Lamb of God, Electric Callboy, Black Label Society and four more bands join Hills of Rock 2026. The festival will take place at the Rowing Canal in Plovdiv from July 24 to 26.

The newly announced artists joining Hills of Rock 2026 are among the leading names in the modern rock and metal scene, known for their powerful live presence and devoted fan bases that have long made them some of the most requested acts by Bulgarian audiences. The promise of three strong days with distinct musical highlights for next summer’s festival in Plovdiv is becoming increasingly clear.

Alongside the previously announced Godsmack, Vended, Paradise Lost, Nothing More, Nevermore, and Of Mice & Men, seven more acts expand the festival’s stylistic range and add new intensity to the lineup. Lamb Of God, Electric Callboy, Black Label Society, Deafheaven, and Karen Dio will perform on the Main Stage, while Orbit Culture and The Toy Dolls will deliver key sets on the Second Stage. Tickets are available through Ticket Station.

With these additions, the festival — organized by Fest Team — continues to build a strong and multi-layered program, bringing together different generations, scenes, and directions within heavy music.

Electric Callboy
Electric Callboy join Hills of Rock 2026 after hundreds of fan requests and with the reputation of being one of the most striking phenomena in Europe’s modern metal scene. The band effortlessly blends ’90s synth-pop aesthetics, alternative rock, and explosive metalcore, creating a sound that defies genre boundaries and turns every performance into a euphoric experience. Fearlessly experimental, Electric Callboy mix death metal with German schlager, Eurodance classics with post-hardcore, doing it with such playful ease that even the most traditional metal fans can’t help but be impressed. They’re the one band in this lineup that breaks all the rules and creates new trends, gaining millions of fans worldwide. Electric Callboy sell out global tours, host their own festival, grow rapidly across social media, and are known for their distinctive hairstyles and recognizable fashion style, making them a true pop-cultural force. Expect energy, irony, and carefree rage on stage — Plovdiv, you’re not ready for them!

Lamb of God
Lamb of God stand as one of the most important bands in modern metal. Emerging in the early 2000s, they tore down the boundaries between mainstream and underground with a merciless sound that combined crushing groove metal and venomous thrash, offering the perfect alternative to post-grunge and nu metal — all powered by Randy Blythe’s infernal roar. With albums like Ashes of the Wake and Sacrament, Lamb of God became a driving force of an entire era — the New Wave of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM) — proving that even the most extreme forms of metal can dominate global charts. Their long-awaited Bulgarian debut will deliver both classic hits and new experiments that continue to shape not only their sound but the genre as a whole.

Black Label Society
For the next band, everything begins and ends with the riff. Black Label Society join Hills of Rock 2026 carrying the full weight, tradition, and power of American hard rock. Led by Zakk Wylde — a legendary guitarist known for his signature tone and commanding stage presence — the band is built around one simple but fundamental rule: the guitar is god. From studio to stage, Black Label Society are a mix of raw blues, relentless groove, and unfiltered rock’n’roll, a living machine that feels part onslaught, part wandering carnival, fueled by noise, fire, and emotion.

Deafheaven
San Francisco’s Deafheaven and their signature blackgaze sound possess a rare ability to turn chaos into beauty. Blending black metal, post-rock, and shoegaze, the band crafts compositions that captivate with both intensity and emotional depth. Critics have long described their concerts as “transcendent experiences”, even before their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2018. In 2026, Bulgarian audiences will finally have the chance to witness this for themselves.

Karen Dio
The charismatic Karen Dio is one of the boldest and most promising new voices on the alternative scene. Having shared stages with Limp Bizkit and Sum 41, she has quickly risen to prominence thanks to her explosive energy, confident stage presence, and a sound that speaks directly to the modern generation of fans. Hills of Rock 2026 will mark her first-ever show in Bulgaria, coming at the height of her meteoric rise.

Orbit Culture
The Second Stage of Hills of Rock 2026 already has strong international names as well. Orbit Culture, formed in Eksjö, Sweden, are among the most talked-about new acts in modern metal. Their sound blends groove, melody, and cinematic depth, all built on a solid DIY foundation. Following tours with Slipknot and Machine Head, and a performance at Madison Square Garden, the band arrives in Plovdiv at a pivotal moment — with their fifth album, released October 3 via Century Media.

The Toy Dolls
Bringing a different but equally powerful energy, The Toy Dolls deliver their trademark punk rock packed with humor, absurdity, and chaotic fun. Formed in 1979 in England, they’ve managed to remain anarchic, melodic, and infectiously entertaining for decades — and Bulgarian audiences love them. Despite their long history, The Toy Dolls still sound like a band that just laughed their way out of the garage, only to crash joyfully onto the stage with pure, unfiltered energy.

Hills of Rock 2026 will take place on July 24, 25, and 26 at the Rowing Canal in Plovdiv. Promotional tickets are still available through Ticket Station. Once sold out, prices will increase to 240 BGN for Fest Club members and 260 BGN for all others.

Membership in Fest Team’s loyalty program brings additional benefits — including exclusive news, special offers, and discounts at dozens of retail and cultural venues. The updated Fest Club app is available for both iOS and Android.

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.