CULTIC MARIACHI ROCKERS

Tito & Tarantula are coming back on a European tour. With them, they bring all the hits from over 30 years of career and brand new songs from the eagerly awaited album "Brincamos". We are looking forward to the unique mix of fiery rock, a pinch of punk, psychedelic-bluesy guitar sounds, and the unmistakable, magical voice of the charismatic bandleader Tito Larriva.

With his top-notch band, Tito Larriva will celebrate the rich band repertoire with many well-known classics, many of which are immortalized in cult films, plus songs from the new album "Brincamos" and some rarely heard favorites of the band. Additionally, there will be humorous anecdotes from the exciting life of the versatile frontman. Tito Larriva is a man with many talents. When punk rock was still dirty and exciting in L.A. at the end of the 70s, he was right in the midst of it with bands like The Impalas, The Flesh-Eaters, and The Plugz. He recorded with The Gun Club, switched to blues with The Cruzados, and opened for bands like Fleetwood Mac or INXS. In "True Stories" by David Byrne, he played a psychopath whose favorite song "Radiohead" was later chosen by Thom Yorke as the band name. Films like "Desperado," "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," and "From Dusk Till Dawn" by Robert Rodriguez brought him his most famous roles; the latter being a famous springboard for his Tex-Mex group Tito & Tarantula, whose debut "Tarantism" was released a year after their appearance as the house band of the vampire bar Titty Twister. The band was formed a few years earlier in a very similar environment, as an improvisational session band, open to any mariachi who entered the bar at three in the morning. Seven studio and two live albums later, the group still exudes that spontaneous, infectious groove as soon as they step on stage.

Doors open: 6 PM

DA HÜPFT DAS METAL HEART

Once again enjoy the big Accept classics with the original voice! Eight years after their last Z7 gig, Dirkschneider brings the hits from Udo's old band back to Pratteln with the "Balls To The Wall - 40th Anniversary Tour."

When Udo Dirkschneider announced nine years ago that he would sing Accept songs one last time, metal fans flocked to honor Udo and the old classics. The "Back To The Roots 2016" tour spanned ten months with dates all over Europe and Japan. The USA and Canada were also overwhelmed by the German metal steamroller in early 2017. The worldwide success was simply overwhelming, and Udo could hardly avoid adding another round. Under the banner Dirkschneider, the little general with the big rasping voice gave fans more highly entertaining lessons in Teutonic metal with "Back To The Roots – Part II."

After eight years, during which the singer visited us three times with his formation U.D.O., he returns to Pratteln with the songs that brought his unmistakable voice to the metal map over four decades ago. This time, the 40-year anniversary of the most successful Accept album of all time is being celebrated. "Balls To The Wall" was awarded precious metal in Canada and the USA and brought other fan favorites such as "London Leatherboys," "Head Over Heels," "Losers And Winners," or the ballad "Winterdreams," alongside the indestructible title track, which still invites everyone to sing along and raise their fists at every rock party. Together with other hits from the Accept repertoire, these numbers are guaranteed to transform the Z7 into a festive hall again in spring 2025.

Entry: 18:00 Uhr

WOHLIGE PROG-MELANCHOLIE

Band leader Bruce Soord and drumming virtuoso Gavin Harrison are taking The Pineapple Thief into previously unknown musical realms together. The two exceptional talents push each other to new heights in songwriting. Creativity and richness of detail on the new masterpiece "It Leads To This" (February 2024), permeated by a pleasant melancholy, know no bounds. This is how modern yet timeless prog rock sounds.

The Pineapple Thief are one of the leading prog rock bands of our time and have repeatedly set musical highlights in recent years. The band, consisting of Bruce Soord (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and exceptional drummer Gavin Harrison, will release their 14th album in spring 2024. On "It Leads To This," the two continue to refine the ultimate perfection of their sound. Betreutesproggen.de: "The eight songs are thread-like, the sound is simply spot-on. While some past highlights like '3000 Days' were the absolute killer moments of the respective albums, this new The Pineapple Thief lives off consistently strong melodies. As always, the range between atmospheric restraint and powerful modern art rock is present." And with "Rubicon," the Thiefs deliver a mid-tempo number that will guarantee fantastic live material at the upcoming concerts with its anthemic chorus.

The Pineapple Thief has become one of the most exciting and influential progressive rock bands of the 21st century. They have consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre and created a unique and impressive sound that has earned them a dedicated and passionate fan base. Their music is a blend of lush melodies, intricate arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics. Their emotionally charged songs address themes such as self-examination, human connection, and the ever-evolving nature of life. With a discography spanning two and a half decades, The Pineapple Thief has continually refined their sound from their early releases to their most recent albums. Next autumn, a new EP is already planned, and in February/March 2025, the band will embark on a European tour equipped with plenty of new material.

Doors: 19:00 Uhr

THUNDER ON THE ROAD

Pure energy, wild riffs, and a powerful 70s groove - Thundermother just can't be stopped. With new songs and a fresh spirit, the Swedish hard rock thunderstorm once again unleashes itself over Pratteln. On the "Goddess Of The Road Tour 2025", the four powerful ladies will once again impressively demonstrate that they were born for the rock stage.

In spring 2023, Thundermother faced a massive thunderstorm. As a result, three out of the four musicians had to be replaced. But band founder and guitarist Filippa Nässil soon presented a strong quartet again with singer Linnéa Vikström, drummer Joanna Massing, and returnee Majsan Lindberg on bass. The first shows together showed that Thundermother had not lost any of their intensity. With edges, roughness, and a lot of attitude, the current lineup immediately won the hearts of the fans. With "I Left My License In The Future", the newly formed Thundermother delivered their first joint composition at the end of 2023. "Speaking Of The Devil" followed in January 2024 as the second strike. Filippa Nässil: "The new single was written by Linnéa and me and recorded at the Medley Studios with our longtime producer Søren Andersen. A hard-hitting song that we are all proud of. I can't wait to play the track on our upcoming tour." First samples were presented in spring 2024 on the "15 Years of Rock" tour in Scandinavia. More will follow in the festival summer, and the "Goddess Of The Road Tour" will finally lead the quartet back to Z7 in March 2025.

Thundermother has been active in the rock scene for 15 years now and they can look back on an impressive career. Countless tours have taken them all over the world. They went on a major stadium tour with the Scorpions, were invited to the official "Kiss Kruise," and performed at Wacken Open Air, Sweden Rock, and numerous other major festivals. Their last albums "Heat Wave" (2020) and "Black & Gold" (2022) reached top positions in the album charts in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. Thundermother are long regarded as one of the most active and exciting rock bands in the international music scene. The mix that the thunder goddesses bring speaks to fans of gritty rock, blues, punk, and heavy metal alike. The slogan "We Fight for Rock'n'Roll" fits like a glove because Thundermother not only sound like rock'n'roll, Thundermother are rock'n'roll!

6:00 PM

GRIPPY GROOVES & CAPTIVATING MELODIES

The Z7 regular Axel Rudi Pell will once again be on tour in 2025 with his well-rehearsed band. In the current studio album "Risen Symbol," the likable Bochum perennial delivers top-notch quality work with captivating hooks, a powerful rhythm section, ethereal keyboards, and dreamy guitar sounds.

"I prefer consistent success over many years rather than just a hit album that everyone constantly measures me against," says Axel Rudi Pell. And he should know. After all, his solo career has lasted over three and a half decades. In the international hard rock universe, Pell is a phenomenon. A musician who always flies under the radar but is by no means invisible. An honest craftsman who learned this trade from the ground up. He knows nothing of writer's block and dislikes riding the wave of trends. The classic advertisement also applies to Pell: You know what you have. It's incredible how consistently the musician has released albums since 1989. All have been released by the same record label and have found over 1.5 million buyers worldwide. But that's no reason to rest on this success. "Why should I stop?" asks the 64-year-old, answering himself: "As long as I can do what I enjoy most, I'm satisfied."

The Bochum guitarist and songwriter upholds the flag of melodic hard rock with his 22nd studio album "Risen Symbol," without diluting it with pseudo-modern stylistic variants or effect-seeking studio gimmicks. At the same time, he constantly seeks new influences, exciting inspirations, and memorable hooks. Grippy grooves and captivating melodies are the program. And the best part about the ARP anthems: They are perfectly tailored to the charismatic voice of frontman Johnny Gioeli. The American is one of the best rock singers in the world and, together with Pell, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and the two long-time ARP members Ferdy Doernberg (keyboards) and Volker Krawczak (bass), forms a perfectly rehearsed team that convinces both fans and media alike.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

HOPE & PASSION

Ten years ago, dArtagnan completely devoted themselves to the cloak-and-dagger genre. With their current work "Herzblut," the musketeer rockers have struck gold. The sixth studio album from the Franconians is a folk-rock treasure chest filled to the brim with musical riches. On "Herzblut," dArtagnan celebrate their songs overflowing with hope and passion even more powerfully and epically than before. Opening for the "Herzblut Tour 2025," the Croatian band Manntra brings their perfect mix of metal, gothic, folk, and industrial to heat up the fans.

The folk-rockers dArtagnan delivered another masterpiece with "Herzblut" in July 2024. Each ballad, anthem, or dance track, and every headbanger proves to be a potential hit that is simply irresistible. With "Herzblut," dArtagnan dances at many weddings and feels just as at home at medieval festivals as at the Wacken Open Air. With the ease with which the Nuremberg band delivers earworms one after another, writing hits seems like the simplest thing in the world. But in reality, it is a high art, against which many dream ships have already crashed. How do dArtagnan manage to successfully navigate all musical shallows? Partly through years of experience. Although the group was only founded in 2015, by that time, band leader, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Metzner had already earned his spurs with the chart-toppers Feuerschwanz. No school teaches better what makes a good song than plenty of live performances, which have taken Ben and his comrades from clubs to sold-out venues and into the large arenas. This is accompanied by great craftsmanship that distinguishes dArtagnan on stage, in the rehearsal room, or in the studio. With songs like "Ruf der Freiheit," "Musqueteros," or the title track "Herzblut" (feat. Melissa Bonny), dArtagnan has created a cinematic experience for the ears from Celtic-inspired folk and bombastic rock. And of course, the hits should not be missing from the new album: "Klingen Kreuzen" or "Rollt rein" will surely keep not only the cloak-and-dagger faction entertained. Those who know the band are aware that the catchy and playful songs of dArtagnan blossom into a true spectacle on stage, with enormous participation and addictive potential. In 2025, the band will embark on the biggest concert tour in their history through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Doors: 7:00 PM

SPEEDFOLK PARTY IN PRATTELN

Raise the pints! Fiddler’s Green are coming back to us in the Z7 at the beginning of April. Energized, passionate, and highly entertaining, the six musicians shake the walls of our rock temple with their fast-paced mix of folk and punk, which they call Irish Speedfolk.

When Fiddler’s Green has a new album out, there will of course be the full dose of feel-good Irish Speedfolk to the ears. "The Green Machine" is now the 17th album of the six guys from Erlangen and is at least as much fun as its predecessors. Blisteringly fast folk anthems meet calm ballads and classic drinking songs. This raises the question: Is there anything that Irish and Franconians have in common? Answer: A whole lot! First of all, there’s a special connection to their homeland and a love for traditions passed down through generations, which is honored both on the Green Isle and in red-and-white Franconia. Added to that is a certain sympathetic stubbornness to take matters into their own hands. And not least, a nearly death-defying sociability with which Irish and Franconians unshakably celebrate life with all its ups and downs. Traits that Fiddler’s Green have been combining in their exhilarating high-power sound for almost three and a half decades. Since their founding in 1990, the sextet has earned the status as one of the most popular, successful, and enduring formations within the European folk-rock community. A well-oiled Irish Speedfolk machine, showing its peak with their current studio album "The Green Machine". Burnyourears.de states: “Fiddler’s Green deliver; there’s no other way to say it. Even after over 30 years, they play at the highest level and do what they are known for very well. If you are longing for a feel-good album, you can safely reach for ‘The Green Machine’.”

Doors open: 19:00 Uhr

The Criminal Dinner ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Poisoned Maultäschlesoup’ – a delicious multi-course menu in a stylish ambiance surrounded by an exciting criminal case at the Tropical Restaurant Florida in Biel.

‘Sherlock Holmes and the Poisoned Maultäschlesoup’

Yes, you read that right, the famous master detective Sherlock Holmes and yours truly, Dr. Watson, have found themselves in the Swabian countryside. Admittedly not entirely willingly. However, our genius could not decline the invitation of an old acquaintance, Baroness von Zuckerberg, to a gala dinner once again. So here we are dining just at the time in the adjacent room of the restaurant, where you will enjoy a delicious 3-course menu this evening.

While trying to escape from his table neighbor, the endlessly chatting Swabian baroness, the detective narrowly misses the supposed murder of the hostess's husband, Baron von Zuckerberg.

Sure, his health was not in the best shape. But to suddenly fall forward into the maultäschlesoup is not the proper English way to die even in Swabia. However, for Sherlock Holmes, the previously deadly boring evening is saved.

A local crime drama is at hand, a particularly tricky case as the investigation results seemingly rule out any influence of poison. The questioning of witnesses, the forensic doctor, and some of the dinner guests makes some innocent lambs in the room appear suspicious.
Eager and in high spirits, the famous detective starts cranking his little gray cells. Soon, "Swabian cunning" is taking hold, but no false house builder will fool the master so quickly. For him, the solution to the case becomes clear before long. As always, though, he keeps us in the dark for a while before the murderer is virtuously caught.

You might also have the solution ready soon, as you too will have a say this evening.

The 3-course menu will be served by the gastro team at the Tropical Restaurant Florida. The Criminal Dinner will commence at 7 PM, guaranteeing a thrill for nerves and palate. Entry is at 6:30 PM.

Entry: 6:30 PM / Menu and theater performance are included in the price / Table and seating will be assigned on-site.

Big comeback and an evening full of memories and stories!
Eko Fresh in Spring 2025 on the "Legacy Tour"

Eko Fresh is back! His fans have had to wait a long time, but now Eko Fresh is finally returning to the stages of Germany with the "Legacy Tour" in Spring 2025. The musical legacy of the artist is already rich with hits that have shaped several generations and have set trends for entire genres, making it time for a complete showcase of all his different creative phases.

The shows guarantee unforgettable evenings, where the rapper will perform his greatest classics as well as the hits from his brand new album "Elijah". Eko Fresh will not only bring the songs live to the stage, but will also present the full spectrum of his entertainer qualities: In an entertaining manner, he will delve into the circumstances and backgrounds of the respective hits and additionally illustrate those times. A journey through time in Eko Fresh style! He will be accompanied by his live band, which gives the songs a special, unmistakable touch.

The "Legacy Tour" offers a special experience for fans of all backgrounds, all genders, and all age groups! Regardless of whether you have known Eko Fresh since his beginnings at Royal Bunker, his first videos on VIVA and MTV, or only since his performances on "Sing meinen Song" on VOX: This tour is a must for all fans!

Doors open: 7 PM

https://www.msk-live.de/acts/ekofresh/

The Bavarian Criminal Dinner - a crime dinner with thrills for both nerves and palate - presents a delicious course menu in a stylish setting accompanied by an intriguing criminal case, taking place at Rössli Illnau.

"Blood Moon"

On a hot July night, all of Germany is captivated by the sky: as the moon turns blood-red. And on this night, in the Bavarian provincial town of Oberlettenbach, Anna Bader is murdered with a stab to the heart. The weapon: a sharpened cross. Were religious fanatics at work here? The victim was rumored to be a witch. Inspector Weimar, an old acquaintance of Anna Bader, takes on the investigation and stirs up a hornet's nest. Barely escaping an assassination attempt, he must not only ask the audience to help him find the culprit, but also to save his own life.

Thus begins an interactive hunt for the witch killer. It proves to be challenging, as many people in Oberlettenbach have solid motives for the crime. The washed-up actor who can't remember his lines, the carpenter who never leaves the house without his axe, or the ultra-Catholic Agnes Berninger, who due to her numerous pilgrimages would have accumulated so many bonus points in the church's Miles & More program that she could fly around the globe three times.

"Blood Moon" is highly suspenseful and outrageously funny, a tricky puzzle that even seasoned amateur criminologists will find a tough nut to crack.

The course menu will be served by the hospitality team at Rössli Illnau, promising thrills for both nerves and palate. Doors open at 4:30 pm - the event starts at 5:00 pm.

Doors open: 4:30 pm / Menu and theater play are included in the price / Table and seating will be assigned on-site

SWISS METAL POWER

Three merciless Swiss metal bands will ensure a devilishly hot Good Friday at Z7! This co-headline show will be led by the groove-thrashers and Z7 regulars GurD, as well as the "newcomers" Magma Ocean (formerly Molotov Train). As a special guest, there will be a hefty dose of old school death metal from Requiem.
Our "house band" GurD has been around for 30 years! Rising from the ashes of power-thrashers Poltergeist in 1994, the band has evolved into a mix of thrash and groove. In the autumn of 2022, the Basel stalwart led by singer/guitarist V.O. Pulver released a new album after eight years. Metal Hammer wrote: "With 'Hallucinations,' GurD skillfully returns to their roots." We look forward to the return of V.O., Pat, Franky, and Steve with a fat greatest hits program and current tracks from the album "Hallucinations."
"4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was covered by a sea of lava. A single glowing fireball. This is exactly how the music of Magma Ocean is - glowing hot, explosive, and all-consuming." Four out of the five musicians were recently raging through the Swiss metal scene as Molotov Train. At the end of April, the band announced on their social media platforms that they were moving on from the old name and continuing as Magma Ocean with a new singer. The band, with scene veterans from bands like Shakra, Stallion, Maxxwell, or Battalion, has gained a new frontman with the English powerhouse Harry Ballantyne. The new songs "Solitude" and "Price Of Failure" provide a first, promising taste of the infernal sounds of this powerhouse.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

The large SEOM Tour takes you on a journey to yourself. Touching stories, lots of humor, lived spirituality, depth, and of course: music.

SEOM shares his latest songs with you, plays well-known classics from his albums, and reminds us through moving stories of the essentials in life.

On this evening, there will be laughter, dancing, and shining. It is more than music. A soundtrack of memories & your own homecoming. A concert for all ages.

Heart-opening and grounded.

We have made it our mission to experience spirituality as the most normal thing in life. Humanity is our common element, where we understand each other, connect, and experience our wonderful nature.

In our concerts, we experience every evening how strangers become companions and how we meet as a family, in a great shared identity.

A love letter to life.

Come by and let yourself be inspired.

Doors open: 18:00 Uhr

The large SEOM Tour takes you on a journey to yourself. Touching stories, lots of humor, lived spirituality, depth, and of course: music.

SEOM shares his latest songs with you, plays well-known classics from his albums, and reminds us through moving stories of the essentials in life.

On this evening, there will be laughter, dancing, and shining. It is more than music. A soundtrack of memories & your own homecoming. A concert for all ages.

Heart-opening and grounded.

We have made it our mission to experience spirituality as the most normal thing in life. Humanity is our common element, where we understand each other, connect, and experience our wonderful nature.

In our concerts, we experience every evening how strangers become companions and how we meet as a family, in a great shared identity.

A love letter to life.

Come by and let yourself be inspired.

Doors open: 18:00 Uhr

Culinary delight and suspense: Guests at PARK Lange Erlen in Basel can expect a lot: exquisitely served, spontaneously staged. The Criminal Dinner - a delicious 3-course menu in a stylish setting framed by an interactive crime piece:

"Deadly Past"

Sir Barnabas Edwarson was murdered at his birthday dinner. That much is certain. However, the police of the small county have not been able to solve the murder to this day, despite hot leads.

Exactly one year later, the most famous detectives come together to finally solve this case. The case is mysterious, as Sir Barnabas Edwarson had already invited these detectives to his birthday party a year ago. Did he anticipate not surviving his birthday and that only high-caliber detectives would be able to solve it? Did Sir Barnabas leave clues that would lead to the murderer? Or are there entirely different reasons behind it?

The events take an even more absurd turn when Sir Barnabas Edwarson suddenly appears himself. But he was murdered a year ago! Is someone playing a macabre game here?

The attending detectives are faced with the task of finally elucidating the events of this eerie evening.

The tantalizing 3-course menu will be served and created by the kitchen team at PARK Lange Erlen. The thrill for nerves and palate begins at 7 p.m., admission is from 6:30 p.m.

Admission: 6:30 p.m. / Menu and theater piece are included in the price / Table and seating will be assigned on-site

POWER AND PASSION

In October, Frozen Crown delivered a spectacular short performance as the opening act for Kamelot on the Z7 stage. Six months later, they are back with the full power-metal experience. With the "War Hearts Tour 2025", the Milanese formation returns as headliners to our rock temple. Supporting acts Fellowship from England and Lutharo from Canada will get the crowd fired up.

They came, saw, and conquered. Frozen Crown made a bang last on October 26, 2024, as Kamelot's opener at Z7. Metalinside.ch noted: “What the three girls and boys up front unleash on the dance floor hits the body completely from the first minute: One guitar salvo follows another, the drums vibrate noticeably in the stomach. Additionally impressive is the continuously action-filled stage presence during the 30-minute set.” Six months later, it’s the full force of Frozen Crown. With the new power-metal epic "War Hearts," the musicians unleash fresh strength and passion, taking their unmistakable sound of lightning-fast riffs, catchy melodies, and unbridled energy to a whole new level.

Since their formation in 2017, Frozen Crown has built a loyal fan base and impressed with their characteristic blend of power, old-school speed, and heavy metal. But Frozen Crown has not only made an impact in the studio; they have also performed at well-known festivals such as Sabaton Open Air, Metal Fest Plzen, or Rock Imperium Festival. They have played two headliner tours in Japan and have been support for bands like Dragonforce and Nanowar Of Steel on extensive European tours. The highlight of their career so far was the Scandinavia tour in autumn 2023 as the support for metal legend U.D.O. But now the time is ripe for the "War Hearts" headliner tour. With the new album, Frozen Crown sets new standards in their career and offers an energetic work that will excite both die-hard fans and new listeners alike.

Doors open: 5:30 PM

Culinary delight and thrills: Guests at Hotel Weisses Kreuz in Brienz are in for a treat: Exquisitely served, spontaneously staged. The Crime Dinner – a delicious 3-course menu in a stylish setting framed by an interactive crime story:

"Deadly Past"

Sir Barnabas Edwarson was murdered during his birthday dinner. That much is certain.
However, the police in the small county have not been able to solve the murder to this day, despite having hot leads.

Exactly one year later, the most famous detectives gather to finally solve this case.
The case is mysterious, as Sir Barnabas Edwarson had already invited these detectives to his birthday party the year before. Did he anticipate not surviving his birthday and that only high-profile detectives could solve it? Did Sir Barnabas leave clues that would lead to the killer? Or are there entirely different reasons behind it?

The situation takes an even more bizarre turn when Sir Barnabas Edwarson suddenly appears himself. But he was murdered a year ago! Is someone playing a macabre game here?

The present detectives take on the task of finally unraveling the events of that eerie evening.

The tantalizing 3-course menu is served and created by the kitchen team at Hotel Weisses Kreuz.
The thrill for the nerves and palate starts at 5 pm, with entry from 4:30 pm.

Entry: 4:30 pm / Menu and theater piece included in the price / Table and seat assignments will be made on-site

UFO LANDING IN PRATTELN

Indestructible UFO classics like "Rock Bottom," "Lights Out," or "Doctor, Doctor" have been part of the Michael Schenker Group's live repertoire for years. But now Michael is giving us the full blast: On the "My Years With UFO Tour 2025," the exceptional guitarist celebrates his successful years with the English rock legend. For this tour, Schenker presents the Swedish jack-of-all-trades Erik Grönwall (Ex-H.E.A.T./Skid Row) as the new frontman.

In 1973, the young guitarist Michael Schenker from the Scorpions joined the English band UFO. This extremely fruitful collaboration produced some of the greatest rock anthems of that time and numerous timeless evergreen hits. The "German Wunderkind" became a celebrated star guitarist and led the Brits to previously unimaginable successes. With his current album "My Years with UFO" (Release: 20.9.24), Michael Schenker now returns to the glorious days. Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of the Schenker/UFO era, which lasted from 1973 to 1978. As a teenager on a world tour, Michael Schenker became a driving force behind some of UFO's most popular tracks. During the years together, the UFO albums "Phenomenon," "Force It," "No Heavy Petting," "Lights Out," "Obsession," and the groundbreaking concert album "Strangers in the Night" were released, all of which significantly contributed to the genre's rise. On "My Years with UFO," Michael Schenker presents eleven of the biggest hits from that time with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Among them is Erik Grönwall. The Swede takes the microphone on "Mother Mary," which was released as the album's first single. The song immediately makes it clear how well his voice fits the UFO titles and bodes well for the upcoming live shows. After rising to fame with the Swedish rockers H.E.A.T and his time with the American 80s rock heroes Skid Row, Grönwall is now ready to further refine classic songs with his voice.

Doors: 7:00 PM

Admission: 7:00 PM

ALL SYSTEMS GO!



The former Anathema musicians Danny Cavanagh and Daniel Cardoso are ready with their new project Weather Systems to musically pick up where they left off with their old band in 2020. At the concerts of Weather Systems, in addition to songs from the debut album "Ocean Without A Shore" (2024), there will also be many highlights from the back catalog of Anathema to enjoy. The young English band Haunt The Woods will present their exquisite mix of alt-rock, prog, and pop in the supporting act, which has already attracted a lot of attention in the United Kingdom.



“This record is direct, honest, and comes from the heart,” says former Anathema mastermind Danny Cavanagh. “It takes you on a journey with some very personal, intense, and emotional songs. For me, it is spiritual. The music comes from a higher place, and I hope it touches you.” The album described here is called "Ocean Without A Shore" and comes from Cavanagh's new band Weather Systems. But let's take a quick look back: In 2019, Cavanagh dedicated himself to writing the next album for Anathema. Two years earlier, the alt/prog rockers from Liverpool had reached their commercial peak with "The Optimist." The work was awarded "Album of the Year" at the Progressive Music Awards, reached the Top 40 of the UK Album Charts, peaked at number 17 in Germany, and ended the year 2017 on the year-end lists of Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, and Eclipsed, to name just a few. In September 2020, however, the band agreed on an indefinite break. Danny Cavanagh had already written plenty of material for the next Anathema album. Thus, the majority of "Ocean Without A Shore” was created during these writing sessions. “This is 80% an Anathema record,” Cavanagh says, adding: “It is definitely a continuation of what I did with my old band. If Anathema was Game of Thrones, then Weather Systems is House of the Dragon. It is part of the same universe, but it is a new story.” Besides Danny Cavanagh, former Anathema drummer Daniel Cardoso is also active in Weather Systems. In 2025, they will come to us at Z7 with their new project. Both new and old fans will equally get their money's worth. The setlist will consist of 50% Weather Systems songs and 50% Anathema titles. Cavanagh: “I will always play the Anathema songs I wrote because I love them so much. And Weather Systems is also the name of my favorite album from Anathema.” As a co-founder, lead guitarist, and songwriter of Anathema, Cavanagh has delighted generations of fans for over three decades, released globally acclaimed albums, and played to sold-out halls. Now he stands at the forefront of Weather Systems and confidently takes the next step on his creative journey with "Ocean Without A Shore."



Doors open: 19:00

PROG OF THE EXTRA CLASS

On May 10, 2025, Vanden Plas will perform at Z7 in Pratteln, bringing their latest work "The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things" to the stage with a powerful dose of top-class Progressive Metal. The concert promises an evening full of elegance, melody, virtuosity, and epic moments – a tribute to the exceptional quality of this band.

Four years have passed since the celebrated albums "The Ghost Xperiment – Awakening" (2019) and "The Ghost Xperiment – Illumination" (2020). During this time, the band not only captured their live energy on the release "Live & Immortal" (2022) but also realized over 50 performances of their rock opera "Last Paradise Lost." With fresh wind in their sails and a new keyboardist, the renowned Alessandro Del Vecchio, Vanden Plas have further refined their musical course. Songs like the driving "Sacrilegious Mind Machine," the balladic "They Call Me God," or the monumental closing work "March Of The Saints" demonstrate why the band has been a solid presence in the prog-rock genre for decades. Experience an unparalleled concert experience where technical brilliance, powerful riffs, melodic passages, and profound lyrics merge – a must-see for all fans of demanding music.

Doors: 7:00 PM