M4M 2026 — Made4Metalheads Kierspe

M4M — Made4Metalheads, the Sauerland Metal Festival

Since its first edition, the M4M Festival has established itself as one of the premier indoor destinations for metal in North Rhine-Westphalia. Organized by the association Kulturschock Meinerzhagen e.V., a cultural association in the Märkischer Sauerland dedicated to promoting live concerts and alternative music, M4M brings together 4 to 6 bands from the subgenres of Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, and related styles.

Kierspe as a Festival Location

After the first Kierspe edition, M4M 2026 moves again within the Märkischer Kreis: the auditorium of the Gesamtschule Kierspe at Otto-Ruhe-Straße 2 becomes the festival hall. The indoor location is part of the concept — an anti-weather festival in November, when the open-air season is long over and metal fans are looking for a heated venue.

Lineup 2026 — Five Bands

The 2026 program features five bands from the German/European metal spectrum:

• BONDED — Thrash/Death Metal from Germany, featuring Markus Freiwald and Bernemann (ex-Sodom), known for their brutal live energy
• IVORY TOWER — German Progressive Power Metal band from North Rhine-Westphalia, active since the late 90s, melodic and sophisticated
• DARKNESS SURROUNDING — Power/Heavy Metal from the German-speaking area
• POWERGAME — Power Metal with classic genre virtues: double bass, twin guitars, anthemic choruses
• MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU — young band with a Star Wars reference in their name, melodic metal

Organizer Kulturschock Meinerzhagen e.V.

Kulturschock Meinerzhagen is a non-profit cultural association from the neighboring municipality of Meinerzhagen, which has been organizing concerts, festivals, and cultural events for years. M4M is one of the association's best-known formats — embedded within an annual program that also includes singer-songwriter concerts, theater, and cultural events.

Location and Travel

Kierspe is located in the Märkischer Kreis in the Sauerland region (North Rhine-Westphalia), southwest of Lüdenscheid. The Gesamtschule Kierspe is at Otto-Ruhe-Straße 2, easily accessible by car. Travel: A 45 exit Lüdenscheid-Süd, then B 54 towards Kierspe. Public transport: Volmetalbahn (RB 52) from Hagen Hbf to Kierspe. Parking available at the school.