Acts confirmed:

TWISTED SISTER

Yes, right: TWISTED fuckin' SISTER will celebrate our 15th festival anniversary with you and us! It's been a natural choice to invite the sisters: Dee Snider's unforgettable appearance as headlining act back in 2001 laid the foundation for a long lasting friendship between the sisters and us. In 2003, the New York based band had reunited and their comeback show at Balingen marked an all time highlight in the live history of BANG YOUR HEAD!!!. The fans established 'We're Not Gonna Take It' as an unofficial festival anthem by singing it all over the place - even hours, days and years after this legendary show. In 2005, the band joined us one more time with a very special 'Stay Hungry' setlist. Now it's time for another return to Balingen!

TWISTED SISTER - Diskographie:

1982: Under The Blade
1983: You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
1984: Stay Hungry
1985: Come Out And Play
1987: Love Is For Suckers
2004: Still Hungry
2006: A Twisted Christmas

TWISTED SISTER releases and reviews at Amazon.de

HAMMERFALL

1997 marks a great year for every Heavy Metal fan: With 'Glory To The Brave', some Swedish newcomers called HAMMERFALL freed "our music" from its underground prison cell Grunge and Alternative Rock had sent it to and led it back into the light. In the same year, the band made its first appearance at the BANG YOUR HEAD!!! - back then, still some rather small indoor event. It's been the beginning of a long and lasting friendship, and just as the band was there when we when open air for the very first time in 1999, HAMMERFALL will join us as well at our very special 15th anniversary party - this time, having evolved to one of the most popular traditional acts of the "younger generation", as one of the headlining acts.

HAMMERFALL discography:

1997: Glory to the Brave
1998: Legacy of Kings
2000: Renegade
2002: Crimson Thunder
2005: Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken
2006: Threshold
2009: No Sacrifice, No Victory

HAMMERFALL releases and reviews at Amazon.de

QUEENSRYCHE

'Operation: Balingen' will continue: having delivered an awesome 'Mindcrime I+II' double feature set  in 2008, QUEENSRYCHE will return to Balingen in 2010 with a Best Of-set. Get prepared for hymns like 'Take Hold Of The Flame', groundbreaking classics à la 'I Dream In Infrared' or 'Walk In The Shadows', essentials like 'I Don't Believe In Love' or 'Eyes Of A Stranger' and those monster hits from 'Empire'!

QUEENSRYCHE discography

1983: Queensrÿche (EP)
1984: The Warning
1986: Rage for Order
1988: Operation: Mindcrime
1990: Empire
1994: Promised Land
1997: Hear in the Now Frontier
1999: Q2K
2003: Tribe
2006: Operation: Mindcrime II
2007: Take Cover
2009: American Soldier

QUEENSRYCHE releases and reviews at Amazon.de

KROKUS

The past is back to kick your ass! Yes, indeed, KROKUS have returned in their original early 80ies lineup along with Marc Storace, Chris von Rohr and Fernando von Arb. The most popular Rock act ever crossing the home Suisse border to conquer international terrain will participate in our anniversary event and sure show you how to rock with classics like 'Long Stick Goes Boom', 'Rag Dolls', 'American Woman', 'Eat The Rich' or 'Stayed Awake The Night'...

KROKUS discography:

1976: Krokus
1977: To You All
1978: Painkiller / Pay It in Metal
1980: Metal Rendez-Vous
1981: Hardware
1982: One Vice at a Time
1983: Headhunter
1984: The Blitz
1986: Change of Address
1988: Heart Attack
1990: Stampede
1995: To Rock or Not to Be
1999: Round 13
2003: Rock the Block
2006: Hellraiser

KROKUS releases and reviews at Amazon.de

DORO

What would a 15th anniversary celebration be without a few good friends? Doro Pesch, one of the most likeable and professionell artists in the business, has definitley become one fo these. We share quite some history, and apart from that: groundshaking singalong anthems like 'All We Are' or touching ballads like 'Für immer' are just the right kind of stuff for the festival summer. So join us, when the former WARLOCK-singer hits the stage at Balingen one more time for us...

DORO discography:

1989: Force Majeure
1990: Doro
1991: True at Heart
1993: Angels Never Die
1995: Machine II Machine
1998: Love Me in Black
2000: Calling the Wild
2002: Fight
2004: Classic Diamonds
2006: Warrior Soul
2009: Fear No Evil

DORO releases and reviews at Amazon.de

NEVERMORE

These Seattle based fan faves are and have always been much more than just successors of the legendary SANCTUARY. After having released their self-titled debut, Vocalist Warrel Dane, guitarist Jeff Loomis and their companions quickly progressed to be one oft the most important and influential Metal acts of the 90ies and released genre milestone like 'Dreaming Neon Black' or 'Dead Heart In A Dead World'. Besides being creative and clever songwriters, NEVERMORE proved to be an outstanding stage act as well: Their appearances at Balingen always marked highlights in each festival year they joined us.

NEVERMORE discography:

1995 – Nevermore
1996 – The Politics of Ecstasy
1999 – Dreaming Neon Black
2000 – Dead Heart in a Dead World
2003 – Enemies of Reality
2005 – This Godless Endeavor

NEVERMORE releases and reviews at Amazon.de

JON OLIVA'S PAIN

In 2009, SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva and his band thrilled the massses at our warmup show - next year, the Mountain King will hail you from the big stage! Bed prepared for a great bunch of JOP tunes and - of course - a full dose of SAVATAGE-classics, as not just the spirit of the legendary alltime underdogs lives on with JOP, but such great tunes like 'Sirens', 'Hounds', 'Hall Of The Mountain King', 'Gutter Ballet', 'Summer Rain', 'Believe', 'Jesus Saves', 'Edge Of Thorns' or 'Chance' as well...

JON OLIVA'S PAIN discography:

2004: Tage Mahal
2006: Straight Jacket Memoirs
2006: Maniacal Renderings
2008: Global Warning

JON OLIVA'S PAIN releases and reviews at Amazon.de
SAVATAGE releases and reviews at Amazon.de

THE QUIREBOYS

The RATTs have left the ship - but some British choir boys will join the cruise! Hitting the scene with their debut 'A Bit Of What You Fancy' (taking them straight to no. 2 position of the UK sale charts) in 1990, Blues and Rock driven tunes like 'Hey You' or '7 O'Clock' established THE QUIREBOYS quickly as potential heirs of legends like the ROLLING STONES or the FACES. The gloomy 90ies struck them just as hard as any other upstraight traditional Rock act, though, and the band split up for a while. However, singer Spike and his boys were not ready to retire yet and gave it one more try. Still sticking to their musical roots, they have released some more great good time rock records since then and - of course - hit the stage here and there. And that's where this kind of music belongs! Perfect stuff for any festival, we think - judge yourself this summer at Balingen!


QUIREBOYS discography:

1990 A Bit of What You Fancy
1993 Bitter Sweet & Twisted
2001 This Is Rock'N'Roll
2004 Well Oiled
2008 Homewreckers & Heartbreakers
2009 Halfpenny Dancer

QUIREBOYS releases and reviews at Amazon.de

DARK TRANQUILLITY

Having delivered their very first (and quite impressive) first BYH!!! show at Balingen back in 2007, DARK TRANQUILLITY are about return to to our festival this year. This time, the Melodic Death Metal pioneers from Goteborg will be part of our indoor programme on Friday evening.


DARK TRANQUILLITY discography:

1993: Skydancer
1995: The Gallery
1997: The Mind's I
1999: Projector
2000: Haven
2002: Damage Done
2005: Character
2007: Fiction
2010: We Are the Void

DARK TRANQUILLITY releases and reviews at Amazon.de

DESTRUCTION

DESTRUCTION and the BANG YOUR HEAD!!! festival: This friendship goes back a long way. 1999 not only marked a new era for our event, as we decided to establish it as an open air festival, it was the year the return of the Mad Butcher as well: after their career as active musicians had been on hiatus for a whole decade, DESTRUCTION finally reunited and the audience at Balingen could witness the glorious return of Schmier and his companions. In contrast to many other attempts to revive a past longtime gone, this comeback turned out to be a lasting one: ever since then, this German Thrash outfit has released several strong albums and destroyed many a stage. Watch them in action when DESTRUCTION will join us as part of our indoor programme at BANG YOUR HEAD!!! 2010!

DESTRUCTION discography:

1985: Infernal Overkill
1986: Eternal Devastation
1987: Release From Agony
1990: Cracked Brain
1998: The Least Successful Human Cannonball
2000: All Hell Breaks Loose
2001: The Antichrist
2003: Metal Discharge
2005: Inventor of Evil
2007: Thrash Anthems
2008: D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.

DESTRUCTION releases and reviews at Amazon.de






FATES WARNING

This band kind of defined the term "Progressive Metal",being one of the first few to combine a heavy musical basement with intelligent song structures, impressive musicianship and complex lyrics. Groundbreaking releases like 'Awaken The Guardian' (still with vocal legend John Arch), 'No Exit', 'Perfect Symmetry' or the surprisingly catchy 'Parallels' established them as one of the prime forces in thinking man's Metal. Now, celebrating the re-release of 'Parallels', the band reunited in the original recording line-up of 1991 with Ray Alder, Jim Matheos, Frank Aresti, Joe DiBiase and Mark Zonder and will be part of BANG YOUR HEAD!!! 2010 - the one and only show they're gonna play at Germany...

FATES WARNING discography:

Night on Bröcken (1984)
The Spectre Within (1985)
Awaken the Guardian (1986)
No Exit (1988)
Perfect Symmetry (1989)
Parallels (1991)
Inside Out (1994)
A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)
Disconnected (2000)
FWX (2004)

FATES WARNING releases and reviews at Amazon.de

ANVIL

Finally, the Canadian power trio gets the acknowledgement they deserve - thanks to a critically acclaimed documentary movie dedicated to the pioneers of Speed and Thrash Metal. In spite of this completely unexpected, nevertheless well deserved popularity boost in North America, ANVIL haven't forgotten about their European fans and friends and will join us at Balingen for a third time after their appearances back in 2001 and 2006. Have a look at www.anvilthemovie.com!

ANVIL discography:

1981: Hard 'n' Heavy
1982: Metal on Metal
1983: Forged in Fire
1987: Strength of Steel
1988: Pound for Pound
1991: Worth the Weight
1996: Plugged in Permanent
1997: Absolutely no Alternative
1998: Speed of Sound
2001: Plenty of Power
2002: Still going Strong
2004: Back to Basics
2007: This is Thirteen

ANVIL releases and reviews at Amazon.de

SABATON

According to our guestbook and incoming email inquiries, the Swedish Metal outfit definitely is one of the most requested acts for BYH!!! 2010. Well, there you are! The community of SABATON fans is growing fast and steady, and as soon as you have heard and seen the band performing its catchy, yet powerful and epic hymns in stage, you'll know why...

SABATON discography:

2005: Primo Victoria
2006: Attero Dominatus
2007: Metalizer
2008: The Art of War

SABATON releases and reviews at Amazon.de

TREAT

Back in the 80ies, this Swedish act was right about to become a real Hardrock heavyweight: one well acclaimed release followed the other and TREAT's international level of recognition was rising rapidly. In 1988, they were invited to be part of the German Monsters Of Rock' festival edition and shared the stage with legends like IRON MAIDEN, David Lee Roth and KISS. Having released the fantastic '89 output 'Organized Crime', the band made the same mistake as many other traditional acts: they tried to adapt to the spirit of the 90ies by recording a much more modern piece of work simply called 'Treat', which turned out to be their last musical effort for quite some while. They decided to give it one mory try and to return to the stage. More than that, they have just recorded and released a brillant new record called 'Coup De Grace', rated as one of this year's top releases regarding melodic Hardrock by many journalists AND fans....

TREAT discography:

1985 Scratch And Bite
1986 The Pleasure Principle
1987 Dreamhunter
1989 Organized Crime
1992 Treat
2010 Coup De Grace


TREAT releases and reviews at Amazon.de

HADES

No easy task to step in for a US Metal legend like JAG PANZER (who had to cancel their appearance due to professional obligations), but HADES can handle it for sure! Having released acclaimed classics like 'Resisting Success' and 'If At First You Don't Succeed', they are one of the finest American cult acts of the 80ies and loved for their intelligent, rough Metal style with a touch of Thrash. We're pretty glad that Alan Tecchio and the guys are back in the ring - and willing to join us at Balingen!


HADES discography:

Resisting Success (1987)
If at First You Don’t Succeed… (1988)
Exist to Resist (1995)
$avior$elf (1999)
The Downside (2000)
DamNation (2001)nes

HADES releases and reviews at Amazon.de

FORBIDDEN

Thrash maniacs beware: Resurrected Bay Area icons FORBIDDEN will return to Balingen! In 2008, the band came together for the first time in 12 years for a short re-union tour leading the band to that year's BANG YOUR HEAD!!! fest as well. That glorious return and the warm welcome back on behalf of the fans motivated and inspired the musicians enough to pick up working together again. Right now, FORBIDDEN put hands on their fifth studio record due to release in late 2010. You might get a glimpse of the new tracks at Balingen - and a full package of thrashing killer riffs form classics like ‘Chalice Of Blood’ or ‘Forbidden Evil’...

FORBIDDEN-Discography:

1988: Forbidden Evil
1990: Twisted into Form
1995: Distortion
1997: Green

FORBIDDEN releases and reviews at Amazon.de

GRAND MAGUS

Some might say, that GRAND MAGUS have already outspaced their pals from SPIRITUAL BEGGARS with their powerful hyms drawing influence from Doom and Stoner Metal. But still they have one thing in common: singer JB plus his striking and soulful voice, that makes the sound of the Swedish riff-lords unmistakable. For more than 14 years (in the beginning still under the name SMAK) this trio is rocking the scene, sometimes superior, sometimes massive. Their latest outputs 'Iron Will' and 'Wolf's Return' received the well-deserved applause by the press as well as the fans. Currently the band is in the process of recording their new album 'Hammer Of The North' and first impressions promise this new strike to be enourmous again!

GRAND MAGUS discography:

2001: It's over (Split-LP with SPIRITUAL BEGGARS)
2001: Grand Magus
2003: Monument
2005: Wolf’s Return
2008: Iron Will

GRAND MAGUS releases and reviews at Amazon.de

LOUDNESS

Japan has always contributed impressing acts to the great history book of steel. Still, not many of them were able to get reknowned internationally as well. One of the chosen few were LOUDNESS, who released, among others, the all time classic 'Disillusion' and both influenced and inspired a whole generation of young musicians back in the 80ies. In 2001, Akira Takasakis reunited this legendary band from the East. After drummer Munetaka Higuchi tragically died last year due to cancer, the band line up is complete again and LOUDNESS will be join us at BYH!!! 2010 with an old school setlist put together from the first five records of the band's career...

LOUDNESS discography:

1981: The Birthday Eve
1982: Devil Soldier
1983: The Law of Devil's Land
1984: Disillusion
1985: Thunder in the East
1985: Odin (EP)
1986: Lightning Strikes (aka Shadows of War)
1987: Hurricane Eyes (aka Strike of the Sword)
1988: Jealousy (EP)
1989: Soldier of Fortune
1991: On the Prowl
1992: Loudness
1994: Heavy Metal Hippies
1997: Ghetto Machine
1998: Dragon
1999: Engine
2001: Spiritual Canoe
2001: Pandemonium
2002: Biosphere
2004: Terror Hakuri
2005: Racing
2007: Breaking the Taboo
2008: Metal Mad

LOUDNESS releases and reviews at Amazon.de

THE HAUNTED

Founded by WITCHERY guitarist Patrik Jensen, who was joined (and still is) by AT THE GATES drummer Adrian Erlandsson and - later on - the Björler twins (of AT THE GATES-fame as well), THE HAUNTED have been able to grow a remarkable fanbase pretty fast. Their non-compromising Thrash with a hint of the typical Goteborg sound featured on the great debut release 'The Haunted' knocked on many open doors and - flanked by frequent live appearances - helped to establish the band as a trademark of its own. In 2000, THE HAUNTED's effort were rewared by being honoured as best Hardrock act by the Swedish Grammy committee - not the last award the band was about to win during the following years. Today, the typical HAUNTED-style might be a bit more complex, the band's incredible energy on stage is still the same, though. Experience it yourself: THE HAUNTED will join us as part of the indoor programme at BYH!!! 2010!

THE HAUNTED discography:

1999 Rusted Angel
2001 Insanity
2002 Expanding Senses
2005 Layer of Lies
2008 Demonic Art

THE HAUNTED releases and reviews at Amazon.de

DARKANE

Their debut release 'Rusted Angel' hit the scene with a perfect blend of modern aggressive, yet melodic taste of Thrash. Blending influences from extreme bands like SLAYER with Death Metal and the typical Goteborg sound, they made friends instantly with both cristics and fans. Every few years another highly acclaimed release with impressive musicianship and stunnind riffs has followed up. Right now, Peter Wildoer and his companions are busy songwriting for their another masterpiece to be released soon. You might even get a glimpse of some brandnew neckbreaking stuff at Balingen - as DARKANE will be part of this year's indoor programme!

DARKANE discography:

1999 Rusted Angel
2001 Insanity
2002 Expanding Senses
2005 Layer of Lies
2008 Demonic Art

DARKANE releases and reviews at Amazon.de

ARTILLERY

These Danish veterans have been one of the earliest and most influential European Thrash Metal acts around. A major breakthrough, however, would not be granted to ARTILLERY - in spite of high class releases like their debut 'Fear Of Tomorrow', which hit the underground like a high range missile. Fans and critics have always been appreciative of their both forceful and sophisticated, yet always melodic approach to real Thrash virtues and regarded them as the old continent's counterpart to major US acts like METALLICA and Co.. 1993, the band was put on hiatus. After a short lived comeback effort with 'B.A.C.K.', ARTILLERY took another break - just until 2008, when Morten and Michael Stützer reformed the band for another try. Several shows and a great release by the name of 'When Death Comes', later, ARTILLERY are still around - and ready to thrash the stage at BYH!!! 2010, where they'll join the ranks of our indoor band line up...

ARTILLERY discography:

1985: Fear Of Tomorrow
1987: Terror Squad
1990: By Inheritance
1999: B.A.C.K
2009: When Death Comes

ARTILLERY releases and reviews at Amazon.de

SACRED STEEL

It's been a while since SACRED STEEL joined a BANG YOUR HEAD!!! fest's band lineup: back in 1997, the Svabian Metal force was among the acts of the very second BYH!!! 1997 - back then not much more than a small indoor event at a venue called Stefan-Hartmann-Halle at Tübingen, Gemany. That year, the band released its debut 'Reborn In Steel', being the first German act ever to get signed by reknowned label Metal Blade. A few years have passed now and SACRED STEEL have released six more hard hitting albums, still ranking among the most popular and authentic acts out there defining what Heavy Metal is all about. It's definitely about time to welcoem them one more time at BANG YOUR HEAD!!!...

SACRED STEEL discography:

1997: Reborn in Steel
1998: Wargods of Metal
2000: Bloodlust
2002: Slaughter Prophecy
2004: Iron Blessings
2006: Hammer of Destruction
2009: Carnage Victory

SACRED STEEL releases and reviews at Amazon.de

SAVAGE GRACE

Every true fan of classic Heavy Metal and 80ies US stuff has been waiting for this moment for years and decades: SAVAGE GRACE have returned! With the EP 'The Dominatress' ant the full length debut 'Master Of Disguise', the band of mastermind Chris Logue has written Speed Metal history: Only few other acts had been able to deliver such fantastic speed-driven, yet melodic pieces of steel like they did back then. The follow-ups 'After The Fall From Grace' and 'Ride Into The Night' might have been more paced down and epic, but still marked acclaimed milestones. All these classics are due to re-release now with tuned-up sound. But that's not all: SAVAGE GRACE are back on stage as well! Don't miss this legend at Balingen this July...

SAVAGE GRACE discography

1983: The Dominatress (EP)
1985: Master Of Disguise
1986: After The Fall From Grace
1987: Ride Into The Nght (EP)

SAVAGE GRACE releases and review at Amazon.de

BULLET

After the confirmation of ENCORCER, we proudly present you another promising new talent hailing from Sweden: Having appeared at reknowned events like the ROCK HARD FESTIVAL, BULLET quickly built up the reputation of being not just one of the best young traditional Metal acts around, but one of the hottest live acts around, too...

BULLET discography:

2003: Speeding in the Night (EP)
2006: Heading for the Top
2008: Bite the Bullet

BULLET releases and reviews at Amazon.de

ENFORCER

Watch out: the new force in old school will come to Balingen! Hailing from Sweden, ENFORCER revive both in the studio and on stage the blazing energy of the golden era of Heavy Metal. With their highly acclaimed debut 'Into The Night' (offering a great blend of traditional styles in the vein of IRON MAIDEN, EXCITER and old RIOT) and an high impact live show at the 2007 edition of the KEEP IT TRUE festival, they build up quite some reputation within the genre underground.


ENFORCER discography:

2008: Into The Night

ENFORCER releases and reviews at Amazon.de

DEW SCENTED

The German counterpart to SLAYER? Well, at any rate DEW SCENTED are among the most versed extreme Thrash acts around here. Singer Leif Jensen joined the band right in its first year of existence back in 1992 and has remained the major constant factor within DEW SCENTED until today. Since 2008, he is finally joined by a stable line up again, which is about to release the upcoming record by the name of 'Arise From Decay'. Get a glimpse of it at DEW SCENTED's myspace page www.myspace.com/dewscented - and expect lots more at Balingen, where DEW SCENTED will be part of our indoor programme....

DEW SCENTED discography :

1996: Immortelle
1998: Innoscent
1999: Ill-Natured
2002: Inwards
2003: Impact
2005: Issue VI
2007: Incinerate
2010: Invocation

DEW SCENTED releases and reviews at Amazon.de

THE NEW BLACK

THE NEW BLACK is more than the title of an album by STRAPPING YOUNG LAD: it's as well the moniker of one of the most promising and uprising young German acts around. Their fresh sound - described by themselves as if BLACK LABEL SOCIETY would jam with the singer of NICKELBACK to do some cover tunes of THIN LIZZY - hit both the critics' and the fans' nerve and gained them an opening slot at the upcoming BANG YOUR HEAD!!! fest.


THE NEW BLACK discography:

2009: The New Black

THE NEW BLACK releases and reviews at Amazon.de

TOXIN

Once again, we present you some young talents from the Unites States as opening act of our festival. In spite of their quite contemporary looks, TOXIN stick to everything that was great about the musical tradition of the golden era of Hardrock. Though hailing from New York, their self-titled debut seems to have soaked up the spirit of the 80ies' L. A. scene. Listen yourself at TOXINs myspace profile...


TOXIN discography:

2009: Toxin

TOXIN releases and reviews at Amazon.de