Hills of Rock 2026 enters its seventh summer with the first six bands announced
The festival will take place from July 24 to 26, 2026, in Plovdiv, and tickets are already on sale.
Just a week after the end of Hills of Rock 2025, while the final chords of this year’s edition are still echoing and the emotions have yet to fade, Hills of Rock is already setting the stage for next year. Even before the music has completely quieted down, preparations for the seventh edition are underway — and the next Hills is already pulsing to the rhythm of its new names. Godsmack, Vended, Paradise Lost, Nothing More, Nevermore, and Of Mice & Men are the first six bands confirmed by Fest Team, setting the tone for the year ahead.

Fans’ enthusiasm for the festival beneath the Plovdiv hills was evident once again with the rapid sellout of the limited early-bird “blind” tickets. A new batch is now available through Ticket Station. The festival enters its seventh year with a strong start — six confirmed bands and dates set for July 24–26 in Plovdiv. And this is only the intro — the full lineup for Hills of Rock 2026 will be unveiled gradually over the coming months. The promise: three powerful days, with three major headliners and three distinct musical focuses, bringing something special both for loyal fans and for the festival’s growing new audience.

Godsmack
The first major act confirmed for Hills of Rock 2026 is none other than Godsmack — not just a band, but a rock institution that has shaped the sound of modern hard rock for over two decades. With 13 No. 1 singles on rock radio and 24 songs in the Top 10, Godsmack are the most successful act in their genre since 1999. Their eight studio albums, over 20 million records sold worldwide, and four Grammy nominations have cemented their place among the giants of the global rock scene. Their latest album, Lighting Up the Sky (2023), channels all their energy and experience into stories of love, betrayal, social collapse, and personal triumphs — raw and unfiltered, with the direct power that has always defined their sound. In Plovdiv, Godsmack will perform both their timeless anthems and their newest songs, continuing to write the history of modern hard rock.

Nevermore
Next comes Nevermore — a band synonymous with technical virtuosity, innovative composition, and emotional depth. Returning to the stage under the leadership of two of their legendary members — guitar wizard Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams — Nevermore are beginning a new chapter. Their comeback pays tribute to the band’s legacy while forging a fresh path with the same fierce creativity and spirit that defined them. In Plovdiv, audiences will witness this new era, where past and future converge, with new (yet unannounced) members joining the reborn Seattle-based band.

Paradise Lost
With over 30 years of history and more than 2 million albums sold, Paradise Lost remain the undisputed kings of the dark side of metal — and the third name on the Hills of Rock 2026 bill. Formed in 1988 in Halifax, they pioneered gothic metal with albums like “Gothic” (1991) and the iconic “Draconian Times” (1995). Throughout their career, they have constantly evolved — from their doom and death metal roots to electronic experiments and a return to heavy guitars and melancholic melodies. In September 2025, Paradise Lost will release their 17th studio album, Ascension — a record that unites all their faces: heaviness, emotion, and dark beauty.

Nothing More
Blending progressive metal, industrial elements, and pure emotion, Nothing More — from San Antonio — will bring explosive energy to Plovdiv next year. One of the most distinctive bands in modern rock, they combine sonic depth with passionate live performances. Between 2014 and 2018, the group entered the Billboard Mainstream Rock Top 10 six times, including their No. 1 hit “Go to War” (2017). Their 2014 self-titled album broke into the Billboard 200 Top 40, and in 2018, they earned three Grammy nominations — for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album.

Of Mice & Men
The fifth confirmed act, Of Mice & Men, are a California-based metalcore band that has proven since 2009 that modern heavy music can be both relentless and emotional. Their 2011 album The Flood sold over 100,000 copies and earned them Kerrang!’s Best International Newcomer award in 2013, quickly establishing them as leaders of the American metalcore scene. In Plovdiv, fans will experience their raw energy live — sharper, more powerful, and more seasoned than ever.

Vended
Rounding out this announcement is Vended, a band from Iowa embodying the hunger and ambition of a new generation of metal. Formed in 2018 by Griffin Taylor (vocals), Simon Crahan (drums), Cole Espeland (guitar), Jeremiah Pugh (bass), and Connor Grodzicki (guitar), Vended quickly became one of the most talked-about young acts thanks to their explosive stage presence and ferocious sound. Bulgarian audiences witnessed their energy live back in 2022, and now, more mature and experienced, Vended return to Plovdiv — ready to prove their drive for global domination is stronger than ever.

Hills of Rock 2026 will take place on July 24, 25, and 26 at the Rowing Canal in Plovdiv. Tickets are available through Ticket Station at prices of 200 BGN for Fest Club members and 220 BGN for all others.

For more information, visit festteam.bg, hillsofrock.com, and ticketstation.bg, or follow the festival’s official social media channels.

Hills of Rock 2026 is organized by Fest Team Ltd., as part of the “Legacy 2023” program of the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation, with the support of the Municipality of Plovdiv.