On April 18th, 35 countries will participate in the Wacken Open Air 2026’s Warm-Up Party. In 35 countries at the same time there will be warm-up concerts. This event is the first of its kind in heavy metal history. In Sofia, Bulgaria, the bands Eufobia, Hellbound and Death Row will perform.

Hellbound is a Bulgarian jumbish metal band from Burgas, well known for heavy riffs, memorable songs, and energetic live performances. In 2025, they won Wacken Metal Battle Bulgaria and reached the Top 3 in the final of Wacken Open Air Metal Battle.
Hellbound are: Dimitar Nikolov (vocals), Yaroslav Deyneka (guitars), Ivan Enev (guitars), Georgi “Panda” Dimitrov (bass) and Ivaylo Zhivkov (drums).
Eufobia is a band from Sofia playing melodic thrash-death metal. The name of the band is of ancient Greek origin and literally means “fear of the good”. The band members are Niki Bodzhakov (Bass & Vocals), Ventsislav Brashkov (Guitar) and Yasen Petrov (Drums).
Eufobia is among the most experienced Bulgarian bands to have played on the same stage with world-famous bands such as Arch Enemy, At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity, Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, Rotting Christ, Vader, Immolation, Onslaught, Malevolent Creation, Wolfheart, Primordial, Gorgoroth, Brujeria, Jinjer, Eluveitie, E-force and many others.
In 2018, Eufobia won the W:O:A Metal Battle competition in our country, which gave the band the opportunity to play on stage at the most important metal festival in the world – Wacken Open Air.
Death Row is a death-groove metal band originally from Yambol, but based in Sofia. It was formed in 2020, and the sound brings the 90s energy and aggression of emotional lyrical themes and texts.
Death Row consists of Rosen Ivanov – vocalist and songwriter, Preslav Vladimirov “Peri” – guitar and composers Nikola Kralchev – bass, Gabriel Ivanov – guitarist, Vasil Tatarov – drums.

The concert will be held in Sofia, Mixtape 5 Club. at 20:00 h.