Legendary Bulgarian Rock band stops off at The Met on their 30th Anniversary tour!

Peter Anderson
November 2, 2025

B.T.R. is a Bulgarian hard rock band. It was founded in 1984 and quickly became on of the most beloved bands in Bulgaria. More than 30 years later, the band remains among Bulgaria’s most popular and critically acclaimed bands. Each member of the band is a versatile performer and accomplished musicians. Mr. Penev, the group’s front man and lead vocals, possesses one of the most powerful and instantly recognizable voices of his generation. Mr. Nikolov is an extraordinary guitar player and accomplished songwriter, who is also primarily responsible for the band’s musical arrangements. Mr. Kalfov (bass guitar) and Mr. Dikov (percussion) are among the best instrumentalists in their respective fields.

During the 1990s, when the country was undergoing a tumultuous time of political changes, transitioning from a totalitarian Communist regime to democracy, B.T.R. managed not only to create music, but to amass a huge fan base and achieve significant international success in the process. They are the only Bulgarian band to perform at the most prestigious international hard rock and heavy metal festival Monsters of Rock and to sing alongside some of the genre’s legends such as Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple and John Lawton of Uriah Heep-fame.

Over the years, the band has recorded several albums, all of which have enjoyed critical and popular success. One of their iconic songs – Salvation – became the anthem of the Anti-drug campaign of the Bulgarian government. The song was used as the soundtrack to several Bulgarian movies and was included in the music textbooks for all Bulgarian primary schools.

B.T.R are the recipients of major industry awards such as several Band of the Year and Song of the Year, presented by the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio. They have been invited to perform at several prestigious music festivals all over the world, and have toured extensively to sellout crowds nationally and internationally. The band has taken and active part in Bulgaria’s civil life, joining forces with other renowned musicians, artists, and actors to support reforms and civil causes. For example, they headlined a charitable initiative for UNICEF to collect funds to assist victims of domestic violence. Their accomplishments are well documented in major national media, including print, radio, and TV.

We think that BTR will be the 1st Bulgarian band to ever appear in Peterborough – we’ve certainly never had the pleasure of providing our stage to a band from the country before’ said Met boss Steve Jason ‘ But Rock / Metal music doesn’t have boundaries – its universal. If you like rock music then you’ll like this band- its that simple!’

Saturday 8th November at The Met, Peterborough

Doors 7pm. Adv tickets – https://buytickets.at/bgliverepublic1/