs.
Kreator Release 'KRUSHERS OF THE WORLD' - Essen's Thrash Legends Keep Delivering
Ruhr area thrash icons Kreator prove once again why they're among German metal's greatest with their latest album
From Pop-Punk to Classic Rock: Teenage Bottlerocket and Wishbone Ash in the Ruhr
This week brings an exciting mix to the region: pop-punk energy from Teenage Bottlerocket at Don't Panic, legendary classic rock from Wishbone Ash, and modern sounds at Club Volta.
Megadeth to Dissolve: Dave Mustaine Announces End of Thrash Metal Era!
Megadeth is calling it quits! Dave Mustaine announces the end of an era after 40+ years of thrash metal. Ruhrgebiet loses a legend. Final concerts will be epic! 🤘
Metal Friday in the Ruhr: Cryptopsy, Epica & More Kick Off an Epic Weekend
January 16th brings an explosive mix of death metal, symphonic metal, and German dark wave to the Ruhr area. From Cryptopsy at Dortmund's Junkyard to Epica at Cologne's Palladium - something for everyone!