ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2026 5./22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2026 Gelsenkirchen, GERMANY: REMOVE WARLORD OFF OF FESTIVAL AFTER DRUMMER MARK ZONDER ANTI IMMIGRANT REMARKS

 

 

 

Promoters for ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2026, set to take place 5./22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2026 Gelsenkirchen, GERMANY: have REMOVED WARLORD off the bill after drummer  MARK ZONDER ANTI IMMIGRANT REMARKS...  

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM ROCK HARD FESTIVAL 2026 PROMOTERS: 

Dear festival-goers!

Unfortunately, due to several posts by Warlord drummer Mark Zonder, we have had to make the decision to cancel his band´s performance at this year´s Rock Hard Festival.

Marks most recent Facebook post („Sadly I have learned...“) only confirms that our decision was the right one. In Germany, anyone is free to address their political views - whether on stage or through their art - as long as those views do not discriminate against a particular group of people („Volksverhetzung“ has been a criminal offense since the end of World War II).

More than a third of the German population, as well as many members of our crew and audience, have a migrant background. After Mark´s initial statement began circulating in forums and on social media, many people told us they would no longer attend the festival.

Bands are always welcome at Rock Hard Festival, regardless of their (democratic) political views (as past years have shown). However, when we pay an artist fee, we expect respectful behavior toward ALL members of our audience and crew. We no longer felt that this respect could be guaranteed, and therefore decided to remove Warlord from the bill.

We are currently working hard to find a replacement for Warlord and will announce it shortly.

Stay heavy!

#NoSleepTilAmphitheater #rhf2026

 FROM MARK ZONDER (WARLORD): : 

 

Sadly I have learned Warlord has been removed from the German "Rock Hard Festival". Their reasoning is they find anyone supportive of the current U.S. administration, of its law enforcement and its military to be “politically incompatible” with their "values".

In their view, America's legally elected president is akin to "Hitler", and anyone supporting him is in favor of a supposed “New American Holocaust”.

This mindset is dangerous and insulting. I am a Jewish man and am being told in 2026 my views are not permitted in Germany. The optics of this do not sit well historically.

Much like this post, any online posts I have made have always been to instigate intelligent discussion and debate. I pose the question, are we entering a new "PMRC era" in live music? This time led from Germany?

 

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-