HELLS BELLS FESTIVAL launches Hit The Bell band contest

Szczecin, Poland; 7 April 2026: Hells Bells Festival has launched Hit The Bell, a contest for emerging bands from all over the world to compete for a spot at the festival.

The contest is open to bands across all heavy genres, from punk and classic metal to the most extreme. To apply, bands are invited to complete the official application form available at: https://hellsbells.pl/en/hit-the-bell-band-contest/

The “Hit The Bell” contest will run until mid-May and is divided into several key stages:

Applications are open until 15 April
Between April 21-30, a public vote will take place on the festival website for bands shortlisted by a professional jury
On 4 May, the festival will reveal the five bands selected to perform in the contest final
The final showdown will take place live on 15 May at Dom Kultury Słowianin in Szczecin, where the winners will be chosen

The “Hit The Bell” winners will join a line-up that covers heavy metal, punk, rock and extreme metal. Across three stages, the festival will deliver everything from the traditional heavy metal of Dirkschneider and Grave Digger to the extreme of Possessed, Vader, NunSlaughter, and Dead Congregation. The thrash metal contingent is bolstered by the technical assault of Gama Bomb and the legendary Frank Blackfire, while the fuzz-drenched riffage of Belzebong provides a stoner-doom counterpoint.

The punk and hardcore legacy of Discharge, UK Subs, Cockney Rejects, The Last Resort, and local icons The Analogs and Dezerter stands alongside the horrorcore energy of Słoń and the avant-garde darkness of Furia and Dola. Furthermore, the festival remains a vital platform for the new generation, showcasing the rising power of The Materia, The Stubs, Owls Woods Graves, Hamulec, My Own Abyss, Seks W Czasach Wojny, Pretensje, Drowned In Silver and Diving Stove.

As previously announced, the festival has entered its next pricing tier. This pool of tickets will be available only until 31 May 2026 (or until sold out): Full Weekend Pass (PLN 409), Friday Ticket (PLN 199), Saturday Ticket (PLN 229). The festival also continues to offer the discounted Youth Pass (ages 13-18) and Family Pass (adult with child under 13).

Secure your entry now: https://hellsbells.pl/

HELLS BELLS FESTIVAL
26-27 June 2026
Plac Gryfitów, Łasztownia

Dirkschneider (“Balls To The Wall” special set)
Grave Digger
Pro-Pain (35th anniversary)
Cockney Rejects
UK Subs
Vader
Possessed (“Seven Churches” 40th anniversary)
Discharge
NunSlaughter
Gama Bomb
Furia
Frank Blackfire (Best of Sodom & Kreator set)
The Analogs (old-school set)
Dead Congregation
Last Resort
Dezerter
Słoń
Owls Woods Graves
The Materia
Belzebong
The Stubs
Dola
Hamulec
My Own Abyss
Seks W Czasach Wojny
Pretensje