News & Articles
Allt: "Ataraxia" Tour stops in Münster and Köln
Swedish progressive metalcore band Allt hit the road in November 2026 with their new album "Ataraxia". Two NRW dates are confirmed: Sputnikhalle Münster (25.11.) and Essigfabrik Köln (26.11.) – with AVRALIZE and Bite Down as support.
Judas Priest at BOBfest Mönchengladbach: Faithkeepers Tour with Airbourne and Beyond the Black
On 25 July 2026 Judas Priest headline BOBfest 2026 at SparkassenPark Mönchengladbach. Supporting them: Airbourne, Beyond the Black, Nestor, Phil Campbell's Bastard Sons and The Gems. Less than a month later they return to Germany for the legendary Loreley open-air stage.
Knocked Loose, New Model Army & Stillbirth: Festival Week in the Ruhrgebiet
Pentecost week brings over 70 shows to the Ruhr area! Slam Dunk Germany makes its German debut, New Model Army play the open-air Waldbühne in Oelde, Flotsam and Jetsam shred Turock, and local heroes Stillbirth and Resurrected deliver brutal death. Here are the highlights.
Paradise Lost, Cemetery Skyline & Horna: When the Ruhr Becomes a Pilgrimage Site
This week brings 60+ shows to the Ruhr area! From the three-day Rock Hard Festival to industrial heavyweights (LAIBACH, FLA) to Finnish black metal, a sold-out Japanese metalcore breakout, and the Textures reunion in Nijmegen – here are the highlights for May 18-24.
Green Lung: Fourth Album 'Necropolitan' in September — 'Evil In This House' Single Drops
London stoner/doom favourites Green Lung announce their fourth album 'Necropolitan' — out September 11, 2026 via Nuclear Blast, alongside lead single 'Evil In This House'.
Nicko McBrain Announces Autobiography 'Hello Boys and Girls!' for October
Iron Maiden's longtime drummer Nicko McBrain releases his autobiography 'Hello Boys and Girls!' on October 22, 2026 — his first deep look back since stepping away from Maiden in 2024 after 42 years.
Anthrax: First New Album in a Decade — 'Cursum Perficio' Arrives in September
Thrash legends Anthrax announce their 12th studio album 'Cursum Perficio' — out September 18, 2026 via Nuclear Blast, with lead single 'It's For The Kids' dropping this week.
Madball: 'Not Your Kingdom' Drops in July — New Single 'Rebel Kids' & Festival Summer
NYHC legends Madball return after eight years with their tenth studio album 'Not Your Kingdom' — out July 24 via Nuclear Blast, alongside lead single 'Rebel Kids'.
999: UK Punk Pioneers Live at Pitcher Düsseldorf
The class of '77 returns: 999, British punk legends since 1976, hit the Pitcher Düsseldorf on December 5, 2026 — part of their 50th anniversary tour.
Green Lung at Rockfield Studios: "We Kept It Metal and Kept It Filthy"
London occult rock outfit Green Lung have finished recording their new album at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales — with producer Tom Dalgety. Out 2026.
Lifesick: Brutal Hardcore Slammer 'Die With Me' Heralds New Album
Denmark's death/metallic hardcore unit Lifesick drop 'Die With Me' — first new material since 2024's 'Loved By None, Hated By All', heralding their upcoming album.
Russian Circles, The Undertones & The Other: Concert Week in the Pott
This week brings over 80 shows to the Ruhr area! From Russian Circles' post-metal to The Undertones' punk anniversary to local horror-punk heroes like The Other – here are the highlights.
XANDRIA: Symphonic 'Eclipse' Drops in August — Mera Luna Festival Premiere
Xandria release new album 'Eclipse' on August 7, 2026 via Napalm Records. Mera Luna Festival Hildesheim August 8–9, Europe tour from September 16.
Neck Cemetery Announce 'The Curse Of Neck Cemetery' — Live in Gelsenkirchen and Essen
NRW outfit Neck Cemetery announce new album 'The Curse Of Neck Cemetery' for November 6, 2026. First: Rock Hard Festival May 22, then Zeche Carl Essen September 26.
Voivod 'Symphonique': Prog Metal Meets Quebec Symphony Orchestra — Live in Essen
Voivod's live album 'Symphonique' with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra drops June 5, 2026 via Century Media. The Canadians hit Turock Essen on July 23.
Movements Announce Fourth Album 'Happier Now' for September
California's alternative rock band Movements announce fourth album 'Happier Now' for September 4, 2026 (Fearless Records) — kicked off by singles 'Dissolve Me' and 'Back In My Ways'.
Saltatio Mortis: 'Tanz der tausend Klingen' Opens 'Widerstand' EP — Live in Gelsenkirchen
Saltatio Mortis' new single 'Tanz der tausend Klingen' previews the EP 'Staub & Schatten 2: Widerstand' (May 29). Live in Gelsenkirchen on May 16.
Scene Queen's 'Tracksuit' Is Her Heaviest Track Yet — Live at Hurricane
Scene Queen's new single 'Tracksuit' combines Y2K fashion with horror and Bimbocore brutality. Live at Hurricane Festival in Scheeßel on June 20, 2026.
Frozen Soul Drop 'No Place of Warmth' — Featuring Gerard Way & Machine Head
Frozen Soul's third album 'No Place of Warmth' dropped May 8, 2026 — with guest spots from Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and Machine Head.
Deep Purple's 'Splat!' Drops in July — Live in Mönchengladbach and Dortmund
Deep Purple's 24th studio album 'Splat!' drops July 3, 2026 — produced by Bob Ezrin. NRW shows at Sparkassenpark Mönchengladbach (June 24) and Westfalenhalle Dortmund (Nov 3).
Dominum's 'Doctor Doctor' Heralds 'Night Is Calling' — Turbinenhalle Oberhausen in December
Dominum's second single 'Doctor Doctor' previews album 'Night Is Calling' for July 3, 2026 (Napalm Records). Live at Turbinenhalle Oberhausen in December.
DragonForce Recruit Alissa White-Gluz — Arch Enemy Bring Her Successor to Cologne
Former Arch Enemy frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz joins DragonForce as co-lead vocalist. Arch Enemy replacement Lauren Hart plays Club Volta Cologne on August 2 — her big NRW debut.
Motionless In White x Corey Taylor: 'Playing God' Opens New Album 'Decades'
Motionless In White's seventh album 'Decades' drops July 17, 2026. Lead single 'Playing God' features Slipknot's Corey Taylor — a furious anti-social-media track.
Metallica Drop Massive 'ReLoad' Reissue: 15 CDs, 4 DVDs, 29 Hours of Content
On June 26, 2026 Metallica's 1997 album 'ReLoad' returns as a restored deluxe box: 15 CDs, 4 DVDs, 'Live At Ministry Of Sound '97' on vinyl, and a 128-page book.
Machine Head, Lord Of The Lost & Grobschnitt: Seven Days That Wreck Every Scale
Next week NRW goes all-in: Machine Head solo, Lord Of The Lost twice, Pestilence at Rockfabrik, Grobschnitt acoustic in Unna. Plus nearly 100 more shows.
Avalanche Effect: Münster Nu-Metalcore Crew Drops *Letters To My Future Self* May 1
Münster's nu-metalcore crew Avalanche Effect drop their new album *Letters To My Future Self* on May 1. Album release party May 2 at Sputnikhalle Münster; NRW tour stop hits Bochum November 7.
Unheilig Returns: Comeback Album Hits #1, Comeback Show May 7 in Düsseldorf
After nine years of silence, Der Graf is back: *Liebe Glaube Monster* at #1, plus five NRW shows between May 2026 and January 2027 – Düsseldorf, Mönchengladbach, Köln (twice) and Dortmund.
Karnivool, Crematory & Black Messiah: Seven Days Between Prog Madness, Pagan Festival and Pott Punk
This week brings over 90 shows to the Ruhr area! From Crematory's goth metal in Andernach to Subway To Sally's sold-out Christuskirche to punk festivals in Coesfeld – here are the highlights.
Resurrected: New album "Perpetual" live at Schattenfest X in Viersen
Duisburg death metal institution Resurrected celebrate their eighth album "Perpetual" (Testimony Records) live at Schattenfest X – Part II in Viersen, one day after release. April 25, 2026.
Hypocrisy, Colour Haze & Samurai Pizza Cats: 120+ Shows – NRW Is on Fire This Week!
This week brings over 120 shows to NRW! From Hypocrisy's death metal massacre to Colour Haze's stoner double bill to local metalcore heroes Samurai Pizza Cats – here are the highlights.
IAMX Unveils New EP and Remix Album
Electronic project IAMX surprises fans with new EP 'Unmask' and comprehensive remix album.
DevilDriver Reveal Powerful New Album 'Strike And Kill'
Metal band DevilDriver returns with a powerful new album, offering first tastes with the single 'Dig Your Own Grave'.
Nocturnal Reveries: Atmospheric Forest Sounds from Finland
Finnish Black Metal band transports listeners to mystical natural landscapes with new album 'Song of the Forest'.
Frozen Soul Unveil Chilling New Album Concept
Death metal band Frozen Soul teases upcoming album with a powerful new music video for 'Deathweaver'.
Babymetal Collaborate with Major Lazer in Genre-Bending Remix
J-Metal pioneers Babymetal team up with Major Lazer for an unexpected musical fusion.
Dom Martin: Acoustic Rock Tour Hits NRW in May
Irish singer-songwriter Dom Martin brings his acoustic rock sound to Germany with a special NRW stopover.
At The Gates Unveil Dark New Album
Swedish Melodic Death Metal veterans present atmospheric new longplayer with profound soundscapes.
Saosin: Returning After a Decade with New Single
Post-hardcore band Saosin breaks their silence with a new single after over a decade.
Christian Death: Original Lineup Reunion Announced
Legendary gothic rock band Christian Death reunites with original members and a new documentary.
Tanzwut Reveal New Single and Album
Medieval rock band Tanzwut unveils a powerful new single 'Herz aus Stein' and announces an exciting new album.
Phil Campbell's Bastard Sons: Emotional Tribute to the Motörhead Guitarist
Phil Campbell's sons honor the late Motörhead guitarist with a tribute show at Hella Rock Festival.
Lord Of The Lost: Chart Success and Upcoming Herford Show
Gothic metal band Lord Of The Lost celebrates chart success with 'Opvs Noir Vol. 3' and prepares for an upcoming concert.
Nine Inch Nails Reveal Collaborative Album with Boys Noize
Trent Reznor and Boys Noize join forces for an exciting new musical collaboration.
Electric Callboy Drop Album with Brawl Stars Anthem
German electro-metal band Electric Callboy blends gaming and music with their latest surprising release.
Devil's Train Resurrect Debut Album
Hardrock band Devil's Train breathes new life into their debut album with a special re-release.
Axel Rudi Pell, Harakiri For The Sky & Any Given Day: 134 Shows – NRW Is on Fire This Week!
This week brings 134 shows to NRW! From Axel Rudi Pell''s hometown show in Bochum to Harakiri For The Sky''s Trauma anniversary at Christuskirche to Any Given Day''s own festival at Turbinenhalle – here are the highlights.
Long Distance Calling, Mesh & Fiddler's Green: 94 Shows This Week in the Ruhr Area
Long Distance Calling play a hometown gig at Lichtburg Essen, Mesh bring synthpop to Carlswerk Cologne, Fiddler's Green escalate in a Bochum church, and the Dying Victims Attack festival runs three days in Essen — 94 shows this week.
Dimmu Borgir Announce New Album "Grand Serpent Rising"
Eight years after "Eonian", the Norwegian black metal icons return with 13 new tracks – produced by Fredrik Nordström in Gothenburg. They'll hit Cologne with Behemoth in October.
Ross "The Boss" Friedman Dies of ALS at 72
The co-founder of Manowar and The Dictators succumbed to ALS, a diagnosis he had made public just weeks before his death.
Kreator, IAMX & Culthe Fest: The Hottest Week in the Ruhr Area
Over 60 shows this week! Kreator bring Carcass, Exodus and Nails to the Grugahalle, Culthe Fest unleashes 19 black metal acts in Münster, and IAMX plunge Die Kantine into dark sonic worlds.