Bloodstock

Bloodstock Open Air announce comedy lineup

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One of Australia’s biggest comedians, STEVE HUGHES is a perfect fit for BLOODSTOCK, having been in several metal bands himself before embarking on his comedy career. Starting at an open mic night in the mid 90s, STEVE has gone on to earn rave reviews for his performances both live and on TV, with credits including numerous appearances at Edinburgh festival, MTV, Stand Up For The Week, as well as being hand picked by Michael McIntyre on his Comedy Roadshow. He comments:
 
“As a rule, as a comedian, I usually say no to doing comedy shows at music festivals. I’ve never really enjoyed it, and as my great friend and great Canadian comic Glenn Wool once said, ‘ You never want to do comedy,when in your peripheral vision you can see Iggy pop’. But as its Bloodstock and with a line up like it is, what is a man to do but say yes and turn up with microphone in hand and jokes ready to rock. See you all there. Hail the gods of metal.”

According to Metal Hammer Magazine – who are in a perfect place to judge, being both experts on Metal and having let him host their 2009 Golden Gods Awards – Canadian JASON ROUSE is “the most Metal comedian on the planet”. Brutal, dark, twisted and hell-bent on turning the mainstream comedy world upside down, over the last decade this comedy outsider has sharpened his teeth in clubs and festivals all over the world and become the most celebrated ‘odd-ball’ in comedy today. A clever combination of devilishly crafted jokes and ‘freak-show-like’ theatrics, JASON’s stand up will pit your sense of morals against your sense of humour as this jester from hell forces you to laugh at stuff you should not find funny.
 
STEPHEN HILL is a London based stand up comedian and writer who started his career after becoming a finalist in Jimmy Carr’s Comedy Idol on his first ever stand-up gig. Since then Stephen has shared the stage with the likes of Andrew O’Neill (who performed at last year’s BOA), Russell Howard, Lenny Henry, Reginald D. Hunter and Al Murray to name a few, as well as contributing to Channel 4 Radio’s “4 Weekly News Show” alongside Frankie Boyle, Mark Dolan, Greg Davies, Katy Brand and Tony Law.  If reviews for his sell out Edinburgh comedy shows “Adolf Hitler and Mother Teresa walk into a bar…”’, “99 Problems But Your Mum Aint One” and “Creme Eggs vs Nazi Nana” are anything to go by, his explosive no holds barred performance and stage presence is bound to go down a storm at CATTON HALL this august.
 
Joining them, KEITH PLATT brings his no-nonsense stand up to BLOODSTOCK. With his flat-cap, specs and moustache, KEITH may not look like your typical BLOODSTOCK attendee, but having been the frontman of Harrogate Thrashers ACID REIGN in the 80s, more than knows his metal. A somewhat crazy Yorkshire man, KEITH is irritated at most things, leaving nothing safe as he rants and raves and lets off steam. Like a Yorkshire ‘Al Murray’ he’s got bags of energy and within his act seamlessly ad libbs, deals with heckles and comes up with topical stuff, while never breaking character, and will tickle more than a few ribs at BLOODSTOCK.
 
With headline sets from IMMORTAL, MOTORHEAD and WASP, plus an undercard boasting exclusive appearances from the likes of DEVIN TOWNSEND, MORBID ANGEL, AT THE GATES, KREATOR, EXODUS and many more,BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 is an unmissable event for any metalhead. Add to this a fantastic comedy line up, fairground rides, dodgems and the infamous BLOODSTOCK karaoke, and a ticket price of just £105 for FOUR days of fierce festival fun – including camping – there really is no better value ticket for fans of heavy music this summer.
 
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 takes place at Catton Hall August 12th – 14th.
 
Tickets for the 2011 event are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com 

BAND LINE UP SO FAR:
 
Ronnie James Dio Stage
WASP – IMMORTAL – MOTORHEAD  
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – MORBID ANGEL – AT THE GATES – RHAPSODY OF FIRE – THERION – CORONER – KREATOR – NEVERMORE – EXODUS -TRIPTYKON – HAMMERFALL – WINTERSUN – FINNTROLL – GRAVE DIGGER – IHSAHN – NAPALM DEATH – TAROT – FORBIDDEN – WOLF – POISON BLACK – 1349
 
Sophie Lancaster Stage
ANGELWITCH – CRIMINAL – LAWNMOWER DETH – ARTHEMIS – POWER QUEST – THE ROTTED – OCTOBER FILE – NEMHAIM – DEF CON ONE – SURVIVORS ZERO – BYFROST – DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE – IMICUS – HAMMER OF THE GODS – BLAKE – REVOKER – ACHREN
 
Plus loads more bands still to be announced

Motörhead and W.A.S.P to headline Bloodstock Open Air

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motorheadClosing the weekend’s proceedings, the legendary MOTÖRHEAD step up to make sure that BLOODSTÖCK 2011 ends with a suitable bang. One of the most successful bands the British rock scene has ever produced, MOTÖRHEADhave sold over 42 million albums worldwide, received the prestigious Grammy Award and sent several singles smashing into the UK Top 40 charts in their 36 years. But what they do best, as we all know, is play Rock’n’Roll, and what better place to deliver the goods than at the end of the most metal weekend in the British calendar. There is much to celebrate, as iconic frontman LEMMY warns:
 
‘Bloodstock is celebrating 11 years, Motörhead 36 years – Boys and girls, come and see, we will rock your fu**in’ ass’. See you at Bloodstock!’

Possibly the biggest band to ever grace the grounds of CATTON HALL, MOTÖRHEAD’s headline set atBLOODSTÖCK 2011 will mark a standout moment in the festivals history, and with the promise of heavy hits like “Bomber”, “Overkill”, “Killed By Death” and “Ace Of Spades”, the loudest so far.
 
Multi-million selling metal legends W.A.S.P have the honours of winding down Friday’s festivities, at their only UK festival of 2011. Led by the infamous BLACKIE LAWLESS, W.A.S.P have been alarming the more conservative members of decent society for nearly three decades now. Like last year’s headliners Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P enjoyed the kind of notoriety that only a mob of politically active angry parents could provide, after being targeted by Tipper Gore’s PMRC who hurled ridiculous and misinformed accusations, apparently worried that heavy metal was going to ruin civilisation. 25 years later, the band can expect a much warmer reception at Catton Hall. With a catalogue of kick-ass classics such as “I Wanna Be Somebody”, “Wild Child” and “L.O.V.E Machine” to sing along to, W.A.S.P’s headline set at this year’s BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR is bound to be a summer festival highlight.BLACKIE LAWLESS comments:
 
“W.A.S.P. swarm down on England, August 2011 – bringing – bloodbath – bloodrock – BLOODSTOCK” !!!
 
As well as the two fantastic headliners, BLOODSTOCK can also reveal a further five acts to solidify a mightily impressive undercard. Returning to BLOODSTOCK, Swedish heavy metal masters HAMMERFALL make an exclusive appearance on the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage. These seasoned musicians have become one of the leading and most successful metal acts of our time, flying the flag for true metal at a time when nobody cared about classic metal and baggy jeans were all the rage. With the same like minded spirit as BLOODSTOCK, HAMMERFALL deserve credit for keeping the heavy metal genre alive despite what fashions and trends dictate. Throw your horns and bang your head as the Steel-hearted Swedes deliver metallic anthems such as “By Any Means Necessary”, “Templars Of Steel” “Hearts On Fire” and “Renegade” at their only UK festival appearance this summer.
 
Joining them on the RJD stage will be Finnish gothic metallers POISONBLACK. Fronted by Ville Laihiala, formerly of suicidal metalheads Sentenced, POISONBLACK spread sonic poison and infect the masses with highly addictive dark rock hymns. Intense yet catchy, their ability to rock hard while still keeping a sombre mood showcases just how unique a band they are, and with gloomy tunes such as “Rush”, “Bear The Cross” and “My Sun Shines Black” under their sleeve, POISONBLACK are bound to go down a storm at their BLOODSTOCK debut.
 
On the SOPHIE stage, additions come in the form of Blackened thrashers BYFROST, freaky prog-metallers DEADLY CIRCUS FIRE, and, from the ashes of legendary black metallers Venom, new project PRIMEVIL.

Tickets for the 2011 event are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com

Kreator, Wolf and 1349 for Bloodstock 2011

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German Thrash legends KREATOR return to BLOODSTOCK this year for their only UK show of 2011 on the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage. Alongside fellow countrymen Destruction and Sodom – both BLOODSTOCK veterans – KREATOR dominated the European Thrash scene of the mid 1980’s, working their way from the grimy streets of Essen to international acclaim. 30 years in the business has done nothing to soften the fearsome foursome, and we look forward to a furious set of thrash classics including “Pleasure To Kill”, “Betrayer”, “Tormentor” and “Extreme Agression”.

Joining them will be Black Metal overlords 1349, who make their BLOODSTOCK debut this summer. Something of a supergroup, 1349 specialise in the super fast, raw metal blackness that their home country of Norway is notorious for. Formed from the ashes of Alvheim in 1997, 1349’s speed and technique took their music to a new level of intensity and brutality, in turn leading to an impressed Frost of Satyricon – who was asked to lay down the drum tracks to get the speed required – to join as a permanent member. With live sets famed for their raw aggression and evil atmospherics, the shadow that 1349 will cast over BLOODSTOCK this summer is one no fan of extreme music will object to standing in.

From neighbouring Sweden, true metal heroes WOLF return to BLOODSTOCK for some kick-ass, honest, grab-you-in-the-nuts heavy metal. After releasing their debut album, “Wolf” back in 2000, the band toured relentlessly and destroyed the major festivals gaining them more and more followers and success. Over 15 years later, with five albums under their belts and a new one set for an April 2011 release, the Swedish powerhouse look forward to their third appearance at BLOODSTOCK, for this exclusive UK festival appearance. The band look forward to their third trip to BOA:

“Bloodstock Open Air!!!! Hell yeah we say. It’s an honor to return for the third time and as always; we’ll give you 666%. With the new album, ‘Legions of Bastards’ fresh outta hells mouth, we’ll be blasting you off the goddamn planet. Us included. See ya frontrow. –WOLF“

Next up, Rock’n’Roll dirtbags NEMHAIN return to deliver a dose of whiskey fuelled blues stained punk rock mayhem and have already started their preparations for BOA 2011:

“Last time Nemhain played Bloodstock, the sky turned black, Thor’s hammer sounded, and the mother of all storms descended just as we went onstage. That however, was nothing compared to the soaked and rabid crowd who came to be deafened during our set and join the Nemhainous afterparty!

We love Bloodstock and are honoured to be on the bill again and especially to be playing the S.O.P.H.I.E stage. In fact, we’re so excited, we’re packing already: Drums: Check, Guitars: Check, Jagermeister: Check, Alka Seltzer: Check, Dodgy blow-up doll: Check …”

Joining them Newcastle metallers DEF-CON-ONE will be joining the line up on the SOPHIE stage. Formed by ex-Venom drummer Antton, DC1 look forward to delivering a powerful set of groove crushing metal this August.

“All we can say is how excited we are to be playing bloodstock and its gonna be an absolute honour to play the fest. Bloodstock always has killer bands on the bill and we can’t wait to be apart of it.”

Finally, Finnish death metallers SURVIVOR ZERO, come to BLOODSTOCK for the first time. Formed by noted Finnish Metal Producer and video director Sami Jämsen, the line up is completed by other metal lifers who had paid their dues in Finnish heavy-weights as Finntroll, Deathchain, Impaled Nazarene and The Scourger. Describing their music “heavy death metal”, the band has always aimed for great songs instead of image, crushing live shows and straight up honesty in their music. Says the band:

“Survivors Zero is proud to have the chance to perform at Bloodstock, the greatest festival on the misty isles.”

In other news, BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR has released VIP Tickets for its 2011 event. BLOODSTOCK is set to be the heaviest festival of the summer, with exclusive performances from the likes of MORBID ANGEL, THERION, NEVERMORE, EXODUS and headliners IMMORTAL, plus 2 more headline slots still to be announced and many more UK exclusives. Now the addition of luxury VIP extras makes Britain’s only true outdoor metal festival even more enticing, with a selection of packages designed to make the festival experience that much more enjoyable. From reserved areas to pitch your own tent, to luxury tipis and spacious yurts, all VIP packages come with multiple extra benefits, including:

Full Weekend Camping from midday Thursday to Monday
Car park pass
Private entrance
Access to the hospitality area including the ‘Serpents Lair’ VIP bar
Private restrooms and complimentary hot showers
Private cash food facilities
Goody bag (including t-shirt)
Priority Access to the signing tent
Event management staff, hostesses and security in attendance
Campsite information Hub

VIP Tickets are available now from www.bloodstock.uk.com

Win the ultimate Bloodstock competition with Big Green Coach Bloodstocks official travel provider.

What’s more, the Big Green Coach company – BLOODSTOCK’s official travel partner – are offering the ultimate festival package in an exclusive competition. All those purchasing travel tickets via Big Green Coach will automatically be entered into a prize draw, and one lucky winner will receive a VIP upgrade for the weekend for themselves and a friend, including a luxury mini Yurt for two, Rock Society membership and a stuffed goody bag. Log on to http://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/bloodstockcomp for more info.

Look out for an exciting announcement next week.

Lineup so far

Ronnie James Dio Stage
IMMORTAL – AT THE GATES – RHAPSODY OF FIRE – MORBID ANGEL- THERION – CORONER – EXODUS TRIPTYKON – NEVERMORE – GRAVE DIGGER – TAROT – NAPALM DEATH – KREATOR

Sophie Lancaster Stage
ANGELWITCH – CRIMINAL – LAWNMOWER DETH – ARTHEMIS – POWERWOLF – THE ROTTED

OCTOBER FILE – NEMHAIN – DEF-CON-ONE

Napalm Death and Nevermore announced for Bloodstock 2011

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First up, grindcore innovators and legends NAPALM DEATH return to BLOODSTOCK for their only outdoor appearance in the UK this year. A band that need no introduction, NAPALM DEATH are as close to a British Institution the extreme metal scene is ever likely to have, with the brutal Brummies one of the few household names the scene has spawned. Bursting out of the midlands in the 80s, NAPALM DEATH forced people to take note with their angry, politically charged grind making them a name synonymous with the extremities of metal, and nearly thirty years later they show no sign of slowing down, lowering the volume or resting content. Bassplayer Shane Embury comments.

“We are really looking forward to playing Bloodstock this year as it always a fun day especially seeing as our friends At the Gates are playing who we toured with many years ago. It’s going to be our only UK show of 2011 as well and we will play a song or 2 from our new album so it’s gonna be a seriously heavy day!”

Joining them will be Seattle metallers NEVERMORE. Formed from the ashes of Santuary in the early 90s by vocalist Warrel Dane and guitarist Jeff Loomis, NEVERMORE were a rarity in the early 90s Seattle scene. Turning their backs on the grunge music that had put their hometown on the musical map, NEVERMORE stayed true to their metal roots, signing with Century Media who released their debut self-titled EP and the following debut album “The Politics Of Ecstasy”. A perfect balance of aggression and progression, melody and heaviness, NEVERMORE soon became a leading name in true metal, with subsequent albums only reinforcing their position. Guitarist Jeff Loomis enthuses on the band’s return to the England:

“We’re absolutely stoked to return to the UK again to play the mighty Bloodstock Festival! We had such a good time in the UK on our tour and even filmed the “Emptiness Unobstructed” clip during our show in London so we know we got some die hard fans over there. We look forward to see you all again!”

Returning to Catton Hall after a four year absence, BLOODSTOCK is in for a treat as one of metal’s finest deliver huge metal anthems such as “Next In Line”, “Enemies Of Reality”, “The Heart Collector” and “Final Product”.

With a host of exclusive performances already confirmed – including headliners IMMORTAL, plus MORBID ANGEL, THERION, AT THE GATES and many more, across three stages of music, plus comedy, fairground rides and a real ale bar, BOA 2011 is an essential date in the metal calendar. Tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com

 

Thrash legends Exodus for RJD Stage at Bloodstock 2011

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Also added the Bloodstock 2011 lineup is The Rotted and October File who will be playing the Sophie Stage

In 2011, they are stronger than ever, frontman ROB DUKES a commanding presence on stage, giving the band their most aggressive sound to date. With classics such as “Bonded By Blod”, “Piranha”, “Parasite”, “The Toxic Waltz” and many more, we look forward to a lesson in Thash at Catton Hall this summer.

Over on the SOPHIE stage, additions come in the form of industrial metallers OCTOBER FILE, who make their BLOODSTOCK debut, and D-Beat deathsters THE ROTTED, who return after a triumphant set two years ago.

Last year, OCTOBER FILE were forced to pull the show at the last minute, and so plan to pull out all the stops this year. Says the band:

“Bloodstock 2011!! October File are really looking forward to making up for missing last years festival. Our singer injured himself and we had to pull out, and this year we intend to make up for it. Bloodstock is a must for any band and we are looking forward to hitting the stage!!”

THE ROTTED’s guitarist Tim Carley is looking forward to their return to Catton Hall

“We are really pleased to be bringing our own brand of nihilistic hate filled d-beat death metal back to Bloodstock in 2011. We played Bloodstock in 2009 on the old Sophie Lancaster stage and we had a blast! We will be hitting the new Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday evening, and as this could be one of our few UK shows in 2011 we hope it will be something special. After the show you can catch us banging our heads to the mighty Immortal and Morbid Angel, buy us a beer, gin or cider and make this a wicked weekend of heavy fucking metal!!’”

With a host of exclusive performances already confirmed – including headliners IMMORTAL, plus MORBID ANGEL, THERION, AT THE GATES and many more, across three stages of music, plus comedy, fairground rides and a real ale bar, BOA 2011 is an essential date in the metal calendar. Tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com

 

More acts announced for Bloodstock Open Air 2011

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Flying in from Finland, TAROT make their BLOODSTOCK debut on the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage. Fronted by Nightwish bassplayer Marco Hietala, the Finnish five piece come armed with 25 years of majestic metal material spanning eight studio albums. Perfectly capturing the spirit of the 80s, BLOODSTOCK is in for a treat as TAROT deliver a set of fist pumping metal with huge choruses.

The three latest additions for the SOPHIE stage come from both near and afar, with an international coalition representing the UK, Europe and South Amercia. Homegrown heroes POWERQUEST return to BLOODSTOCK for the second time, after going down a storm at the indoor fest of 2003. Currently gearing up to release new album “Blood Alliance”, the melodic power-metallers can expect a hearty, warm welcome back to CATTON HALL.

Also making a welcome return are Italian thrashers ARTHEMIS, who’s debut UK appearance was at 2009’s BLOODSTOCK Festival. Since then, the fearsome foursome have gone on to do a co-headlining tour of the UK, as well tours with the likes of Dragonfroce, Cradle Of Filth, Glenn Hughes and many others. Having taken their explosive thrash all over Europe, Japan and the unlikely location of Ibiza, ARTHEMIS return to Derbyshire to deliver a set of storming Al Fresco Thrash.

Last, but by no means least, Chilean metallers CRIMINAL make their BLOODSTOCK debut in 2011. Making their mark on the thriving South American Metal scene via shows with Kreator, Slayer and Sepultura, plus a nominiation for Best Rock Video at the MTV Latino Video Music Awards, CRIMINAL relocated to the UK to further spread their impact. The result was appearances at major European festivals such as Wacken and Summer Breeze, plus shows supporting the likes of Six Feet Under, Brujeria, Chimaira and Lamb Of God. Now they bring their unique blend of melodic death, hardcore and thrash metal for what will undoubtedly be a punishing set at BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011.

With a host of exclusive performances already confirmed – including headliners IMMORTAL, plus MORBID ANGEL, THERION, AT THE GATES and many more, across three stages of music, plus comedy, fairground rides and a real ale bar, BOA 2011 is an essential date in the metal calendar. Tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 12th – 14th AUGUST 2011

BAND LINE UP SO FAR:
IMMORTAL :
RHAPSODY OF FIRE : TRIPTYKON : MORBID ANGEL : THERION : LAWNMOWER DETH
ANGELWITCH : CORONER : GRAVE DIGGER : AT THE GATES : TAROT : POWERQUEST : ARTHEMIS : CRIMINAL

At The Gates only UK show at Bloodstock Open Air

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“We had such a blast during the 2008 reunion that we decided to do some more shows.” states drummer Adrian Erlandsson. He continues, “We had an amazing gig at Bloodstock in 2008 and are really looking forward to playing there again.”

One of the most influential metal bands of the last 20 years, AT THE GATES made a permanent mark after 1995’s “Slaughter Of The Soul” album captured the imaginations of metalheads the world over. Taking the aggression of death metal and lacing it heavily with melody, the album was released to huge critical acclaim – including a Swedish Grammy nomination – and AT THE GATES looked set to take the world by storm. However, disbanding in 1996 meant that the next chapter was never written. The 12 years that passed left hundreds of thousands of fans hoping that one day they would get to see their heroes again.

Their wish came true, and the AT THE GATES reunion was one of the summer festival highlights across Europe in 2008, as the five piece reminded the metal world why they were so hugely influential. Now, the band return for an exclusive appearance, and BLOODSTOCK is honoured to welcome them back for what is bound to be an unforgettable set at Catton Hall.

With a host of exclusive performances already confirmed – including headliners IMMORTAL, plus MORBID ANGEL, THERION and many more, across three stages of music, plus comedy, fairground rides and a real ale bar, BOA 2011 is an essential date in the metal calendar, and with early bird tickets on sale now at the price of just £90 – up to 15th December 2010 – there’s no reason to wait for your BLOODSTOCK ticket. Got to www.bloodstock.uk.com to get yours now before this special offer runs out!

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2011 12th – 14th AUGUST 2011

BAND LINE UP SO FAR:
IMMORTAL :
RHAPSODY OF FIRE : TRIPTYKON : MORBID ANGEL : THERION : LAWNMOWER DETH
ANGELWITCH : CORONER : GRAVE DIGGER : AT THE GATES