As if their 2022 line-up wasn’t impressive enough already with over 90 confirmed acts, Alcatraz Festival organsiers have added another 14 bands for next summer!

Alcatraz regulars will undoubtedly know that organisers like to bill bands from all corners of the metal spectrum and cater to a multitude of tastes. This has always been a cornerstone of their philosophy and this year is no exception. From heavy metal veterans ACCEPT to their black metal countrymen DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT and on to Prussian natives and metalcore / industrial sensations ESKIMO CALLBOY, variety is still the operative word. Or how about NWOBHM stalwarts DIAMOND HEAD, without whom Metallica might never have existed and whilst we’re on the subject of Metallica, their legendary late bassist Cliff Burton was a member of Trauma in the early 80s. With a new line-up and armed with a new album, they are the umpteenth Bay Area band to play Alcatraz.

George Harris is the son of NWOBHM legend and Iron Maiden leader Steve Harris. His band THE RAVEN AGE plays a different kind of metal altogether but it hasn’t stopped them from making some serious waves these last few years. Dutch rock fiends PETER PAN SPEEDROCK have only one gear: full throttle. They’re back after a six-year hiatus but that won’t keep them from setting La Morgue ablaze. Two more incendiary bombs are set to drop on Kortrijk this summer: both CATTLE DECAPITATION and LORNA SHORE have their own bone-crunching take on brutal death metal. By comparison, Americans WO FAT turn the speedometer down a few notches but stoner enthusiasts couldn’t care less.

Putting together a festival bill means making some tough decisions. It was a toss-up between Evil Dead and Agent Steel but ultimately organisers settled on EVIL DEAD to bolster the generous selection of thrash bands already on the roster. Last but not least they are pleased to introduce three homegrown bands that deserve your full attention: death metal revelations MORDKAUL’S infectious tracks are indebted to Swedish melodic death metal, COBRA THE IMPALER is a regular hoard of talent – Mastodon, anyone? – and KILLTHELOGO is the evil bastard brother of the defunct .Calibre.

Organisers hope this new cache of bands will add some flavour to your holidays! Fewer than ten bands to go now, including the headliners, so keep your eyes and ears peeled!