ROCK AM RING DAY 2: Jam-Packed With Incredible Bands

This weekend, it is finally time again for Rock Am Ring, one of Europe’s premier music festivals, held at the iconic Nürburgring in Germany! This legendary event brings together fans of rock, metal, and alternative music for a thrilling weekend of unforgettable performances. From navigating the stellar lineup of headliners and rising stars to tips for soaking in every moment of the live shows, we’ve got you covered with photos and words of many of the acts on this year’s impeccable lineup to ensure you can enjoy the festival from afar. We are excited to witness this epic celebration of music once again.

The second day of Rock Am Ring dawned with a chilly breeze, yet the absence of rain set a promising tone as Nothing More took to the Utopia stage to open the festivities. Renowned for their theatrical live performances, the band delivered a spectacle that’s vividly captured in the photos below. In recent years, Nothing More have soared to new heights, propelled by their 2024 album Carnal, while timeless tracks like Jenny and This Is The Time (Ballast) remain fan favorites. Their setlist struck a perfect balance between fresh releases and classic hits, drawing a dedicated crowd to the festival grounds early in the day to bask in the band’s energy. The gallery below offers a glimpse into the vibrancy of their performance.

Following the extroardinary Nothing More set, the Swedish powerhouse Imminence took to the Mandora stage, where they commanded attention with their surging popularity, fueled by the release of The Black. Known for their signature violin-infused metalcore—aptly dubbed “Violincore”—the band has found a strong foothold in Germany. Despite their early afternoon slot, German festival-goers turned out in droves to experience one of the most dynamic acts on the lineup. Imminence’s set leaned heavily on tracks from The Black, a fitting choice given the album’s role in elevating their international profile. Onstage, their church-themed decor, complete with background vocalists and musicians clad in black robes, created a striking visual complement to their exceptional musical performance, making for an unforgettable experience.

For fans eager for more, Imminence will return later this year to close out The Black era with massive club shows featuring orchestral backing, promising a truly extraordinary spectacle.

Next, the Utopia stage welcomed Skillet, a band we hadn’t seen live in years. A mainstay in rock for decades, Skillet proved their enduring relevance, as evidenced by the massive crowd that gathered to see them. Their 2009 album Awake, with hits like Monster and Hero, marked a pivotal moment in their career, and their draw today remains as strong as ever. While less theatrical than the preceding acts, Skillet’s performance was musically impeccable. A standout moment came during the fourth song, when frontman John Cooper donned CO2 cannons strapped to his arms, injecting visual flair into the set. The giant screen behind the band also displayed visuals, including snippets of music videos throughout the year. Paired with the musical prowess, it was enough to keep the fans entertained for the entirety of the set. The gallery below captures the energy of their commanding performance.

The weekend’s weather forecast had been grim, but the Nürburgring enjoyed sunshine paired with cool air for the first half of the festival day, creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, midway through Spiritbox’s set, the skies opened, and rain poured relentlessly for hours. Undeterred, Rock Am Ring attendees flocked to the Utopia stage to catch Spiritbox, marking their third appearance at the festival since 2022. Their journey—from the Orbit stage in the afternoon their first year, to the Mandora stage late in the day last year, to now kicking off the evening program on the Utopia stage—reflects their meteoric rise. The success of their debut album Eternal Blue and the warm reception of their 2025 sophomore release Tsunami Sea have solidified their place in the alternative music scene.

Spiritbox’s set drew from their full discography, enhanced by camera filters and effects that amplified the visual experience for the thousands of fans in attendance. While the performance lacked additional pyrotechnics or CO2 effects, the band’s musical prowess held the audience’s attention effortlessly. As Spiritbox continues to climb, future mainstage slots may bring more elaborate production, but for now, their raw talent was more than enough to captivate the crowd. Check out some shots of the band’s stellar performance in the gallery below.

As the rain eased slightly, Bullet For My Valentine took the Utopia stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their iconic album The Poison. The set opened with a nostalgic video montage chronicling the band’s two-decade journey, setting the tone for a performance steeped in legacy. Launching into Her Voice Resides, the band delivered a setlist packed with The Poison staples like 4 Words (To Choke Upon) and Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do), each song igniting the crowd with memories of the early 2000s metalcore era.

Frontman Matt Tuck connected with the audience throughout the night, sharing heartfelt gratitude for their steadfast support. The band’s polished performance reflected their years of experience while retaining the raw passion that first propelled them to fame. Musically, Bullet For My Valentine was as tight as ever, though their show leaned heavily on the music itself, with minimal engagement or visual spectacle. Having seen them perform over a decade ago, the set felt familiar, offering little new compared to their past performances. Still, their iconic status and musical precision ensured an enjoyable experience, even if it followed a well-worn formula.

After Bullet For My Valentine’s celebratory set concluded, we headed back to the Mandora stage to see another industry giant: Sweden’s In Flames. Though their lighting effects were underwhelming, the band delivered a stellar performance with their signature sound and commanding stage presence.

In Flames captivated the Rock Am Ring crowd with a memorable set, effortlessly blending older hits like “Cloud Connected” with newer tracks from their latest album, Foregone. Anders Fridén’s vocals radiated raw energy, while Björn Gelotte and Niclas Engelin’s guitars filled the festival grounds with sharp riffs and soaring melodies. It’s no surprise that In Flames remains as popular as ever.

For us, the night closed with one of today’s standout bands, Rise Against, who drew an immense crowd to the Mandora stage, rivaling the mainstage draw of Slipknot. As the Mandora stage’s equivalent of a headliner, Rise Against seized the moment to showcase their continued relevance, especially timely with their upcoming album, Ricochet. Hailing from the United States, the band enjoys remarkable popularity among German fans, a fact underscored by their Spotify listener data, with three of their top five cities being German. The massive turnout for their set was no shock.

Rise Against pulled out all the stops for their performance, featuring their iconic bullhorn and more pyrotechnics than most acts we’ve seen at the festival. Their setlist, a tribute to their extensive discography, included new singles that were warmly received by the crowd. The German fans’ enthusiasm for the upcoming album was palpable.

Check out photos from the band’s stellar performance in the gallery below, and join us tomorrow for coverage of Rock Am Ring’s third and final festival day!

Glenn van den Bosch

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