| Hammer of Doom Festival | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Genre(s) | Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, Traditional Doom, Hard Rock |
| Location | Würzburg, Germany |
| Venue(s) | B-Hof (2009) Posthalle (2009 - Present) |
| Years active | 2009 - Present |
| Website | Hammer of Doom Festival on Facebook |
Hammer of Doom Festival is a festival event held in Würzburg, Germany. The first two editions were held in 2009 with each year hosting two events until becoming a yearly fest in 2012 onward. While the festival hosts many variations of the doom metal genre, Hammer of Doom tends to favor Gothic Doom, Classic Doom and Traditional Doom. The festival has also been notable for hosting special marquee performances and in the case of several doom bands, their first ever performances Europe.
To date the festival has held fourteen editions over ten years, typically held as an "all-dayer" event on a single stage. Almost every edition of the festival has been hosted at the Posthalle.
Hammer of Doom I: 2009[]
The inaugural Hammer of Doom Festival was hosted at the B-Hof in Würzburg, Germany. Hosting six bands over the course of a single day, the inaugural event was on 31 January 2009.[1]
| B-Hof; 31 January |
|---|
| The Devil's Blood |
| Dark Quaterer |
| Isole |
| In Aevum Agere |
| Ereb Altor |
| Seamount |
Hammer of Doom II: 2009[]
The second edition of Hammer of Doom would be hosted on 17 October 2009 at Posthalle Würzburg.[2] Notably this edition would feature Albert Witchfinder performing with Spiritus Mortis and a rare appearance by Death Row, featuring the lineup of Swaney, Hasselvander and Griffin. However, Griffin would suffer vocal issues and Eric Wagner would fill in on vocals.
| Posthalle; 17 October |
|---|
| Trouble |
| Death Row |
| Pagan Altar |
| Count Raven |
| The Gates of Slumber |
| The Lamp of Thoth |
| Atlantean Kodex |
| Spiritus Mortis |
| Dark Forest |
| Fall of The Idols |
Hammer of Doom III: 2010[]
The third edition of Hammer of Doom would be held at Posthalle on 6 February 2010, notably featuring nine bands on the bill. This edition would be headlined by Saint Vitus and a special all-doom set by death metal/death-doom band Asphyx.[3]
| Posthalle; 6 February |
|---|
| Saint Vitus |
| Asphyx Special Doom Set |
| While Heaven Wept |
| Lord Vicar |
| Ahab |
| Centurions Ghost |
| Old Season |
| Atlantean Kodex |
| The Wizar'd |
Hammer of Doom IV: 2010[]
The fourth edition of Hammer of Doom would be held at Posthalle on 23 October 2010. This edition would feature Solitude Aeturnus as the headliner and notably feature the live debut of the Swedish rock/metal band Ghost.
| Posthalle; 23 October |
|---|
| Solitude Aeturnus |
| Iron Man |
| Place of Skulls |
| Sorcerer |
| Jex Thoth |
| Griftegård |
| Mirror of Deception |
| Procession |
| Eternal Elysium |
| Ghost |
Hammer of Doom V: 2011[]
The fifth edition of Hammer of Doom would be held at Posthalle on 16 April 2011, featuring ten bands. Notably this showcase would feature the first ever European appearances for Blood Farmers and Argus. Atlantean Kodex would host their first ever live show with their original singer Markus Becker. While Heaven Wept's performance at Hammer of Doom also served as their release party for their album Fear of Infinity. Lastly, Pentagram served as the headliner, celebrating their 40th anniversary.[4]
| Posthalle; 23 October |
|---|
| Pentagram |
| While Heaven Wept |
| Primordial |
| Blood Farmers |
| Atlantean Kodex |
| Argus |
| In Solitude |
| Black Pyramid |
| Age of Taurus |
| Arkham Witch |
Hammer of Doom VI: 2011[]
The sixth edition of Hammer of Doom would be hosted at Posthalle in Würzburg on 28 and 29 October 2011. Notably this would mark a turning point for the festival as this would be the first edition to span two days, initially billing the first day as "Epic Night" and the second as "Doomsday". It would also be the last year the festival would host two events in a calendar year and the last event held in October before the Festival would settle on hosting annually in November.
This event would notably see Manilla Road perform a special 150-minute set and headlined by The Devil's Blood doing a special "pre-release" show for the band's second album The Thousandfold Epicentre.[5] Cathedral were intended to play this edition of the festival as part of their Farewell Tour. However they would cancel due to "the use of animal blood as part of the stage show of one of the other bands on the bill. We do not condone nor endorse this type of activity, and in fact we are very much opposed to it.".[6]
| 28 October Epic Night |
29 October Doomsday |
|---|---|
| Manilla Road | The Devil's Blood |
| Doomsword | Yet So Far |
| Mountain Throne | Blood Ceremony |
| Battleroar | Forsaken |
| Lord Vicar | |
| Orchid | |
| Nomad Son | |
| Eleventh Hour | |
| Devil | |
| Seamount |
Hammer of Doom VII: 2012[]
The seventh edition of the Hammer of Doom Festival would be hosted at Posthalle on 9 and 10 November 2012, the first time the festival would maintain a tradition of hosting the festival in November. Featuring fourteen bands over two days, the event would notably feature the second European show of Chicago-based doom metal band The Skull and a headlining appearance by Pentagram.[7]
| 9 November Epic Night |
10 November Doomsday |
|---|---|
| Demon | Pentagram |
| Dark Quarterer | The Skull |
| Dark At Dawn | Solstice |
| Desolation Angels | Necros Christos |
| Wrathblade | Naevus |
| Horisont | |
| Zodiac | |
| Coven 13 | |
| Orcus Chylde |
Hammer of Doom VIII: 2013[]
The eighth edition of Hammer of Doom Festival would be hosted at Posthalle on 15 and 16 November 2013. Featuring thirteen bands over two days, notably this edition would be headlined by While Heaven Wept in what would be their 25th Anniversary performance.[8]
| 15 November | 16 November |
|---|---|
| Orchid | While Heaven Wept 25th Anniversary Show |
| Ashbury | Jex Thoth |
| Blues Pills | Procession |
| Scorpion Child | Year of The Goat |
| Beelzefuzz | |
| Altar of Oblivion | |
| Age of Taurus | |
| Below | |
| Wheel |
Hammer of Doom IX: 2014[]
The 2014 edition of Hammer of Doom would initially be announced on 18 April 2014, announcing seven of the fifteen acts.[9] The full lineup would be revealed, one band at a time, through the summer leading up to the event at Posthalle on 14 and 15 November 2014.
Notably Trouble would perform a special 30th Anniversary show doing the entirety of Psalm 9. Saint Vitus would also perform in lieu of their 25th anniversary and perform all of Born Too Late with other songs. However on 11 November, vocalist Scott Weinrich would be detained and arrested in Norway for possession of illicit substances, ultimately deported back to the United States the next day. This would force Dave Chandler and various guests to handle vocal duties for their performance.[10]
| 14 November | 15 November |
|---|---|
| Kadavar | Saint Vitus 35th Anniversary performance, featuring Born Too Late |
| Trouble 30th Anniversary performance of Psalm 9 |
Orange Goblin |
| Jess and The Ancient Ones | Avatarium |
| Reino Ermitano | The Ruins of Beverast |
| Wolfspirit | Hamferd |
| Mount Salem | |
| Epitaph | |
| Doomocracy | |
| Mist | |
| Wucan |
Hammer of Doom X: 2015[]
The tenth edition of Hammer of Doom Festival would initially be announced on 19 January 2015 with the first two bands announced being Swedish doom band The Order of Israfel and Canadian band Funeral Circle in their first ever European appearance.[11] By 27 October 2015 the full lineup would be announced, though Funeral Circle would drop off.[12] Hammer of Doom X would be held at Posthalle on 20 and 21 November 2015.
| 20 November | 21 November |
|---|---|
| Pentagram | My Dying Bride |
| Sorcerer | Candlemass |
| Path of Samsara | 40 Watt Sun |
| Cross Vault | Skepticism |
| The Order of Israfel | |
| Caronte | |
| Black Oath | |
| Doomshine | |
| Lord Vigo |
Hammer of Doom XI: 2016[]
The eleventh edition of Hammer of Doom Festival was held at Posthalle on 18 and 19 November 2016. The initial announcement would be held on 11 May 2016, announcing the first four of thirteen bands, including The Skull and Witch Mountain (Though Witch Mountain would drop off.).[13] More bands would be announced, leading up to the announcement of Saint Vitus with original singer Scott Reagers.[14] Notably this edition of the festival would branch into implementing black metal bands with subtle doom elements such as Friday headliner Primodial and a special set from Samael showcasing Ceremony of Opposites.
| 18 November | 19 November |
|---|---|
| Primordial | Saint Vitus |
| The Skull | Samael Performing Ceremony of Opposites |
| Cauchemar | Antimatter |
| Monasterium | Lord Vicar |
| Dark Millennium | |
| Universe 217 | |
| Apostle of Solitude | |
| Iron Void | |
| Night Gaunt |
Hammer of Doom XII: 2017[]
The twelfth edition of Hammer of Doom Festival would be hosted at Posthalle on 17 and 18 November 2017. The festival would be announced initially on 30 November 2016 with Lucifer's Friend, Naevus and The Temple announced as the first three bands.[15] In the next few months, several more names would be announced such as Cirith Ungol, Count Raven,[16] a rare live performance by The Doomsday Kingdom, Warning (performing Watching From a Distance),[17] and Time Lord: A tribute to Terry Jones featuring members of Pagan Altar.[18]
| 17 November | 18 November |
|---|---|
| Warning Performing Watching From a Distance |
Cirith Ungol |
| Lucifer's Friend | Time Lord |
| Procession | Count Raven |
| Witchwood | The Doomsday Kingdom |
| The Temple | The Vision Bleak |
| Crippled Black Phoenix | |
| Naevus | |
| Below | |
| Cranial |
Hammer of Doom XIII: 2018[]
The thirteenth edition of Hammer of Doom Festival would be announced on 21 December 2017, announcing three of the fourteen bands set to perform.[19] On 17 April 2018 it would be announced that While Heaven Wept would return to Hammer of Doom for their farewell tour and their final performance in Germany.[20] By 2 November 2018 the full lineup would be arranged and announced.[21] Unorthodox was initially intended for the festival but dropped off by 11 November.[22]
Hammer of Doom XIII would be hosted at Posthalle on 16 and 17 November 2018.
| 16 November | 17 November |
|---|---|
| While Heaven Wept Final performance in Germany |
Coven |
| Eric Clayton and The Nine Performing early Saviour Machine and more |
Batushka |
| Apostle of Solitude | Sorcerer |
| The Wizards | Stillborn |
| Goat Explosion | Pale Divine |
| Hallas | |
| Dawn of Winter | |
| Old Mother Hell | |
| Smoulder |
Hammer of Doom XIV: 2019[]
The fourteenth edition of Hammer of Doom Festival was initially announced on 29 January 2019, initially announcing two bands: Russian Epic Doom Metal band Scald in their first ever performance outside of Russia and German doom band Mirror of Deception.[23] On 5 February 2019 the band would announce Uli Jon Roth, performing a hand-picked curated setlist via Hammer of Doom, also featuring Scorpions drummer Rudy Lenner.[24] On 21 June 2019 the festival would be up to thirteen bands over the two days.[25] Hammer of Doom XIV is set for 15 and 16 November 2019 at Posthalle. In September 2019 it would be announced that Trouble had dropped off, intended to perform Psalm 9 for it's 35th anniversary due to various conflicts. The Skull would be announced as their replacement, performing an all Trouble set including the entirety of Psalm 9.
| 15 November | 16 November |
|---|---|
| Uli Jon Roth Special Hammer of Doom Set |
Atlantean Kodex |
| The Skull Psalm 9 35th Anniversary |
Scald Exclusive performance |
| Antimatter | Swallow The Sun |
| Orodruin | Lord Vicar |
| Crestfallen Queen | Khemmis |
| Mirror of Deception | |
| Messa | |
| Tanith | |
| Iron Walrus | |
| Thronehammer |
Hammer of Doom XV: 2022[]
The 2020 edition of Hammer of Doom had been announced in September 2019, set for 13 and 14 November 2020 at Posthalle Würzburg.[26] It would however be postponed to 2021 due to The CO-VID19 Pandemic. On 30 September 2020 it would be announced that the 2021 edition of Hammer of Doom would be announced on 12 and 13 November 2021, with Coven as the headliner.[27] On 12 October 2021 it would be announced that the fifteenth edition of Hammer of Doom would be postponed to 18 & 19 November 2022.[28]
Coven would be announced as the Friday headliner among other acts. Witch Mountain were intended to play the festival on Friday but would cancel their tour of Europe. On 17 August 2022 more bands would be announced, including Saturday's headliner Candlemass. The Skull would also be announced to perform with two guest vocalists in Karl Agell (Corrosion of Conformity) and Scott Reagers (Saint Vitus).[29]
2023[]
2024[]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ / Festival Hopper
- ↑ / Festival Hopper
- ↑ / Festival Hopper
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ BlabbermouthAccessed 2 July 2018
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Festival
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Festival
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Festival
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook Event
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ Hammer of Doom Facebook
- ↑ The Skull Facebook