Four new bands added to Bloodstock 2014

BLOODSTOCK 2014 is thrilled to announce the addition of four more awesome metal bands to the main stage bill.

The very mighty New Orleans sludge metal crew, CROWBAR make a return to Catton Park in 2014 for a UK festival exclusive.  Led by riff lord, Kirk Windstein, who recently stepped down from his longtime tenure with BLOODSTOCK headliners DOWN, to concentrate energies full time on his own band CROWBAR, Kirk and the boys are hard at work on a brand new album set for a 2014 release.  Like many metal artists who’ve played Catton Park before, Kirk loves BLOODSTOCK and is looking forward to a return visit, enthusing; “CROWBAR can’t wait to bring our NOLA doom back to BLOODSTOCK in 2014!  It’s our 25th anniversary, so expect a few surprises in our set.  New record, new bassist and a whole new CROWBAR attitude!!!  Get ready for the heavy!!!”  Meantime, check out their video for ‘The Cemetery Angels’ from 2011’s album, ‘Sever The Wicked Hand’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy5UnS6QSo0.

Florida death metal pioneers, OBITUARY are also set to lay waste to BLOODSTOCK’s main stage. The band have been working hard on their ninth studio record and accompanying documentary. This will be their first new music since 2009’s ‘Darkest Day’ and is set for independent release next year in the wake of a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign (which saw the guys raise more than 6 times their original target).  When not making music, the band are involved with drummer Donald Tardy’s feline welfare programme, Metal Meowlisha, and organise fund-raising initiatives such as ‘Headbanger’s Furball’.  The band say: “We are very excited to be a part of BLOODSTOCK 2014.  It's been 4 years since OBITUARY played the festival and we are looking forward to returning.  We’ve been hard at work in the studio and can’t wait to bring our new album to UK fans and perform some new songs along with all the old classics.  BLOODSTOCK is the UK's true metal fest, so we are honoured to be invited and to bring some Florida Death Metal to our British fans!  Hang on to your ass, this is gonna be fun!!”  For the latest OBITUARY news, keep your eyes on their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/ObituaryBand.

Finland’s CHILDREN OF BODOM are set to play their only UK show of 2014 on BLOODSTOCK’s Ronnie James Dio main stage.  The band released their eighth studio album ‘Halo of Blood’ in June, when Metal Hammer magazine declared, “not only have CHILDREN OF BODOM produced a diverse collection of defiantly brilliant metallic tunes, but also their most accomplished achievement to date.”. And if you’re looking for something extra special, the band have also recently made available a limited run of white or silver ‘Halo of Blood’ vinyl. Check out the video for lead single, ‘Transference’ at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kQ73UgGIRU.  The five-piece are currently shredding their way across Europe with 2014 BLOODSTOCK compadres, DECAPITATED. Learn about all things Bodom over at http://www.cobhc.com/.

BLOODSTOCK also favours hard-working bands from the UK, and are excited to welcome back the hugely popular EVIL SCARECROW; this time to an opening slot on Saturday’s main stage!  Having packed out the Sophie tent last year, the Nottingham band are more than thrilled at the prospect. ”We are astounded, a little scared, but beyond delighted to have been invited back to BLOODSTOCK, especially as we are returning to the Main Stage which guarantees nobody suffers the discomfort of a full tent!  BLOODSTOCK is the biggest and best UK heavy metal festival and we're truly honoured to be playing the same stage as so many bands who have influenced and inspired us.  The line up this year already looks phenomenal.  We promise to up the Scarecrow game to give BLOODSTOCK’s faithful the best in Evil entertainment!  Bring on the METAL!"   The band are currently plotting their new album which is planned for a 2014 release, and hop over and check out the Pledge Campaign for their 2013 BLOODSTOCK DVD here.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/evilscarecrowboa2013dvd.

With the three 2014 headliners already announced, the event is shaping up to be the strongest yet.  Friday night’s bill toppers are New Orleans sludgemeisters DOWN.  Joining them to head up Saturday night are black metal overlords, EMPEROR and closing out proceedings on Sunday are the mighty thrash legends, MEGADETH.  Also announced so far are SAXON, DECAPITATED, and FLOTSAM & JETSAM.  More bands will be announced shortly.

Megadeth to headline Bloodstock 2014

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL is thrilled to announce that MEGADETH are confirmed to headline the Sunday night slot in 2014.

This will be the thrash icons’ first appearance at BLOODSTOCK.  In a career nearing 30 years and counting, MEGADETH has sold more than 38 million albums worldwide, earning five consecutive platinum albums in the US and numerous accolades along the way, including 11 GRAMMY® nominations.  The band’s latest studio album released in June, ‘Super Collider’, reunites firebrand frontman Dave Mustaine once again with guitarist Chris Broderick, bassist David Ellefson, and drummer Shawn Drover.  The release debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 and #22 on the UK album chart and notched up Top 40 album chart debuts in a further 22 countries worldwide.

Megadeth

MEGADETH also recently released a live DVD of last year’s ‘Countdown To Extinction’ 20th Anniversary tour.  Check out this video of MegaDave and the guys thundering through the title track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYzUIKnGVvk.

MEGADETH’s founder, frontman and visionary, Dave Mustaine comments: “2014 is the 20th Anniversary for ‘Youthanasia’, and we are celebrating that by headlining the Bloodstock Festival in the glorious UK.  Every year MEGADETH and our UK fans get closer and celebrate another year of metal greatness together. This is the beginning of 2014…the best is yet to come.”

Tickets for 2014's event are already on sale at ‘early bird’ prices, £115 for a 4-day weekend ticket with camping.  Don't delay, as once the limited ‘early bird’ allocation is gone, it's gone, and tickets revert to full price.  Pick ‘em up now at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/.

In other BLOODSTOCK news, the festival is very proud to announce their recent win at the LIVE UK MUSIC BUSINESS AWARDS 2013 in the ‘Best Festival (under 15K cap)’.  The second ‘Best Festival’ accolade in a row, after picking up 2012’s UK Festival Awards gong for ‘Best Medium sized Festival’!   Long may it continue!!

Already announced as Friday night bill toppers are New Orleans sludgemeisters DOWN. Joining them to headline Saturday night are black metal overlords, EMPEROR.  BLOODSTOCK will be the only UK performances for both bands.

In 2013, over 1.2 million fans from across the world logged on to watch the bands on the BLOODSTOCK main stage, via the Daily Motion live link.  This year was BLOODSTOCK’s biggest ever attendance at just shy of 14,000 and with a site licence of 15,000 we are expecting the 2014 event to sell out in advance, so don’t wait too long to get your tickets!

BLOODSTOCK will be held at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 7th-10th August 2014.  Keep up to date with the very latest info on BLOODSTOCK’s official sites at www.facebook.com/bloodstock and www.bloodstock.uk.com.