Another six bands confirmed

Published: November 14 2025 at 08:20

So we can now present six more artists that will play at Time To Rock Festival July 3-6, 2026. After this, three more bands remain to be released. Some real goodies are promised. All VIP tickets are already sold out, more than 5 weeks earlier than last year and if you know that you are also going to the pre-party, Friday July 3, then buy your ticket now, because then the pre-party is included at no extra cost! This ticket is limited, as we cannot take in as many people at the pre-party as during the regular festival days.

PAIN (S)
Peter Tägtgren is one of Sweden's most respected producers when it comes to metal. He has had everything from Celtic Frost and Dark Funeral to Dynasty and Sabaton in his studio. He has also been a member of a long line of bands. However, the industrial metal project Pain is what he has become most popular with. In the studio, Peter handles the vocals and all the instruments himself, but live he of course has other musicians with him as well. The first self-titled album was released in 1997 and the big breakthrough came in 2002 with the third album "Nothing Remains the Same". The big reason for this is spelled "Shut Your Mouth". A song with a simple intro that sticks as effectively as post-it notes on a refrigerator. The latest album, number nine in the series, is called "I Am" (2024) and also contains sticky notes for songs like "Push the Pusher" and "Party In My Head". With Pain on stage, it will not only be a party in your head but on the entire festival area. A party you are all invited to.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR (S)
Hardcore Superstar was formed in 1997. Since the start, the Gothenburg band's permanent members have been singer Joakim Berg and bassist Martin Sandvik. Guitarist Vic Zino has been in the group since 2008. After four albums, the guys made a "Metallica" and released their self-titled black (coincidence??) album in 2005. With that album, the band's popularity among Swedish rock fans increased. Since the album contains songs like "Kick On the Upper Class", "Wild Boys" and "My Good Reputation", you can understand why. The hits have continued to roll in, such as "Dreamin' in A Casket", "Last Call For Alcohole", "Moonshine", "You Can't Kill My Rock 'n Roll", "Don't Mean Shit" and many more. This summer, the band will play their fifth gig with us in Knislinge. The reason for the repeat? The answer is simple. Hardcore Superstar is undoubtedly one of Sweden's best live bands and every year one of the most desired for Time To Rock.

ENFORCER (S)
The band Enforcer started in 2004. The first album "Into the Night" was released in 2008 and with glowing reviews the band became a bit of a poster boy for what can be called the new wave of traditional metal. Diamonds (2010), "Death by Fire" (2013) and "From Beyond" (2015) followed.
Six albums into their career they are still just as acclaimed, and just as traditional, but without sounding outdated, even though their latest album is called "Nostalgia" (2023).
A funny thing, since we have Baron Rojo in this year's line-up, is that like the aforementioned band, Enforcer has an album that is available in both Spanish and English, namely "Zenith" (2019). With us, Olof Wikstrand and the band only sing in English, but regardless of which one it will be a concert to rave about. Raise your hands to the sky, throw your hair (those of you who have hair to throw) and enjoy the music.

DOMINUM (D)
The singer who calls himself Dr Dead is a big fan of the TV series Walking Dead, among other things, so in 2022 he decided to form a band with Zombieimage. The band performs with masks, so it is not surprising that Dominum is compared to Lordi. In fact, bands like Battle Beast and Amaranthe are closer musically. The debut "Hey Living People" was released in 2023 and in addition to the title track we find quirky titles like "Cannibal Corpses", "We All Taste the Same" and "Half Alive". There is also a couple of covers in the form of Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round", Billie Elish's "Bad Guy" and Midnight Oil's "Bed are Burning". On the sequel "The Dead Don't Die" (2024), the group gets help on the title track from Feuerschwanz, a song that sticks like glue as it is basically built on the lullaby "Hush
Little Baby". As you can see, Dominum should not be taken too seriously. However, we will definitely have dead fun during the concert.

MARCO MENDOZA (US)
The American bassist Marco Mendoza started his career as a professional musician in 1989. His CV is long, so long that we can't write everything he has done, but if we mention that he has worked with artists and bands such as Bill Ward, Tommy Shaw. Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Ted Nugent, many of you will understand what quality we are talking about. As recently as this summer, he toured with guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Marco also has a solo project under his own name and it is with this that he is visiting us in Knislinge this time. Marco has released four solo albums, where the debut "Live For Tomorrow" was released in 2007 and the latest was released in 2022 and is called "Take It To the Limit". Musically, Marco's music moves in hard rock country, but with elements of funk and also some Latin American tones. Swaying, stylish and exciting. Charge up with songs such as "Take It To the Limit", "Viva La Rock", "Look Out For the Boys" and more. In addition to solo material, we can also expect some covers from artists and bands Marco has played with. He is a legend coming up on our stage, so don't miss this chance to see Mr. Marco Mendoza.

BLOODSTAIN (S)
Bloodstain was formed in the fall of 2023 with roots in the classic Bay Area sound - but has quickly developed its own expression that has made a strong impression on the Swedish metal scene. Their self-released debut EP I Am Death is approaching 1,000,000 streams on Spotify, and the band has been praised for their uncompromising energy, both in the studio and on stage. After an intense live performance in Stockholm, they caught the attention of Entombed guitarist and Threeman Recordings founder Alex Hellid - which led to a management and production collaboration in the spring of 2025. Since then, the band has been working focused in the studio on their first full-length. The first taste, the single Lies Bleeding Through, was released on April 18 and marked the beginning of a new chapter for Bloodstain. In the summer of 2025, Bloodstain made their debut at the Sweden Rock Festival in front of a large and enthusiastic audience, followed by acclaimed gigs as support for Dark Angel at Parksnäckan in Uppsala, as well as at the festivals Storsjöyran and Malmöfestivalen. In the autumn, Bloodstain toured Sweden together with Dark Tranquillity - and much more awaits in 2026. Among other things, a gig with us at Time To Rock!

Five new bands confirmed!

Published 15 October 2026 at 08:36

Vindicta, exclusive show in Sweden! Rising from the ashes of controversy, VINDICTA is a powerful new force on the international metal scene. Formed by three former members of the theatrical metal band Dogma , VINDICTA represents a fresh beginning, driven by musical freedom, determination and a burning passion for heavy metal. Fronted by the charismatic Grace Pasturini, known as Lilith, alongside guitarists Amber Maldonado (Lamia) and Patri Grief (Rusalka), the band has expanded into a formidable five-piece with bassist Wena Velasco (Medea) and drummer Gemma Sofia Salvatori (Kali). Combining crushing guitar riffs, haunting melodies, powerful vocals and a dark, theatrical atmosphere, VINDICTA delivers a captivating blend...

Published 11 October 2026 at 19:13

Public Image Ltd. to Time To Rock Few artists have challenged the boundaries of rock music quite like John Lydon . After changing the face of music as Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols , he refused to simply repeat himself. Instead, he formed Public Image Ltd - P.i.L and headed straight into completely new territory. Founded in London in 1978, Public Image Ltd became one of the most influential bands to emerge from the post-punk era. Taking elements of punk, dub, experimental music, dance, noise and uncompromising rock, PiL created a sound that was unmistakably their own. Their groundbreaking early records, including First Issue and the legendary...

Published 9 October 2026 at 08:52

Dan Byrne to Knislinge Rock City Sometimes a new artist comes along, and your immediate reaction is, "We've got to have him!" That is exactly how we felt-and then some-when we heard Dan Byrne. Dan Byrne is a British rock singer from Liverpool who has quickly made a name for himself thanks to his powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and passion for rock music. His vocals blend power with emotion, ranging from explosive rock anthems to moments of vulnerability and deep feeling. After previously fronting the rock band Revival Black, Dan Byrne embarked on a solo career. He introduced his solo material with the 2023 EP *Beginnings*,...

Published 25 September 2026 at 10:30

Atomic Rooster to Time To Rock! Few bands capture the dark, heavy, and adventurous spirit of early British hard rock quite like Atomic Rooster. Formed in 1969 by keyboardist Vincent Crane, Atomic Rooster emerged from the same fertile musical landscape that nurtured some of the biggest names in progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal. Their sound was distinctive from the very start: a Hammond organ pushed to its limits, thunderous rhythms, blues-infused guitars, and songs possessing a wonderfully eerie atmosphere. In the early 1970s, the band created their most acclaimed material, including the classic album *Death Walks Behind You* and unforgettable tracks like "Tomorrow Night" and...

Published 24 September 2026 at 09:20

Pretty Maids confirmed With a new album in the works for 2027-and as one of the most requested bands for the festival year after year-we felt it was time again. PRETTY MAIDS were formed in Horsens, Denmark in 1981 by lead singer Ronnie Atkins, guitarist Ken Hammer and a group of great musicians. Through the years, the band has established itself as one of the greatest Danish acts on both the domestic and the international rock scene. Their debut album 'Red, Hot and Heavy' was released in 1984 and established the band's characteristic sound, and it quickly became a big cult classic. Their great...

Published 7 September 2026 at 10:28

Celebrating Meat Loaf - Bat 50 Fifty years ago, Bat Out Of Hell changed rock and roll forever. More than 40 million albums later, it remains one of the best-selling albums in music history. BAT 50 is the official year-long global celebration of this legendary record, performed in its entirety, featuring members of Meat Loaf's official band, The Neverland Express + Andrew Polec, the original lead of Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical. "The only band endorsed by me and Jim Steinman. I truly believe you will enjoy this show!" - Meat Loaf "Do not miss this! This is the closest you could possibly get... This is...

Published 31 August 2026 at 08:08

Published 25 August 2026 at 08:41

Tyketto Unplugged today We regret to inform you that Tyketto's drummer is stuck on a highway in Germany due to a major accident (he was NOT involved in the crash himself) and has consequently missed his flight to Copenhagen. Faced with the choice of either cancelling the show entirely or having the band perform an acoustic set instead, we opted for the latter. So, today you will see Tyketto Unplugged, and we hope this turns out to be a unique and positive experience rather than a cancelled gig.

Published 5 July 2026 at 09:53

THE HEADLINES replace Discharge After hours upon hours of work trying to secure a replacement for Discharge, we are now proud to present: THE HEADLINES. The Headlines are a punk rock band from Malmö, formed in 2005. With an explosive blend of classic punk, rock 'n' roll, and strong melodies, they have crafted a unique sound inspired by bands like The Clash, Rancid, and the Ramones. Over the years, The Headlines have established themselves as one of Sweden's most active touring punk bands. They have played over 800 shows across Europe, Canada, Japan, China, and Russia, building a particularly loyal following in Germany. On stage,...

Published 2 July 2026 at 14:35

Discharge cancel We have a very sad announcement. A little while ago we received a message from Discharge that their flight from England had been cancelled. Their alternative was to take another flight, but it would land at 10pm on Saturday, which would then be after their gig. We offered them to come a day earlier and arranged a hotel room for them, but there was not a single flight available for them that day. So there will be no Discharge this year. We are doing our very best to find a replacement at such short notice and will get back with this...

Published 1 July 2026 at 19:36