Scottish pirate party metal legends ALESTORM have been confirmed as the first act and headliner for METAL ON THE HILL 2026, celebrating the festival’s tenth anniversary. The show takes place on August 29, 2026, at the iconic Kasematten open-air stage on the Schlossberg in Graz, Austria.METAL ON THE HILL is ringing in its tenth anniversary in style, announcing ALESTORM as the first confirmed act and headline performer for the 2026 edition of the beloved Austrian festival. The Scottish pirate metal outfit, fronted by the inimitable Chris Bowes, will take the stage on August 29, 2026, at one of the most atmospheric outdoor venues in the country: the Kasematten on Graz’s historic Schlossberg.
Anyone who has witnessed ALESTORM live knows what to expect — an explosive cocktail of seafaring anthems, relentless energy, and an audience ready to abandon all inhibitions. The band’s reputation for delivering raucous, high-octane performances makes them a natural fit for a milestone celebration of this magnitude.
METAL ON THE HILL was founded a decade ago through a joint initiative by Napalm Records and the Grazer Spielstätten, with the goal of bringing heavy music to one of Styria’s most visually striking locations. Perched beneath the highest point of the Styrian capital, the Kasematten venue was carved into the former fortifications of the Schlossberg in the early twentieth century, offering a uniquely intimate yet dramatic setting for live performances.
Over ten years, the festival has built a reputation for combining hard-hitting sounds with an atmosphere that few European metal events can rival. With ALESTORM at the helm for the anniversary edition, the 2026 instalment promises to honour that legacy with full force. Additional acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are available via metal-on-the-hill.com and ticketzentrum.buehnen-graz.com.
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