CMM HISTORY 2025
2025 – A Year in Review
70000TONS OF METAL
70000TONS OF METAL 2025 was once again an incredible experience. This year, the 14th edition of the legendary metal festival at sea took us on an epic journey from Miami to Jamaica, featuring over 60 bands from all corners of the metal world, countless breathtaking live shows, many unforgettable moments, and the opportunity to celebrate and bond with other metal fans from all over the world. This year's 70000TONS OF METAL was not only a return to tried-and-true highlights, but also a journey full of new impressions and adventures. From the first waves in Miami to the sunny beaches of Jamaica, while planning and coordinating interviews with our media partners and the bands on-site, as well as managing meet & greets with fans, every day on board the ship has held plenty, sometimes even personal, highlights in store for our bustling press office. 70000TONS OF METAL remains an unforgettable experience for all those who love metal in its purest form, with a family atmosphere where fans and bands can come together and take their shared communities to new levels.
This year, we're especially proud of four bands who have earned the title of "70000TONS OF METAL Survivors". Alongside our trusted CMM crew, SAOL label mates Painful, Super Monster Party, The Mourning, and Cabrakaän joined the swimming festival and other bands to celebrate the United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea on board and rock the stage with their sound.
Over the course of the year, we were handling PR and marketing activities for the 2026 edition, looking forward to another unforgettable cruise from Miami, Florida, to Nassau, The Bahamas, and back from January 29 to February 2, 2026, aboard the Royal Caribbean luxury cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. And once again next year, no effort will be spared to offer Sailors from over 80 nations unforgettable exclusive experiences: Band announcements such as ANTHRAX, AMORPHIS, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ELUVEITIE, KAMELOT, and WIND ROSE have already set fans' hearts racing.
BMG | Singerman Entertainment:
50 years of Motörhead – An anniversary of legends!
2025 Motörhead celebrated 50 years of pure energy and unique sound! As one of the most influential bands in rock history, Motörhead has not only shaped the music landscape but also built a loyal fan base that still identifies with their unmistakable sound and attitude. For their 50th anniversary, we were treated to all sorts of highlights, special editions, and exclusive events that made this historic year an unforgettable experience and kept the Motörhead story alive. As part of the celebrations, there were numerous events worldwide honoring the band's legacy. From special exhibitions to ash ceremonies in Lemmy's honor – the "Motörhead for Life Events" were the ultimate experience for everyone who loves the band and wanted to experience their story firsthand. An ashes ceremony and the unveiling of his statue in Lemmy’s birthplace of Stoke-on-Trent on May 9 marked an emotional climax to the anniversary year. At the unveiling of the statue in Stoke-on-Trent the energy was almost palpable. The close connection between the band and their fans remains unbroken and continues to grow with each generation that discovers Motörhead. This was also reflected in the official German album charts, where the “lost album” "The Manticore Tapes" made it straight into the top 10 (at number 9!). Collectors and fans have also been able to enjoy the lovingly remastered re-releases of the Motörhead classics "Overkill", "Bomber", and "Ace Of Spades". On October 31, the tribute album “Killed By Deaf – A Punk Tribute To Motörhead” was released, featuring 13 punk rock bands performing raw covers of their favorite Motörhead songs.
We experienced another special moment this year at the Radio Bob! Awards: Unfortunately, Phil Campbell was on tour at the time and Mikkey Dee was unable to attend due to health reasons, but we were there at the event and our CEO Wolfgang Rott accepted the award on Mikkey Dee's behalf (while Phil received his in the mail) and presented it to him personally in July, right before the Scorpions' anniversary concert (60 years!) in Hanover.
BMG – Bruce Dickinson: “More Balls to Picasso”
Bruce Dickinson took one of his absolute classics and gave it a very personal reinterpretation, impressively reinventing the work: “More Balls To Picasso”, a revised and updated version of the 1994 solo album “Balls to Picasso”, was released on July 25. The new edition includes two previously unreleased live tracks: “Gods Of War” and “Shoot All The Clowns”. A brand new lyric video for “Gods Of War” was also accompanying the release. This reissue is not only a piece of music history, but also showcases Bruce Dickinson's unbroken energy and creative vision.
50 years of IRON MAIDEN:
World tour, official anniversary picture book and more
This year was a very special one for all of us, as Iron Maiden were also celebrating 50 years of epic music, legendary stage performances and unforgettable moments that turned 2025 into a true party for all fans of the British heavy metal icon. And what could be better than celebrating this extraordinary year with a major anniversary tour? For their 50th year, the band embarked on a monumental world tour that was one of the biggest and most exciting ones in metal history. The "Run For Your Lives World Tour", marking Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary, not only set new standards in live production, but also was a resounding success, with more than a million tickets sold. With 32 shows in 20 countries, the English band thrilled their fans and the international press with a set list packed with classics and an incomparable enthusiasm for performing – as was the case at the start of their German tour in front of 53,000 fans at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. As usual, CMM handled all press relations in German-speaking countries and worked closely with local promoters across Europe to provide accreditation and guest lists.
And with festival appearances next year, including Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, as well as some very special shows, such as the exclusive headline show in Hanover, Germany, and the special UK show at the legendary Knebworth Park, the next highlights are already lined up for fans.
And: This fall, Iron Maiden released their definitive legacy book, "Infinite Dreams – The Official Visual History", immersing us in the band's world like never before. This extraordinary work takes readers behind the scenes of one of the greatest metal bands of all time and gives us unique access to the band's history with unpublished stories, exclusive photos and personal insights. We are delighted to be supporting PRESTEL Verlag (Penguin Random House) in promoting the German-language edition of the official Iron Maiden anniversary picture book – a treasure that no fan's collection should be missing. The illustrated book made it to number 1 on various Amazon sales charts (music history & criticism, photography (books), hard & heavy (books)) and number 9 in the book charts (Börsenblatt bestsellers).
Phantom Management: Smith/Kotzen
Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen released their brand new studio album “Black Light/White Noise” at the beginning of April, and success was not long in coming. Shortly after its release, the album entered the UK Rock & Metal Album Charts at number 1. Adrian and Richie were honored with an official award for this achievement – a milestone that impressively underscores the musical power and authenticity of this project. In addition, the big “Black Light/White Noise” UK & Europe Headline Tour was announced. Between February and March 2026, Smith/Kotzen will finally be performing live on stage in Germany, including four shows in Cologne, Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg.
Night Castle Management | Cobra Agency:
SAVATAGE – An epic comeback
Savatage are among the most legendary and influential bands in metal history, and their "Madness Reigns Europe 2025" comeback tour was an absolute highlight for all fans. In June, they celebrated their long-awaited return, after more than 20 years, with a European tour consisting of festival appearances and headline shows. They represent not only great music, but also a history that has shaped the metal world – and the reunion tour was a very special celebration of this unique legacy. The demand for tickets for the comeback tour was so overwhelming that both German dates were completely sold out after just a few weeks, and the Munich show was moved to a larger venue early on. However, Savaheads in Brazil, Chile and Argentina were able to indulge themselves even earlier, with Savatage conquering the Masters Of Rock and Monsters Of Rock festivals in April. All headline shows in Europe were sold out, and their first German tour appearance in Oberhausen brought the house down. Savatage are still on fire, the fans are thrilled, the forums are buzzing, and with Zak Stevens on vocals and digital guest appearances by Jon Oliva, they continue to evoke great emotions in all audiences.
And amidst great media fanfare, Savatage announced their “Prelude To Madness” tour through Europe, which will include nine headline shows in the summer of 2026. A special highlight of the tour will be a concert in the historic setting of the famous Amphitheater of Pompeii, where Savatage will perform together with an orchestra for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening. In addition, the progressive metal pioneers will be appearing at various festivals in Europe next year, including Sweden Rock, Wacken Open Air, Leyendas Del Rock, Alcatraz, Keep it True, and many more. We are very excited to be part of the Savatage family and are already looking forward to the 2026 summer tour!
Sonja and Wolfgang with Zak Stevens and Chris Caffery (Savatage) at the rehearsals in Peppermint Park
Napalm Records – Unantastbar
They've done it again! With "FÜR IMMER WIR" (FOREVER US), South Tyrolean rockers UNANTASTBAR placed their tenth studio album at number 2 on the Official German Album Charts at the end of May – their fourth in a row – marking another milestone in their more than 20-year band history. This was celebrated at release shows, some of which were sold out well in advance, and finally with almost 3,000 visitors at the third edition of the WIR LEBEN LAUT festival in Loburg. Following the band's own festivals WIR LEBEN LAUT (May 22 to 24, 2026; headliners alongside UNANTASTBAR: Eisbrecher, among others) and GEGEN DIE STILLE (August 28 to 29, 2026) next year, the band plans to take an indefinite break. CMM will continue to accompany the band as their contact for all press matters and tour promotion – and will support them until the band's hiatus and beyond in whatever the future may bring.
earMUSIC/EDEL – ANNIHILATOR
This summer saw the start of the catalog reissue of the successful Canadian speed/thrash metal band Annihilator via earMUSIC/EDEL, dedicated to a decisive era in the band's history. With the re-release of “King Of The Kill” (1994), “Refresh The Demon” (1996), and “Remains” (1997), albums from the mid to late 90s were presented in a newly remastered version and offered on high-quality 180g black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve and as a CD digipak edition. They also featured revised artworks and brand new liner notes by Alex Milas, who conducted an exclusive interview with Jeff Waters for this series. These albums combine the intensity of thrash metal with melodic elements, a spirit of experimentation, and groove.
ROCK HARD FESTIVAL and
GRASPOP METAL MEETING
The ROCK HARD Festival in the unique setting of the Gelsenkirchen Amphitheater was the perfect start into the festival season for our CMM team. The goose bumps continued in the hellish heat of Dessel, Belgium, for Savatage's performance at the GRASPOP METAL MEETING. After an emotional show, which the press later confirmed had “headliner potential”, the band was deeply impressed and grateful – as were the numerous fans who celebrated Savatage's return in style.
ROCKHARZ 2025
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| Sonja, Maria, Lukas, and Lisa at ROCKHARZ |
ROCKHARZ 2025 was, as always, an amazing event! Every year, this festival brings together an incredible crew, great colleagues, loyal partners, as well as old and new friends. We had a wonderful time, saw familiar faces again, made new contacts, and simply enjoyed every wild, loud, and unforgettable moment. This time, next to absolutely fantastic headliner performances by KING DIAMOND, POWERWOLF, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SAXON and IN EXTREMO, we also witnessed a German festivals’ first, as ROCKHARZ became an official branch of the Ballenstedt registry office this year. Eight official and legally recognized weddings took place right on the festival grounds. Between a black-veiled nun and a mysterious black angel, accompanied by the roar of distorted guitars, romance with a metal touch was in the air. Together with 700 volunteers and a community that feels like a huge family reunion, this festival is more than just a music event. ROCKHARZ is a place where strangers become friends, romance meets chaos, and every detail reflects passion and determination. On Monday immediately after the event, ticket sales for 2026 began. Some great headliners (e.g. Alice Cooper and Helloween) have already been announced – and the 2026 event sold out in just four days! We're counting down the days until next year – SEE YOU AT THE DEVIL'S WALL!
WACKEN OPEN AIR 2025
“Rain or Shine” – WACKEN OPEN AIR lived up to its motto once again in 2025. As usual, equipped with everything from rubber boots to sunscreen, our team set off for the Holy Ground, not only to meet old and new friends, but also to once again proudly offer advice to metal battle bands from all over the world in the Metal Battle Lounge. Our friends from EMP not only brought their popular Backstage Club Area again, but were also on board as official partners of Wacken Metal Battle for the first time. In addition, our heavy rockers from Random celebrated their Wacken debut at the Landgasthof (LGH) Wacken. And we are already looking forward to Savatage's spectacular WACKEN comeback in 2026!
CMM Jay, Sonja, and Lukas with Metal Battle winners EXPELLOW (CH)
SUMMER BREEZE OPEN AIR
This year's SUMMER BREEZE OPEN AIR provided a fitting end to our festival summer. For the first time in several years, we were able to attend in person and immediately felt very comfortable and welcome. In addition to the cozy festival atmosphere of Summer Breeze, this year's lineup was once again impressive, with a variety of highlights to marvel at – such as breathtaking shows by Gojira, Blind Guardian, and Kanonenfieber, to name just a few. We also took the opportunity to visit our close partners at EMP in their backstage club area. On top of that, we exchanged ideas with various personalities from the scene and made some new contacts.
EMP Exclusive Merchandise Products
As part of our long-standing, trusting partnership with our friends at EMP Exclusive Merchandise Products, we at CMM can look back on an exciting fifth year as the press office for the Lingen-based merch specialist in 2025. In addition to press relations, including copywriting for the extremely popular EMP in-store events (2025 signing and pre-listening sessions with Doro Pesch, Unprocessed, the Dropkick Murphys, Rage, Sodom, and Cradle of Filth, to name just a few) or the EMP Backstage Club concerts with bands such as Paleface Swiss and The Butcher Sisters, we support our partners at EMP in the areas of marketing and brand building as well as with consulting, and we are already looking forward to EMP's anniversary year, “40 Years of EMP,” in 2026. The CMM network of international partners, whose potential for successful synergies is well known, has also been busy, including exciting collaborations with Savatage and Iron Maiden. All in all, a cooperation that never ceases to delight us.
SAOL – Service for Artist Owned Labels
Our SAOL artists are committed to keeping the spirit of music alive and aimed at the fans with new music, videos, concerts, tours, and festival appearances this year.
As veterans of CMM Label Service SAOL, CHONTARAZ celebrated a lively comeback, returning with their 3rd album sporting a new line-up featuring drummer/producer Fotis Bernardo (Septicflesh): “Phantom of Reality” fills a gap in today’s metal market, venturing into dark territories where others hesitate to tread. Additionally, CHONTARAZ thrilled fans with fiery live performances across Europe during the hot summer months.
The Mercury Riots’ latest video clip “Save me a drink” celebrates an on-the-road lifestyle that every teenage guitarist dreams of, and every adult rocker can no longer remember. The muscle rockers from the heart of Los Angeles came back to Europe for this year's Sweden Rock Festival in June, followed by a plethora of live dates extending into November.
Starting off the year with a string of shows in Japan, Brazil’s own Noturnall returned home for a marathon tour of dates extending from May through August, together with Edu Falaschi.
“Ominous One”, the latest single from Leach, took us on a blistering tour de force. The Swedish band themselves headed south this year for live dates in Poland and Romania.
Our US-progsters Oryad rocked the Mad With Power fest in Madison, Wisconsin at the beginning of June. Enough arcade, pinball and heavy metal to please the “Sacred & Profane” in everyone.
German newcomers DARKNESS SURROUNDING are taking the reins with our complete service package for artist owned labels. Digital distribution to the moon and back with The Orchard plus vinyl LP, digipak CD, exclusive bundles – the connection between fans and band has never been closer than it is today.
What would it sound like if AC/DC brawled with Judas Priest in an alley, while Motörhead revved a Harley over the whole thing? Probably like N.Y.C. and their debut album “Built To Destroy”. Founded by lead singer/guitarist Tommy Bolan, the six-string shredder behind Warlock’s platinum “Triumph & Agony”, born and raised in Queens, NY, the band also features metal legends Stet Howland (W.A.S.P., Metal Church) on drums and Steve Unger (Metal Church) on bass. Together, they channel the sound of New York City – noisy, restless, pissed-off, and ready to rise from the gutter.
SAOL alumna Britta Görtz, who jump-started her career on CRIPPER’s 2008 debut album “Freak Inside” (our 1st release via SAOL), was guest-fronting HEAVEN SHALL BURN and doing a collab with none other than the legendary KREATOR this year!
Years in the making, “Age of Legends” by IN VIRTUE has finally hit the airwaves with a concept album evolving around a character based on Sisyphus, a terrible tyrannical king, and ideas of suffering, eternal punishment and, ultimately, (self-)forgiveness. What more can you ask for?
Prog rebels NEREIS from Italy have already made a name for themselves with extensive tours from the southern tip of Europe to the rugged Baltic region. With their new album “AZURE” the revelry and yearning of early hard rock romanticism meets a dash of robust prog metal, coming together to create an atmospheric density reminiscent of a powerful film soundtrack.
