Rock Imperium Festival unveils its first wave of bands for 2027

The Rock Imperium Festival has revealed the first artists confirmed for its 2027 edition, scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 July 2027 at Parque El Batel in Cartagena, Spain. Following the festival’s largest edition to date, the organisers have wasted no time in announcing an opening wave that combines legendary names from power, black, thrash and extreme metal, setting the tone for another ambitious chapter in the event’s development.

Leading the first announcement is Helloween, who will celebrate their 40th anniversary at the festival. Joining them are the reactivated Children of Bodom, performing what has been announced as their only Spanish appearance of 2027 in a tribute to the late Alexi Laiho, alongside Norwegian black metal pioneers Mayhem, whose performance will also be exclusive in Spain. Completing the initial announcement are Venom, one of the foundational names of extreme metal, and former Skid Row vocalist Erik Grönwall, whose solo performance adds a hard rock dimension to the opening line-up.

Since its inaugural edition, Rock Imperium has rapidly established itself as one of Southern Europe’s leading heavy metal festivals. Its programming consistently combines internationally recognised artists with exclusive performances and carefully curated line-ups that span traditional heavy metal, thrash, death metal, black metal and hard rock. This editorial direction has helped the festival attract audiences from across Europe while reinforcing Cartagena’s growing reputation as a destination for major rock and metal events.

The first announcement for 2027 also demonstrates the organisers’ continued emphasis on exclusivity. Both Children of Bodom and Mayhem are currently advertised as performing their only Spanish shows of the year at Rock Imperium, giving the festival additional significance for domestic and international audiences alike. Combined with Helloween’s anniversary celebrations and the inclusion of Venom, the opening wave presents artists whose influence extends across several generations of heavy music.

Although many more bands are expected to be announced in the coming months, the initial confirmations already illustrate the festival’s intention to maintain the broad stylistic diversity that has become one of its defining characteristics. By bringing together pioneers of European power metal, Scandinavian melodic death metal, first-wave black metal and the origins of extreme metal, Rock Imperium once again positions itself among the most significant summer festivals for heavy music enthusiasts.

Among the first confirmed artists, Helloween remain one of the most influential bands in the history of power metal. Formed in Hamburg in 1984, the German group fundamentally shaped the genre through the release of Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I and Part II, albums that established a blueprint combining melodic guitar work, speed metal energy and ambitious songwriting. Throughout four decades, Helloween have successfully navigated numerous line-up changes while maintaining their creative identity, producing a catalogue that extends from early speed metal roots to more expansive melodic compositions. The reunion of classic members Kai Hansen and Michael Kiske with the modern line-up has further strengthened the band’s position, culminating in acclaimed recent releases and extensive international touring. As they celebrate their fortieth anniversary at Rock Imperium 2027, Helloween continue to represent one of the defining forces of European heavy metal, with a legacy that has influenced countless bands across the power and melodic metal spectrum.