BLOODSTOCK has got off to an incredible start with ANVIL, PARADISE LOST, WATAIN and ORANGE GOBLIN already confirmed, and this latest announcement only serves to reinforce what the organisers have proven since it’s inception - that each year will be bigger and better than the previous one.
 
On the RONNIE JAME DIO main stage, Norwegian Black Metal superstars DIMMU BORGIR return toBLOODSTOCK for their only UK show of 2012, taking next year’s first Special Guest slot. Undoubtedly Norway’s biggest Black Metal export, DIMMU BORGIR are one of the scene’s leaders, seamlessly blending ferocious metal with epic classical orchestration to create one of extreme music’s most instantly identifiable sounds. Gearing up for a very special UK tour next month, the band took time out from rehearsals to tell us:
 
"We are extremely excited to be a part of next year´s Bloodstock festival. It will be great to reconnect with our UK based friends and fans and party up a storm!"

Joining them are hardcore metal heroes HATEBREED. Ultra-aggressive and punishingly heavy, aHATEBREED show will demand - and command - your undivided attention with their brutal, boot-to-the-teeth heaviness. This Connecticut hardcore/metal institution has been demolishing its way around the globe since 1994. Not many bands can enjoy that kind of longevity, but HATEBREED have made being a “career band” look easy, gracing countless magazine covers, performing at some of the biggest metal festivals around the world and even receiving a Grammy nomination. Says band leader/vocalist Jamey Jasta of their only UK show of 2012:
 
"We're all very excited to play Bloodstock. It's fast becoming one of the best festivals for extreme music and this year's line up is going to crush. We are honoured to share the stage with such awesome bands and happy that we can come and play for our UK die hards!" 

Another band who’s only UK performance of 2012 will be on BLOODSTOCK’s RONNIE JAMES DIO stage are none other than CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - or C.O.C for the initiated - who bring their original line up to CATTON HALL for a very special set. Together again after 25 years, Reed Mullin, Woody Weatherman and Mike Dean reunite to bring the spirit of 1985 to Derbyshire, with tracks from their hugely influential crossover classic “Animosity”.  Says bassist Mike Dean:

"How can you go wrong playing at a festival with the main stage named for Ronnie James Dio?!!!"

Over on the SOPHIE LANCASTER stage, British Black metal BruisersANAAL NATHRAKH make their only UK festival performance of 2012. Created for one purpose - to be the soundtrack for armageddon, the audial essence of evil, hatred and violence, the true spirit of necro taken to its musical extremes - ANNAL NATHRAKH have released four albums to rapturous acclaim, and boast collaborations with such legendary figures as Attila Csihar (Mayhem), Shane Embury and Danny Herrera (Napalm Death), Nick Barker (Testament, Dimmu Borgir), Joe Horvath (Circle of Dead Children), and BLOODSTOCK fellow Sethlans Teitan (Watain). With appearances on BBC Radio 1 at the personal behest of sadly missed icon John Peel, a headline set at Inferno Festival in Norway, countless placings in ‘best album of the year’ polls and album of the month awards in the press, as well as cover appearances on leading magazines such as Terrorizer on their CV, ANAAL NATHRAKH’s status as one of the leading lights in extreme metal is undeniable. Says the band of their overdue appearance at Britain’s only true outdoor metal festival:
 
“It's been a long time coming, but finally the planets seem to be in the correct alignment for us to disgrace a stage at Bloodstock. We will also be sicking up a new album in the run up to the festival, so Bloodstock will likely be something of a release celebration/commiseration. Horrific. Good.”

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th - 12th. Four day camping tickets for next year’s event are available now atbloodstock.uk.com for just £90 (plus booking fee) until xmas. 
 
Tickets for the 2012 event are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com