Bulgaria 
Greece 
Turkey 
Romania 
Serbia 
N. Macedonia 
🎸 After the first day of Hills of Rock 2026, where we fell to our knees before the magnificent Marilyn Manson, the second day offered us a more balanced dirty rock to recalibrate our shaken emotions. Headliner Godsmack was eagerly awaited by many, even though they come regularly to Bulgaria, and Sully Erna knew he would meet sincere and genuine love.
The musical love began in the early hours of the day. Opening the main stage was punk freshness Karen Dio, while simultaneously we could hear two Bulgarian bands. On the Power Stage we moved with Engineer of Death, and the Plovdiv-based Bound to Bleed reminded us on the „Na T'mno“ stage why we love thrash metal so much.
At 6 PM, we rushed to House of Protection on the Main Stage – heavy sound with electronic mixing and an ecstatic audience.
At 7:30 PM, it was time for other good acquaintances of the Bulgarian audience – Skindred. Wild, tireless and dearly loved, the band gave us one of the most pleasant musical jolts with the perfect combination of heavy metal and reggae. New and old songs, flashy coats and hats from the tireless vocalist and endless energy – that's what the crazy guys from Skindred brought us.
Meanwhile, Vrani Volosa were playing on the Power Stage, and the „Na T'mno“ stage was shaking to the rhythm of Blinded Through The Seasons, followed by Lek City Case.
🔥 What followed was a meeting we won't forget for a long time – the titan Zakk Wylde took the main stage with Black Label Society. With unadulterated rock flowing from Wylde's hands, as if they were a conduit for the heart of the guitar, and uncompromising riffs, BLS made us dream of freedom and total surrender to our inner urges.
A sip of air, a sip of beer, and we managed to catch Northlane on the Power Stage and the fresh Bazzookas, then back to the main stage – because it was time for Sully Erna.
And he appeared, of course – right on time, with that presence that seems to tell you: „I have some very important things to share with you, and I'll do it in a way you'll never forget.“ With sincerity, without any pretension and with the privilege of being loved by a hell of a lot of people, Godsmack led us on the well-known journey through some of their biggest hits from the last 31 years.
From „Crying Like a Bitch!“, „Voodoo“, „I Stand Alone“, „Bulletproof“, „Something Different“, through the obligatory drum battle and „Under Your Scars“ with tribute to all who are no longer with us, Godsmack's concert passed like a perfectly tuned machine, on whose last car we might have seen the sign „See you soon!“
The second evening of Hills of Rock 2026 ended with dancing, thanks to Django Ze and Koza Mostra, and gathering valuable energy for the third day. We'll definitely need it.
📸 Photo: Tsvetan Uzunov / Hills of Rock 2026