Since its inception in 2016, Metal On the Hill festival, organized by Austrian powerhouse metal label Napalm Records, has been a bona fide success story for the organizer. After an unfortunate cancellation in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival is back on schedule for its 2021 incarnation (buy tickets here).

From 13th to 14th August 2021, the event returns at the picturesque “Kasematten” stage, a reminder of the medieval castle that once stood on the castle hill in Graz, Austria. The festival offers a unique and atmospheric venue for roughly 2,000 fans attending Metal On The Hill every year. 

Despite some pandemic-forced lineup changes, the festival boasts a strong lineup in 2021. Headliners include the Finland-based 80s-pop-meets-power metallers Beast In Black and Finnish monster rockers Lordi each day, respectively. Fans can experience a welcome mix of established acts from different subgenres such as Samael, Tyr, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Marduk. Newcomers like Warkings, Harakiri For The Sky, Nervosa, and Wind Rose will also be performing.

For some impressions from the 2019 edition of Metal on the Hill, check out this short video by German folk metallers Feurschwanz of their performance at the festival from that year: