English metalcore band Malevolence are joining the lineup of this year’s Hills of Rock. The band is returning to Bulgaria to perform on the very first day of the festival, replacing American band Of Mice & Men.

Following their previous appearance in Bulgaria, Malevolence will once again deliver a major show, this time at the Plovdiv Rowing Canal. Their concert will take place on the main stage on July 24 at 6:00 PM, immediately after Vended. With their addition, Hills of Rock becomes an even richer showcase of different bands, each with their own unique sound. Less than a month remains until this year’s edition of the country’s biggest rock and metal festival, and tickets are still available through Ticket Station.

Malevolence were formed in 2010 by guitarists Josh Baines and Konan Hall, who have been childhood friends. The two bonded over their shared love of heavy music while still at school. The band officially took shape with the arrival of vocalist Alex Taylor, bassist Wilkie Robinson and drummer Charlie Thorpe. Malevolence broke onto the international scene with the release of their debut album, “Reign of Suffering”, in 2013. The following year, Malevolence supported Canadian hardcore punk band Obey The Brave on their European tour alongside Napoleon and Kublai Khan, and later joined Dying Fetus on tour.

Since then, the band have released three more studio albums: “Self Supremacy” (2017), “Malicious Intent” (2022) and “Where Only the Truth Is Spoken” (2025), as well as two EPs. One of them, “The Other Side” (2020), features Knocked Loose vocalist Bryan Garris on the track “Keep Your Distance”.

Their style is a blend of beatdown hardcore, metalcore, hardcore punk, groove metal and sludge metal. British publication “Rock Sound” has described their style as “the perfect combination of hardcore and metal”.

Malevolence and more than 45 international and Bulgarian bands will be part of this year’s Hills of Rock, taking place from July 24 to 26 at the Plovdiv Rowing Canal. This year’s headliners include artists such as Marilyn Manson, Godsmack, Electric Callboy, P.O.D., Sex Pistols with Frank Carter, Skindred, Black Label Society, Nevermore and Lamb of God. Once again, there will be three stages featuring a rich program of renowned bands, including many Bulgarian acts such as Djangо Ze, Lek City Case, Hellion Stone, Tsar Plъh, P.I.F., Kontrol and others.

This year, the festival will also feature a special standalone festival day – BE4 Hills, on July 23. It will also include major names such as Sevi, Epica, Savatage and Sabaton.

Remaining tickets for Hills of Rock 2026 are available through Ticket Station for individual days, as well as three-day passes. For the latest information, follow the Hills of Rock Facebook page and visit the Hills of Rock website.