{"id":43718,"date":"2026-07-01T08:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T06:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/thats-how-it-was-at-rock-am-ring-2026-with-iron-maiden-black-veil-brides-and-many-more-part-3-of-3\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T07:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T05:25:39","slug":"thats-how-it-was-at-rock-am-ring-2026-with-iron-maiden-black-veil-brides-and-many-more-part-3-of-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orkus1.com\/en\/thats-how-it-was-at-rock-am-ring-2026-with-iron-maiden-black-veil-brides-and-many-more-part-3-of-3\/","title":{"rendered":"That’s how it was at ROCK AM RING 2026 with IRON MAIDEN, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, and many more (Part 3 of 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sunday: Passion Knows No Bounds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

You can read Part 1 here.<\/a> As we set off for the festival grounds one last time, our path first took us to our little go-to bakery not far from the Ring. Over a hearty breakfast, we looked back on the past two days of the festival together with our favorite colleagues from the magazine. Although about 45,000 steps and far-too-short nights had taken their toll, as soon as the Ring beckoned, none of that mattered anymore. This time, the Eifel even had a real ace up its sleeve. Instead of rain clouds, we were greeted by a brilliant blue sky and sunshine that lasted well into the evening. A festival finale could hardly have been set up any better. <\/p>\n\n

When Vampires Defy the Sunlight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Hardly any other band could have provided a greater contrast to the weather that Sunday. The very first shouts of \u201cAndy! Andy!\u201d made it clear who had everyone\u2019s attention . Black Veil Brides<\/strong> brought their melodic blend of hard rock and modern metal to the Utopia Stage. In the bright daylight, Andy Biersack\u2019s jet-black goth aesthetic had a unique impact. His fair complexion made him look almost unreal against the brilliant blue sky. Cargo pants, a tank top over a tight-fitting lace shirt, and suspenders gave his appearance a striking look that immediately drew everyone\u2019s attention. As early as \u201cKnives and Pens,\u201d the audience sang along loudly from the very first note, raising their hearts and devil horns high, while the guitarists once again celebrated their riffs back-to-back. Just one month after the release of their latest album, \u201cVindicate,\u201d Black Veil Brides<\/strong> demonstrated great confidence in their new material, including five of the fresh tracks in their setlist. What was remarkable was that none of the new songs felt out of place. Instead, they fit naturally among the fan favorites and were received with equal enthusiasm. Biersack didn\u2019t miss a single reaction from the crowd. Despite the loud support, he noticed that the crowd was initially still a bit reserved. With dry humor, he commented on the situation: \u201cThank you for standing here while we play. Very polite. No movement at all, but everybody\u2019s smiling. It\u2019s not at all awkward to have everybody just look at you the whole time.\u201d His tongue-in-cheek comments came across less as criticism and more as a playful attempt to draw the crowd out of their shell. It worked: By the time they played \u201cRevenger\u201d and \u201cFaithless,\u201d circle pits had formed, crowd surfers were gliding over the crowd, and the frontman acknowledged the new energy with an enthusiastic \u201cFuck yeah!\u201d The frontman also took a brief delay on the drums in stride with his trademark biting humor. Without hesitation, Biersack bridged the wait with more lighthearted banter and a collective wave that reached all the way to the back rows. When \u201cPerfect Weapon\u201d and the anthemic \u201cIn the End\u201d finally rang out, Black Veil Brides<\/strong> had definitively won over the audience. <\/p>\n\n

Dreams from New Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Bloodywood<\/strong> impressively demonstrated on the Mandora Stage that music knows no boundaries. The metal band from India combines heavy guitars with traditional Indian instruments, traditional attire, and lyrics in their native language\u2014and was celebrated by the Rock am Ring audience as if they\u2019d always been part of the festival. The crowd was already clapping along enthusiastically during the intro, chants of \u201cBloodywood\u201d<\/strong> echoed across the grounds, and the musicians could barely hide their joy at the overwhelming response. \u201cMetal isn\u2019t big in our country. Our hope lies with the rest of the world. Germany plays a big part in that,\u201d the singer explained, visibly moved. Time and again, the band expressed their gratitude, spoke of dreams worth pursuing, and visibly savored every single moment on that stage. This gratitude immediately spread to the audience. The fans were literally at the Indians\u2019 feet, dancing exuberantly to the oriental rhythms and curiously embracing the sounds that were unfamiliar to many. Every crowd surfer who landed in the pit was beaming from ear to ear. \u201cWe\u2019re halfway through the set, but we\u2019re not slowing down,\u201d the frontman promised\u2014and kept his word. With a wink, he taught the fans the chorus of \u201cGaddaar\u201d in Hindi, whereupon oriental-inspired dance moves suddenly broke out all over the area in front of the stage. A little later, he called for the next circle pits with \u201cOpen up the motherfucking pit!\u201d With \u201cBekhauf,\u201d their collaborative single with Babymetal, Bloodywood<\/strong> reminded the crowd that fear can either paralyze or drive you forward. When a crowd surfer finally floated over the crowd with a bubble machine, the moment seemed almost symbolic of the band\u2019s journey: dreams that once took shape on the streets of New Delhi were now floating right in the middle of Rock am Ring. <\/p>\n\n

Together Against the Darkness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Catch Your Breath<\/strong> are part of that new generation of bands that no longer define intensity solely through pure aggression. Instead, openness, vulnerability, and honest lyrics take center stage\u2014without losing even a bit of their power. With bass lines that were, unfortunately, too thunderous, the Texans kicked off their set on the Orbit Stage with \u201cBlood Money.\u201d Frontman Josh Mowery stepped out in front of the crowd wearing a cool leather jacket, a cap, a ponytail, and sunglasses, let a blood-curdling scream echo through the Eifel, and immediately urged the crowd: \u201cRock am Ring, open it up!\u201d In between songs, short audio interludes interrupted the performance and unfortunately disrupted the flow a bit. Musically, however, this didn\u2019t dampen the energy at all. Even the new song \u201cControl\u201d was already being celebrated loudly by the audience and met with an enthusiastic \u201cFuck yeah!\u201d But as powerful as Catch Your Breath may sound\u2014their real strength lies in the messages between the songs. Before \u201cY.S.K.W.,\u201d Josh Mowery addressed the crowd in front of the stage: \u201cIf one of you is struggling with addiction, this song is for you.\u201d The song tells of the painful process of breaking free from a destructive addiction\u2014of relapses, withdrawal symptoms, and the courage to free oneself from the grip of one\u2019s own demons. What followed wasn\u2019t a rallying cry, but an honest message: \u201cIf you\u2019re struggling, you\u2019re not alone. We\u2019re so happy you\u2019re still here. We love each and every one of you.\u201d For a moment, the breakdowns and mosh pits faded into the background. Time and again, Josh sought connection with the audience. During \u201cLost,\u201d he formed a heart with his hands; during \u201c21 Gun Salute,\u201d the atmosphere became noticeably emotional, before \u201cDark\u201d ramped up the energy again. The band, however, saved the emotional climax for the very end. \u201cOn behalf of every band that played today\u2014thank you for supporting live music. You are the reason we can stand on this stage and live our dreams,\u201d Josh said before the first notes of \u201cDial Tone\u201d rang out. What followed was far more than just the band\u2019s biggest hit. The fans\u2019 voices merged with Josh Mowery\u2019s singing into a moving unity. The song about alienation, loneliness, and the longing for genuine connection suddenly took on a whole new meaning. At that moment, there was no trace of isolation left. Moved, Josh placed a hand over his heart and, smiling, soaked up the moment. On Instagram, the singer posted a video of the audience singing along and admitted that this very moment had moved him to tears. There could hardly have been a more beautiful symbol of just how much this performance meant to Catch Your Breath.<\/p>\n\n

Unbroken<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A change of style! Social Distortion<\/strong>, one of the most influential punk rock bands in the U.S., took the stage at the Mandora Stage. Since 1979, frontman Mike Ness has been synonymous with an unmistakable blend of punk rock, rockabilly, blues, and country\u2014a sound with which the Californians have influenced generations of musicians. The band deliberately avoided using any visual effects. The screens simply displayed the iconic Social Distortion skeleton with a cigarette and a cocktail glass before \u201cBorn to Kill\u201d kicked off the set. The title track of their first album in 15 years took on special significance: Mike Ness wrote it after overcoming cancer, during which he had to completely relearn how to sing and even how to swallow. Without much fanfare, the opening number thus gained additional symbolic power. Although the pogo and circle pits remained modest at first, the crowd gradually warmed up with classics like \u201cMommy\u2019s Little Monster,\u201d \u201cBall and Chain,\u201d and especially \u201cStory of My Life.\u201d With a wink, Ness announced the song as an \u201cold German beer-drinking sing-along\u201d\u2014and sure enough, the fans sang along loudly to the chorus. The show closed with \u201cDon\u2019t Drag Me Down,\u201d an unequivocal rejection of racism, discrimination, and injustice. <\/p>\n\n

The Freedom of the Mask<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

For many bands, landing a spot at Rock am Ring is the result of years of hard work. President<\/strong> managed it in a remarkably short time. It\u2019s only been since last year that this mysterious collective has been turning heads\u2014and despite notable competition, they\u2019ve already drawn an impressive crowd to the Orbit Stage. A palpable tension hung over the square before the intro began. A pink, transparent drum set, the striking glowing crosses in the background, and a pulpit defined the minimalist stage design. Slowly and deliberately, the frontman stepped onto the stage\u2014wearing a black tailcoat with a bow tie, white gloves, and a Reagan mask. He raised his fist into the air, let his gaze wander, and immediately made it clear that President<\/strong> wouldn\u2019t need any grand words. In fact, the band remained silent throughout the entire performance. No announcements, no explanations\u2014just music, gestures, and atmosphere. The audience was already singing along loudly during \u201cFearless.\u201d \u201cDionysus\u201d was met with enthusiastic cheers, while the frontman\u2019s powerful screams impressively underscored why the English band is currently considered one of the most exciting new acts on the modern metal scene. Time and again, he returned to his lectern, paused, let the cheers wash over him, and communicated exclusively through small gestures. During \u201cRage,\u201d he dropped to his knees in the middle of the song, literally soaking up the crowd\u2019s reactions, and then blew a kiss to the fans. When the drum-and-bass section kicked in during \u201cConclave,\u201d crowd surfers floated above the crowd against the evening sky\u2014a scene that was as powerful as it was almost surreal. The climax finally came with \u201cIn the Name of the Father,\u201d the very song that marked the beginning of this band\u2019s journey. <\/p>\n\n

The Golden Hour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The timeless hard rockers from Alter Bridge<\/strong> radiated nothing but feel-good vibes. At the Mandora, the audience encountered extraordinary musicians and a frontman whose face beamed with joy throughout the evening. Even during \u201cSilent Divide,\u201d Myles Kennedy could barely wipe the infectious grin off his face. He repeatedly made eye contact with the audience and, during a laid-back circle pit, quickly pulled down his sunglasses so he could better follow the action. \u201cThat\u2019s beautiful,\u201d he commented with a laugh, clapping enthusiastically for the fans. Throughout the entire set, Kennedy came across as remarkably approachable and appreciative: \u201cI know there\u2019s a lot of things you could be doing, and you chose to come hang out with us.\u201d The audience thanked him by singing along loudly, clapping, and repeatedly chanting \u201cAlter Bridge!\u201d When guitarist Mark Tremonti finally took over the vocals for \u201cRise Today,\u201d the atmosphere in front of the stage was as exuberant as it was relaxed. Under the warm evening sun, a hot-air balloon even drifted leisurely across the festival grounds\u2014an almost symbolic moment for this thoroughly laid-back performance. By the time Miles crouched down with the audience during \u201cMetalingus\u201d\u2014but had to briefly stop singing because he was laughing so hard\u2014it was clear: Alter Bridge<\/strong> hadn\u2019t just thrilled the crowd that evening\u2014they were enjoying every single minute just as much themselves. <\/p>\n\n

As if not a single day had passed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

There are bands that have been living off their past for decades. And then there\u2019s Iron Maiden<\/strong>. With a two-hour set, the British heavy metal legends took the final headlining slot. Long before the concert began, countless Maiden T-shirts dominated the scene in front of the Utopia Stage. From the very first moment, Bruce Dickinson left no doubt as to why the band has lost none of its appeal even after five decades. With his ponytail tied high, a leather jacket, and gray jeans, the 67-year-old stormed across the stage, repeatedly making eye contact with Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers. Together, the musicians radiated a contagious joy of performing. Time and again, they grinned at one another and seemed to be enjoying the evening at least as much as the ten thousand people in front of the stage. And Iron Maiden<\/strong> told stories. Each song opened a new chapter. Bruce slipped into ever-changing roles, changed outfits without interrupting the flow of the performance, and transformed himself at times into a mystical storyteller, at times into a soldier, and at times into a ghostly wanderer. At the same time, the band\u2019s mascot Eddie kept appearing in new guises: first as a three-meter-tall figure with glowing eyes, torn jeans, a mullet, and a massive axe; later as a soldier with a machine gun on a mountaintop; or as a saber-wielding companion during \u201cThe Trooper.\u201d Together with the constantly changing backdrops, this created a stage design that made each song feel like its own short film. Visibly moved, Dickinson let his gaze wander over the infield, which was packed all the way to the horizon. \u201cWhat a great day. Unbelievable. Life is beautiful. Unbelievable.\u201d It was one of those moments when even a global superstar simply savored the moment. Seconds later, \u201cThe Number of the Beast\u201d sent the N\u00fcrburgring into a frenzy amid massive bursts of fire above the stage and from the video screens. Chants of \u201cMaiden!\u201d echoed across the grounds as thousands fervently sang along to every line. One of the most charming moments, however, was, of all things, a mosh pit. As Iron Maiden<\/strong> continued their musical journey through time, a \u201csnail pit\u201d formed right in the middle of the infield. With their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, the small group laughed as they moved in circles at a snail\u2019s pace. A wonderfully creative idea that showed how Rock am Ring lets every generation celebrate in its own way. During \u201c2 Minutes to Midnight,\u201d martial war imagery dominated the screens. Eddie sat on a mountaintop with a machine gun, the British flag fluttering beside him. At that very moment, Dickinson lightened the mood with dry British humor, raising his water bottle high like a mountaineer and grinning: \u201cThere\u2019s nothing interesting in this bottle. Fucking water, no beer, no schnapps.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

A Fountain of Youth Called Passion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

With \u201cThe Rime of the Ancient Mariner,\u201d the performance finally reached one of its most visually stunning climaxes. On the screens, the legendary albatross soared through the skies before the ship seemed doomed to sink and its crew plunged into the depths of the sea. Dickinson, clad in a tattered cloak, appeared almost like a ghostly apparition, transforming Samuel Taylor Coleridge\u2019s famous ballad into a dark stage epic. As darkness fell, the production gained even more intensity. Lasers streaked across the night sky, flames shot upward, and during \u201cFear of the Dark,\u201d tens of thousands of voices merged into a mighty chorus. Bruce moved across the stage with a lantern while a giant moon illuminated the screens. You couldn\u2019t help but pause and marvel. Right next to us, a fan in his early sixties followed Bruce Dickinson\u2019s every move with sparkling eyes. Again and again, he shook his head with a laugh, until he finally blurted out: \u201cUnbelievable! I\u2019ve barely gotten out of the car today, and nobody\u2019s looked at me like this in twenty years!\u201d One could hardly have described this performance more aptly. At 67, Dickinson looked like a youngster, sprinting tirelessly across the stage and impressively proving that Iron Maiden<\/strong> is still every bit as good as younger bands when it comes to energy, stage presence, and passion. With \u201cWasted Years,\u201d this extraordinary headliner\u2019s set finally drew to a close. \u201cHave a great day, a great week, a great year, have a great fucking life\u2014you deserve it! We\u2019ll see you again,\u201d Dickinson said, bidding a emotional farewell to the audience. Behind all the flames, Eddie, and monumental stories, one thing above all else remained in our memories: the palpable passion of a band that still savors every single moment on that stage. Despite all the dark imagery and epic stories, the British band left behind one thing above all else: hope, warmth, and the feeling that music connects people across generations. <\/p>\n\n

The spark never dies out<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Rock am Ring 2026 finally came to a close as the night fell, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. A heartfelt message appeared on the video screens: \u201cThank you for an unforgettable festival! You are the Ring!\u201d <\/p>\n\n

It was the hardest moment of every Rock am Ring weekend. Not the last song. Not leaving the infield. But the moment when you realize that this very special time is now over. Three days during which everyday life faded into the distance. Days filled with music, happy faces, shared joy, and countless encounters that showed why Rock am Ring is so much more than just a festival for so many people. For a brief moment, everything felt a little lighter. Even on the way home, that feeling wouldn\u2019t let go of us. Not far from the Ring, we ran into a police checkpoint. Every car was pulled over, and finally it was our turn. I rolled down the window, and the police officer shone his flashlight in my face. Still overwhelmed by all the impressions of the weekend, I asked him, almost euphorically, what we were supposed to do now. He seemed irritated, just waved us off, and said, \u201cJust keep driving!\u201d Laughing, we continued on our way. At that moment, we realized just how much this weekend still had us in its grip. <\/p>\n\n

Perhaps that is precisely the magic of the Ring. You may eventually leave the N\u00fcrburgring, but the feeling you experienced there remains. The music lingered, images flashed before your mind\u2019s eye once more, and countless new memories found a permanent place in your Ring-heart. <\/p>\n\n

Due to photography restrictions, we were unfortunately unable to take any pictures of President for you. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Text: Nadine KloppertPhotos: Michael Gamon<\/p>\n\n