Summer Breeze has revealed the next wave of acts for the 2026 festival edition. In total, 21 new names have been added to a lineup that’s already stacked with headliners Helloween, In Flames, and Arch Enemy, plus major highlights from Lamb Of God to Alestorm. All newly announced bands for the festival taking place from August 12–15, 2026, can be found in the list below.
Tickets including camping are available now via sbtix.de.
The poster is getting crowded! With this latest announcement, legendary metal and rock acts, deathcore favorites, and even some Nordic folk have joined the mix — including Saxon, Thy Art Is Murder, Blackbraid, Thundermother, Nytt Land, and many more.
Here’s the full list of 21 new bands:
SAXON
THY ART IS MURDER
BLACKBRAID
ALIEN ANT FARM
DAS LUMPENPACK
THUNDERMOTHER
DESERTED FEAR
BLOODRED HOURGLASS
GRAND MAGUS
SETYØURSAILS
MØL
SLOMOSA
NYTT LAND
SOULBOUND
WUCAN
FILTH
ERDLING
BRYMIR
RECTAL SMEGMA
STAM1NA
ZERRE
You can find the full lineup announced so far on the official festival poster, above.
Thrash metal legends DEATH ANGEL have returned to lay waste to 2025 with their colossal new single ‘Cult of the Used.’ Their 2nd new song in 6 years, is intense pit fuel that that ignites into a blaze with the band’s unmistakable chugging rhythm and break neck riffs. The track is accompanied by an astounding animated video created by Tamara Llenas of Aimed and Framed.
Commenting on the song, guitarist Rob Cavestany says:
“Our new song Cult Of The Used is a depiction of society under hypnosis, being strategically manipulated and taken advantage of. It urges you to leave the so called reality behind…
Fendie Daywalker did a stellar job illustrating the Cult Leader ~ beckoning his blinded followers who remain in trance by his strangely charismatic facade, enchanted by the vibrant colors, mesmerized by his stare.
We wanted to release this song to coincide with our ACT III US Tour which kicks off on November 26th in Denver and concludes with 2 nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco on December 18th and 19th for our 10th Annual ‘Another Death Angel Xmas Show(s).’ We haven’t headlined in the states since 2019 so we wanted to make it extra extra! Of course we’re excited to include Cult Of The Used in our setlist when we hit the road this month.”
DEATH ANGEL’s new single follows ‘Wrath (Bring Fire)’ that was released earlier this year, and arrives just ahead of the band’s eagerly anticipated Act III US Tour and 10th Annual ‘Another Death Angel Xmas Show’ in San Francisco taking place in December. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.deathangel.us/tour
London’s enigmatic cult band, COLD IN BERLIN, shatters six years of silence with the release of their fifth and most ambitious album, “Wounds”.
“Wounds” is a masterclass in sonic tension, a record that is as heavy as it is haunting. COLD IN BERLIN has forged an intoxicating new sound by explosively blending the crushing weight of doom, the stark urgency of post-punk, and the hypnotic drive of krautrock.
This album is a dynamic, boundary-pushing journey into exhilarating new territory for a band that has long been a fixture of the underground.
It’s no surprise that this fantastic work was was highly praised and named ALBUM OF THE MONTH in the established Sonic Seducer Magazine!
Vocalist Maya describes “Wounds” not as a lament, but as a visceral “strange celebration” of human endurance. “‘Wounds’ is a series of songs about the different ways people live with and process ‘the wounds’ of their lives,” explains Maya. “A strange celebration of that formative pain we have all experienced in some way. The loss and joy of survival – the celebration of finding others like us, the gift of knowing life comes after fire.”
Simultaneously with the album release, COLD IN BERLIN are releasing their third single, “12 Crosses”, along with another captivating music video!
“‘12 Crosses’ is emblematic of the themes of the album ‘Wounds’. What you carry on your back can make you stronger,” says Vocalist Maya. “To share the weight and purge in a cleansing fire is liberating.”
A hypnotic, driving bassline lays the foundation for the song, contrasting sharply with wild, screeching distorted horns for an overwhelming sonic assault. The video was filmed at House of the Holy festival on the Summer Solstice. A transcendental experience of ancient rites.
COLD IN BERLIN emerged from East London’s gothic underground in 2010, evolving into one of the UK’s most revered live acts. Blending dark Post-Punk, Doom, and Krautrock with Maya’s fierce, commanding vocals, their sound balances raw power with haunting beauty. Debut album “Give Me Walls” (2010) made waves with Artrocker Album of the Year, followed by acclaimed releases on Candlelight Records and New Heavy Sounds … [learn more here ]
LINE-UP Maya Berlin • Vocals Adam Richardson • Guitar Lawrence Wakefield • Bass Alex Howson • Drums
Hammerheart Records have previously announced the reissue of Dead Head‘s Depression Tank (2009), the first record of vocalist / bassist Ralph de Boer. The new version, called Repression Tank, will see the light of day on 21st November, 2025.
In celebration, the band have released a new version of the track ‘Firegate’.
“With his younger age and different influences, Ralph brought a new energy to the band when he first joined us around 2008“, remembers guitar player Rob Woning.
“And now that Ralph has returned and we’ve been doing new albums and shows up until Japan, it seemed only logical to revisit the music that we originally wrote together and take it to the level that it deserves.“
Repression Tank is the 2.0 incarnation of a previous release. Reimagined and revamped, with a sonic palette that now is fully on par with more recent Dead Head albums. With fresh drums, new sounds and excellent mixing and mastering by renowned Dutch producer Erwin Hermsen, this album offers relentless speed, irresistable grooves, some surprising orchestration and an overall fierceness that is second to none.
Disc two contains 14 bonus tracks, recorded live during the first years with singer/bass player Ralph de Boer. The material was reclaimed from old hard disk recorders and recently mixed by Dead Head’s longtime live sound engineer Gerlach Timmer.
Track-list: CD 1: Repression Tank 1. Dissolved in Purity 2. Green Angel 3. Cryptocynic 4. The Swing 5. Daemonique 6. Firegate 7. Less than Zero 8. Hateland 9. Nero Dies 10. Murder 11. Pesticide
CD 2: Live 1. Intro 2. The Festering 3. Phantom Palace 4. Less Than Zero 5. House of Ambience 6. Slay Your Kind 7. In Your Room 8. Kill Division 9. Faust II 10. Until the Sun Appears 11. Dissolved in Purity 12. Green Angel 13. Firegate 14. Cold Being
With 35+ years behind them, Dutch thrash band Dead Head are still powered by an unstoppable drive. The band were formed in 1989 by a bunch of angry teenagers that were worshipping the likes of Possessed, Sacrifice, Dark Angel and Sadus. And despite the passing of decades, the Dutch veteran thrash band still performs with three-quarters of its original lineup today. A rarity in today’s metal scene, but Dead Head has consistently been a lifelong commitment for these dedicated Dutchmen.
Recent years saw deluxe reissues of older albums, along with the praised fresh albums like Swine Plague (2017), Slave Driver (2022) and the mini album Shadow Soul (2024). All of their music is released by Hammerheart, a reputable Dutch label that Dead Head are proud to call home.
Line up: Ralph de Boer – Vocals and bass Ronnie van der Wey – Guitar left Robbie Woning – Guitar right Hans Spijker – Drums
Switzerland’s rock heavyweights GOTTHARD and Marc Storace (KROKUS) have joined forces for a brand-new version of ‘Liverpool’, one of the highlights and fan-favorite from GOTTHARD’s No. 1 album “Stereo Crush.”
The newly reimagined duet, sung by two of Switzerland’s most remarkable rock voices, Nic Maeder and Marc Storace, is out now on all digital platforms. The song will also be featured on GOTTHARD’s upcoming mini-album “More Stereo Crush,” set for release on March 13, 2026 through RPM.
The song gains an extra dimension through the interplay of two of Switzerland’s finest rock singers. Chris von Rohr, founder of KROKUS and longtime producer and co-songwriter of GOTTHARD, once again joins guitarist Leo Leoni and the band to give this anthem the extra boost.
This new recording highlights the enduring friendship and mutual respect that have formed the foundation of Swiss rock history for over four decades.
“It’s always been an honour for me to sing live onstage with Marc, and to get to work on and record a duet together was really fantastic. Reworking this song with Chris and Leo was really interesting. It’s gonna be super fun performing this new version of ‚Liverpool’ together.” — Nic Maeder
“Like always, Nic and I had a great time singing together live in the studio. Chris and Leo guided us with their experienced ears and soon this version of the Liverpool-Song came alive. Now I can’t wait to perform it at our Rock Monsters-concerts.” — Marc Storace
“What connects us are 11 years of intense, successful work together that brought many great song pearls to life. And here comes the next one. The BEATLES from Liverpool helped me tremendously in my early days to find my way. When I start with a new song, I always look for a title that doesn’t exist already, the rest comes almost naturally.“ — Chris von Rohr
Fans can experience this powerhouse line-up live at the Rock Monsters of Switzerland shows in Bern (December 19, 2025) and Zurich (December 20, 2025) where GOTTHARD and KROKUS will share the stage.
The new single paves the way for the upcoming 8-track mini-album “More Stereo Crush.” Like “Stereo Crush,” it was produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Leo Leoni, mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren, and features artwork by Manuel Schütz and Thomas Ewerhard.
19.12.2025 CH Bern – Festhalle (w/ KROKUS & BLUEDÖG) 20.12.2025 CH Zürich – The Hall (w/ KROKUS & BLUEDÖG) SOLD OUT
05 – 07.06.2026 CZ Pilsen – Metalfest Open Air 03 – 06.07.2026 SE Knislinge – Time To Rock Festival 16.07.2026 DE Schopfheim – Sommersound 17.07.2026 AT Thüringerberg – s’brennt scho widr 18.07.2026 AT Innsbruck – Music Hall
With meanwhile 17 number one albums, a Diamond Award for selling over one million units in Switzerland, and multiple platinum records, including their quadruple platinum album “Homerun,” GOTTHARD have an unmatched legacy of successes, rounded off by over 3.5 million units sold worldwide and more than 2,000 live performances. Their tracks like ‘Heaven,’ a platinum single, and seven top 10 singles have cemented the band in the international music scene.
GOTTHARD are: Nic Maeder | vocals Leo Leoni | guitars Freddy Scherer | guitars Marc Lynn | bass Flavio Mezzodi | drums
Finland’s masters of melancholy, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON, take the next step in the countdown to their fifth studio album “Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli” with the release of their second single, “Maailman Ainut Ihminen”. The track is accompanied by a haunting new music video that immerses viewers in the band’s signature emotional depth and introspective themes.
Following the powerful first single, “Merta”, “Maailman Ainut Ihminen” further explores the band’s unique fusion of bleak intensity and melancholic beauty that has defined KAUNIS KUOLEMATON since their formation in 2012.
In their own words, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON capture the song’s emotional core: “Though you stand among those dearest to your heart, a hollow silence echoes within.“
Tracklist:
Kaiku
Merta
Kun Kyynelistä Muodostuu Meri
Rauniot
Maailman Ainut Ihminen
Kaipaus
Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli
Kuura
Aatos
Since their formation, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON has steadily built a unique soundscape that resonates far beyond genre borders. Blending crushing heaviness with emotional depth, the band has become a powerful voice in Finland’s metal scene — and with this new record, they continue to refine their distinct blend of melancholy and intensity.
Hailing from Hamina, the band has maintained its original lineup from the very beginning – a rarity in today’s music world. Their previous albums, “Kylmä kaunis maailma” (2014), “Vapaus” (2017),“Syttyköön toinen aurinko” (2020), and “Mielenvalta” (2023), each reflect a moment in time – evolving yet always consistent in vision.
While often associated with doom and death metal, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON’s identity goes beyond genre labels. Their outlook remains fundamentallypositive and forward-looking. The success of “Mielenvalta” (2023, Noble Demon) – which reached #6 on the official Finnish physical album charts – along with sold-out club shows and strong festival appearances, shows how the band’s persistence and sincerity have resonated with fans.
Now, with “Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli” on the horizon, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON is preparing to once again immerse listeners in a world where melancholy reigns – and every note tells a story of beauty within darkness.
“Kun Valo Minussa Kuoli” will be coming out on November 28 via Noble Demon and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION
Line-up: Olli Suvanto – Vocals Mikko Heikkilä – Clean vocals/Guitar Ville Mussalo – Guitar Jarno Uski – Bass Miika Hostikka – Drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
