ROCK HARD FESTIVAL started out in 2003 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the legendary German „megazine“ ROCK HARD. It was pretty clear from the beginning that ROCK HARD FESTIVAL would be different: a fan-friedly event in a classic amphitheatre setting, open to a variety of metal and hard rock tastes and appealing to all generations of fans. The whole thing is dedicated to music and music only. This is what a Dutch promoter had to say after his first Rock Hard experience: »I never saw such an audience - everybody in this round must possess a HUGE record collection!« The overwhelming atmosphere and community feel is often praised in comments of visitors and artists alike. It´s a place to meet and celebrate!
ROCK HARD FESTIVAL has only one (!) stage, a beer garden (of course), a metal market, metal disco, an autograph booth and a merch & food street, but NO amusement-park-type side attractions such as bungee jumping, viking villages, car exhibitions etc... Instead, ticket, food and drink prices remain as low as possible. The capacity is strictly limited to 6.500 visitors.
The bands are hand-picked by the journalists of Rock Hard Magazine (mainly by chief-editor Goetz Kuehnemund) and often include exclusive reunion shows, special sets and hot newcomers, who sometimes start as opening bands and return as glory headliners a few years later (such as Volbeat for example). Accept did their first reunion show here, others recorded DVDs or CDs in Gelsenkirchen or performed exclusive one-time-only sets for Rock Hard. Legendary TV programme "Rockpalast" films RHF documentaries since 2010.
The Ruhr Area has always been a happening place for metal, including well-known artists like Kreator, Rage or Sodom. The Amphitheater is easy to reach, part of a huge green park and offers breath-taking river-views. Camping is located right next to the arena, most of the toilet and shower facilities are in fixed buildings.
If you want to enjoy a peaceful rock & metal party in an intimate open air environment with good sound, great people and short distances, ROCK HARD is your festival!
17.05.2013 - 19.05.2013 (D) GELSENKIRCHEN / Amphitheater
Friday - 17. May
21:30 - 23:00 U.D.O.
20:00 - 21:00 ASHES OF ARES
18:30 - 19:30 AUDREY HORNE
17:10 - 18:00 DENIAL OF GOD
16:00 - 16:45 FLESHCRAWL
15:00 - 15:40 HELLISH CROSSFIRE
Saturday - 18. May
21:30 - 23:00 QUEENSRYCHE
19:45 - 21:00 D-A-D
18:15 - 19:15 ENSIFERUM
17:00 - 17:45 NAGLFAR
15:50 - 16:35 DESASTER
14:45 - 15:30 MUSTASCH
13:45 - 14:25 HORISONT
12:45 - 13:25 SLINGBLADE
Sunday - 19. May
21:30 - 23:00 KING DIAMOND
19:15 - 20:30 SEPULTURA
17:45 - 18:45 THRESHOLD
16:15 - 17:15 TANK
15:10 - 15:55 ORCHID
14:05 - 14:50 ORDEN OGAN
13:00 - 13:45 GOSPEL OF THE HORNS
12:00 - 12:45 ATTIC
