Hills of Rock 2026 – Day 3: An Ideal Finale with Paradise Lost, Nevermore and Lamb of God

The third and final day of Hills of Rock 2026 was also the main reason we travelled to Plovdiv this year. It was a line-up that would be difficult for any fan of heavy music to ignore, hosted in a setting that clearly demonstrates why this festival is considered one of the best in the Balkans.

The Rowing Canal Park (Grebnata Baza) proved to be an ideal venue for an event of this scale. From the very first moment, it was obvious that the people behind Hills of Rock knew exactly what they were doing. Food trucks and cocktail vans were literally everywhere, so you never had to walk far to find something to eat or drink. Toilets were also plentiful and spread throughout the entire festival grounds, something you rarely see at events with such a large attendance. Even during peak hours, the queues remained perfectly reasonable, allowing people to enjoy the music instead of wasting their time waiting in line.

The sound was equally impressive. Whether you were standing close to the stage or much farther back, everything came through clearly, with the right balance and without excessively loud levels. These are the kinds of details you may not consciously notice during a concert, but by the end of the day you realise just how important they were to the overall experience.

When we arrived at the festival grounds, we managed to catch Unbaptised on the smaller stage. We did not know much about the band beforehand, but they immediately caught our attention. With plenty of energy, a strong stage presence and a tight sound, they provided the ideal start to our day. It is always great when a festival gives you the opportunity to discover a band you probably would not have seen under different circumstances, and Unbaptised were exactly that kind of pleasant surprise.

A little later, it was time for the first truly major act of the day.

Paradise Lost hardly need an introduction. More than three decades into their career, with countless albums that have left their mark on metal, they take the stage with the kind of confidence that only the truly great bands possess.

Opening with the brand-new “Serpent on the Cross” worked perfectly, before they moved on to timeless tracks such as “One Second”, “The Last Time”, “Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us”, “As I Die”, “Embers Fire” and, of course, “Smalltown Boy”, which has now become one of the most beloved moments of their live shows.

Nick Holmes remained restrained yet commanding, while Greg Mackintosh once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the most distinctive guitarists in the genre. Without flashy effects or unnecessary excess, Paradise Lost delivered a masterclass in atmosphere, experience and substance. The finale with “Ghosts” and “Silence Like the Grave” left the crowd completely satisfied and provided the perfect continuation to the evening.

For many people, including us, the return of Nevermore was one of the most important moments of the entire festival.

Although the absence of the late Warrel Dane can never truly be filled, the band did not attempt to replace their legend. Instead, they chose to honour their legacy with a set full of songs that have marked an entire generation of metalheads.

“Beyond Within”, “Inside Four Walls”, “Born”, “Believe in Nothing”, “Narcosynthesis”, “Enemies of Reality” and the epic “The River Dragon Has Come” sparked wave after wave of excitement, with the audience singing every lyric and applauding for a long time after each song.

It was obvious that many people had come to Hills of Rock for the sole purpose of seeing the name Nevermore on a stage once again. That sight alone was enough to make the moment emotional.

While the intensity had been gradually building until that point, Lamb of God sent it through the roof within a matter of seconds.

As soon as the opening notes of “Ruin” rang out, the entire area in front of the stage transformed into one enormous mosh pit. From that moment on, there was no turning back.

Randy Blythe once again proved why he is regarded as one of the finest frontmen in modern metal. Tireless, constantly moving across the stage and maintaining a steady connection with the crowd, he swept thousands of people into one endless party.

The setlist was packed with songs we had all been waiting to hear. “Laid to Rest”, “512”, “Walk With Me in Hell”, “Omerta”, “Memento Mori” and, of course, the explosive “Redneck” completely flattened the audience.

A particularly special moment came with “Blunt Force Blues”, which Lamb of God performed live for the very first time. The crowd welcomed it enthusiastically, giving the band a memorable moment, while those of us who were there had the privilege of witnessing the live debut of a brand-new song.

The show was elevated even further by the impressive pyrotechnics. Flames repeatedly erupted from the stage, perfectly synchronised with the breakdowns and climactic moments of the songs, creating a spectacular visual display without ever overshadowing the music.

Absolute chaos reigned in front of the stage. Circle pits, crowd surfers, constant pushing and thousands of people singing every word. Yet even within all that chaos, the familiar respect of the live metal crowd remained present. Anyone who fell was immediately helped back up, everyone looked out for one another and the pit worked exactly as it should.

Personally, I consider it the best performance of the day.

After Lamb of God finished, Electric Callboy took over and were given the task of closing Hills of Rock 2026 with the kind of party they are known for creating at every show. I have to admit, however, that they have never managed to win me over musically. So instead of staying until the end of the concert, we decided to make one final stop at the food vans, enjoy something to eat and then begin our journey back.

As we left the Rowing Canal Park, one thing was certain: Hills of Rock had left us with an excellent impression. It is not simply another summer festival featuring big names. It is an event that respects its visitors, invests in its infrastructure and provides an experience that is difficult to find even at much larger European festivals.

As long as it continues at this level, there is no doubt that it will see us back in Plovdiv again.