Bloodstock Open Air

Bloodstock Open Air Day Splits revealed!

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As always, the Thursday night kicks off the BLOODSTOCK party on the SOPHIE stage. Symphonic extreme metallers SATURNIAN open proceedings with BLOODSHOT DAWN and MARIONETTE warming the crowd up for headliners VIKING SKULL, before metal funnyman Steve Hughes takes to the stage to split sides. Of course, it wouldn’t be BLOODSTOCK without the infamous metal Karaoke, and once you’ve sung your tonsils raw the 4 DJS Of The Apocalypse take over til the early hours of Friday morning.

The gates to the main arena open on the Friday as the festival proper swings into action with over one hundred bands spread across four stages with all manner of mighty metal majesty on offer. Dozens of exclusive appearances from some of metals heaviest hitters, hilarious comedic offerings from top alternative comedians and white knuckle rides are all on offer across the weekend. If that’s not enough, the metal market offers stalls from across the world bringing their wares to the UK for one weekend, and there is an acoustic stage still to be announced with performances from bands on the line up courtesy of Jagermeister.

The day splits for what is set to be BLOODSTOCK’s biggest year is as follows:

Thursday 9th August

Sophie Stage

Saturnian

Bloodshot Dawn

Marionette

Viking Skull

Steve Hughes

Metal Karaoke

4 Dj's

Friday 10th August

Ronnie James Dio Stage

Freedom Call

Grand Magus

Moonsorrow

Iced Earth

Sepultura

Watain

Dio Disciples

Behemoth

Sophie Stage

Commander In Chief

Gonoreas

Primitai

Sweet Savage

Derision

Death Valley Knights

Pythia

Eastern Front

Alcest

Dirty Sanchez

Newblood Stage

Warhorse

Cambion

Infernal Creation 

Fallen Fate

Saturday 11th August

Ronnie James Dio Stage

Benediction

I Am I

Cthonic

Crowbar

Mayhem

Sanctuary

Hatebreed

Testament

Machine Head

Sophie Stage

Savage Messiah

Dripback

Infernal Tenebra

Rising Dream

Furyon

Winterfylleth

Witchsorrow

Sight Of Emptiness

Orange Goblin

Newblood

Merciless Fail

Stormborn

Wretched Soul

Tempus Fusion

Reflections In Exile

Doomed (Slov)

Gone Til Winter

Sunday 12th August

Ronnie James Dio Stage

Kobra And The Lotus

Corrosion Of Conformity

Nile

Black Dahlia Murder

Evile

Paradise Lost

Dimmu Borgir

Alice Cooper

Sun – Sophie Stage

Re Armed

Flayed Disciple

Battalion

Crimes Of Passion

Ancient Ascendent

Noctiferia

Demonic Ressurection

Headcharger

Anaal Nathrakh

Newblood – Sunday

Dream Catcher

Reign Of Fury

Huron

A Thousand Enemies

Shattered Skies

In other news, DEICIDE have been forced to cancel their scheduled appearance, and after heeding the call of the fans, EVILE will be bumped up to the main stage, with a new act to be revealed for the SOPHIE stage shortly.

Fans to select tunes for Machine Head’s set at Bloodstock 2012

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If you head to http://www.facebook.com/Bloodstock you can submit your suggestions via a poll. Each fan can pick five songs fromMACHINE HEAD’s incredible debut “Burn My Eyes”, and the five most popular tracks will be performed at CATTON HALL this summer.

BLOODSTOCK can also reveal a further three acts for the Sophie Stage and one for the Ronnie James Dio Stage.  Headlining the Sophie Stage on Thursday night, raucous rockers VIKING SKULL bring their loud and proud metal to BLOODSTOCK, alongside Belfast metalheads SWEET SAVAGE.  Hotly tipped newcomers DEATH VALLEY KNIGHTS show why in just a few short months their powerful metal has earned them a much coveted spot at Britain’s most metal festival, and finally Canada’s KOBRA & THE LOTUS make their BLOODSTOCK debut opening the Ronnie James Dio Stage on Sunday.

Machine Head confirmed for Bloodstock 2012

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MACHINE HEAD first graced UK shores in the wake of their landmark debut album “Burn My Eyes” in 1994 as main support to Slayer.  Fan reaction to MACHINE HEAD’s signature brand of crushing metal was so intense that the band would return immediately afterward to headline their own sold-out shows at many of the same venues, launching a massive swell of passionate fan support that continues to this day.

Machine Head

Seven albums, a Grammy nomination and countless tours later, UK fans continue to champion and support MACHINE HEAD as feverishly as they did at those first shows, and this year, at BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012, they will be given the unprecedented opportunity to influence MACHINE HEAD’s set list!

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of MACHINE HEAD’s first-ever live performance at their roadie Mike “Scum”’s getting-evicted-from-his-house party – for which they performed five songs – ticket holders will be given the opportunity to vote for the five “Burn My Eyes” songs they most want to hear MACHINE HEAD play during their headline set Saturday night, with the five that receive the most votes included in the set list (details to follow)!

Anyone that’s ever witnessed MACHINE HEAD live will attest to the fact that the raw, unbridled energy of their performance is unlike anything else you’ll ever see.  With countless legendary UK performances already on record, and a first-ever fan-influenced setlist, it goes without saying that MACHINE HEAD’s headline set at BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 is going to go down in metal history as one of those festival performances that you’ll forever be glad you got to see.

Crowbar and more added to Bloodstock 2012 lineup

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The epitome of heavy, Kirk Windstein and co have been showing the world that speed isn't everything since their debut Thru Sufferingâ stunned the metal world in 1991 with its downtuned, slow-paced yet punishingly heavy sound. With nine studio albums under their very large belts, CROWBAR have mastered the art of the riff, continually delivering irresistible sludgey metal via a sound uniquely their own. The RONNIE JAMES DIO Stage will be put to the test at CROWBAR's only UK festival of 2012.

Over on the SOPHIE stage, additions come in the form of homegrown extreme symphonic metallers and Metal 2 The Masses winners SATURNIAN,fellow countrymen and Melo-death thrashers BLOODSHOT DAWN, as well as Finnish melodic death metallers Re-Armed.

At only £115 for a four day ticket with camping included,BLOODSTOCKoffers incredible value for money and more exclusive appearances than any other festival. With headline sets from BEHEMOTH, ALICE COOPER, plus a very very special mystery headliner – to be revealed at 6pm on the 6th June – comedy, fairground rides and a genuine real ale bar, there is no better place for the British metalhead this summer.

Evile, Marionette and more added to Bloodstock 2012

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Guitarist Old Drake comments:

 "It was great to wake up to the confirmation of our appearance at the one and only Bloodstock Festival. With the release of our "Five Serpent's Teeth" album we dedicated the track "Centurion" to the festival, and for them to have us back with a great slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage, it's bound to be a show to remember. We may just even have a special, first time live-airing, of the previously mentioned track for the BOA masses. Come along for your Evile fix! Long live Bloodstock!"

 Making their UK festival debut, Gothenburg’s MARIONETTE will help get the party started on the Thursday night on the SOPHIE stage. With their roots in melodic death metal, last year’s “Nerve” album saw the band evolve into something truly unique, combining industrial laced metal with stunning soundscapes, earning them rave reviews across the board. "Our sights are firmly set on the UK following our recent run there with Dead By April, "Slay The UK tour" in May and our upcoming appearance at Bloodstock Open Air in August.” Says guitarist and mainman Aron Parmerud. “ BOA is a festival we have heard great things about from fans and bands we have toured with and we look forward to tearing up the East Midlands again!"

 They are joined by Brighton rockers FURYON, who’s recently released Gravitas album is currently earning them praise and adoration across the world of rock. Iconic riffs, jaw dropping solos and one of the tightest rhythm sections this country has ever produced, the SOPHIE stage is in for a treat. The band checked in to say:

 “Furyon are delighted to be booked for the immense bloodstock for our second year and are proud to be able to contribute to the sophie lancaster stage and foundation.”

 They are joined by UK metal mongers DERISION, who will deliver a furious set of 80s inspired thrash bound to go down a storm at the UK’s most metal festival.

 At only £115 for a four day ticket with camping included, BLOODSTOCK offers incredible value for money and more exclusive appearances than any other festival. With headline sets from BEHEMOTH, ALICE COOPER, plus a very very special mystery headliner – to be revealed at 6pm on the 6th June – comedy, fairground rides and a genuine real ale bar, there is no better place for the British metalhead this summer.

 Get your tikets now from www.bloodstock.uk.com

Testament added to Bloodstock 2012 lineup

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One of the first thrash bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area, debut album “The Legacy” put TESTAMENT at the forefront of the thrash metal scene, where they have remained for the best part of thirty years.

Testament

Says guitarist Eric Peterson:

“We're excited to play the "Bloodstock Festival" again! this time with some new material to play! Can't wait for the UK to hear our "Dark Roots Of Earth!" See Ya!”

With nine studio albums under their belt – two of which boasting top 40 chart positions in the UK – and a new album on its way, TESTAMENT come armed with no shortage of classic thrash anthems. One of the few bands to consistently put out genuinely exciting and fresh material throughout their career, the promise of hearing songs from the likes of The Legacy, The New Order, Practice What You Preach, Souls Of Black, The Ritual, Low, Demonic, The Gathering and The Formation Of Damnation – as well as new material – is enough to whet any headbangers appetite, and one many will find impossible to resist.

With tickets selling faster than ever before, BLOODSTOCK 2012 is destined for a sell-out this year. Over 100 bands – the majority of which are exclusive appearances – and a ticket price of only £115 for four days of metal magic INCLUDING camping – BLOODSTOCK offers metalheads the most attractive ticket in the UK. Get yours now from www.bloodstock.uk.com

Bloodstock announce Teenage Cancer Trust as charity partner

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The festival is held over the weekend of August 9-12 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire and will be raising awareness and funds for the charity.

After s successful 2011, guest list donations will again be made to Teenage Cancer Trust with money going towards helping young people with cancer in the UK. There’ll also be many things across the weekend to raise awareness of the charity that festival goers can get involved with.

This year in the Teenage Cancer Trust marquee there’ll be a T-shirt Amnesty, with old rock / metal T-shirts available in exchange for a donation while festival goers are invited to donate their unwanted T-shirts. There will also be a raffle over the weekend with an exclusive prize for one lucky winner. More details of this will be announced nearer the time.

Bloodstock Open Air is the UK’s ultimate metal festival and with this year’s headliners already announced its set to be the biggest and best yet. 12,000 people will descend on the Derbyshire countryside for four days of music from the likes of Polish black metallers Behemoth, Norway’s symphonic six-piece Dimmu Borgir and the legendary Alice Cooper.

“Bloodstock has a long history of supporting worthy causes, in the last few years they have been aimed more at the younger generation, whether our own initiatives with Metal 2 the masses or the renaming of our second stage in support of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

This year Bloodstock is continuing it’s tradition of support for the next generation by making http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/it’s designated charity for 2012. I’m sure the fans as always will be happy to give their support and spread the awareness of such a worthy cause.”      Paul and the Bloodstock team.

Jen Walker, Music Coordinator for Teenage Cancer Trust said: “It’s great to have been chosen by Bloodstock Open Air for the second year in a row. It’s a brilliant partnership for us so we’re looking forward to getting on site and spreading the word about Teenage Cancer Trust this summer!”

Bloodstock announces Iced Earth and Sepultura

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ICED EARTH were born in 1985, formed by Jon Schaffer – a determined, street-tough kid with the drive to create a band to make his heroes Judas Priest, KISS, and Iron Maiden proud. The band released its riff-heavy self-titled debut album in 1990 and never looked back. Nine studio albums – considered masterpieces of metal – cemented the band’s reputation for crafting exceptionally well-made music, the centerpiece of which being Schaffer’s trademark rhythm guitar style and powerful, in-your-face lyrics that often combine themes of self reliance, a healthy distrust of authority, history, and science fiction. He says:

"We are looking forward to returning to Bloodstock in 2012, our second time after 2008. The UK shows we played on our World Dystopia Tour last fall were some of the best on the tour and we cannot wait to bang our heads with the UK minions again!"

Over the years, Schaffer has surrounded himself with some of the finest musicians in the world – including famed vocalists Matt Barlow, Tim Owens, and now Stu Block – to help bring his musical visions to life. This summer Schaffer brings this vision to BLOODSTOCK once more, for their only UK show of 2012, and one of the highlights of the metal festival calendar.

SEPULTURA is one of the major names in metal history. From their humble beginnings 27 years ago, these Brazilians went on to create a legacy, influencing a whole generation of younger bands and becoming a true institution. Despite rough times due to significant line-up changes, nomadic relationships with record labels and various changes in the overall musical environment, SEPULTURA have never backed down, continuously following their path, always re-emerging stronger than ever before.

At their only UK show of 2012, SEPULTURA will remind the BLOODSTOCK crowd why they are South America’s biggest metal export, with a classic set featuring timeless anthems such as “Arise”,  “Beneath The Remains”, “Troops Of Doom” “Refuse/Resist”, “Territory” and many many more.

With tickets selling faster than ever before, BLOODSTOCK 2012 is destined for a sell-out this year. Over 100 bands – the majority of which are exclusive appearances – and a ticket price of only £115 for four days of metal magic INCLUDING camping – BLOODSTOCK offers metalheads the most attractive ticket in the UK. Get yours now fromwww.bloodstock.uk.com

Decide confirmed for Bloodstock Open Air 2012

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Always at the forefront of the death metal movement, DEICIDE was an original pioneer of the brutal sound and imagery associated with the Florida death metal scene. In 1987, Glen Benton and Steve Asheim teamed to launch one of the most talked about, controversial and venomous crusades in metal history and have since risen to

International notoriety, releasing two of the highest selling death metal albums of all time.

DEICIDE quickly became known for their technical yet brutal sound as much as the rumors that surrounded them. After famously marching into the office of Monte Conner (Roadrunner Records) and demanding “Sign us, you fucking asshole!” the band went on to create the definitive sound of 90s death metal thanks to their ability to play technical solos at blazing speeds with overlapping riffs. DEICIDE also created an astounding ten studio albums that have changed the face of the extreme metal scene.

Now they bring their blasphemous brutality to BLOODSTOCK for the first time, offering the only chance to catch them live in the UK this year.

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR have also revealed details of a deposit scheme, having teamed up with online ticket agentSEETICKETS to offer fans an easy way to pay for their BLOODSTOCK festival tickets for 2012. Sign up by no later than 1stMarch to pay for your weekend camping ticket in 3 easy instalments, starting from £36.25 + booking fee.

With a line up including headline sets from ALICE COOPER and BEHEMOTH, Norwegian Black Metal superstars DIMMU BORGIR's  only UK show of 2012, as well as over 100 bands including ANVIL, PARADISE LOST, WATAIN, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and Swedish metal merchants GRAND MAGUS, there is no more metal place in the UK thanBLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR.

Behemoth to headline Friday at Bloodstock Open Air 2012

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Originally scheduled to perform at the 2010 event, the band were forced to cancel after frontman NERGAL was diagnosed with Leukemia. After undergoing treatment including a bone-marrow transplant, the enigmatic frontman is fighting fit and ready to bring BEHEMOTH’s brutality back to the UK:

“We couldn’t do the show for obvious reasons last time, I was in a deep shithole with my sickness, but I really felt obliged to come back and doBLOODSTOCK as soon as possible. We are really fortunate that they invited us back, we couldn’t turn it down, and this is the perfect opportunity to make this up to the people that missed us last time. For us it’s a great pleasure to come back to the UK after two years, and I can promise we will bring full production – lights, pyro – it’s gonna be awesome and we can’t wait. This is not only the first time we headline a festival, but also our first open air appearance in the UK, so it’s gonna be special!”

"Bringing Behemoth back to Bloodstock in 2012 was our mission, they have been one of the MOST requested bands we have ever been asked for”states festival booker Vicky Gregory. “We know the fans will give them one hell of a reception. The show is their full production and what better place for them to return than as headliners for the Friday night”

Their ninth studio album, 2009’s “Evangelion” saw BEHEMOTH make a giant leap from a cult black metal act to internationally acclaimed metal act, gracing magazine covers and even newspapers across the globe, truly breaking out of the underground despite the uncompromising and fiercely brutal ten tracks it contains. Having the honour of being opening band at the first ever performance of Metal’s Big Four – Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax – at Sonisphere Poland in 2009, BEHEMOTH are no strangers to the big stage and this exclusive headline appearance – their first outdoor show in the UK, and only festival performance in this country in 2012 – will be a triumphant return, and one that will no doubt be talked about for years to come.
 
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th – 12th. With four day camping tickets on sale for just £90 (plus booking fee) until December 16th – a MASSIVE saving of £25 – there is no reason to wait.