Anthrax, Dirkschneider, Lita Ford and more confirmed!

Published: January 25 2016 at 08:45

We can think of no better way to start off the week than announcing another 10 acts confirmed for Sweden Rock Festival 2016! So welcome ANTHRAX, DIRKSCHNEIDER, LITA FORD, GLENN HUGHES, RAISED FIST, EPICA, THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS, IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC, 220 VOLT and THE ERIC BELL TRIO.

With Slayer and Megadeth previously announced, the addition of Anthrax to the line-up means that three quarters of "the big 4" of thrash metal are confirmed to visit Sölvesborg this summer! Anthrax, who have not played Sweden Rock since 2005, are returning with their classic vocalist Joey Belladonna behind the microphone and have a brand new album out in late February.

Original Accept vocalist Udo Dirkschneider has been fronting his own band U.D.O. since the late 80's. About a decade after his last reunion stint with Accept, he is bidding his final farewell to his old bands catalogue with a tour under the name Dirkschneider, where he and his new band are performing Accept songs exclusively. After this tour, Udo has vowed never ever to sing an Accept song again, so this may be the last chance for his Swedish fans to hear him sing classics like "Balls to the wall", "Fast as a shark" and "Metal heart".

One of the greatest female icons in rock, Lita Ford, has also been confirmed for the festival. She had her breakthrough with legendary The Runaways before launching a long and successful solo career which has produced the big hit (and Ozzy Osbourne duet) "Close My Eyes Forever", among many other songs. We can expect Lita to be eager to prove herself this summer: her last visit to Sweden Rock, in 2009, did not quite turn out as planned since her second guitarist was unable to come with the band to Europe due to passport problems.

Here are all 10 acts announced today:

Anthrax

Dirkschneider

Lita Ford

Glenn Hughes

Raised Fist

Epica

Imperial State Electric

The Kentucky Headhunters

220 Volt

The Eric Bell Trio

57 out of a total of 82 acts are hereby announced. More information about all artists performing at this summer's festival can be found at www.swedenrock.com.