Rock am Ring 2012 Lineup – Die Toten Hosen & Metallica
The Rock am Ring 2012 lineup brought another huge year of rock to the legendary Nürburgring race track. For its 27th anniversary, Rock am Ring confirmed German legends Die Toten Hosen as headliners, with Metallica and Trivium adding serious metal firepower.
Rock am Ring 2012 ran from Friday 1 June to Sunday 3 June 2012. Since 1991 it has been Germany’s biggest rock festival, twinned with Rock im Park in Nuremberg, sharing much of the same lineup across both sites. Below you’ll find the key Rock am Ring 2012 headliners, acts, ticket info and a look at the festival’s legacy.
More past Rock am Ring lineups: 2008 lineup • 2009 lineup • 2010 lineup • 2011 lineup
In 2012, early bird tickets for Rock am Ring started at €140, rising to €160 closer to the festival. Fans could secure their spots for a three-day weekend of bands, camping and classic Nürburgring atmosphere via the official Rock am Ring website.
Rock am Ring 2012 lineup – headliners and key acts
Die Toten Hosen – German headliners for Rock am Ring 2012
Die Toten Hosen, one of Germany’s most iconic punk rock bands, were announced as Rock am Ring 2012 headliners. Their set was a major moment for German fans, combining decades of hits with the energy of a home-country headline performance.
Metallica – Black Album at Rock am Ring 2012
Metallica added serious weight to the Rock am Ring 2012 lineup. Fresh from confirming their slot at the UK’s Download Festival, Metallica’s Rock am Ring appearance featured their classic “Black Album” in full – a dream setlist for long-time fans.
Trivium and more heavy acts on the 2012 lineup
Trivium brought modern American metal to Rock am Ring 2012. Guitarist Corey Beaulieu broke the news on German radio, and their run of festival dates at Graspop and Nova Rock helped cement them as one of the must-see heavy bands of the year.
Alongside Die Toten Hosen, Metallica and Trivium, more international and German acts rounded out the Rock am Ring 2012 lineup, ensuring a mix of classic rock, metal, punk and newer alternative bands across the Nürburgring stages.
Festival legacy – Rock am Ring history up to 2012
The story of the Rock am Ring lineup goes back to 1985. What began as a one-off event at the Nürburgring in the Eifel near Adenau grew into an annual rock institution. After a brief pause in 1989–1990 due to lower attendance, the festival returned and has since become one of Europe’s classic rock weekends.
From 1991 onwards, Rock am Ring has been recognised as Germany’s largest rock festival. Its partnership with Rock im Park in Nuremberg – sharing much of the same lineup across two sites – has become a defining feature. Fans travel from across Europe, turning the multiple campsites around the Nürburgring into a temporary rock city every June.
With Die Toten Hosen, Metallica, Trivium and many more on the bill, the Rock am Ring 2012 lineup kept that legacy alive – offering a weekend of music, camaraderie and the unmistakable atmosphere of the Nürburgring.