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| Record-breaking announcement! 55 new bands confirmed for the 35th Anniversary of Wacken Open Air  |
| Wacken, November 26th 2025 – We’ve got news that rock even harder than the Scorpions‘ famous Hurricane: For the first time in history Wacken Open Air is announcing 55 bands at once! Today’s announcement might even stun the most experienced metalheads: 55 new bands confirmed for W:O:A – a massive load of diverse music and full-on live energy to ensure an unforgettable festival week. At the forefront are true icons of the scene: Judas Priest, one of the most influential bands in Heavy Metal ever, will return to the Holy Ground in 2026. During a career spanning over five decades the band fronted by Rob Halford created everlasting hymns without which the entire genre would sound different. Legends.  |
(Photo Credit: WOA Festival GmbH)
Arch Enemy have been playing at Wacken Open Air since the beginnings of their 30-year-career. So it just feels right to have them be a part of the upcoming anniversary edition. Get ready for a Melodic Death Metal masterclass!
Another highlight from the world of riffs: Black Label Society, lead by guitar giant Zakk Wylde, who once rose to fame by the side of Ozzy Osbourne and is known for his distinctive sound, gripping stage presence and fervent play.
Fans that are looking forward to brute force will be happy to hear that Hatebreed will return to the W:O:A as well. A household name for uncompromising Hardcore and steadfast live power since the 90s.
German heavyweights Hämatom look back on over two decades of band history and have secured themselves a safe spot in the hearts of metalheads at the Holy Ground. Now, they’ve polished their masks for a return to Wacken once more.
Two more living legends will grace the lineup: Swedish guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen as well as Nita Strauss, best known for also lending her shredding prowess in Alice Cooper’s band.
While honoring its roots, given the 35th Anniversary, W:O:A will at the same time embrace new currents of the Heavy Metal river and gets ready for some true party escalation: Electric Callboy will bring their new DJ project Electric Bassboy to the Holy Ground for the first time!
| (Photo Credit: WOA Festival GmbH) The full list of newly announced bands for W:O:A 2026 reads as follows: Ad Infinitum, Alestorm, Alfahanne, Angelus Apatrida, Arch Enemy, Bleed from Within, Brunhilde, Castle Rat, Chaosbay, Corrosion of Conformity, Crimson Glory, Danko Jones, Divlje Jagode, Dritte Wahl, Dubioza Kolektiv, Eläkeläiset, Employed to Serve, Focus, Guilt Trip, Hackneyed, Hämatom, Hardline, Heavysaurus, Katerfahrt, Kim Dracula, Kittie, Lagwagon, Life of Agony, Mr. Hurley und die Pulveraffen, Municipal Waste, Nita Strauss, Nothing More, Our Promise, P.O.D., Paradise Lost, President, Ricky Warwick, Rose Tattoo, Saxon, Skynd, Storm Seeker, The Butcher Sisters, The Haunted, Therapy?, Thy Art Is Murder, Turbonegro, Uli Jon Roth, Vanir, Vended, Vogelfrey und Yngwie Malmsteen. Holger Hübner (Wacken Open Air founder & promoter) comments: „With a band wave like this we’d like to grant our fans a premature Christmas gift – Heavy Metal style of course!“ Thomas Jensen (Wacken Open Air founder & promoter) adds: „The mixture of bands already presents itself as it should for a 35th Anniversary: longtime companions and W:O:A freshmen go hand in hand to celebrate not only the roots of our scene but also its future. We deeply value the combination of both. Party on!“ For further information about the festival and ticket presale please visit wacken.com. |
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