So let's get started and finally finalize the line up.
We'll start with some very good friends of ours who have always supported us. We have also been supporting the band since we became aware of them and were able to bring them to Germany for the first time in 2022.
We are delighted to welcome the Scottish band Ruadh back to the old walls of the Schweinsburg.
The solo project of mastermind Tom Perett was founded in 2018 and this time he brings album number four with him, while the follow-up album is already in the making.
Epic, melodic Celtic metal meets black metal and deals with the history and mythology of the Scottish nation.

You can listen to the musical interpretation of the Sack of Berwick here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahcS9bw0JFk&ab_channel=RuadhVEVO

With immediate effect, Maik will no longer be part of the Dark Troll Festival. He will be kicked out without hesitation. We do not tolerate any form of sexual assault, violence or sexism. We and our crew stand for respectful and open cooperation. There is not a millimeter of room for violence and sexual assault in our ranks.

It's been quiet long enough.
We have promised you three more bands and we want to present the first of them to you today.
Every year we have made it our tradition to present you at least one band that is celebrating their Germany debut at our festival.
This year it's Senntus from our beautiful neighboring country Austria.
The dark metal band from Styria was founded in 2011 and has released one demo and four albums till now. Recently, an EP was added which follows on seamlessly and knows how to convince with dark and eerie lyrics. Fine melodies, thundering blasts, driving drums paired with dreamy elements are catchy and inspire the listener.

Here is a song from the EP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXXc5MHS6Q&ab_channel=SenntusOfficial

Let's reveal the first of the four remaining bands.
First up are the progressive extreme metallers In Vain. Founded in 2003, the band from the beautiful south of Norway has released two EPs and five albums till now. They have proven in the past, both at various festivals and on European tours, that they captivate audiences with their dynamic compositions. They continue this with their recently released album “Solemn” and show us once again what a driving force they are. It was also deservedly named on countless lists of the best albums of 2024.
We are delighted to finally be able to bring the band back to Germany.

Here is a song from their latest album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msuO_KuHwVY&ab_channel=InVain-Official

Some of you who might discovered it in one of our previous posts.
Driving, epic metal paired with catchy melodies and riffs, plus the combination of aggressive screams and sublime clean vocals and you have the unmistakable sound of our loyal companions and friends from Wolfchant, who are finally returning to the castle after 2022 with a spectacular performance.

Here is probably the band's most iconic song re-recorded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=3RqYxILu0kQ&ab_channel=ReaperEntertainment

Probably very few people expected this

December isn't dark enough for us yet, so we thought we should change that with another dose of Black Metal.
Founded in 2015, the band released their latest album at the end of September this year, striking a chord that is simply impossible to ignore.
With brutal sounds, surrounded by melancholic and gloomy melodies, they dedicate themselves to the various aspects of existence. A journey through the deep human abyss, light, darkness and everything the soul experiences between origin and demise.
An exceptional live performance of raging guitar riffs, thundering drums and ripping vocals from front woman Nova will be presented by Convictive!

Here is a song from the current album “Rastlos”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIBv82xrQ2I

Markus Stock with two projects at the castle?
We won't say no.
After 2019, he returns with Sun Of The Sleepless for a 2025 exclusive show to surround the old walls with his poetic black metal laments, brimming with cold and dense atmosphere.
Formed in 1998, the band has released one EP, one 7” and one album till now.
His music also appeared on four splits.
We look forward to icy, poetic and deep black metal.

Here is a audio sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzP3Sr0xDnc&ab_channel=ProphecyProductions

Falkenbach at the castle?
We certainly won't say "no" to that. Since the band will unfortunately never play live, we are delighted that this young band from Saxony has made it their mission to honor the masterpieces of the legendary Vratyas Vakyas and presenting them live.
The band which was founded at the beginning of 2023, will present songs from all creative phases and albums.
This is the first time we are inviting a tribute band and we are delighted that Gjallar celebrating their debut at our festival which means we all can finally enjoying "Falkenbach live" for the first time ever!

Song snippets can already be heard on their Instagram account.
And here a song by the legend itself: https://youtu.be/qYDe86iFp7s?si=whcI_dtAiDNgbJ8K