Bulgaria 
Greece 
Turkey 
Romania 
Serbia 
N. Macedonia 
🎸 Before the official start of Hills of Rock today, July 24, the Rowing Base in Plovdiv warmed up with four bands in the special Be4 Hills evening. Last night, July 23, the main stage featured Swedish metal machine Sabaton, the cult Savatage, Dutch symphonic metallers Epica and Bulgarian rockers Sevi.
Always eagerly awaited by the Bulgarian audience, to the sounds of marches and lyrics telling stories of thousands of years of history, the headliners of the evening were the Swedes Sabaton. The band, known for their relentless live energy, once again showed why they are among the top names on festival posters worldwide. Sabaton's performances always evoke strong emotional reactions in Bulgaria, especially with songs like „The Valley of Death“, inspired by Bulgarian history, which was played second to last, with a lion and the Bulgarian tricolor displayed on the video wall behind them. „Bulgari, junatsi“ (Brave Bulgarians) chanted the fans, while the Swedes enjoyed themselves on stage, accompanied by plenty of fire, pyrotechnics and props, including a tank on which the drummer played.
The special Hills day also welcomed Savatage – one of the leading bands that gave impetus to power and progressive metal worldwide. This was the band's first performance in Bulgaria and as they said themselves from the stage: „We don't know why it took so long to come here“. The combination of symphonic virtuosity, heavy guitar riffs and dramatic charge turns the band into a true phenomenon that Bulgarian fans finally got to see after so many years of waiting.
Epica – the Dutch band that remain a leading force in the world of symphonic metal, with nine albums and twenty-four years on stage. Known for their grand compositions, the vocal power of Simone Simons and the skillful blending of styles that sound equally convincing both in studio recordings and live, Epica fully lived up to the expectations of the Bulgarian audience. The set included many compositions from their latest studio album „Aspiral“, which fit naturally among the band's already iconic songs.
🎤 Bulgarian rockers Sevi opened the evening and showed that the local scene has plenty to offer. With an energetic performance of „Vampire Love“ they set the tone for the evening and won over the audience from the very first chords.
🔥 Be4 Hills kicked off the four-day metal marathon in Plovdiv, and today, July 24, the official three-day edition of Hills of Rock 2026 begins with Marilyn Manson, Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter, Malevolence and Vended on the main stage.
📸 Photo: RockLive archive / Be4 Hills 2026