Culinary delight and excitement: Guests at the Zunfthaus zur Schmiden in Zurich are in for a treat: exquisitely served, spontaneously staged. The Escape Dinner - a delicious 3-course meal in a stylish atmosphere and with an exciting puzzle for true puzzle enthusiasts.

"You will be the center of an exciting scenario and, together with your team, the last hope for humanity. A virus threatens further life on our planet and there is only one hope left: you and your team! By deciphering hidden messages, combining skills, tough logic, and creativity, you will come closer to finding the antidote. Everyone at the table is challenged, everyone's skills are needed, and everyone fights together to preserve life on Earth. All this happens while you enjoy a wonderful meal. No one has to get up. And in the end, you will have defeated the terrible virus - hopefully!

The tempting menu is served and created by the kitchen team at the Zunfthaus zur Schmiden. The thrill for the nerves and taste buds starts at 7 pm, with entry from 6.30 pm.

Entry: 4:30 pm / Courses, menu, and puzzle fun are included in the price / Table and seat assignments will be revealed on-site

ALPHAVILLE FOREVER! LIVE - BEST OF 40 YEARS

On February 3rd, Alphaville will celebrate the grand finale of their acclaimed Symphonic Tour at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Berlin. Together with the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg, Alphaville will put an exclamation mark behind one of the most spectacular comebacks of recent years!

"Alphaville have reinvented themselves magnificently!"
(Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Westfalenpost, Westfälische Rundschau)

"A sea of lights full of memories and happiness."
(Rheinische Post)

"Music as a fountain of youth."
(Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten)

"Just a few chords are enough to bring the music universe of the past back to life."
(NDR - Schleswig-Holstein Magazin)

The band led by singer Marian Gold will be remembered by more than 60,000 enthusiastic fans when - as soon as the last pop-symphonic sounds fade away in Berlin - the curtain rises on a grand Alphaville anniversary: In 1984, a completely unknown band from the Berlin underground set out to make music history. With their debut album "Forever Young," Alphaville took the music world by storm and became the most successful pop act made in Germany up to that point!

Songs like "Big in Japan," "Sounds Like a Melody," and "Forever Young" became mega-hits in national and international charts and still are - they have long been considered classics of pop music.

Things will heat up in autumn/winter 2024/2025 - as Alphaville will celebrate this anniversary together with their fans. Under the title "ALPHAVILLE FOREVER! LIVE - BEST OF 40 YEARS," the band and MSK initially announce 23 dates in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

ALPHAVILLE FOREVER! LIVE - BEST OF 40 YEARS

Doors open: 18:30

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

Reinhold Messner Live "Nanga Parbat - My Mountain of Destiny"

Hardly any other mountain brings fame and tragedy as close together as the 8,125 m high Nanga Parbat. Reinhold Messner combines both like no other. Accompanied by unseen images and films, Messner, in his live presentation, connects the stories of all mountaineers who have made history on Nanga Parbat with his own moving and thrilling story.

He tells of Albert Mummery, the best mountaineer of his time, who disappeared in 1895 while crossing from the Diamir to the Rakhiot side, of the unforgettable Willo Welzenbach, known as the "Ice Pope," who dies in a snowstorm in 1934 – isolated from the group; of Hermann Buhl, who in 1953, against the expedition leader's orders, reaches the summit alone and as the first – a shining moment in alpinism! Just like 50 years later, when Steve House conquers the Rupal Face directly in a team of two.

In conclusion, he talks about his fateful 1970 expedition that has shaped his life up to this day. After successfully climbing the highest vertical wall on Earth – the Rupal Face, where the Messner brothers succeeded, tragedy strikes on the descent. Stricken with altitude sickness, Günther cannot return to the bivouac. A fall would be inevitable. So Reinhold leads him through the 4000-meter high Diamir flank despite avalanche danger, lack of a route, and despair, until the wall base, where an ice avalanche buries Günther, while Reinhold is ahead looking for a way out of the danger zone. Unable to find his brother, he drags himself downhill for days; with frozen hands and feet, without food in a desolate area. Closer to death than life, he encounters, thanks to three lumberjacks who carry him downhill, his expedition team on their way back.

Eight years later, he achieves the highlight of his life with the first solo ascent of an eight-thousander on the Diamir Wall. Despite an earthquake shaking the mountain and subsequently being stranded for 48 hours in the death zone due to a weather storm. After experiencing hell, he has touched the heavens on his personal mountain of destiny.

About the Speaker:

Reinhold Messner was born in 1944 in South Tyrol, Italy. He started climbing mountains at the age of five and has undertaken more than a hundred expeditions to the mountains and deserts of the world since 1969. He has accomplished many first ascents, climbed all 14 eight-thousanders, and completed a longitudinal crossing of Greenland. In contrast to modern adventure presenters, Reinhold Messner has never pursued records; for him, it is about being exposed in untouched natural landscapes and traveling with a minimum of equipment. He has given lectures throughout Europe, the USA, Japan, Australia, South America, made documentary films, and published articles in publications such as "Stern," "Spiegel," "GEO," "Epoca," "Espresso," "National Geographic." His book publications have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

ALL FEMALE BLACK SABBATH

“We don’t just want to play Black Sabbath, we want to feel Black Sabbath from the bottom of our hearts.” With this intention, the American all-female formation Black Sabbitch will come to Switzerland for the first time in autumn 2024. The band takes us deep into the 1970s with songs from the early days of the British metal pioneers.

“We are not a tribute band. We are the female Black Sabbath,” says Angie Scarpa, the drummer of Black Sabbitch, confidently. Founded twelve years ago in LA, the musicians do not just want to play Black Sabbath's songs. “Since I have always been a huge fan of the band, I didn’t want to just play covers in another boring ‘Hey, we sound like their records’ combo. It had to feel right from the start. Like it must have felt to see and hear Black Sabbath in 1972.” With their concerts, the ladies manage to instantly transport their fans back to the early seventies. With tracks from their early period when Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward set out from Birmingham to make music history with their innovative, heavy, and dark rock sound. In the summer of 2013, Black Sabbitch played their very first show in West Hollywood. Since then, the quartet has regularly traveled across the USA. In 2022, they expanded their reach to the UK, and this year, for the first time, Wacken and other dates on the European mainland are on the agenda. Black Sabbitch astonishes even die-hard Sabbath devotees and has earned the respect of both critics and musicians alike. They were personally invited by Sharon Osbourne to open for Ozzy, participated in the Kiss Cruise, and were part of Cal Jam with Iggy Pop and the Foo Fighters. Following that, Dave Grohl shared photos of Black Sabbitch on his social media channels and wrote, “We listened to them spellbound.” By now, Black Sabbitch has become true festival favorites, regularly performing with some of the biggest acts in the world and thrilling Sabbath fans at their intense club shows. They often present varying setlists consisting of all-time classics and long-forgotten gems from the defining Ozzy phase of the legends from Birmingham.

Doors open: 19:00 Uhr

WHOLE LOTTA ZEPPELIN

The English formation Letz Zep pays tribute to the greatest rock band of all time. And they do so with overwhelming success. In November, the world's best Led Zeppelin tribute show will once again come to Pratteln to celebrate the songs of the legendary quartet Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham in a way that is as authentic as no other cover band.

"Better than a Led Zeppelin reunion," was the verdict of the English magazine Kerrang after a performance by the tribute band Letz Zep in London. Even the original members are overwhelmed by the charisma of their clones. "I entered the room and I saw myself," said Robert Plant the first time he saw a show by the band. Led Zeppelin tip their hats to their doppelgangers and invite them to official fan events when they are not headlining gigs somewhere in the world, whether it be at a sold-out Pariser Olympia or at the Heineken Arena in Madrid, at festivals in Mexico or Venezuela. The group has become just as much of a global phenomenon as their idols, having already performed in more than 40 countries on 6 continents. Warner Music, Led Zeppelin's record company, calls Letz Zep the best band in the spirit of Page and Plant, media outlets like Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, or the French Figaro dedicate multiple features to them, and the BBC broadcasts recordings of their shows. The skilled musicians cover the entire Led Zeppelin catalog and continuously expand their repertoire with additional classics, not just sticking to the obvious hits. Their performance thus provides a comprehensive impression of the work of the immortal rock icon and delights both newcomers and scene veterans from the first note. The legend lives on.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

The Criminal Dinner 'Sherlock Holmes and the Poisoned Maultäschlesupp' – a delicious course menu in a stylish ambiance surrounded by an exciting criminal case at PARK Lange Erlen in Basel.

Yes, you read correctly, the famous master detective Sherlock Holmes and myself, Dr. Watson, have ended up in the Swabian region. Admittedly, not entirely voluntarily. However, our genius could not turn down the invitation of an old acquaintance, the Baroness of Zuckerberg, to a gala dinner once again. So here we are dining at the same time in the adjacent room of the restaurant where you will enjoy a delicious 3-course meal this evening.

Fleeing from his table neighbor, the endlessly chatty Swabian Baroness, the detective narrowly misses the supposed murder of the hostess's husband, Baron von Zuckerberg.

Granted, his health was not the best. But to suddenly fall face first into the Maultäschlesupp is not the proper English way to die, even in Swabia. However, for Sherlock Holmes, the previously deadly boring evening is saved.

A local dialect crime is unfolding, a highly puzzling case indeed, as the investigation results seemingly rule out any influence of poison. The questioning of witnesses, the medical examiner, and some of the dinner guests makes some sheep in the room look suspicious.
With eagerness and in high spirits, the famous detective revs up his little grey cells. "Swabian shrewdness" starts to spread, but no false house builder can outwit the master so easily. Naturally, he will soon have the solution to the case at hand. As always, he lets us grope in the dark for a while before the murderer is virtuosically caught.

Perhaps you too will have the solution soon, as you also have a say in the matter this evening.

The 3-course meal will be served by the gastronomy team at PARK Lange Erlen. The Crime Dinner will start at 7:00 PM, promising thrills for both your nerves and taste buds. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Doors open: 6:30 PM / Menu and theatrical play are included in the price / Table and seat placements will be assigned on-site.

ROCK’N’ROLL RENDEZVOUS

After almost exactly two years, Günther Sigl, Barney Murphy, and their Spider Murphy Gang once again invite you to a delightful Rock’n’Roll Rendezvous at Z7. With unwavering enthusiasm and a string of hits from "Skandal im Sperrbezirk" to "Schickeria," "Wo bist du?," "Herzklopfen," "Ich schau’ dich an," and "Sommer in der Stadt," they celebrate Bavarian Rock’n’Roll hits à discrétion. Let's indulge in memories for two hours and make the Rock’n’Roll shoes glow.

32 16 8 - everyone knows the number of Rosi from the song "Skandal im Sperrbezirk." With this number, the Spider Murphy Gang achieved great success in 1981. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the song topped the charts. Since then, the Bavarian Rock’n’Rollers have become an integral part of the German music scene. And even after over four and a half decades, their energetic concerts still promise only one thing: pure party! In 1977, singer/bassist Günther Sigl and guitarist Barny Murphy founded the Spider Murphy Gang to live out their passion for Rock’n’Roll. And they still stand by the lyrics from the title track of their 1980s album: "Hu-ha! Go, let me have my peace! I won't take off my Rock'n'Roll shoes!" Emerging from a cover band that interpreted songs of great idols like Elvis or Chuck Berry, the Gang soon developed their own style and the unmistakable Murphy Gang slang. With their lively dialect lyrics, they quickly became the house band of the Munich scene. And in 1981, they achieved a major breakthrough with the album "Dolce Vita" and the single release "Skandal im Sperrbezirk." Although the story of the love worker Rosi was initially boycotted by some radio stations due to the "offensive" lyrics, it became a number 1 hit throughout the German-speaking area. When the cult group, consisting of the remaining original members Sigl and Murphy, takes the stage with "Rosi" and countless other classics, not a foot remains still in the audience. The Munich band could actually play their set instrumentally by now, as the regular audience knows every melody, every chorus, every gesture of the Gang. Somehow, somewhere, these Rock'n'Roll rituals have become cult.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

The Swabian Crime Dinner 'Sherlock Holmes and the Poisoned Maultäschle Soup' - a delicious set menu in a stylish setting framed by an exciting criminal case at Tscharnergut in Bern. 'Sherlock Holmes and the Poisoned Maultäschle Soup'

Yes, you read that right, the famous master detective Sherlock Holmes and myself, Dr. Watson, have ended up in Swabia. Admittedly, not entirely voluntarily. However, our genius could not decline the invitation of an old acquaintance, the Baroness of Zuckerberg, to a gala dinner once again. So now, here we are dining at the exact same time in the adjacent room of the restaurant where you will be enjoying a delicious 3-course menu this evening.

Whilst fleeing from his tablemate, the endlessly chatty Swabian Baroness, the detective narrowly misses the supposed murder of the hostess's husband, Baron von Zuckerberg.

Granted, his health was not at its best. But to suddenly drop face-first into the Maultäschle soup is not the proper English way to die even in Swabia. However, for Sherlock Holmes, the previously deadly dull evening is saved.

A dialectal crime is on the horizon, an extremely tricky case indeed, as the investigation results seemingly rule out any involvement of poison. Questioning the witnesses, the coroner, and some of the dinner guests makes quite a few innocent lambs in the room seem suspicious.
Eager and in high spirits, the famous detective fires up his little grey cells. "Swabian Cunning" is already rampant, yet no false housebuilder can easily deceive the master. He naturally soon sees the solution to the case clearly. As always, however, he leaves us stumbling in the dark for a while before the murderer is skillfully apprehended.

Perhaps you will soon have the solution too, as you will also have a word in this evening's events.

The 3-course menu is served by the hospitality team at Tscharnergut. The Crime Dinner will kick off at 5 pm, promising thrills for the nerves and palate. Doors open at 4:30 pm.

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

WHOLE LOTTA DAISY

In November 2023, The Dead Daisies visited us with their best-of album to celebrate the hits from the band's first ten years. In November 2024, David Lowy's all-star formation featuring John Corabi and Doug Aldrich returns to Z7 with a new album and a new drummer. Opening act Beasto Blanco will rock with brand new songs, and Mike Tramp will perform his revised versions of White Lion's hits.

One year after their last performance at Z7, The Dead Daisies are back at the Pratteler Rock temple. And they are bringing fresh new song material. In March 2024, the band reported from the studio in Nashville, where they recorded their next album with Marti Frederiksen, aiming to capture the euphoric atmosphere of the last tour, sparked in part by John Corabi's return. Since 2012, Australian guitarist, businessman, and former aerobatic pilot David Lowy has been celebrating his love for classic rock with The Dead Daisies. In the all-star lineup, he regularly brings together some of the hottest names in rock history. Currently on the roster are guitarist Doug Aldrich and bassist Michel Devin, both former Whitesnake musicians, along with Tommy Clufetos (Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, etc.), who previously played drums for the Daisies in 2021/22. Together with frontman John Corabi (Motley Crue, Union, The Scream), they once again form a high-caliber lineup for this fantastic supergroup. Over the past decade, The Dead Daisies have shared the stage with some of the biggest bands in rock history. These include Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Bad Company, Whitesnake, ZZ Top, Foreigner, Judas Priest, and the Hollywood Vampires. They headlined shows in Europe, Japan, North and South America, performed in front of Cuban rock enthusiasts after the end of the embargo in 2015, and thrilled 300,000 fans alongside a 60-person orchestra at the "Concert For Freedom" in Poland. The Dead Daisies also rocked out with hundreds of thousands of fans at prestigious festivals like Download, Wacken, Graspop, Hellfest, and Sweden Rock. In Autumn 2024, The Daisies will tour European clubs and venues with their new long player.

Doors open: 6:00 PM

METAL TITANS IN TOP FORM

Since their founding in 1978, Anvil has significantly shaped the heavy metal scene and influenced countless musicians – from Metallica to Slayer. With their new album "One And Only," they are harking back to their glorious past and bringing their unmistakable sound to the Z7 on November 11.

This new album showcases Anvil in top form, united with energy and passion that have been their trademarks for decades. With a powerful mix of cutting guitar riffs, driving drums, and unforgettable hooks, Anvil presents themselves as authentic as ever. The opener "Dead Man’s Shoes" immediately brings back the classic Anvil sound and captivates listeners with its driving beat and compelling melodies. "Fighting For Your Rights" offers an energetic anthem that invites sing-alongs and rocking out, while the song "Truth is Dying," with its critical message and strong rhythm, underscores Anvil's relevance in today's metal scene. Particularly noteworthy is "Feed Your Fantasy," the album's first single, which sets a new accent in the Anvil sound with its shuffle rhythm and fresh sound. "Heartbroken" is another remarkable track that, with its doom-laden groove and dark atmosphere, recalls the early Black Sabbath. In his lyrics, frontman Steve 'Lips' Kudlow once again shows his strength as a storyteller, addressing pressing issues such as civil liberties and the challenges of the music industry in "Condemned Liberty" and "Fight For Your Rights."

Doors: 19:00 Uhr

ROCKERS & BALLADS

The Scottish rock legend Nazareth is coming to Z7. With a huge repertoire of gritty rock songs and swooning heartache ballads, they have thrilled rock fans around the world in recent decades. On the "Full Steam Ahead Tour," Nazareth will once again showcase their greatest hits.

Founded in 1968 in the Scottish city of Dunfermline, Nazareth belong to the first hard 'n' heavy generation of music history, alongside peers like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and Black Sabbath. In 1971, Nazareth released their debut album. Success came after a tour opening for Deep Purple, with the release of the album "Razamanaz" in 1973, which was celebrated by critics and fans alike. This was followed by a string of hit records including "Loud N' Proud," "Rampant," and the smash hit "Hair Of The Dog" (1975). This album includes evergreens like the title track, later covered by Guns N' Roses on their album "The Spaghetti Incident," and the mega ballad "Love Hurts." The album reached platinum status in the US. The band has since released 25 studio albums, various live recordings, and countless hit compilations. With nearly 60 million records sold worldwide, Nazareth is the most successful Scottish music group internationally, alongside Simple Minds.

After several setbacks, bassist Pete Agnew is now the only surviving member of the original formation. He tirelessly continues to nurture and maintain the legacy of Nazareth on stage and in the studio. Alongside Pete, Jimmy Murrison has been in the band the longest. The guitarist is celebrating his 30th anniversary this year and is the longest-serving guitarist in the history of Nazareth. Drummer Lee Agnew, Pete's son, has been with the band for 25 years. And Carl Sentance (Persian Risk, Krokus) has been the band's voice for nearly ten years. In this lineup, two albums have already been created. The latest, in 2022, "Surviving The Law," reached number 10 in the Swiss charts. Nazareth has modernized their sound significantly, giving it a much harder edge, making the band accessible to a new audience. The album was produced in the Scottish Sub Station by the Swiss Yann Rouiller, who has been working with the band since 2008. "Surviving The Law" is a collaborative composition of all band members and vividly demonstrates that the flame of rock 'n' roll still burns in Nazareth.

Doors open at 6:30 PM

MAGICAL JOURNEY

With the upcoming album, the Italian Melodic Power Metal gods Rhapsody of Fire conclude a fantastic trilogy that they started in 2019 with the album "The Eighth Mountain." The band led by keyboard wizard Alex Staropoli takes us on a magical journey through enchanting soundscapes, breathtaking riffs, and unforgettable stories with the final chapter of the "Nephilim’s Empire" saga.

The Italian band Rhapsody of Fire returns with the last part of their saga, delivering another masterpiece of modern Melodic Power Metal in 2024. Dramatic and fast-paced, the band led by Alex Staropoli has been presenting symphonic metal masterpieces for over three decades. Who doesn't remember classics like "Legendary Tales" (1997), "Symphony Of Enchanted Lands" (1998), or "Dawn Of Victory" (2000)? For a few years now, the musicians have been working on a fantastic trilogy under the title "The Nephilim’s Empire." In their recent albums "The Eighth Mountain" (2019) and "Glory For Salvation" (2021), they showcased their incredible strength in epic choirs and opulent orchestral arrangements. Now the story continues, highlighting another strength of the band: the ability to develop and tell a story with incredible tension. Just like in the last album, the lineup is top-notch and on point. Giacomo Voli continues to impress as an extraordinarily great singer with technical finesse. "Kreel’s Magic Staff" was released as the first single of the next album last year. The power metallers describe the song as: "Each band member has put a lot of work into raising the bar even higher. 'Kreel’s Magic Staff' is just the beginning of an orchestral sound journey that will once again take you into our fantasy world."

Doors open: 6:30 PM

A SOUND THAT WENT AROUND THE WORLD

Experience Europe's most booked Dire Straits tribute band live! The focus is on the sound that went around the world, with a guitar that none of us will ever forget. Wolfgang Uhlich is considered by many knowledgeable fans in Germany and abroad as the best Mark Knopfler imitator.

The band has firmly established itself in the German music scene with 800 concerts. The highlight was winning the nationwide Tribute Contest in Koblenz, with 100 participating tribute bands. Through tremendous adaptability, a live program is created for old fans and new ones. The classics "Walk of Life," "Sultans of Swing," and "Brothers in Arms" are firm components of the meticulously crafted program, which is 100% live! No aids, no tricks - with individuality, musical sensitivity, precise solo play, and the right "connection" to the audience, the stages and the hearts of the fans have been conquered in recent years.

Music must be experienced. And since 2004, dIRE sTRATS have been the first choice to experience the music of Dire Straits, who disbanded in 1992, live again! Anyone who wants to experience this unique band up close with their music in a live performance should not miss their concert at Z7.

Entry: 7:00 PM

15 YEARS OF AGGRO SHANTY

When a few siblings from Osnabrück wrote a pirate song as a crazy idea to perform on the streets in August 2009 with improvised costumes, no one could have predicted what would become of this "project" - least of all the band itself.

Fifteen years and countless streets, markets, role-playing events, and several major stages at the world's largest metal and medieval festivals later, Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen still can't quite believe where this silly pirate stuff has taken them. But they can certainly celebrate it!

In November 2024, they will celebrate their fifteenth anniversary with you with 15 YEARS OF AGGRO SHANTY, a grand anniversary show! They have invited a few of their dearest shipmates: YE BANISHED PRIVATEERS and JOHN KANAKA & THE JACK TARS will support Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen as they follow the compass rose to Pratteln to set off a very special mega concert!

So many great people involved - it would be a shame if you were to miss out!
So grab a few sailors and secure your ticket now!

Doors open: 6 PM

POWERFUL SYMPHONIC DOUBLE

Xandria and Sirenia will come to Pratteln on November 24 for a co-headliner show. The reformed icons of German symphonic metal have cracked the top ten of the charts for the first time with the album "The Wonders Still Awaiting." The Norwegian symphonic metal & synth-pop band reveals more versatility than ever on their latest work, "1977."

Xandria: The icons of German symphonic metal, founded in 1994 in Bielefeld, are writing a new chapter. In February 2023, they released their eighth album, "The Wonders Still Awaiting," after a six-year wait since "Theater Of Dimensions." Mastermind Marco Heubaum leads the completely renewed band into new spheres while staying true to their trademarks. The new frontwoman, Ambre Vourvahis, brings fresh energy with her vocal versatility from soprano to growls. The 13 tracks are complex and epic, a balanced mix of hard metallic sounds and symphonic instrumentation. The album reached number 9 in Germany and number 11 in the Swiss charts. In spring 2024, Xandria will release the single "Universal," inspired by the positive feedback from their fans. The track mixed by Jacob Hansen whets the appetite for more.

Sirenia: After over 20 years of band history, Sirenia surprises with a fresh sound while remaining true to their roots. With their eleventh studio album "1977," they prove in 2023 that they belong to the top of the genre. The quintet led by Morten Veland combines late 70's and 80's pop/rock with synthwave elements and a hard symphonic sound. "1977" merges these components into a unique combination. The bonus track "Twist In My Sobriety," a cover of the song by Tanita Tikaram, highlights their versatility and provides an exciting time travel, harmonizing with Emmanuelle Zoldan's deep vocals.

Doors open: 6:00 PM

40 YEARS DANISH DYNAMITE

Four decades after their very first concert, D-A-D still present themselves as excitingly fresh guarantors of high-quality rock sound and exceptional live shows. In 2024, the cult band from Copenhagen will be returning to Pratteln with a new album to celebrate forty years of band history with Swiss fans. We are looking forward to pulsating, adrenaline-soaked numbers, big ballads, mid-tempo songs with gripping melodies, and a fine touch of Danish humor.

D-A-D was founded in Copenhagen in 1982 by Jesper Binzer and Stig Pedersen as Disneyland After Dark. However, the musicians consider the band's birth year to be 1984 when Jesper brought his brother Jacob on board, who has since shaped the band's sound with his guitar playing. On March 3, 1984, D-A-D played their very first gig. The round anniversary will be duly celebrated on November 1, 2024, in the 15,000-capacity Royal Arena Copenhagen. The concert under the motto "Celebrating 40 Years" was sold out in no time. Following this, the band will go on tour to celebrate 40 years of D-A-D with the rest of the world as well. And 25 years of Laust: Drummer Laust Sonne has been pounding the drums for the Danish mainstay since 1999. 2024 will be another big year for D-A-D, as the band not only celebrates its birthday but will also be present at various summer festivals and release new music. Since their last studio album "A Prayer For The Loud" (2019), the musicians have written about 40 new songs, from which they have selected and recorded the best 18. Some of the songs will be sifted out to once again deliver an "All killer, no filler" work. Nick Foss was once again called on for the production, who has been working with the band since 1988. "He is completely thrilled with the new material," says Jacob Binzer. "And I am also very satisfied with the new songs. You can only really judge them after a year, but there are some tracks that pleasantly surprised me once we had finished recording them. That's a good sign." Jesper Binzer is in full agreement with his brother: "We have an excess of tracks and ideas, and that is a point I have wanted to reach with the last three or four D-A-D records. It's incredible. There were always moments when I thought everything was done. That the four old men had already done everything they could. But it kept going. And every time we were in the studio, new flowers flourished for our musical bouquet," he says, adding, "The keyword is collaboration. At D-A-D, we are forced to teamwork because none of us can do everything. And that's a good thing."

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

ANTI-WAR METAL

With "Menschenmühle," the Kanonenfieber project made a big impact in 2021. Project leader Noise ruthlessly and truthfully tells stories from World War I on his debut album, accompanied by melodic Death and Black Metal tunes. The second Kanonenfieber album will be released in September 2024, and Noise will bring his band to Pratteln in November.

"Good music with a serious background that makes you think and you should. War is crap. Yet fascinating. The end," a music fan judges in an internet forum about Kanonenfieber's debut "Menschenmühle" from 2021. Behind Kanonenfieber is a young musician from Bamberg, who calls himself Noise and recorded the album on his own in his home studio. The idea arose from a discussion with a friend about how historical themes are portrayed in the metal scene, specifically focusing on World War I. The concept for "Menschenmühle" was born as a conclusion. The songs on this album tell firsthand of the horrors of war, without glorification, backed by historical accuracy and facts. Helpful in the creation was the friend, a hobby historian with a large collection of letters and original documents from World War I, which served as the basis for Noise's lyrics. He clearly declares his musical output as Anti-War Metal. Metal.de says, "The band comes close in atmosphere to their Ukrainian colleagues 1914 or the English band Bolt Thrower." Other sources mention the US formation Minenwerfer as a reference. Melodies and "craftsmanship meticulousness" remind the editor of Rock Hard of Heaven Shall Burn. And Metal.de summarizes: "A self-contained, exciting and sophisticated work that should definitely be listened to." After several EPs and singles, including "Stop The War," a clear statement against the war in Ukraine, Kanonenfieber's new album will be released in September 2024. Noise and his live musicians will soon be on stage at Z7, for the second time after their performance at Wolfsfest in autumn 2022, this time as the celebrated headliner.

Doors open: 19:00

KREATIVE-DARK ROCKERS

Cradle Of Filth set off in England to instill fear into humanity with their infernal sound. Under the leadership of mastermind Dani Filth, they combine dark, extreme metal with gothic horror and have made a name for themselves as both a creative force and an exciting live sensation. In 2024, a new album is set to be released, which Cradle Of Filth will present live at Z7. The explosive Butcher Babies and Mental Cruelty will heat up the atmosphere as the support acts.

Thirty-three years ago, catapulted from hell up to the charming British Suffolk, Cradle Of Filth has grown into an undisputed giant of the heavy metal community. The band led by frontman Dani Filth has overcome all challenges and not only earned a reputation as a particularly creative extreme metal combo, but also as one of the most active and exciting live bands in the scene. The incredible mix of elegant terror and pounding malice set Cradle Of Filth apart from the crowd - showcasing them as one of the few modern bands capable of driving hard sounds forward without desecrating their traditions and roots. The band's latest album dates back to 2021. "Existence Is Futile" is perhaps the most powerful and dramatic record in Cradle Of Filth's history. The band's rapid live energy flowed in the studio, driving each member to new heights. Combined with labyrinthine arrangements and gripping bombast, "Existence Is Futile" is the band's liveliest studio album to date. Commenting on the work that emerged during the pandemic, Dani Filth said, "If we're all going to die in the fire of our own stupidity, we might as well provide an equally insane and destructive soundtrack for it." Since June 2023, the band has been working on the eagerly awaited follow-up album, confirming the seemingly unbelievable rumor that Dani Filth himself sparked last summer with a social media post: "We actually have a song featuring Ed Sheeran. He will be heard on our new album. Some people have already heard the joint song and loved it," the band leader recounts. "I think the new album will surprise many people." We are certainly curious.

Doors open: 6:00 PM

STADIUM PUNK IN PRATTELN

With "Zeig Dich!" the German punk band Betontod wrote the most exciting album of their more than three-decade career last year. Driving, with crashing guitars and killer hooklines. And yet clearly rooted in their own musical socialization somewhere between Sex Pistols, Die Toten Hosen, and Slime. On November 30, the likable anti-rockstars will bring their "Zeig Dich! Tour 2024" to Pratteln to give us a fat lesson in stadium punk in the intimate setting of Z7.

In a balmy summer night in 1990 on a park bench in Rheinberg, five friends decided to start a band. And when five friends want to start a band without mastering any instruments, a music genre is particularly appealing: punk rock. Inspired by bands like the Sex Pistols, Slime, Die Toten Hosen, or Die Goldenen Zitronen, the five guys soon let it really rock under the name Betontod. The band has now released eleven albums, and anyone who has even remotely dealt with German-speaking punk rock in the last three decades could not ignore this formation. Albums like "Traum von Freiheit," "Revolution," "Pace per Sempre," or the released in May 2023 "Zeig Dich!" landed on top positions in the charts. And live, singer Oliver Meister, guitarists Frank "Eule" Vohwinkel and Mario Schmelz, bassist Adam Krosny, and drummer Maik Feldmann have long since arrived in the big concert halls. Even more: Even at the biggest national festivals like Wacken Open Air or Hurricane/Southside, Betontod are among the regular guests and regularly delight tens of thousands of fans. True to their motto: "Give us five minutes, a big stage, and the audience, we'll take care of the rest!

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

In a very short time, the stage production REGEN by and with Ferdinand von Schirach has developed into one of the most visited new plays in the German-speaking world. The approval and demand have remained unbroken since the premiere, which is why the bestselling author, following his almost completely sold-out premiere tour, is now adding numerous additional dates for 2024 and 2025.

In 2023, Ferdinand von Schirach's new book REGEN was released - entering directly at number 1 on the bestseller list. A narrative that Ferdinand von Schirach has been presenting on stage since October 2023 as a monologue: A man comes in drenched from the rain into a bar - onto the stage - and talks about the greatness and the horror of our time, about human dignity, loneliness, love, loss, and failure.

REGEN is a piece that is as courageous as it is very personal, a play on the edge between stage character and author. Directed by Elmar Goerden.

The Spiegel called Ferdinand von Schirach a "great storyteller," The New York Times an "exceptional stylist," The Independent compared him to Kafka and Kleist, The Financial Times to Raymond Carver, and The Daily Telegraph wrote he is "one of the most distinctive voices in European literature." His books have been widely adapted into films and sold millions as international bestsellers. They have been published in more than forty countries. His plays Terror and God are among the most successful and discussed dramas of the present day worldwide.

"If the word 'cultivated' did not exist, it would have to be invented for Ferdinand von Schirach."

(Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung)

Doors open: 19:00

https://schirach.de/auftritte