Rock Hard Festival 2027 confirms Triptykon, Metal Church and Therion

Rock Hard Festival returns to Gelsenkirchen, Germany, from 14 to 16 May 2027, over the Whitsun weekend at the amphitheatre on the Rhine-Herne Canal, with Triptykon, Metal Church, Therion, Towards the Sinister, Villagers of Ioannina City, High Parasite and Exumer as the first confirmed acts, according to metal.de. Another 15 bands are set to complete the bill.

Triptykon will play a special set built around “Monotheist”, the final studio album by Celtic Frost. Under the name Towards the Sinister, Aaron Stainthorpe will perform material from the first four My Dying Bride albums, while his current band High Parasite shows his more accessible, gothic rock-leaning side. Metal Church arrive in their current line-up around guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Therion mark 40 years as a band, Greek act Villagers of Ioannina City blend psychedelic rock and heavy riffs with influences from their homeland, and Exumer bring straightforward thrash metal.

The programme, spanning heavy metal, thrash, doom and psychedelic sounds, is put together by the editors of Rock Hard magazine with new partners from Dortmund venue FZW. The festival keeps its familiar format: one stage, no clashes and short walks within the amphitheatre. In 2027 the International Garden Exhibition in the surrounding Nordsternpark, which also hosts the campsite, adds a special setting.

Tickets are already on sale through Stagedates: a three-day pass costs 169 euros and the version with four days of camping 229 euros, booking fees included.