Because the German metal extravaganza’s 35th-birthday bill wasn’t quite heaving enough already…
As has become tradition, as last year's Wacken Open Air was drawing to a close, there was an explosive announcement of the line-up for 2026's 35th anniversary event. And as has also become tradition, it was massive: Lamb Of God, In Flames, Def Leppard, Emperor, Triptykon, Powerwolf, Savatage and tons more. Then a while later, they added Judas Priest.
Now, as if there was any room left, they've announced a further boatload of bands, including Lacuna Coil, Deafheaven, Alcest, Alien Ant Farm, Of Mice & Men, Fit For An Autopsy and Kadavar.
Not only that, the fest will kick off with a Wasted Wednesday night before the main event gets started, hosted by Destruction legend Schmier, and featuring Sacred Steel, The Troops of Doom, Phantom, Poison the Preacher, Crypt Sermon, Battlecreek and Diabolisches Werk.
“The mix of established bands, scene icons and up-and-coming acts perfectly reflects what Wacken has stood for over more than three decades,” says festival founder Thomas Jensen. Founder Holger Hübner adds: “The anniversary edition of W:O:A will showcase the full spectrum of our favourite music, and we are very grateful to welcome our metal community to Wacken for the 35th time this summer!”
Also in today's announcement (deep breath): Animals As Leaders, Visions Of Atlantis, Kärbholz, Crematory, Unzucht, Skyline, Bear Mc Creary, Lovebites, Wytch Hazel, Finsterforst, Evil Jared & Krogi, The Limit, 5th Avenue, Arroganz, Year Of The Goat, Temple Of The Absurd, Dirty Shirt, Trold, Metaklapa, 9mm Headshot, Manntra, Sagenbringer, Stonem, The Other, Cruachan, Dieter Maschine Birr, Mambo Kurt, Velvet Rush, Heartless Human Harvest, Saviourself, Wüstenberg, Zeltinger Band, Black Tish, Tuxedoo, Minotaurus, Alien Rockin‘ Explosion, Asrock, Blaas Of Glory, Cursed Abyss, Wacken Firefighters and Expellow.
Wacken Open Air runs from July 29-August 1 in Wacken, Germany.
