We are thrilled to announce that Sebastian Görlach (founding member of Décembre Noir) will celebrate the live world premiere of his new project with us at the Dark Troll Festival!

Melodic death metal meets slow-burning doom, whose heaviness and melancholy provide the perfect backdrop for the songs’ themes. The riffs feel both familiar and fresh—an echo of the past, yet with a distinctly personal touch.

The songs revolve around the depths of human despair, traumatic experiences, and a sense of existential hopelessness. They also explore inner turmoil, guilt, loss, and the darker sides of human nature.

Welcome to the castle ruins, Avertat!

Here’s a song from their debut album, Dead End Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c9Xi_tboLg

Following our successful "Veil of Darkness" tour together last April, we're thrilled to welcome our new friends to Dark Troll for the first time.
Founded in 2015, this black metal band led by Obscura and A. Morthaemer has released three albums to date.
We're excited that they'll be playing a very exclusive set for us and premiering new songs from their upcoming album live.
Traditional black metal—dark and triumphant, performed with passion and authenticity.

Here's the title track from their latest album, "Veil of Death, Ruptured":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZaKLAKlQc

Welcome to the castle ruins, Asagraum!

Time flies—band number three was our headliner at the very first Dark Troll an incredible thirteen years ago.

Now we're thrilled to welcome them back next year, as they return after fourteen years to celebrate one of their rare live performances with us.

The heirs of Negură Bunget present their atmospheric/progressive folk black metal in its many facets, transcending genre boundaries and standing as a flagship of the Romanian extreme metal scene.

Here's a song from their 2012 debut album "Dar de duh":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6jilw-6X_E

Welcome to the castle ruins, Dordeduh!

Here comes band number two!

Founded in 2020, this Swiss black metal duo has already made a name for itself across Europe with its haunting, atmospheric sound. The two musicians have released two albums and an EP to date.

Through haunting melodies and dark lyrics, they explore inner darkness, interpersonal tensions, and existential despair. Driven by an atmosphere of bitterness and coldness, they create soundscapes that are as captivating as they are unsettling.

Here’s a song from their latest album, 'Stiller Abschied': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOvjcUN4fBU

Welcome to the Castle ruins Bedrängnis!

As promised, we're kicking things off today by introducing our first band. They are certainly no strangers to us, having been regular guests since 2015.

Ever since they played only their second show ever—and their very first performance outside of Scotland—at Dark Troll, we've shared a friendship that extends far beyond the festival itself.

As one of the pioneering European bands of atmospheric black folk metal, they have continued to grow steadily and impressively, with six albums released to date. And there's even more to look forward to, as another release is expected later this year.

Here's the title track from their current album, 'Amidst the Ruins':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVIFEwa9JZg

Welcome to the castle ruin Saor!

Sadly, a very good friend of ours passed away last night. We will miss you terribly at the castle—walking through the archway will never be the same again. Thank you for everything. We will never forget you!

If you’ve been counting the bands, you know we’re actually done with our announcements. However, to celebrate our 15th anniversary, we’ve decided to add one more band to the lineup this year.
This band will remain a secret until the festival itself - so come and be surprised!
Who do you think it might be?

We’re thrilled to announce another top-notch band for our 15th anniversary.
The band is eagerly looking forward to finally playing at Schweinsburg again after nine long years—and we’re just as excited to welcome them back after such a long time.
The Finnish extreme metal band brings together a unique blend of melodic and hopeful elements, acoustic fragility, and hard black and death metal, all the way to atmospheric doom. With seven albums under their belt, they have become a fixture in the realm of exceptionally well-crafted melodic death metal.
Join us in welcoming Wolfheart!

Here’s a song from their latest EP, “Draconian Darkness II”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2pWWPcIsy8

Just two months to go until Dark Troll, and we’re thrilled to announce the penultimate band today!
The Dutch band joins a long list of bands from recent years that have performed in Germany for the very first time. And not only that: they also join the ranks of bands from recent years that have even celebrated their world premiere at Dark Troll!

Founded in 2016 by Martin van Beek as a solo project, it has evolved over the past year into a full-fledged band project featuring renowned musicians.
The symphonic black/death metal band Lucifer's Cold Embrace has released one EP and one album to date and is deeply rooted in historical themes; driven by a dark, cinematic atmosphere, their second EP, titled “Scherprichter,” is set to be released soon.

Here’s a snippet of one of the songs we can expect to hear live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVJm1oxlKTk

The band carousel keeps turning.
It won't be long now, and we still have a few treats in store for you.

As most of you know, it's not unusual for us to feature individual bands from other genres, which many of you find to be a welcome change.
That's why we're happy to confirm Frantic Amber, a band from Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2008!
The all-female melodic death metal band creates an intense mix of brutal riffs and rousing melodies, combined with aggressive growl vocals. Their live shows are described as an explosive whirlwind of energy with flying hair, strong stage presence, and unique charisma.

Here's a song from their current album “Death Becomes Her”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQzyy0SIZJs