Line-up 2025
SLIPKNOT US
Slipknot's eponymous (label) debut caused sensation and controversy in equal measure. Metallic brutality as, more or less, organized chaos. Lyrics dripping with anguish and rage. The distinctly masked nine-man outfit took these elements even further on their next album, "Iowa" (2001), named after their home state. This success cemented Slipknot's place in metal history and they have ever since been a vital part of the scene. Neither internal controversies nor even tragedies have been able to stop Corey Taylor & Co, who released their seventh "real" album "The end, so far" in 2022 and will make their highly anticipated SRF debut in 2025.
SABATON SE
From cult act to cultural phenomenon. Amazing work ethics, an ever-reliable knack for catchy songwriting and, lest we forget, a riveting historical concept has made Sabaton one of Sweden's biggest metal bands ever. Their album debut "Primo victoria" in 2005, domestic mega-success "Carolus rex" in 2012, and the massive international splash with their latest, tenth album "The war to end all wars" (2022) are just some of their career milestones. Sabaton's ability to combine seductive melodies with informative storytelling from military history makes them unique, and has resulted in countless modern classics. "Primo victoria", "Ghost division", "Cliffs of Gallipoli", "40:1", "Carolus rex", "Bismarck", "No bullets fly", "Christmas truce", Motörhead cover "1916" ... at times it appears as if every song produced by Joakim Brodén & Co becomes a fan favorite. SRF 2025 will be the band's only European show this summer, featuring a unique production.
SCORPIONS DE
Yes, Scorpions really do celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2025. Though in 1965 they were just schoolboys led by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. It got really serious with their album debut in 1972, singer Klaus Meine having joined the ranks. International stardom came with such albums as "Lovedrive" (1979), "Blackout" (1982) and "Love at first sting" (1984), the band got their biggest hit in 1991 with "Wind of change" ... In short, Scorpions remain one of the biggest hard rock bands ever, and unquestionably the most legendary one from their native Germany. Swedish Motörhead-veteran Mikkey Dee becoming their drummer in 2016 has both donned extra sting (!) to the classics live, and contributed to make their most recent album "Rock believer" (2022) their most energetic in years.
KORN US
KoRns eponymous debut from 1994 is one of the most influential albums of the 90s, generally regarded as the beginning of the nu metal genre. These Californians followed up "Korn" with "Life is peachy" (1996), "Follow the leader" (1998) and "Issues" (1999): all huge successes and milestones in nu metal history. KoRn have remained a vital and highly regarded part of contemporary music. Their most recent, fourteenth album "Requiem" (2022) was yet another success, praised for its innovative sound, and the band promise that the upcoming follow-up won't be any weaker.
DREAM THEATER US
Was ever the return of a drummer so longed for? The world's biggest prog metal band Dream Theater having reunited with their immeasurably popular original drummer Mike Portnoy will definitely affect crowd response on their return to SRF. Not that the crowd wouldn't have cheered anyway, given the material from such historical albums as "Images and words" (1992), "Awake" (1994) and "Black clouds & silver linings" (2009). Lest we forget, Portnoy, singer James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess will release Dream Theater's sixteenth studio album "Parasomnia" in February.
KING DIAMOND DK
Danish-born metal singer King Diamond is famous as the frontman in the legendary Mercyful Fate, as well as his own namesake band. The makeup-adorned shock rocker debuted with the latter act in 1986, and "Fatal portrait" was an instant success. Even greater such were the follow-ups "Abigail" (1987), "Them" (1988) and "Conspiracy" (1989): possibly the eeriest concept albums in metal history, with Diamonds equally eerie falsetto as additional spice. Until 2007, King Diamond continuously delivered more successful albums in the same epic, old school-metallic style. And in 2025, we hear, the first part of a new suite of albums, "The institute", will finally see the light of day.
WITHIN TEMPTATION NL
The Netherlands' Within Temptation almost singlehandedly, alongside Finland's Nightwish, triggered the 00s' deluge of orchestral metal with classically trained female vocals. They debuted in 1997, broke big in 2001 with the hit single "Ice queen" off the album "Mother Earth" - from there, simply put, it just continued. Their eighth studio album "Break out" arrived in 2023, becoming another lauded triumph with its harder, more technical sound, adding new fan favorites to such classics as "Stand my ground","What have you done" and the aforementioned "Ice queen". On stage, as on record, Within Temptation's greatest selling point is lead singer Sharon den Adel, with her captivating opera diva charisma and ever flawless soprano vocals.
SEX PISTOLS FEATURING FRANK CARTER UK
The flagship of punk managed to revolutionize rock music forever in just two and a half years (1975-78). The album "Never mind the bollocks" (1977) and the singles "Anarchy in the U.K.", "God save the queen", "Pretty vacant" and "Holidays in the sun" shocked the system with their attitude and primitive aggression, and their influence on rock history cannot be overstated. Now, SRF crowds will get to experience, for the very first time, these immortal classics performed by original Sex Pistols members Steve Jones (guitar), Glen Matlock (bass) and Paul Cook (drums). And, lest we forget, frontman Frank Carter (Frank Carter And The Rattlesnake, Gallows), who with his dedicated punk attitude and all but unbelievable energy on stage, is a perfect match for the Sex Pistols' music.
OPETH SE
Progressive rock fused with death metal and growling? A pioneering concept in 1995, so Opeth's breakthrough was not immediate. But success gradually grew with albums like "Blackwater Park" (2001), "Ghost reveries" (2006) and "Watershed" (2008). Opeth's rise came to no halt when main man Mikael Åkerfeldt went over to clean singing full time on "Heritage" (2010). On the contrary, success continued. "In cauda venenum" (2019) possibly became the most highly praised Opeth album yet, establishing the band as one of Sweden's biggest in both progressive rock and metal. Now its follow-up "The last will and testament" is finally here, and even with the occasional growling, to the delight of old fans.
MESHUGGAH SE
Brutal music built around mind-bogglingly technical rhythms. This was the concept by which Sweden's Meshuggah redefined a whole metal generation. Albums like "Destroy erase improve" (1995) and "Chaosphere" (1998) are genre-defining classics, and the band continues to impress and fascinate with each new album, the ninth and most recent being "Immutable" (2022). And on stage, vocalist Jens Kidman, drummer and living legend Tomas Haake and the others form a compact sonic wall of heaviness and precision.
KREATOR DE
Germany's, and Europe's, most legendary thrash band. But Mille Petrozza & Co don't just live off the classic status of albums like "Pleasure to kill" (1986) and "Extreme aggression" (1989). On the contrary, Kreator have remained ever relevant and their most recent albums "Gods of violence" (2017) and "Hate über alles" (2022) are also universally recognized as jewels in their crown. Kreator's secrets for staying on top throughout their, so far, fifteen album-long career, are, one; strong material, two; ever-fresh new angles, and three; "extreme aggression". Them always giving their very all on stage doesn't hurt either.
D-A-D DK
D-A-D and Swedish crowds have a long mutual history. Sweden was among the first countries to discover Denmark's arguably most legendary rock band, who debuted in 1986 and within a few years had cemented their place on the Nordic scenes with such classic songs as "Sleeping my day away", "Bad craziness" and "Laugh n'a ½". Their unique blend of hard rock'n'roll, country and punk have earned. D-A-D an ever loyal fanbase. Their current album "Speed of darkness", their first in five years, has been greatly anticipated, and the D-A-D liveshows remain attractions that are second to none. Just to mention one thing, we have all Stig Pedersen's bizarre bass guitars!
RUNNING WILD DE
As iconic as heavy metal gets! These German legends led by "Rock'n'Rolf" Kasparek used their Judas Priest-influences to create their very own brand of heavy metal. Their debut "Gates to purgatory" (1984) achieved cult status. Their third album "Under Jolly Roger" (1987) launched the pirate theme that made Running Wild famous for real. And in the 90s, when many saw traditional metal as dead, Running Wild stuck to their guns on one album more classic than the other. Besides their highly anticipated return to SRF, their many fans also have an eighteenth studio album to look forward to in 2025.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION US
The supergroup of all supergroups! On vocals and bass: Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Phenomena, The Dead Daisies). On keyboards: Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Dream Theater). On drums: Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner). On guitar: the king of modern blues, Joe Bonamassa. Their first four albums from 2010-2017 made every classic rock fan cheer - and then despair, when the band went on indefinite hiatus. Imagine the joy of those fans when Black Country Communion returned after seven years with "V" (2024 - which turned out to be every bit as good as its predecessors.
TURBONEGRO NO
Deathpunk on "Ass cobra" (1996), glam on steroids on "Apocalypse dudes" (1998), new wave, synth plus everything and more on "Rocknroll machine" (2018). Norway's Turbonegro is almost impossible to briefly describe. But, it is easy to pinpoint them as one of the most beloved Nordic rock bands through a nine album career. This thanks to powerful songs and live shows as extravagant as humorously provocative.
Apart from three concerts in their native Norway a couple of years ago, Turbonegro have not played any shows since 2019, but now the time has finally come for their return to the live scene.
PRETTY MAIDS DK
One of the most legendary bands in Nordic classic metal! Danes Pretty Maids made metal history even with their first albums "Red hot and heavy" (1984) and "Future world" (1987). In modern times, they have enjoyed a kind of second golden age from "Pandemonium" (2010) and their most recent sixteenth album "Undress your madness" (2019). The latter was followed by a timeout, for band leaders Ronnie Atkins (vocals) and Ken Hammer (guitar) to pursue other projects. But now Pretty Maids are back on the live scene.
JINJER UA
Ukraine's Jinjer is one of the most talked-about metal acts of recent, and their popularity keeps growing at breakneck speed. Their sound is a unique blend of progressive death metal, soul, jazz ... virtually every sound in existence. In addition, Tatiana Shmayluk is both a world class singer and growler - just listen to modern day mega classic "Pisces" off their second album "King of everything" (2016). Jinjer's fifth album since their 2014 debut will be released in February 2025, but it may be their live shows, more than anything else, that have made them so famous.
SKILLET US
Skillet from Memphis, Tennessee are titans on the US rock scene. Their sound could be described as a combination of postgrunge and alternative metal, with a Christian message. The eleven studio albums, the first one released in 1996, have sold in excess of 17 million copies. The biggest seller of the lot would be number seven, "Awake" (2009), containting the hits "Monster" and "Hero". However, Skillet have enjoyed continuous success with subsequent albums as well, most recently the lauded "Dominion" (2022). They have placed high on the SRF audience wishlist since their last visit in 2014 and now it is finally time for their comeback!
THE WARNING MX
Rock is dead, you say? Wrong! U looking for traditional, hard rock with some "alternative" vibes, impeccable playing and countless, wait for it, singles? Look no further than one of the hottest bands today, Mexico's The Warning, consisting of sisters Daniela (guitar, sång), Alejandra (bass) and Paulina (drums) Villareal Vélez (all three also play piano). Since 2017, this trio have released four albums and a multitude of prominent singles: "Choke", "More", "S1CK" and "Automatic sun", to name but a few. They have also become a massive live attraction on several continents, including Europe - and rightly so.
ORBIT CULTURE SE
When Sweden's Orbit Culture made their SRF debut in 2022, the crowds pulled left no doubt: these were rising stars of melodic death metal. Under the ambitious leadership of frontman Niklas Karlsson, Orbit Culture have released four EPs and as many albums since 2013, and had what deserves the name hits with songs like "Sun of all", "Saw" and "The shadowing". Tours with Machine Head and Slipknot during 2024 have also confirmed what we just stated: Orbit Culture is a band steadily on the rise.
APOCALYPTICA FI
Many would have mistaken Apocalyptica for a one-time novelty when they released "Plays Metallica by four cellos" in 1996, the title describing the content exactly. But no. The album was a success, Apocalyptica proved their ability to write their own material, and became one of Finland's biggest metal bands, selling over four million records to date. Their symphonic metal on cello, without guitar or bass, has produced hits like "I'm not Jesus", "End of me" and "I don't care". Following all this success with their own material, in 2024 Apocalyptica released their tenth album as another tribute to their past, "Plays Metallica, vol 2".
DORO DE
Dorothee" Doro" Pesch remains forever "the heavy metal queen". From the 1984 release of the first of four albums by the legendary Warlock, to the 1989 release of her first of 19 (!) solo albums so far, she has been delivering classic heavy metal of the most anthemic kind. Which has made her a certified icon within the scene, and a source of inspiration to countless other female (and other) rockers. When Doro proclaims that she lives only for her music and fans, she means it literally, as anyone who ever attended one of her shows can confirm. Lovefest doesn't even begin to describe it.
ROYAL REPUBLIC SE
Garage rock, hard rock and punk in colorful outfits. That's what Sweden's Royal Republic are about. Their debut album "We are the royal" arrived in 2010, becoming an instant success with the hits "All because of you", "Tommy-gun" and "Full steam spacemachine". Four more records later, Royal Republic took a break during the pandemic. As in, keeping fan interest up with numerous singles until releasing the highly anticipated comeback album "Lovecop" in 2024. On stage, Royal Republic deliver rock'n'roll flair, humor - and really catchy songs.
EXODUS US
As every thrash metal fan knows, it all really began with Exodus. Following years of ruling the Bay Area club scene, their debut "Bonded by blood" arrived in 1985: hailed as one of THE greatest thrash albums ever. Subsequent albums, and an unwavering energy on stage, have kept the band's legendary status intact - thrash lovers all agree that said genre's Big Four are really Big Five and include Exodus. Guitarist Gary Holt also being a member of Slayer hasn't hurt Exodus' reputation either. Long have we waited, but in 2025 we will see both the release of their twelfth studio album and their return to SRF.
DRAGONFORCE UK
When the "Guitar Hero" games ruled the world, their most talked-about song was "Through the fire and flames" by Dragonforce. Said single off the album "Inhuman rampage" (2005) is one of the greatest-ever classics of power metal, and a stellar representative of these Brits' style: lightning-fast songs, lightning-fast guitar solos. In their own words, "Extreme power metal" - also the title of their brilliant eighth album. In all Dragonforce have released nine studio albums since 2003, most recently the somewhat proggy "Warp speed warriors" (2024), and live, guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman obviously take center stage.
CRUCIFIED BARBARA SE
Yep - they're back! One of Sweden's greatest heavy garage bands ever got off to a flying start with their hit single "Losing the game" and debut album "In distortion we trust" in 2005. After three more albums and extensive touring in Sweden and abroad, Crucified Barbara split up in 2016, grieved by many. Frontwoman Mia Coldheart became a solo artist (and later bassist in the Gems), while the others formed the Heard. But now we finally get to see Crucified Barbara reunited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album. At Sweden Rock Festival, they will be on stage together again for the first time in a decade to perform the best songs from all their four albums.
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL US
No, these Californian cult-jokesters don't play death metal: the name was born (says one version) from someone referring to Poland's Vader as "the Eagles (as in the band) of death metal". Eagles Of Death Metal play a highly groove-based, hard(ish) garage rock with some pretty racy lyrics. They have made four albums since 2004, brimming with such cult songs as "Miss Alissa", "Wannabe in L.A.", "I want you so hard (boy's bad news)", "Save a prayer" och "Don't speak (I came to make a bang!)". Also, frontman Jesse Hughes is famous for his amazing communication with live audiences.
CATTLE DECAPITATION US
Deathgrind heroes Cattle Decapitation from San Diego have, ever since their 2002 debut album "To serve man", been controversial for their graphic artwork and activism for animal rights. Which hasn't hurt their career at all. On the contrary, albums like "Monolith of inhumanity" (2012) and "The anthropocene extinction" (2014) are modern extreme metal classics, and their latest and eighth album "Terrasite" (2023) their most celebrated so far. In short, it's one of the currently hottest names in brutal music who are making their SRF debut.
SAMANTHA FISH US
Samantha Fish from Kansas City, Missouri is one of the hottest names in contemporary blues. Her sound boasts rich influences from rock, country, bluegrass and more. She debuted on record in 2009, with the live album "Live bait". Since then she has, among other things, released seven studio albums in her own right and most recently, in 2023, her praised collaboration with Jesse Dayton, "Death by blues". 2024 has also seen her go on tour with Slash as well as the Rolling Stones.
NOTHING MORE US
Texans Nothing More have made a name for themselves domestically with their hard, pensive, prog-tinted alt-rock. Their first major success was the 2014 eponymous album (the band's fourth) and the single "This is the time (ballast)". The followup album "The stories we tell ourselves" (2017) gave them their definitive breaktrough. Since then, they have released two more albums and had numerous hits, including "If it doesn't hurt" and "House on sand" in 2014. Nothing More's live shows are also famous, both for being so energetic and for their awesome stage effects.
THE GHOST INSIDE US
The band that cheated death and rose again! The Ghost Inside, the Californian masters of melodic metalcore, released four albums in 2008-2014, of which the final one, "Dear youth", also raised their profile abroad. However, in 2015 they were involved in a horrific bus accident that very nearly killed them all. But The Ghost Inside not only survived, but fought their way back. Their comeback album "The Ghost Inside" (2020) became their greatest international success so far, and its 2024 follow-up "Searching for solace" sees the band beginning their conquest of European live audiences as well.
L.A. GUNS US
One of the most classic names in Sunset Strip sleaze, and possibly the most consistent. Not only have L.A. Guns released 14 studio albums. Their most recent one, "Black diamonds" (2013), is both stylistically and quality-wise up there with early classics like "L.A. Guns" (1989) and the blockbuster "Cocked & loaded" (1989). Now, like then, L.A. Guns are centered around guitarist Tracii Guns and singer Phil Lewis, who both remain as gifted and energetic on stage as ever. Fans of genuine, sleazy, streetsmart 80s hard rock should not miss these veterans, with hits like "Never enough", "Sex action" and "The ballad of Jayne".
SOEN SE
Sweden's answer to Tool? Nah, that might not be the whole truth, but admittedly Soen also play dark, progressive metal quite unlike anything else. The band has released six studio albums to date, from "Cognitive" (2012) to "Memorial" (2023), and are more and more becoming connoisseur faves among lovers of ominous, meticulous music. They are also formidable musicians - drumming legend Martin Lopez (Opeth, Amon Amarth) being the most famous example.
MYRKUR DK
Myrkur is a soloproject by Danish singer and multi-instrumentalist Amalie Bruun. Since the eponymous debut EP in 2014, Myrkur has just gone onward and upward: all four full-length albums have received rave reviews and each has dramatically increased its fanbase. Musically, Myrkur has gone from relatively traditional black metal on "M" (2015) and the more Gothic "Mareridt" (2017) to what we might call metallic Norse folk music on "Folkesange" (2020) and "Spine" (2023).
OLD MAN'S CHILD NO
August 2024 saw guitarist Galder leaving Dimmu Borgir to focus on his own baby Old Man's Child. Kind of a blessing in disguise, since black metal fans have seen way too little of the latter project. Old Man's Child released seven albums between 1996 and 2009, becoming ever-more popular - their last album (thus far) "Slaves to the world" being a fave to many fans of epic black metal. So it's no small thing that Galder is finally making new music and even performs live with Old Man's Child - the latter thing a rare event back in the day. One of the most "cult" of all SRF-first timers in 2025, without a doubt.
ALIEN SE
Alien's eponymous 1988 debut may be the most beloved Swedish AOR album ever: a domestic mega success, featuring the hit singles "Only one woman" and "Tears don't put out the fire". This success wasn't repeated, however, mainly due to numerous changes of vocalists. So many rejoiced when classic singer Jim Jidhed returned for the "Dark eyes" album in 2005. They were even happier when Alien reunited permanently, with Jidhed, for the "Eternity" (2014) and "Into the future" (2020) albums. If the latter was more experimental, Alien's up n' coming eighth album is reportedly once more all about the AOR.
CRIMSON GLORY US
One of the most legendary bands in US 80s metal! Crimson Glory, alongside Queensrÿche and Fates Warning, excelled in a groundbreaking blend of melodic riffing, progressive parts and stellar high pitch vocals - in Crimson Glory provided by Midnight (RIP). Out of four albums, the first two in particular, "Crimson Glory" (1986) and "Transcendence" (1988), are huge classics. Crimson Glory's reunion is long overdue, and several times ALMOST happened, and now it finally has! With new super-singer Travis Wills in place, and a new album arriving in 2025 - it's finally time for their Sweden Rock debut!
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE ZUGLY NO
One knockout punch straight from the Norwegian punk scene! The Good The Bad and the Zugly started in 2010, are fronted by Kvelertak vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen and have been compared to compatriots Turbonegro and Gluecifer. They have made five studio albums so far, most recently "Research and destroy" in 2022. But in true punk fashion, their odd singles would be even more cult. The band's first compilation of those, "The worst four years" (2017), is already a classic and now the time has come for a follow-up, "Decade of regression". It doesn't get more no-frills or ballsy - rock'n'roll to the bone!
REMEDY SE
Remedy have absolutely skyrocketed to the forefront of Sweden's melodic hard rock scene. Their debut "Something that your eyes won't see" (2022) was very successful in Sweden and also in Japan. Following a whole lot of liveshows, the followup "Pleasure beats the pain" (2024) was an even bigger success (#2 in Sweden). Remedy's sound can be described as classy AOR with that certified Swedish touch, and exquisite vocals by Robert van der Zwan. And should anyone assume that a band like that can't be a blast live ... well, in this case, they'd be wrong.
SARCATOR SE
Did we mention that Swedish thrash metal is doing great? Sarcator being one of the prime examples. This quartet belongs to the subcategory "blackened thrash": brutality, dirt and mind-boggling rhythmic changes full time. Their two first albums "Sarcator" (2020) and "Alkahest" (2022), in addition to a suitably uncompromising live show, have made Sarcator a sensation within the headbanging underground. January 2025 marks the release of the much anticipated third album "Swarming angels & flies": arguably their most frenetic so far.
BLOODSTAIN SE
It's almost unbelievable how many stellar new thrash bands that keep popping up in Sweden at present. Case in point: Bloodstain. Even though the band has only been around since 2023 and released their first EP, "I am death", in March 2024, they have already been hailed as a sensation. The explanation is simple. "I am death" is a six song knuckle-sandwich carrying its influences from Bay Area and Kreator on its sleeve - the guitar work has even been compared to the mighty Judas Priest.
Sweden Rock Festival
Nygatan 27 294 34 Sölvesborg, Sweden
Tel: +46 456-317 95
Email: info@swedenrock.com
Org. nr: SE556606494401
AdDress to festival area:
Norjebokevägen 2, 294 76 Sölvesborg
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