Bloodstock Open Air

Bloodstock announce 2016 Friday headliner

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Hot on the heels of their MASTODON announcement last weekend, BLOODSTOCK are thrilled to confirm that their Friday night headliner will be TWISTED SISTER.  

Not only that, this will be the only UK show on the band's ‘Farewell 1976 – 2016’ tour, so your last chance to catch the band live in the UK, as they are set to call it a day after the untimely passing of their drummer AJ Pero earlier this year.

Guitarist Jay Jay French comments: “Our journey in the UK that began in Wrexham in 1982, ends with Bloodstock 2016!  Without the recognition that we received from our UK fans, the world would never have known nor would we ever have reached our 40 year milestone!”

TWISTED SISTER join the bill alongside Saturday’s headliners, MASTODON, plus Friday’s special guests, BEHEMOTH and VENOM.

BLOODSTOCK will be held at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 11th-14th August 2016.

Venom and Behemoth set for Bloodstock 2016

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With Bloodstock 2015 gone by this weekend, we already have some major announcements for 2016!

In a UK festival exclusive, BEHEMOTH are set to play their critically lauded current album, 'The Satanist' in full, as Friday's special guests.  Check out the announcement clip here: http://youtu.be/8NJlsz-wTWE

 

Frontman and band visionary, Nergal proclaims, "Our Bloodstock performance from 2013 was one of the highlights of our long career!  Just thinking about that night gives me shivers and makes me hungry for more.  It is with utmost PLEASURE and HONOUR that we announce our show in 2016!  We'll be performing THE SATANIST in full…!  We literally cannot wait to come back to UK shores!" 
 

Also appearing on Friday's bill are seminal black metal icons, VENOM. 
 

Early bird tickets are on sale now from www.bloodstock.uk.com, priced £120 (plus booking fee). 

Bloodstock Open Air – Two weeks to go, final bands announced!

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It’s fever pitch over at BLOODSTOCK HQ with just over two weeks to go!  That doesn’t stop one last HUGE announcement of bands who’ll be joining the Catton Park bill!

Picking up the last Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Saturday are Brit metal merauders, SAVAGE MESSIAH.  Get a taster of their sound with the video for ‘Hellblazer’, taken from current Earache Records album, ‘The Fateful Dark’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMLgbl7yU98.

 

A wealth of successful ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ winners also line up for the New Blood stage.  On Friday, you can bang your head to the Bristol final winners, MORTISHEAD (www.facebook.com/mortishead), Nottingham’s winners, FORGOTTEN REMAINS (www.facebook.com/forgottenremainsband) and KRYOCELL (www.facebook.com/kryocell). On Saturday, we have the victors from the Manchester, Wales, Burnley and Corby finals; AMETHYST (www.facebook.com/aovuk), CHAOS TRIGGER (www.facebook.com/chaostrigger), BLOODYARD (www.facebook.com/bloodyard666) and FROM EDEN TO EXILE (www.facebook.com/fromedenttoexile).  Sunday’s bill swells with the inclusion of Oxford’s winners, HELLS GAZELLES (www.facebook.com/hellsgazelles), Birmingham’s victors, BURDEN OF THE NOOSE (www.facebook.com/burdenofthenoose666), plus Nottingham’s SPIRYTUS and the Black Country’s LEFT FOR RED (www.facebook.com/leftforreduk).

 

Joining the Jagermeister stage bill on Friday are Leicester death metallers, FOUL BODY AUTOPSY , Brum heavy metal beasts THE MIGHTY WRAITH and Notts stoner grunge squad, WITCHTRIPPER.  Saturday sees the addition of Kettering’s symphonic metal outfit, DIVINE SOLACE and Blackpool death metal machine, CIRCLE SPECTRE HAUNTING.  Also added on Sunday are Bristol prog metallers ENDEAVOUR, Norwich thrashers KILLER HURTS and Wigan hard rockers, BIG FOOT.

 

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce its partnership with TEENAGE CANCER TRUST for the fifth year in a row.  Since kicking off a relationship in 2011, over £21,000 has been raised for the charity, with the money going to help the UK’s teenagers & young adults with cancer.  To celebrate hitting the £20k mark and this special anniversary, this year we’ve set a fundraising target of £12,500 so we need your help to shatter that!  Once again the charity will have a stall in the market area, where you can purchase Teenage Cancer Trust merchandise and join in the popular ‘T-Shirt Amnesty’ (clear some drawer space and bring your unwanted band t-shirts to donate or swap).  There are also three very special raffle prizes up for grabs.  On Friday, you could meet headliners TRIVIUM and watch their first three songs side of stage, while on Saturday, WITHIN TEMPTATION offer the same prize. On Sunday, one lucky winner could be taking home a black gloss BC Rich Warlock Edge guitar, signed by 2014 BLOODSTOCK headliners, DOWN. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is purchase a raffle ticket for £1 at the charity stand, so stop by, pick up a ticket and be in with a chance of winning.

Bloodstock Open Air – Three weeks to go!

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BLOODSTOCK HQ is a-buzz with activity with just over three weeks to go!   There’s still more bands to announce and we also welcome the return of the brutal-yet-amazing ‘Battle Of The Nations UK’ historical fighting team!

 

The New Blood stage on Friday sees a brace of additions; Hertfordshire melodic death metal outfit and Luton ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals winner, COUNTLESS SKIES (www.facebook.com/countlessskies) and Gothenburg, Sweden’s WE ARE THE CATALYST (www.facebook.com/WATCofficial) – who also won DELAIN’s competition with Metal Hammer magazine to win a support slot on the Dutch symphonic rockers’ UK tour.  Joining the New Blood bill on Saturday are Midlands-based prog metallers, MARTYR DE MONA (www.facebook.com/martyrdemona, groove metal outfit and Norwich M2TM winners, SOULBORN (www.facebook.com/soulborn) and self-proclaimed ‘hobo sludge’ gang and Reading’s M2TM winners, VICTORIAN WHORE DOGS (www.facebook.com/VWDBAND).  Sunday welcomes London death metallers SKARTHIA (www.facebook.com/skarthia), hard rock funk/schplunk metal men and London final M2TM winners, WRETCHED TOAD (www.facebook.com/wretchedtoad) and lastly, the winners of the ‘Metal To The Masses’ Hobgoblin online video upload competition, Newcastle groove metal beasts, TOMBSTONE CROW (www.facebook.com/tombstonecrowofficial).

 

Over on the Jagermeister Stage on Friday, hard rock four-piece CITY OF THIEVES (www.facebook.com/cityofthievesuk) join the fray.  On Saturday, the blues-based rockers PIG IRON (www.facebook.com/pigironmc) grab a slot, as well as stoner/sludge squad, MORASS OF MOLLASSES (www.facebook.com/MorassOfMolasses) and straight out of Valhalla, the truest of true cover bands, HANOWAR (www.facebook.com/Hanowartruemetal); a bit like Manowar, but…well, you do the math!  Lastly for this announcement, Sunday sees horror-metal punksters, THE HELL PUPPETS (www.facebook.com/hellpuppets) join the Jager bill.  Final additions to all stages will be announced next week!!

 

There’s plenty more on site to see and do besides watching the awesome bill!  Returning this year for Friday-Sunday are the very popular BATTLE OF THE NATIONS UK historical fighting team!  These guys have to be seen to be believed.  Catch their regular ‘demonstrations’ (read: ‘full-on’, no-holds-barred fighting with broadswords, maces and plenty of other historical weaponry) in their designated pen in the main arena.

 

All these stellar bands are on the bill!  Friday’s headliner TRIVIUM and special guests SABATON, Saturday’s headliner WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, Sunday’s headliner ROB ZOMBIE and special guests BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, plus CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA, ORANGE GOBLIN, DEATH D.T.A, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, 1349, NAPALM DEATH, DARK ANGEL, ARMORED SAINT, BELPHEGOR, OVERKILL, ENSIFERUM, AGALLOCH, KORPIKLAANI, PRO-PAIN, ENSLAVED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, XERATH and WOLF.  Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, there’s headliners DELAIN, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, GODFLESH and ARNOCORPS, LAWNMOWER DETH, MORDRED, ETHEREAL, ONSLAUGHT, OAF, CONAN, PLANET OF ZEUS, GODSIZED, plus many many more.

Seven more bands for Bloodstock Open Air

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BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce seven more of metal’s finest for the UK’s heaviest weekender, including a clutch of bands from the farthest flung corners of the globe.

 

Friday’s line up will now include extreme prog metal Aussies, NE OBLIVISCARIS for their long awaited debut on UK soil.  The band proclaim, “UK, here we come!  2015 is the year we are finally going to reach your shores and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that it will be as part of the enormous BLOODSTOCK festival.  We’re looking forward to playing alongside many of the best and biggest heavy acts from across the world!”  Get a taste for them in this clip from their Australian tour in November; https://youtu.be/WdW88MzfHec.  Also joining Friday’s fray are the London based group SILAS, who describe themselves as a “fusion of genres”. Curious?  Head over to the official website at http://www.silasbanduk.com/ for the full lowdown.

 

Saturday’s bill sees two bands who’ve jetted in from Indonesia, a hotbed of metal and one of the planet’s most burgeoning heavy music scenes.  BURGERKILL and JASAD are two of the country’s biggest metal acts, even counting the country’s metal-loving prime minister, Joko Widodo among their fans. Check out the video for BURGERKILL’s ‘House of Greed’ at: https://youtu.be/A7RM2W4kQco and then take their Indonesian heavy metal language lesson with Metal Hammer at: https://youtu.be/xAEKQO4n8vE.  To learn more about JASAD, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Jasadbdm.  Also joining Saturday’s Sophie bill are Mancunian metallers, PIST, already flagged up as a Terrorizer ‘Band of the Day’ around the release of their ‘Riffology’ EP. If you’re into stuff like Orange Goblin, Red Fang & Kyuss, you’ll appreciate the PIST sound.  Learn more about PIST at: http://www.terrorizer.com/news/botd/pist-band-day/.

 

Sunday’s line-up sees a very special solo set from ex-Evile shredsman, OL DRAKE to accompany his upcoming solo album, ‘Old Rake’ which is out in June via Earache.  Ol comments "I'm very excited to be returning to Bloodstock in a musical capacity. The weekend is fully booked off work (I was going anyway) and we're rehearsing right now. It’ll be a very special show, so don’t miss it.  I’ll no doubt be having my fair share of drinks and Jagermeister afterwards and no doubt be returning to work feeling buzzed yet terrible.  This is probably the only show I'll be doing to promote the album. Hope to see you there!"  The album’s lead track, 'Guitarists Playing Guitars' features the likes of Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus), James Murphy (Death/Testament/Obituary), Josh Middleton (Sylosis) and Mike Heller (Fear Factory, on drums).  Check it out now on Spotify; http://open.spotify.com/track/1YdYUEsRxVB2UGkrqLn4JD.  Sunday also sees the return to Catton Park of South Wales metallers, TRIAXIS, who release their third album ‘Zero Hour’ on May 18th via Rocksector Records.  Listen to first single ‘Victorious’ and delve deeper at: http://www.triaxis.info/.

 

Tickets for BLOODSTOCK 2015 are available via the 24hr ticketline at 0871 230 5584 or online at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2015/catton-park/809956, priced at the very reasonable £135 (plus booking fee) for a four-day Thursday through Sunday weekend ticket with camping.  VIP packages and upgrades are also available, plus pre-booked car parking pitches.  Camper van pitches are now all SOLD OUT!

 

All these killer bands are already announced!  Friday’s headliner TRIVIUM and special guests SABATON, Saturday’s headliner WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, Sunday’s headliner ROB ZOMBIE and special guests BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, plus CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA, ORANGE GOBLIN, DEATH T.A, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, 1349, NAPALM DEATH, DARK ANGEL, ARMORED SAINT, BELPHEGOR, OVERKILL, ENSIFERUM, AGALLOCH, KORPIKLAANI, PRO-PAIN, ENSLAVED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, XERATH and WOLF.  Plus over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, there’s headliners DELAIN, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, GODFLESH and ARNOCORPS, LAWNMOWER DETH, MORDRED, ETHEREAL, ONSLAUGHT, OAF, CONAN, PLANET OF ZEUS, GODSIZED, plus many more and, there’s even more bands to be announced in the coming weeks!

 

 

 

 

Seven more bands announced for Bloodstock’s Sophie Lancaster Stage

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Seven more bands announced for Bloodstock's Sophie Lancaster Stage

Can you feel the festival season creeping up?!  Soon, very soon it will be time to pack up your tent and your Viking drinking horn, then you and your mates will be thrashing your way to Catton Park for BLOODSTOCK 2015!  With 17 weeks to go, here’s another 7 head-banging additions to the Sophie Lancaster stage.

Crash landing into Friday’s Sophie line-up are London-based metallers, I AM I.  Fronted by ZP Theart (formerly of Dragonforce), I AM I are currently hard at work on their new album and follow up to their ‘Event Horizon’ debut.  Check out their website at http://www.iamiofficial.com/ for video updates!   Also rocking up the bill are HANG THE BASTARD, the stoner groove road dogs who recently released second album, ‘Sex In the Seventh Circle’ via Century Media and opened for Corrosion of Conformity on their UK tour.  Check out the ‘Sex In The Seventh Circle’ video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvYvGo2CBxw.  British thrash stalwarts RE-ANIMATOR grab themselves a slot too, after reforming in 2013 after a 20-year break.  Wrap your ears round ‘Low Life’ from their ‘Condemned To Eternity’ album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTDUUHTkcyo.  Hard rock riff-monsters, FIRE RED EMPRESS also land a spot.  You can listen to their recent ‘Paint Me The Devil’ EP over at http://fireredempress.bandcamp.com/album/paint-me-the-devil-ep.  Last (for this announcement), but not least, Denmark’s HEXIS also bring their unique blend of hardcore and black metal doom to Friday’s line up.  Friday is topped out by previously announced headliners, DELAIN!

Rock n’ roll tearaways JETTBLACK will be Saturday night’s main support to Sophie stage headliners, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE.  With their brand new album, ‘Disguises’ out this week, JETTBLACK are coming out all guns blazing with a bunch of fresh tunes!  Check out some album clips over at http://www.jettblackuk.com/.

Irish metal three-piece, DEAD LABEL also join Sunday’s bill on the Sophie stage.  Their new album, ‘Throne of Bones’ is set for release soon.  Follow their news over at https://www.facebook.com/DeadLabel.

Tickets for BLOODSTOCK 2015 are available via the 24hr ticketline at 0871 230 5584 or online at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2015/catton-park/809956, priced at the very reasonable £135 (plus booking fee) for a four-day Thursday through Sunday weekend ticket with camping.  VIP packages and upgrades are also available, plus pre-booked car parking pitches.  Camper van pitches are now all SOLD OUT!

All these killer bands are already announced!  Friday’s headliner TRIVIUM and special guests SABATON, Saturday’s headliner WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, Sunday’s headliner ROB ZOMBIE and special guests BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, plus CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA, ORANGE GOBLIN, DEATH T.A, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, 1349, NAPALM DEATH, DARK ANGEL, ARMORED SAINT, BELPHEGOR, OVERKILL, ENSIFERUM, AGALLOCH, KORPIKLAANI, PRO-PAIN, ENSLAVED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, XERATH and WOLF.  Plus over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, there’s headliners DELAIN, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, GODFLESH and ARNOCORPS, LAWNMOWER DETH, MORDRED, ETHEREAL, ONSLAUGHT, OAF, CONAN, PLANET OF ZEUS, GODSIZED, plus many more and, there’s even more bands to be announced in the coming weeks!

Rob Zombie will headline Bloodstock 2015

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ROB ZOMBIE is confirmed as Sunday’s 2015 main stage headliner, bringing his mind-blowing full production to Catton Park.  

ROB ZOMBIE exclaims, "I am so ready to get on a plane, and get my ass over to merry ol' England for BLOODSTOCK.  We've had some of the best shows of our lives over there and can't wait to add this to the list.  Besides, it's called ‘BLOODSTOCK' so how could it not be bloody fucking fun?”

Expect to witness a spectacular range of ROB ZOMBIE classics as well as choice cuts from the band’s most recent studio album ‘Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor’.  Check out this cut of ‘Superbeast’ from last year’s ‘The Zombie Horror Picture Show’ DVD, which captured Rob and his Zombie bandmates John 5, Piggy D and Ginger Fish on the road and get a taster of what’s in store; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsw8koMaZXU.

In addition to that big news, don’t forget that BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Rock Society’ memberships went on sale at 9am today, 31st October.  The BLOODSTOCK ‘Rock Society’ is effectively the festival’s ‘Members Club’, offering not only a 10% discount on your weekend ticket (and that’s on top of the already discounted early bird ticket if you’re quick enough!), but it offers punters all sorts of other cool benefits like priority access to the signing tent, special tours of backstage & production areas so you can see what goes on ‘behind the scenes,’ as well as access to the VIP Serpents Lair bar, plus a Rock Society laminate with your name and membership number, and plenty more besides.  The memberships are limited to just 300 and sell out very quickly every year, so don’t delay if you want to pick one up. Last year, these sold out that morning!  Full details can be found at http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/pages/rock-society.

Bands already announced for 2015 are Saturday’s headliners, WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, plus DEATH TA, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA and DARK ANGEL.  More bands will be announced soon! BLOODSTOCK will be held at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 6th-9th August 2015.

Bloodstock 2015 lineup and details revealed

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We are excited to announce the first lineup additions to next years Bloodstock at Catton Park.

WITHIN TEMPTATION are set to play their only UK show next year as Saturday night headliners at Catton Park!  It is a triumphant return for the Dutch megastars, who headlined BLOODSTOCK in 2005, as their very first UK festival appearance and only second ever UK show.  Frontwoman Sharon den Adel enthuses, “We're thrilled to play BLOODSTOCK again!  We had such a great time before and can't wait to take ‘Hydra’ to the stage at Catton Park.  It's a really exciting time for us right now and we're looking forward to bringing the fire!!”  Check out their video for ‘Dangerous’ from their current album, ‘Hydra’, featuring none other than Howard Jones (The Devil You Know, ex-Killswitch Engage) here: 

Slotting in to the Saturday night special guest slot are Swedish progmeisters, OPETH.  Having landed at #14 on the UK album charts last week, their highest chart position to date for new studio album, ‘Pale Communion’, OPETH are looking forward to returning to BLOODSTOCK.  Comments frontman Mikael Akerfeldt; “We’re happy to confirm that we’ll be back at the BLOODSTOCK festival next year!  I don’t know how many times we’ve played there now, but it’s a real great place, a nice festival run by nice people.  Too bad it’s like….a year or so away!?”  Check out new track, ‘Cusp of Eternity’ while you’re waiting; 

Also added are DEATH DTA.  Formed to keep the musical legacy of legendary DEATH frontman, Chuck Schuldiner alive, the band’s touring line up changes often, but the DEATH DTA stage family for 2015 features Steve Di Giorgio (Death, Testament, Sadus), Gene Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel, Testament), Bobby Koelble (Death) and Max Phelps (Cynic).  Check out TVRockLive’s informative DTA mini doc shot at Hellfest this year, with the band and their manager Eric Greif discussing Chuck and the ongoing project;

East Coast thrash legends, NUCLEAR ASSAULT also join the bill and celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2015.  Bassist Dan Lilker informs us, “In 2015, it will be 30 years since NUCLEAR ASSAULT solidified our lineup and started making a name for ourselves in the metal/crossover scene. To commemorate this, the band will write and record another album and play some shows for a 'Final Assault.'  The live front will be of a limited nature due to the reality of people in the band having careers that they can't just walk away from for the time needed to go tour the world like we did in the '80s.  Nevertheless, we will try to do whatever we can, especially in the summer to get out there and thrash for everyone again.  Progress on writing will not go quickly due to a couple of facts; we are geographically challenged, so can't just jam once a week like we used to, and we want to make sure that this album is really killer so we can go out with a big bang.” 

Seminal California thrashers, DARK ANGEL are also set for a rare appearance.  After reforming last year after an extended hiatus, the band have been playing very selected shows in the US and Europe, and we’re excited to welcome them to Catton Park in 2015.  Check out this teaser clip of the band in rehearsals earlier this year;

 

More bands joining the Bloodstock 2014 lineup

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Norse black metal standard-bearers, DIMMU BORGIR are set to be Friday’s main stage special guest and will be playing their only UK show in 2014 at BLOODSTOCK.  The band are hard at work on new material planned for release later this year.  Maybe they’ll even showcase something new at Catton Park!  Comments Shagrath: “We are excited for our return to Bloodstock 2014, the one and only UK festival we do this year. It will be a special event for sure, without revealing too much, but a 20th anniversary show will not go unnoticed.  Await the return of symphonic darkness.”.  Check out their majestic video for ‘Gateways’ from last album, ‘Abrahadabra’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jw7yk8hm_0

BLOODSTOCK are also pleased to reveal an extra special ‘late night’ performance from Texas groove metal kings, HELLYEAH.  The band will be taking the roof off the Sophie big top stage late on Saturday, performing after the stage headliners, SISTER SIN.  The band’s legendary drummer, Vinnie Paul comments; “BLOODSTOCK is one of the best festivals to play anywhere in the world!!  HELLYEAH is very excited to be a part of it again!  Get your game face on and let’s rip this one up!  Cheers!!  I’m Vinnie Paul and I approve this message!!”

Grabbing an opening slot on Friday’s main stage are homegrown extreme metal outfit, BLOODSHOT DAWN.  Former winners of BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ programme in 2009, the four piece have been playing dates with Wintersun, had a slot at UK Techfest, and are currently writing their second album.  They intend to debut some new tracks at Catton Park especially for the BOA faithful.   Check out their video for ‘Godless’ here and get a taster of what they’re about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCnDl_bJKco&list=PL614348ED185AE246.

Fellow Brits DE PROFUNDIS bring their twist on progressive death metal to Friday’s Sophie Stage.  The band exclaim, “Back in 2008, BLOODSTOCK was a springboard for DE PROFUNDIS career.  Now six years later with our forthcoming EP and album we are looking to cement our name in the UK metal scene with an explosive performance!”  The band enter their studio in London shortly to record the follow-up to ‘The Emptiness Within’.  Watch the video for ‘Twisted Landscapes’ from that album at: http://youtu.be/hsq6rGbk8MY.

Also up on Friday’s Sophie Stage are London extreme metal crew AGHAST!, commenting, “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to play the Sophie stage with our heroes at the UK's biggest and 'truest' independent metal festival. To say that we're excited is an understatement!  See you in the beer tent."  Formed after a drinking competition at Wacken, and with all the real ales on offer at BLOODSTOCK, let’s hope they make it to the stage!  Pick your new drinking song at: http://soundcloud.com/aghastkvlt.

Five more acts announced for Bloodstock

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Gothenburg, Sweden’s hard rockers GRAVEYARD will be taking over the main Ronnie James Dio Stage on Sunday. The Nuclear Blast four-piece have just wrapped dates on Australia’s Soundwave Festival, playing choice cuts from latest album, ‘Lights Out’.  Immerse yourself in their latest video for ‘Endless Nights’ –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HmMy2ubC7E.  The band last set foot in the UK in September, opening for Soundgarden.  Keep up to date with their travels on their official Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/graveyardofficial.

Stepping up for a Saturday slot on the Sophie Lancaster Stage are Norwegian death metallers, BLOOD RED THRONE.  Having released their seventh studio album last year, simply entitled ‘Blood Red Throne’, the band proclaim “It’s about time BLOOD RED THRONE get the chance to tear shit up at the almighty BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL!  We can’t wait to see old and new fans.  Let the madness begin!”  Check out their latest video for fan favourite, ‘Primitive Killing Machine’ from their eponymous album here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6VDT43bLNw.

NWOBHM stalwarts, BATTLEAXE also join the Saturday bill.  Harking from the North East, the band formed in 1980 and made waves for eight years before going on hiatus.  Having regrouped in 2007, BATTLEAXE are back with a vengeance, with their latest album, ‘Heavy Metal Sanctuary’ hitting stores last week.  Check out their official website for the most recent news over at http://www.battleaxemetal.com/.

The Sophie Stage also welcomes Finnish self-appointed ‘death n’ roll’ outfit, PROFANE OMEN.  The band are readying their fourth studio album, ‘Reset’ for release on 17th March through Spinefarm Records.  Get a taster of the newie by checking out the lyric video for ‘Sonic Wings’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wBOX-ZEBrI.  

Homegrown monolithic death metal act, THE KING IS BLIND will be steamrolling into BLOODSTOCK on Saturday.  Although a new band, its various members have a wealth of experience and their festival debut performance should not be missed!  For the curious, the band extend this invitation: “Brothers & Sisters of the crown, download our free 4-track promo 'Bleeding The Ascension' at http://thekingisblind.bandcamp.com. Thus spake the King.”

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce its ongoing support for TEENAGE CANCER TRUST.  Last year, BLOODSTOCK and its festival goers raised their highest figure to date for TEENAGE CANCER TRUST – just shy of £7500, a £3000 increase on the previous year!  They’re now keener than ever to improve on that in 2014.  BLOODSTOCK loves to break a record, especially for a good cause!  Look out for Teenage Cancer Trust’s stall on site, go say hello and pick up a raffle ticket for one of the many great prizes planned for the weekend.  The ever-popular T-shirt Amnesty will once again be running, so bring along any unwanted rock and metal tees to either donate on site, or if you want to clear your cupboards ASAP, email [email protected] for details on how to help.