A Legendary Finale at the Historic Biathlon Grounds
Rockstadt Extreme Fest 11 runs from 30 July to 3 August 2025 in Râșnov, Brașov County, Romania. This marks the final time the festival will take place in this iconic location. Originally launched in 2013 as a modest three-day event, Rockstadt grew into Eastern Europe’s premier extreme music festival—with 99 bands performing across three stages in 2025 .
Organizers officially announced that due to space limitations and the rising demands of production, 2025 will be Rockstadt’s last year in Râșnov. From 2026 onward, the festival will relocate to a larger site in Ghimbav, just outside Brașov.
An Epic Lineup
With a lineup curated to be both spectacular and historic, Rockstadt Extreme Fest 11 delivers 99 bands across three stages—Adrian Rugina, Brașov, and Andrei Călmuc—covering the full spectrum of extreme, prog, post‑, black, and death metal.
Headliners & Major Acts:
- Machine Head, Emperor, Gojira, Powerwolf, Sepultura (you can read our article about Sepultura here, Mastodon, Wardruna, Within Temptation, Soen (you can read our article about Soen here). Each of them a leader in their style with massive stage presence and devoted global followings.
- On Wednesday, 30 July, Katatonia, Emperor, Mastodon and Machine Head will rock our world, while Zeal & Ardor, Demolition Hammer and Kanonenfieber among others, are also there to show the present and future of extreme metal.
- On Thursday, 31 July, Soen, While She Sleeps, Gojira, Obituary, Wolfheart, Orange Goblin, Within Temptation, and Between the Buried and Me perform across all three stages, promising tight scheduling and epic battles.
- Friday spotlights atmospheric and avant-garde names like Harakiri for the Sky, Thy Catafalque, Septicflesh, and Wind Rose mixed with mosh‑ready acts like Asphyx, Blood Fire Death, Brujeria, Primordial, and more.
- Saturday delivers melodic power‑metal, epic and symphonic grandeur with Powerwolf, Carpenter Brut, Blind Guardian, Apocalyptica, and at the same time, more extreme options like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ensiferum, Aura Noir, Kataklysm, Nile, Discharge, and Wolfbrigade on rotation across the day.
- Sunday’s crescendo includes Wardruna, Sepultura, Static‑X, Agnostic Front, Dirty Shirt, Swallow the Sun, Draconian, Dying Fetus, and more to close out the festival with raw power and emotional depth.
Tickets, Camping & Logistics
- Tickets range from around €91 for day‑passes to €212 for full‑festival passes and VIP tiers ROCKSTADT EXTREME FEST.
- Camping options are sold out, so keep an eye for Brasov hotels as we mention below.
- Food and beverages include rich local dishes, vegetarian/vegan options, and very affordable drink prices—all often cheaper than local pubs ROCKSTADT EXTREME FEST.
For accommodation: Brasov hotels remain the most reliable booking choice. Public shuttle buses run until 3:00 AM to Rasnov, or festival-provided transport is usually available. Taxis and ride‑hail apps like Uber/Bolt charge €10–20 (even higher). Most Reddit comments suggest staying in Brașov is easiest, with nighttime festival buses available for convenience.
Why 2025 Matters: A Closing Chapter
This final edition in Râșnov is billed as a legendary farewell—both a nostalgic reflection on REF’s roots and a showcase of its evolution into a major European festival. Organizers intend to deliver elevated stage designs, expanded sound and lighting production, and improved crowd comfort, raising the bar for what REF can offer.
Following this climax, Rockstadt will move to Ghimbav, with twice the capacity, better camping, closer proximity to Brasov, and rail access through a nearby train station—transforming the festival experience while retaining its Transylvanian roots.
Instead of Conclusion
Rockstadt Extreme Fest 11 is more than just a music festival—it’s a milestone. Between 30 July and 3 August 2025, 99 bands, 5 days, and 3 stages will converge under the historic citadel, delivering one final show of intensity, diversity, and spectacle in Râșnov. With major names like Machine Head, Gojira, Emperor, Mastodon, Within Temptation, Wardruna, and Sepultura anchoring the experience, during what is poised to be REF’s most emotional chapter yet.
This edition stands as both a tribute to a decade-plus legacy and a promise of evolution. As the festival sets its sights beyond Râșnov, this 2025 chapter serves as a powerful, unforgettable finale at the place where it all began.
