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Over 90 Shows: The Last Week of February Explodes in the Ruhr Area
What a week! Between February 22 and March 1, the region packs over 90 shows into just eight days. The range? From arena-scale power metal to intimate club post-punk. Whether you are headbanging or swaying in the dark – nobody goes home disappointed.
The Biggest Hitters
Pure madness at the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf on Saturday, February 28: Hammerfall and Powerwolf share the arena stage, with Wind Rose in support. Power metal in its purest, grandest form – this night will be epic.
Meanwhile, Heaven Shall Burn thunder through Cologne''s Palladium. With The Halo Effect (featuring ex-In Flames members!) in support, this metalcore-melodeath double punch is absolutely unmissable.
On Tuesday, White Lies bring their dark post-punk anthems to Cologne''s Live Music Hall. Hearing songs like "Bigger Than Us" and "Death" live never fails to deliver chills.
Punk, Hardcore and Pure Excess
Sunday evening kicks things off right away: Kim Dracula brings his viral horror-core to Cologne''s Kantine, supported by Violent Vira and the dark duo VOWWS.
On Friday, Swedish skate punk legends Satanic Surfers rip through Essen''s Turock – an absolute force in melodic hardcore for over 30 years. That same evening, Team Scheisse tear up Cologne''s Gebäude 9 with their anarcho-punk fury. The following Sunday, punk rock icons Supersuckers close out the week in style at the Sonic Ballroom.
From Gothic to Death Metal – The Full Spectrum
Darkwave fans, take note: The Beauty Of Gemina enchant Cologne''s Groove Bar on Friday with melancholic gothic rock. The next day, Millhope bring atmospheric post-punk to the Artheater – a hidden gem for anyone who likes it dark and intense.
Japanese metalcore storm Crystal Lake hit Cologne''s Essigfabrik on Saturday, while Omnium Gatherum and In Mourning deliver a melodic death metal summit at the Kulttempel in Oberhausen. Want it progressive on Wednesday? Dvne bring their Mastodon-esque epic sound to Dortmund''s FZW. And on Sunday, Sanguisugabogg flatten the Kulttempel in Oberhausen – brutal death metal for those who like it heavy.
Local Heroes in the Spotlight
On Friday, Nachtblut unleash their symphonic metal at Cologne''s Essigfabrik, with Asenblut in support. A must for NRW metal fans.
On Sunday, Hinfort open the week at the Kulttempel in Oberhausen – regional post-punk and darkwave, raw and intense. On Saturday, Herbst and Willkuer transform Oberhausen''s Turbinenhalle into a black metal mini-festival – for those who embrace the darkest side.
Never Miss Out with KRACH!
Over 90 shows in eight days – the last week of February and March 1st in the Ruhr area are absolutely stacked. From the arena to the basement club, from power metal to post-punk: download the KRACH app and never miss a concert near you again! 🤘
