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Hills of Rock 2025: Titans and Underground Heroes Unite in Plovdiv



By Diana Nikolova (Bulgaria) l July 25 - 27, 2025



Plovdiv’s Hills of Rock stormed back to the city’s Rowing Canal for its sixth edition, drawing more than 35,000 fans and reaffirming its status as Bulgaria’s flagship open air rock festival. Across three sweat soaked days and three stages, the 2025 line up balanced titans of the international scene—The Smashing Pumpkins, Machine Head, Sepultura, Mastodon—with a proud contingent of Balkan and European underground talent. When main-stage photo pits closed, the side stages answered with intimacy, keeping the energy flowing seamlessly from one act to the next. By the time the final cymbal crashed, Hills of Rock had once again proven that volume, heart, and passion are what define this unforgettable festival.




DAY 1- The Noise Beneath the Mountain




Rise of the Northstar – Main Stage



Frontman Vithia of Rise of the Northstar commands the stage during their main stage performance at Hills of Rock 2025, captured mid-gesture in one of his signature crouched stances.


Since emerging from Paris’s 19th arrondissement in 2008, Rise of the North Star have ridden a singular blend of 90s New York hardcore, groove metal heft, hip hop attitude, and shōnen manga iconography to cult status across Europe and Japan. Friday’s Plovdiv slot also marked the first Bulgarian date of their Showdown (2024) tour, and they arrived with cinematic intent: a towering LED wall flickered with panels from Fist of the North Star.




Eva-B, guitarist of Rise of the Northstar, locked into rhythm during their Hills of Rock 2025 set, wearing the band’s signature oni-inspired mask and revealing his full-leg tattoos in mid-performance.



From the first bass drop, the Paris trio whipped the front rows into a conveyor belt of crowd surfers. Guitarist Eva-B locked into low-slung, hip-hop-inflected grooves while pre programmed bass tracks filled the low end and drummer Phantom delivered piston tight kick patterns under strobe lighting. Front man Vithia punctuated each breakdown with karate pose freezes and mid air kicks, turning the platform into a living manga panel.




The frontman of Rise of the Northstar walks toward drummer Phantom, showcasing the band’s signature “WELCOME” jersey during a dynamic moment at Hills of Rock 2025, framed by a massive backdrop and TAMA kit.



Musically tight and visually stylized, their set felt less like a chaotic eruption and more like a controlled display of power. The crowd responded with hands raised and heads nodding — locked in the band’s deliberate rhythm and martial presence.




KSMR – Na Tumno Stage





A member of Bulgarian indie-alternative band KSMR delivers lead vocals while playing bass on the Na Tumno stage during Hills of Rock 2025. Wearing sunglasses and framed against textured lighting, his performance captured the group’s introspective energy.



Varna’s alt rock hopefuls KSHMR—winners of Wild Child Fest 2018—came of age in front of their biggest crowd to date. Since forming on the Black Sea coast in the mid 2010s, the trio have honed a melodic, Brit pop tinged sound that favor airy choruses sover distortion. Their chiming guitar lines and reverberant textures floated over clean Fender tones, coaxing gentle sways rather than fist pumps. A quietly confident set that hinted at bigger festival slots ahead.




Extreme X – Main Stage (Restricted Pit Access)




A bassist from Extreme X performs on the Hills of Rock main stage, surrounded by fog and flanked by a wall of Marshall amps. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, he strikes a defiant stance under moody lighting during a crowd-heavy moment captured from the audience zone.



Boston stalwarts Extreme—together since 1985—proved they are far more than a nostalgic sing along. Nuno Bettencourt’s fret wizardry and Gary Cherone’s elastic stage presence steered the crowd from hard groove riffing to a stripped back acoustic interlude without ever losing momentum. With the photo pit strictly limited, most lenses captured only long range silhouettes—bassist Pat Badger in wide brim hat and shades, stoic amid a swirl of stage fog and towering Marshall stacks. Even at that distance, the band’s tight interplay carried across the canal, sealing a lesson in veteran showmanship.





Urban Grey – Stroeja Stage





The vocalist of Urban Grey launches mid-air during an explosive moment on the Stroeja stage at Hills of Rock 2025. Wearing a Slapshot t-shirt and showcasing heavily tattooed legs, he delivers raw energy under dramatic lighting and stage smoke during the band’s high-intensity hardcore set.



Entering their twenty fifth year, Sofia’s Urban Grey remain the beating heart of Bulgaria’s hardcore underground. Founded in 2000 by guitarists Bebo Berberov and Chavdar Valchev, the quintet cut their teeth in storied DIY haunts such as O!Shipka and The Box, self releasing the bruising debut Fearfight (2003) before sharpening both message and musicianship on Age of Awareness (2008) and 2018’s EP Ωmega. Their metallic New York style grooves, layered with Balkan melodic inflections, underpin lyrics that tackle corruption, inequality, and the dignity of working class life.





Urban Grey’s bassist in full headbanging motion during their performance on the Stroeja stage at Hills of Rock 2025.Her flying hair and focused grip on the instrument capture the visceral energy of the set, set against a stark black-and-white backdrop.



Hitting the Stroeja platform just after sunset, Urban Grey wasted no time, launching straight into their first song. Over 35 relentlessly paced minutes the band volleyed double kick barrages, half time breakdowns, and gang vocal choruses that sent a stream of stage divers over the barrier. Mid set, the tempo intensified further, with tight breakdowns and call and response shouts keeping the pit churning. The crowd's intensity never waned, sustained by intermittent floodlights, underscoring the band’s relentless energy.





Urban Grey’s vocalist unleashes a roar through a megaphone during their the Stroeja stage set at Hills of Rock 2025. The image captures a raw moment of intensity and protest, emphasizing the band’s hardcore roots and commanding presence.




Day 2: Between Fire and Focus



Day Two of Hills of Rock 2025 offered sharp contrasts, balancing scale with intimacy, international icons with underground staples, and chaos with control.




GASP – Na Tumno Stage




GASP’s frontman captured mid-verse during their opening set on the Na Tumno stage at Hills of Rock 2025. With minimalist staging and clenched intensity, the band set the day’s tone with raw, post-hardcore energy.



Formed in Varna in May 2022 by guitarist George Todoroff, the five piece melodic metalcore outfit GASP have built momentum through club gigs along the Black Sea coast and 2024 streaming singles like “Nothing Can Stop Me,” all while tracking their still untitled debut album.




Two members of GASP trade riffs and energy on the Na Tumno stage at Hills of Rock 2025. The band's synergy and confident stage presence electrified the crowd despite the early set time.



Opening the early afternoon on Day 2, they delivered a brisk barrage: duelling down tuned guitars, rapid double kick runs, and screamed clean vocal trade offs that sliced through the midday heat. A small but devoted knot of fans kept a compact pit circling in front of the barricade, punctuating breakdowns with two step footwork that kicked up fine dust—perfect back lighting for wide angle shots. GASP stuck to terse between song nods and hand signals, letting tight musicianship do the crowd work. By the final chord, even passers by drifting toward the food stalls had paused to film the last drop, suggesting the Varna newcomers won more converts than any early slot could expect.




Wolfmother – Main Stage




Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale mid-riff during the band's explosive main stage set at Hills of Rock 2025. His signature curls and vintage guitar tone brought a wave of 70s hard rock revival to the festival crowd.



Formed in Sydney in 2004 around vocalist guitarist Andrew Stock dale, Wolfmother vaulted onto the world stage with their self titled 2005 debut and a 2007 Grammy win for “Woman”. The current touring trio—Stockdale, bassist James Wassenaar, and drummer Christian Condon—took the Hills main stage at exactly 18:00 and set up in front of towering amplifier stacks that glowed under the stage lights.




Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother bows into a riff, raising his hand in a defiant salute during their Hills of Rock 2025 performance. The Australian rockers delivered a vintage-charged set full of fuzzed-out guitars and throwback swagger.



Throughout their set, Wolfmother delivered an unbroken surge of fuzz drenched riffs, mid tempo swing, and Stockdale’s distinctive falsetto howls. His Gibson SG shifted seamlessly from heavy rhythm chunks to wah tinged solos without breaking the groove, earning appreciative shouts from the front rail.




Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother strikes a theatrical pose mid-song, lifting his guitar while singing into the mic during Hills of Rock 2025. His signature curls and vintage SG guitar defined the band’s charismatic main stage set.



It was a masterclass in less-is-more — and the crowd soaked in every second.




AXEZ – Na Tumno Stage




The bassist of Axez unleashes a fierce headbang mid-performance at Hills of Rock 2025, his hair flying as he leans into the groove with intense focus. Captured on the Na Tumno stage, the image reflects the band’s raw energy and unfiltered stage presence.



AXEZ, one of the most exciting young names in Bulgaria’s underground metal scene, hit the Na Tumno stage with full-force energy and zero hesitation. Originally formed in Varna about a decade ago, the band blends old-school thrash roots with a sharp, modern edge — and their Hills of Rock set was all about speed, attitude, and stage presence.




The lead vocalist of Axez performs with calm intensity on the Na Tumno stage at Hills of Rock 2025, gripping the mic with steady focus. Wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless Axez shirt, he delivers his lines with quiet force as a fellow band member emerges in soft focus behind him.



From the moment they started, it was clear they came prepared. Hair flew, kicks landed, and every movement on that small stage felt larger than life. Whether locking into tight grooves or exploding into chaos, they owned the moment and pulled the crowd right in with them.




A shirtless guitarist from Axez performs on the Na Tumno stage during Hills of Rock 2025, immersed in the moment with a subtle smile. His curly hair, textured guitar, and relaxed posture contrast with the raw energy of the performance. The stage backdrop is faintly visible behind him.



Visually, AXEZ gave one of the most photogenic sets of the day. Their intensity translated straight through the lens — every frame filled with movement, sweat, and purpose. It was a short set, but not one anyone near the stage will forget soon.




GREESH – Na Tumno Stage




Greesh performer points mid-set on Na Tumno stage, Hills of Rock 2025.



GREESH is a Sofia-based band combining alternative rock, electronic textures, and industrial undertones into a tightly focused live performance. Their lineup features guitar, bass, drums, and live synths — delivering a sound that balances raw instrumentation with layered digital elements. Rather than rely on genre clichés, the band builds dynamic tension through rhythmic interplay and evolving sonic textures.




Bass player from Greesh performing on Na Tumno stage during Hills of Rock 2025.



On the Na Tumno Stage, GREESH delivered a set marked by cohesion and intensity. The guitarist and vocalist led with sharp riffs and clipped vocal delivery, supported by pulsing bass and steady, deliberate drumming. The synth player added atmospheric depth while engaging the crowd with precise timing and confident transitions.




Vocalist and guitarist of Greesh performing live on Na Tumno stage during Hills of Rock 2025.



Visually, the performance stood out for its interplay of smoke, contrast, and silhouette — a set that translated exceptionally well into black and white photography, capturing the band in moments of focus, grit, and drive.




Reaven – Na Tumno Stage




Lead vocalist and guitarist of Reaven performing during their set on Na Tumno stage at Hills of Rock 2025.



Hailing from France, Reaven have steadily built a following across Europe with their polished blend of pop-rock, synth textures, and emotionally charged songwriting. Known for blending modern alt-pop sensibilities with classic rock structure, the band has toured extensively throughout the continent — but their appearance at Hills of Rock 2025 marked a notable introduction to many in the Bulgarian audience.




Crowd raising hands during Reaven’s performance on the Na Tumno stage at Hills of Rock 2025.



Taking the Na Tumno stage in the early evening, Reaven delivered a clean, confident set defined by tight harmonies, sweeping choruses, and the kind of stage chemistry that only comes with mileage. Their sound was radio-ready, but never formulaic — melodic yet sincere. Frontman Romeo Bassi led the charge with charismatic vocals and a crowd-aware ease that drew people in, song by song.



By mid-set, the once-casual audience had closed the gap to the stage, fully invested. Fans sang along, raised hands, and locked eyes with the performers — creating a visual rhythm that translated beautifully in photographs. The performance was a reminder that emotional intensity doesn't always need distortion — sometimes melody and precision hit just as hard.




Vendetta – Stroeja Stage




Frontman of Vendetta mid-gesture during an intense moment on the Stroeja stage at Hills of Rock 2025, backed by a bandmate wearing the group’s name on his shirt.



As one of the most respected names in Bulgaria’s hardcore scene, Vendetta have long stood as torchbearers of uncompromising aggression and social defiance. Formed in the early 2000s and rooted in Sofia’s underground, the band has built a reputation on relentless live shows and a sound that fuses hardcore punk with metal intensity — always direct, always personal.




The vocalist of Vendetta points toward the crowd while performing on the Stroeja stage at Hills of Rock 2025, gripping the microphone in his tattooed hand under dramatic lighting.



At Hills of Rock 2025, Vendetta took the Stroeja stage and made it feel like the center of the festival. Vocalist Kalinwasted no time asserting control, pacing the edge of the stage with clenched fists and laser focus, spitting every word with razor-sharp urgency. There were no gimmicks, no spectacle — just pure catharsis, shouted over walls of distorted riffs and pounding rhythm.




A vocalist from Vendetta grips the microphone mid-performance on the Stroeja stage during Hills of Rock 2025, with bright overhead lights creating a halo effect.



The crowd surged forward with the same intensity, responding not to theatrics but to something visceral and shared. Every pointed gesture and scream into the mic felt earned—a tangible testament to years of sweat, belief, and defiance.



Photographically, it was a gift: harsh lighting, hard contrast, and full-body expression. The band didn’t just play — they embodied the moment.




DAY 3 - From Cyber Mayhem to Underground Frenzy



Vukovi – Electric Surge on the Main Stage




Janine Shilstone of Vukovi performing on the main stage at Hills of Rock 2025.



Hailing from Kilwinning, Scotland, Vukovi have spent over a decade forging their own niche in the alt-rock scene — blending infectious pop hooks with heavy riffs, glitchy electronics, and a fearless visual identity. Fronted by the magnetic Janine Shilstone, the band emerged in the early 2010s and gained momentum with their self-titled debut and 2020’s Fall Better, which pushed their sound further into experimental territory without losing its emotional punch.



At Hills of Rock 2025, they opened Day 3 on the main stage with the energy of a headliner. Janine burst onto the scene in a stars-and-stripes top, platinum hair whipping as she prowled the platform with a grin that flipped to a scream in a breath. Her presence was electrifying — switching between punk defiance and pop-star clarity without missing a beat.




Janine Shilstone of Vukovi raises her microphone during a main stage performance at Hills of Rock 2025.



Behind her, bandmate Hamish Reilly (guitar/synth) drove the set with tight riffing and electronic textures that gave the songs their volatile, layered power. Their music — somewhere between alt-metal, electro-pop, and unfiltered emotional release — had the early-day crowd moving from the first downbeat.



Though their slot was early, Vukovi delivered a set that was anything but warm-up. It was a declaration — loud, vivid, and unforgettable.




Static-X – Main Stage




Xer0 of Static-X performs in full cyber makeup and costume during their Hills of Rock 2025 main stage set.



Emerging from the industrial metal surge of the late 1990s, Static-X earned their reputation with a sound they once dubbed “evil disco” — a blend of pounding riffs, electronic samples, and high-octane aggression that stood apart from their nu-metal peers. Their 1999 debut Wisconsin Death Trip became a cult classic, anchored by the distinctive presence of frontman Wayne Static.




Close-up of Xer0 from Static-X wearing his signature cybernetic mask during their performance at Hills of Rock 2025.



After Wayne’s passing in 2014, the band went silent — only to reemerge years later with original members Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda, and Ken Jay joined by the enigmatic Xer0, a masked vocalist paying tribute to Static’s visual legacy while injecting renewed energy into the group’s live presence.




Xer0 from Static-X bows his head mid-performance, framed by his signature robotic mask and gear during Hills of Rock 2025.



At Hills of Rock 2025, Static-X brought that legacy to the main stage in full force. Taking the crowd by storm in the early evening, they delivered a set marked by mechanical precision, dense distortion, and cybernetic visuals. Xer0’s towering hair and cybernetic visuals evoked a dystopian character, flanked by the band’s looming puppet mascot — part horror, part homage.




The menacing stage puppet from Static-X’s set looms over the crowd during their performance at Hills of Rock 2025, embodying the band’s signature “Evil Disco” aesthetic.



Static-X didn’t just play songs. They resurrected an era — rebuilt, rearmed, and roaring into the present.




Static-X guitarist Koichi Fukuda plays with intensity during the band’s performance at Hills of Rock 2025, captured mid-riff in a dynamic black-and-white frame.




Dope – Stroeja Stage




A guitarist from Dope captured mid-jump during their performance at Hills of Rock 2025, releasing a burst of water spray into the air under the concert lights.



Formed in New York City in the late '90s, Dope burst onto the industrial metal scene with a venomous blend of distorted guitars, electronic grit, and street-level nihilism. Led by Edsel Dope, the band quickly made waves with their debut Felons and Revolutionaries (1999), earning a loyal following through relentless touring and raw, confrontational performances. Known for blurring the line between metal, punk, and industrial, Dope’s sound has remained unapologetically aggressive across decades and lineup changes.




A guitarist from Dope captured mid-air in a dramatic leap during their high-energy performance at Hills of Rock 2025, framed against beams of stage lighting.



At Hills of Rock 2025, they brought that same ethos to the Stroeja stage — albeit under pressure. A major technical glitch delayed their set by nearly 40 minutes, as a malfunctioning microphone threatened to derail the night. With only 20 minutes left once the issue was resolved, many bands might have opted for a quick exit. Dope did the opposite.




The vocalist of Dope performing under crossing beams of stage light during the band’s intense nighttime set at Hills of Rock 2025.



Launching into a condensed barrage of fan favorites, they sparked a reaction that eclipsed the modest stage. Fans packed in tight beneath the canopy, fists raised and voices shouting every word. “You guys deserve the main stage!” someone yelled — and judging by the crowd’s volume, few would’ve disagreed. Even with time cut short, Dope delivered one of the most ferocious and talked-about sets of the day.




The bassist of Dope captured in a powerful moment with eyes closed and head tilted back during the band’s set at Hills of Rock 2025.



Closing Thoughts



Three days of thunderous riffs echoing across the Rowing Canal reminded Plovdiv why Hills of Rock remains a fixture on Europe’s summer festival map. From marquee headliners to hungry newcomers, every act sparked moments of shared exhilaration. Whether you found yourself pressed against the front rail, swapping stories in the food court, or capturing frames from the photo pit, you likely left with ears ringing and next July already circled on the calendar.



© Copyright 2025 - Diana Nikolova