Europe to headline Malta Metal Weekend with The Final Countdown album
Paradise Lost, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G, among 13 acts at 3-day festival
Swedish hard-rock band Europe, behind the mega-hit The Final Countdown, will headline the Malta Metal Weekend in November.
Thirteen bands will be performing at the festival taking place at the Eden Arena, St Julian's, between November 13 and 15.
Europe will be touring with the 40th anniversary of The Final Countdown, the album which propelled them to international stardom. The album’s title track became an international hit, known for its iconic synthesiser riff and dramatic vocals, firmly establishing Europe as one of the leading hard rock acts of the decade.
Led by frontman Joey Tempest, Europe released several more albums before disbanding in 1992 as musical tastes shifted. They reunited in 2003, returning with a heavier, more mature sound that blended classic hard rock with modern influences.
Among the other highlights at the festival are Gus G, a Greek heavy metal guitarist best known as the founder of the power metal band Firewind and as the former lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne.
Also performing are Paradise Lost, a pioneering British band formed in 1988, widely credited with helping to define the gothic metal genre.
Opening the first night are the bands Kreator, Paradise Lost, Omnium Gatherum and Angelcrypt.
German trash metal band Kreator.Performing on November 14 will be Doro, Dirkschneider (playing Accept's Balls to the Wall), Candlemass, Anvil and Anchorite.
And completing the festival will be Europe, Adrian Vandenberg (performing songs from his Whitesnake years), Gus G, featuring Ronnie Romero, and Atomic Flame.
Organised by NnG Promotions, tickets for the festival are available from Wednesday from here.