Das Wacken Open Air 2026 ist offiziell ausverkauft. Alle Tickets für die 35. Ausgabe sind vergriffen.
Dass wir in so großem Kreise das Jubiläum feiern können, macht uns glücklich! Ihr seid die besten Fans der Welt und wir sind stolz, für euch in der kommenden Woche die Jubiläumsausgabe unseres geliebten Metal-Events auf die Beine stellen zu dürfen – Die Vorbereitungen laufen auf Hochtouren!
Bereits ab dem 26. Juli reisen die Ersten von euch an und wir freuen uns, euch alle auf dem Holy Ground begrüßen zu dürfen!
Zur Feier des Tages gibt es hier den offizielle Vorfreude Trailer:
Wer kein Ticket ergattern konnte, hat weiterhin die Chance über die offizielle Ticketbörse im Wacken Ticketcenter, auf der nicht genutzte Tickets sicher im Fan-zu-Fan-Verkauf angeboten werden.
Und wer das kommende Jahr garnicht abwarten kann: Die Mailing-Liste für das Wacken Open Air 2027ist bereits geöffnet. Hier könnt ihr euch schon vorab alle Infos zum kommende Vorverkauf
THANX FOR YOUR SUPPORT METALHEADS – SEE YOU IN WACKEN – RAIN OR SHINE!
After twelve years (last two on hiatus) and two released studio albums, Belgium doomers High Inquisitor Woe have decided to call it quits. Their statement can be read below. Read more…
As Bloodstock gets closer, we delve deep into the line up to find out more about some of the bands playing the New Blood and EMP stages at this years event.
Today we chat with Arkdown
Please introduce yourselves.
We are Arkdown, 5 piece modern metalcore band from Sheffield / Nottingham. Our current lineup consists of front man – Ben Joshua, Mike Dyson on guitar / Vocals, Mikee Walker – Guitar, Ed Morley – Bass and Joe Mason on drums.
How would you describe your sound?
We don’t like to stay in one lane. We’re a modern metalcore band at heart, but we take influence from deathcore, death metal and hardcore to keep things aggressive and unpredictable. Even as we bring in those different elements, we’ve reached a point where people can hear a track and say, ‘That’s Arkdown’. This is exactly where we want to be.
How did you land your spot on the Bloodstock bill?
We are the winners of this years M2TM – Nottingham hosted by Mangata Music.
How tough was the competition this year?
Music’s always competitive, but we’ve never approached it that way. For us, it’s about putting on the best show possible, supporting each other and introducing our music to new audiences. This year’s bands have been awesome, the atmosphere’s been great and we’ve definitely come away with some new friends as well as new fans. With that in mind, the standard was incredibly high this year we felt especially with our time out away from the scene, so being chosen to play Bloodstock makes this achievement feel even more special to us!
What does playing at Bloodstock mean to you?
As a band, this is our first Bloodstock, and it’s honestly a bit surreal. A couple of us have been before as fans and know how special the festival is, but getting to play it is a completely different feeling. We’re so hyped to be part of it especially the 25th Anniversary, we can’t wait to show people what Arkdown is all about. It’s a huge milestone for us, and we’re planning to make the most of every second we’re on that stage.
For people who’ve never seen you live, what can they expect at Bloodstock?
Our live show is all about energy and getting people involved. We bring the riffs, the breakdowns, the occasional pig squeal and melodic guitar solo, we make sure there’s never a dull moment. Whether its pits opening up, crowd surfing or people just losing themselves in the music and two stepping, we want everyone to feel part of the show. We don’t just stand there and play our songs – we create an atmosphere where people can let loose and have a good time. It’s that mix of intensity and fun that’s helped us connect with both older and younger metal fans.
What day are you performing?
Sunday! Set time tbc.
What other bands are you looking forward to watching at Bloodstock this year?
There is so many! We will be trying our hardest to get round as many bands as possible as festivals are a great way to see new bands, but to name a few we will be looking forward to seeing all the headliners on the main stage, we will be looking forward to catching our buddies in After Smoke Clears, as well as the lads in Graphic Nature.
Playing the New Blood Stage is just the first steppingstone in a bands journey. What’s next in your plans for world domination?
New Blood stage is definitely one ticked off the bucket list, but it is 100% just the beginning! What we’ve been doing has got us this far, so we’re not looking to reinvent the wheel. Instead, we’ll keep writing the music we love, keep playing shows and stay true to ourselves and see just how far Arkdown can go.
Are you camping with the fans? Which campsite are you heading for?
We’ve been given artist camping access so we will be making full use of that, but you’ll see us out and about everywhere networking, hanging with friends and fans, you’ll catch us in the pits for sure.
You’ve gotta keep hydrated at Bloodstock, what is your drink of choice for the weekend?
Honestly, we’re not fussy, we’ll drink anything haha! But on stage we usually opt for water and a couple of beers, then party when the job is done.
Cloven Hoof‘s tenth full-length studio album entitled Never A Prophet In Your Own Land, will release on September 25th, 2026 via High Roller Records. Pre-sale + first single very soon!
Watch the First Single “Iron Mask” Lyric Video HERE
Once again, the vocal performance of “The Tyrant” is world-class. Lee Payne smirks: “The praise is all Harry’s. We are indeed fortunate to have such a brilliant vocalist and frontman in the band.”
“Never A Prophet In Your Own Land is not in fact a direct continuation of Heathen Cross,” continues Payne. “Heathen Cross had its own darkly heavy and brooding atmosphere. Never A Prophet In Your Own Land resembles A Sultan’s Ransom more closely, yet this resemblance was not contrived or planned. It just turned out that way.”
Never A Prophet In Your Own Land is a varied album, containing mid-tempo songs, faster tunes, epic compositions and straight heavy metal rockers, a very good mixture. “Thank you for the kind words,” beams the legendary bassist. “We wanted to make this album as rich and varied as we could, to show how far the band has progressed musically. We are in a golden place right now, and the whole record-writing process happens organically. This album has everything you could wish for in the heavy metal genre. It shows our versatility in a way that A Sultan’s Ransom did eclectically. But it takes this versatility one step further in the most satisfying album we have ever done.”
TRACK-LISTING: 01 Terror from the Sky 02 Conquistador 03 Never a Prophet 04 Gypsy Roller 05 The Bigger They Are 06 Iron Mask 07 Phantom Chaser 08 Flying Dutchman 09 Prodigal Son 10 Seven Sacred Wonders
LINE-UP: Lee Payne – bass guitar Harry (The Tyrant) Conklin – lead vocals Luke Hatton – lead guitar Chris Coss – lead guitar Chris Dando – keyboards, backing vocals Ash Baker – drums, backing vocals
Artwork by: Dimitar Nikolov ART Band photo by: Marco Vexus
DeadJxhn delivers an adrenaline-fueled house phonk banger with Inside the Loop, blending pounding four-on-the-floor grooves with gritty phonk aesthetics and infectious club energy. Distorted basslines, hypnotic cowbells, and razor-sharp production drive the track forward, while its relentless momentum makes it impossible to stand still. Balancing underground edge with polished electronic craftsmanship, the song captures the raw excitement of late-night dancefloors without sacrificing its melodic appeal. Dark, punchy, and irresistibly addictive, Inside the Loop is a standout showcase of DeadJxhn’s knack for crafting modern, high-impact electronic music.
Buffalo, New York gothic metal act Cemetery Echo have premiered “Cannibalistic Underground Nihilist Teens”, the first official single from their oncoming debut record Civitas Lacrimarum, set to hit the streets August 21st through Sunshine Ward Recordings. Read more…
September 25, 2026 sees the release of Apocalypse (UK) (formerly Omega (UK)) debut long player dubbed Last Man Standing. Check out the first streaming single, “You Called The Fight”, via YouTube player below. Read more…
Japanese noise rock veterans Melt-Banana have booked a set of headline shows in United States, including appearances at Levitation Festival (Austin, TX) and Riot Fest (Chicago, IL). Read more…
Blackened death metal ensemble from Germany, Horresque, has released a brand new single/video “Behind The Door”. The track serves as the first glimpse of the band’s upcoming third full-length, Chasms Pt. III – The Dread, Unveiled, scheduled for early 2027 release. Recorded by Victor Bullock at Woodshed Studio in Landshut, Germany. Mixed and mastered also by Victor Bullock. Read more…
