First established in Lichtenfels, Bavaria, Germany, in 1990 on an irregular basis,[1] mostly for magazine anniversaries, it is held annually in Gelsenkirchen, since 2003.

The festival is still held at the amphitheater which is located directly at the Rhein-Herne-Kanal in the Nordsternpark in Gelsenkirchen.

The festival was the only festival with international metal bands in the Ruhrgebiet area[2] until the Rock am Ring offshoot Rock im Revier, which was organized by the Nürburgring operating company Deutsche Entertainment AG (DEAG), took place in Gelsenkirchen in 2015.

[3] Sodom Turbonegro Blind Guardian Venom Kreator Black Star Riders Triptykon Carcass Testament (replacing Megadeth)

Triptykon Iced Earth Down The Devil's Blood Kreator Rage & Lingua Mortis Orchestra Opeth Children of Bodom Saxon Testament (replacing Celtic Frost) Immortal Iced Earth HammerFall Amon Amarth Thin Lizzy