Speedfest Austria

FRIDAY, July 24, 2026
18:00 - Doors
18:45 - 19:15 HJEWY TZJEPR (AUT)
19:15 - 19:30 Change Over
19:30 - 20:25 NERVOSA (BRA)
20:25 - 20:40 Change Over
20:40 - 21:50 SACRED REICH (USA)
21:50 - 22:05 Change Over
22:05 - 23:15 DEATH ANGEL (USA)
23:15 - 23:35 Change Over
23:35 - 01:00 SOULFLY (USA)

SATURDAY, July 25, 2026
18:00 - Doors
19:15 - 20:10 THE HEADLINES (SWE)
20:10 - 20:25 Change Over
20:25 - 21:25 THE CASUALTIES (USA)
21:25 - 21:40 Change Over
21:40 - 22:50 1000MODS (GRE)
22:50 - 23:10 Change Over
23:10 - 00:35 DANKO JONES (CAN)

**HJEWY TZJEPR (AUT) - THRASH METAL**
Heavy thrashing from the deep west of Austria. Thrashy drums paired with an extraordinary guitar sound, fast bass lines, and incomparable hellish vocals. This comes from the five gentlemen of Hjewy Tzjepr based in Bregenz, Vorarlberg, who some may know from bands like Convertible, Decius, Dark Reflexions, or Moros. They impress with their live show and have rocked a number of SOLD-OUT venues. Definitely an unusual live band to watch. The insider tip!!

**NERVOSA (BRA) - THRASH/DEATH METAL**
Nervosa is a Brazilian thrash metal band from São Paulo. The band is signed to Napalm Records and has released four studio albums so far. All band members are women. The Brazilian-Greek thrashers Nervosa have been busy in recent months, working on the successor to JAILBREAK (2023) amidst numerous live shows. This new album, titled SLAVE MACHINE, is set to be released on April 3 via Napalm Records. Martin Furia from Destruction, with whom Nervosa toured last fall on the "Thrash Of The Titans" tour alongside Testament and Obituary, served as producer. The tour plans for 2026 are not yet known. So far, only a few festival appearances have been confirmed.

**SACRED REICH (USA) - THRASH METAL**
Alongside Nuclear Assault, it is primarily Sacred Reich from Phoenix, Arizona, who wrap their politically ambitious lyrics in a cloak of thrash metal. Singer and bassist Phil Rind founded the band in 1985 together with guitarists Jeff Martinek and Jason Rainey, as well as drummer Greg Hall. However, after the first demo, Jeff already left the band to join the army. Wiley Arnett took his place, who can also be heard on the Metal Blade debut "Ignorance." Surprisingly, they made a name for themselves with the EP "Surf Nicaragua." As soon as it hit the market, they were on US stages with colleagues from Atrophy and Forbidden before touring Europe with Motörhead. The success in Europe was particularly enormous, which is why they also recorded a live EP: "Alive At The Dynamo." Musically, there has been nothing to criticize about the band from the beginning, and in terms of songwriting, their peers can hardly outdo them. Nevertheless, the opportunities at Metal Blade seem to be limited, which is why Sacred Reich is looking for a new label to start anew after "The American Way." On their last album for Metal Blade, they ease off a bit but show that they have a sense of humor and think outside the box. "31 Flavor" features a pure funk piece on the record, complete with horns and everything that goes with it. "Independent" is the first release on their new label Hollywood Records after the EP "A Question." Greg Hall has since left the band, passing his sticks to Dave McClain. Unfortunately, the album does not match the quality of the other records. Additionally, Sacred Reich had to cancel some gigs on their European tour due to illness. However, the concerts in the States with Pantera and Danzig were quite well attended.
Sacred Reich - Awakening
Current album
No trace of old-man comfort.
However, sales remain below the label's expectations, which is why the paths part again, and Phil and his guys find a home again at Metal Blade. Apparently, a lot of frustration has built up, as "Heal" comes crashing back out of the speakers much more aggressively and varied. Nevertheless, McClain leaves shortly after the recordings and heads towards Machine Head. Greg Hall returns to the band, but during the subsequent US tour, he has to be replaced by Chuck Fitzgerald.
Since they have always been quite slow as songwriters, the next release is once again a live album. Unfortunately, "Still Ignorant" is also the last sign of life from the band. At the end of '98, they still spoke of the work begun on a new studio album, but by the end of the millennium, they had quietly dissolved.
In 2002, Max Cavalera from Soulfly reflects on the strengths of Sacred Reich and covers their song "One Nation." He enlists guitarist Wiley and drummer Greg for support. The two remain in the music business with various bands, while Phil is now managing a restaurant. Jason Rainey earns his living as a live sound mixer.
In 2006, news circulated that Sacred Reich would reunite for a few open-air shows. And indeed, Phil, Wiley, Greg, and guitarist Jason Rainey were seen playing at Wacken and various other festivals. Under the title "Surf Ignorance," a double CD including a DVD was released, and performances continued to follow, but without the goal of releasing a new album.
This only changed in 2019, as "Awakening" was actually released in August, appearing on the venerable Metal Blade Records. By now, drummer Dave McClain had left Machine Head and was back behind the drums for Sacred Reich. Joey Radziwill plays the second guitar. In 2020, the fanbase received the sad news that Jason Rainey died of a heart attack at the age of 53.
In 2024, news circulated that Sacred Reich would enter the studio again to record a new album. The sixth studio work titled "Into The Abyss" is set to be released in spring 2026. Drummer Dave McClain is no longer part of the band, having announced his departure via social media. Eduardo Baldo will take his place behind the drums. The separation is said to have occurred without hard feelings.
Finally back with us LIVE after many years - SACRED REICH. Hits like SURFING NICARAGUA, AMERICAN WAY, IRON MAN (Black Sabbath)..... they will perform.

**DEATH ANGEL (USA) - THRASH METAL**
The name Death Angel still makes every fan of sophisticated thrash metal sit up and take notice. The band around guitarist Rob Cavestany and singer Mark Osegueda released three albums in a row at the end of the 80s that brought fresh air to the thrash metal scene - "The Ultra-Violence" (1987), "Frolic Through The Park" (1988), "Act III" (1990) - and are now regarded as classics. They were not afraid to enrich the typical Bay Area thrash metal - the area in San Francisco was then the epicenter of the 80s thrash scene with bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Exodus, and Testament - with funk and hardcore elements. At that time, the band consisted entirely of members of Filipino descent, all of whom were related. However, after this first promising phase, Death Angel fell out of step for various reasons. It wasn't until 2004 that the band returned with a comeback album - "The Art of Dying" - with a changed lineup and new energy. Since then, Death Angel has regained an excellent reputation as a technically skilled thrash metal band, and by 2016, four more albums had been released.
After the last fantastic effort "The Evil Divide" (2016), my expectations for "Humanicide" are quite high. The title track kicks off with solid tempo, "Divine Defector" even adds another layer of speed and hardness, with Will Caroll pushing the gas pedal on the drums to the floor. In "Aggressor," Death Angel takes a more intricate approach without losing any hardness. Mark Osegueda barks the lyrics out in his usual manner, the song structure is more complex, and the razor-sharp riffs from Rob Cavestany and Ted Aguilar make an impact. "I Came For Blood," on the other hand, is a straight-up thrasher that crosses the finish line in just 3:11 minutes. Only "Immortal Behated" allows for a moment of breathing space. The song gives Mark Osegueda the opportunity to showcase what an excellent singer he still is at 50. For me, one of the highlights of the album. "Alive And Screaming" makes the neck vertebrae crack again. "The Pack" is a very rhythmically oriented thrasher with gang shouts. "Revelation Song" is again straightforward and impresses with Mark Osegueda’s compelling vocals. "Of Rats And Man" unites all the qualities that define Death Angel: melody, hardness, and joy of playing at the highest technical level.
Headliner t.b.a.
Saturday, July 25, 2026

**THE HEADLINES (SWE) - PUNK ROCK / ROCK´N´ROLL**
The Headlines is a punk rock band from Malmö, Sweden. Founded in 2005, they are heavily influenced by bands like The Clash, Rancid, and the Ramones. Stry Terrarie (Ebba Grön) produced their first two albums as well as the "Wake Up" EP. Since 2007, they have released six studio albums, one EP, and four singles.
The band has toured with big names like Millencolin, Danko Jones, the Levellers (UK), and the Broilers (Germany). In recent years, they have played over 800 concerts across Europe, Canada, China, Japan, and Russia. The band has a loyal fan base in Germany and regularly tours abroad to play for a more open-minded audience. In an interview regarding the release of "Plug n Play," bassist Kerry Bomb stated: "Many people here in Malmö hate us. It's all about image and attitude. We don't have enough tattoos and too much pink. In Germany, no one complains about that, and the album has received great reviews."
On May 22, 2020, the band released their sixth album "Warpaint" via Metalville Records. The album was recorded and produced by Chips Kiesby.
In 2023, they played at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.

**THE CASUALTIES (USA) - PUNK**
Forged from the hard streets of the Lower East Side in NYC in the early 90s, The Casualties are an iconic street punk band. The Casualties have been releasing albums non-stop for three decades and have toured the world from Guatemala to Estonia.
"You have to be a good live band to survive," says Jake Kolatis, the lead guitarist of the band since 1993. With the release of their first album "For The Punx" in 1997, the energy of the band on stage and the hardcore fans of The Casualties Army burns and tours relentlessly.
In 2018, the band recruited David Rodriguez as the new singer and frontman of The Casualties. With new energy and a thirst for the road, the band released "Written In Blood." This album was so well received that the record label couldn't keep up with the demand. Shortly after, "Until Death" was released with full force - a collection of previously released hits in the new lineup.
In the summer of 2023, the band continues to work on a new album set to be released in 2024. They are currently preparing for a full European tour in the fall. For a real punk band, there is no stopping in today's crumbling world, and The Casualties will be there to ignite it acoustically!
**Support: N.T.Ä. (Punk)**
N.T.Ä. is more than just a local support act. The band has already impressed as the support for the Feelgood McLouds, and their energetic punk rock is also making a name for itself nationally. In February, they will tour with Pascow, with whom they also collaborated on the song "Molar."
It has been 8 years since their last album. The new album will be released this year in time for the festival and turns out to be a hammer package with sing-along sound!!!

**1000MODS (GRE) - STONER ROCK**
By the mid-2000s, the stoner and heavy rock wave initiated in Europe by bands like Colour Haze and Lowrider hit with full force. In the Greek underground scene, the blues-soaked, earthy heavy mix finds an extremely fertile ground. Although bands like Planet Of Zeus and especially Nightstalker are already considered pioneers in the local scene, a true explosion only occurs at the end of the 00s. A major contributor to this is 1000mods.
In 2006, the singing bassist Dani G., guitarists Giannis S. and George T., and drummer Labros G. founded the band in Chiliomodi, Corinth. All four have known each other since school. The quartet draws inspiration for their bubbling sound primarily from heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath and stoner rock founders Kyuss. Other influences come from bands like Blue Cheer, Sleep, Fu Manchu, Acrimony, Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, MC5, Motörhead, Tool, and the 90s grunge movement from Seattle.
Stylistically, 1000mods thus celebrate a jam-heavy, explosive, bass-driven mélange of fuzz-driven retro, hard and space rock, stoner doom, and alternative rock. Their love for analog sound and 1970s vintage equipment (preferably Orange Amplification) completes the sonic ideal of the Greeks.
On their fourth album "Youth Of Dissent" (April 2020), 1000mods increasingly dedicate themselves to their fondness for Seattle grunge, mixing the sound of Generation X with their Kyuss-heavy stoner rock. They record the albums together with Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Mastodon) in Seattle at the London Bridge Studio (the recording location of Pearl Jam's debut "Ten") as well as in Stone Gossard's (Pearl Jam, Temple Of The Dog, Green River, Mother Love Bone) Litho Studio.

**DANKO JONES (CAN) - ROCK**
The undisputed rebels of hard rock are back! Danko Jones is ready to serve their massive sound to everyone - die-hard fans and those who will become fans. Since their founding in 1996 in Toronto, they have built a huge international fan base and have become one of the most celebrated live bands.
This band refines its craft, always at full volume. After nearly three decades of active service, the intensity of the trio continues to grow as their popularity and recognition rise. What this band knows how to do is to stomp out a powerful live experience. The self-ironic gestures of the frontman on stage, the interplay with the audience, and their spoken word performances are legendary. This energy and the songs from the new album were excellently demonstrated by the trio during their SOLD-OUT TOUR in November 2025. NEW ALBUM ON THE WAY!!!