Answering the prayers of millions of music fans worldwide who have been anticipating their highly speculated comeback, the legendary rock band’s appearance at next year’s Download Festival – which takes place at 8-10 June 2012 at Donington Park, less than an hour’s drive from the birthplace of Black Sabbath – will mark the 10th anniversary of the festival, which launched in the summer of 2003. It will also be Black Sabbath’s only UK festival appearance next year.
Black Sabbath certainly need no introduction, no explanation. Widely regarded as creators of heavy metal, the hugely influential band from Aston, Birmingham, have sold in excess of 70 million records worldwide and are responsible for all time classic rock anthems such as ‘Paranoid’, ‘War Pigs’ and ‘Iron Man’ – which won a Grammy in 2000. The band was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and theU.S. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Andy Copping, VP of Promotions at Live Nation said, “The reunion of the original line up of Black Sabbath has been one of the most talked about stories of the year. I am thrilled that the band will return to Donington Park next year to help us mark 10 years of the Download Festival.”
Weekend tickets for Download 2012 go on general sale 9am Friday 18th November 2011 from www.downloadfestival.co.uk – subject to availability. Weekend ticket prices for Download 2012 will remain the same as the prices for Download 2011 until midday Monday 30th January 2012 when all ticket types will go off sale. All tickets will go back on sale at 5pm Monday 30th January 2012 withWeekend tickets increased to 2012 prices. Festival organisers encourage fans to take advantage of this offer while it lasts.
Co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich says “Six years is way toooo long to be away from the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. We are beyond psyched and feel privileged to come back once again to soak up the energy and vibe of the most legendary of festival sites.”
The multi million selling, Grammy award winning act will visit Donington for the EIGHTH time in their career, having played both Monsters of Rock and Download Festivals – including their first Monsters of Rock festival in 1985 up through their most recent Download appearance in 2006, where they headlined.
"The Black Album" was #1 in over 25 countries and spawned an incredible five hits: ‘Enter Sandman’, ‘Sad But True’, ‘Wherever I May Roam’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’ and ‘The Unforgiven’. The album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Metallica is one of the most successful acts in music history, selling over 100 million albums.
Andy Copping, VP of Promotions at Live Nation commented, “I am absolutely bowled over that Metallica will be playing ‘The Black Album’ at the 10th anniversary of Download. The album is up there as one of the greatest albums of all time, everyone knows the songs. The Download festival has come a long way since we first started in 2003 and to have Metallica back to help us celebrate this milestone is just fantastic.”
Download 2012 takes place at Donington Park from 8-10 June and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Weekend with camping tickets go on sale 9am Friday 18 Novemberfromwww.downloadfestival.co.uk
Vodafone customers can buy tickets 48 hours before they go on general sale: 9am, Wednesday 16 November at vodafone.co.uk/vip
Download RIP ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased via www.livenationexperience.co.uk or by phoning 0207 009 3484.
Back by popular demand for the third year running, the Jäger Rock Truck presents its very own acoustic stage in a converted ex-military 25 tonne beast of a truck with a line up not to be missed. Over the course of the weekend, acts including American pop-punk band Bowling For Soup, Brit hard-rockers SKIN, London’s own Slaves to Gravity, fiery four-piece Obsessive Compulsive, Aussie-rockers Verses and fresh from their UK tour, Heaven’s Basement will all take to the stage to warm up the crowds at Download.
They’re joined by critically acclaimed Hyro Da Hero, Swedish rockers Royal Republic, Irish five-piece Million $ Reload, Glam rockers The Morning After, Maiden United with a fantastic acoustic tribute to the legendary Iron Maiden, funk-rocker Dan Reed, rock five-piece The Dirty Youth, critically-acclaimed Voodoo Johnson and the fantastic Red, White & Blues. Crowds can also enjoy an Ice Cold Jäger shot from the amazing Jäger Ice truck, which with its sub zero bar is a great way to cool down after rocking out to some superb music.
Further additions to the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage have also been announced, including dubstep four-piece Modestep, straight from their UK tour Don Broco, grunge-metal heads Kill 21, London rockers Fighting Wolves, Sweden’s H.E.A.T and electro rap/rock band You And What Army.
Additionally, organisers are pleased to announce the return of Download FM, powered by the award-winning Rock Radio for the third year running. Rock Radio proved in 2009 & 2010, that they know how to put on a good show with Download FM; the radio station on an RSL (restricted service licence) that broadcasts to the hundreds of thousands of music fans descending on Donington for the legendary festival, listening worldwide to the service online and through apps.
This year Rock Jocks, Tom Russell, Paul Anthony, Father Ted, Moose, Phil McCracken, Rachel Houghton and special guests will be presenting on Download FM along with Rock Radio network shows during the festival, with interviews from many of the bands on this year’s impressive line-up.
Following on from last year’s successful competition to host your own show on Download FM, another festival goer will get the chance, this June, to take control of the mic and present their very own radio show with full details being made available on Download’s official site very soon.
Brand Manager for Rock Radio, Ciaran O’Toole said, “The whole team at Rock Radio are busy gearing up for our third year broadcasting on Download FM. Getting the chance to work with the fantastic team at Live Nation and deliver some top class, quality radio to Download’s festival goers, is a real honour & the station will add to the overall festival experience with all the latest news & information wrapped around the music of the acts playing live at the festival.
“With two years’ experience under our belts, we are extremely well placed to broadcast Download FM for 2011, from one of the best Rock Music festivals in the world. Rock Radio is proud to power Download FM.”
Once at Download, customers can also stay in touch at the Vodafone VIP phone recharge zone and use an exclusive VIP viewing platform – where they could get the chance to see one of their favourite acts perform. Vodafone VIP is a reward scheme where all Vodafone UK customers whether Pay as you go, Pay monthly or a business can get access to exclusive customer offers for Download and other top festivals this summer. It’s Vodafone’s way of saying thank you. To join in visit vodafone.co.uk/vip
Weekend tickets for Download (at 2010 prices) are on sale now from www.downloadfestival.co.uk. RIP Packages also available, and a limited amount of day tickets.
FRIDAY 10 JUNE / SATURDAY 11 JUNE / SUNDAY 12 JUNE
New kids on the block VersaEmerge, tipped to be the next Paramore (whom they share a label with) will be making their Download Festival debut, hot off the heels from the Alternative Presstour in America where they share the bill with Black Veil Brides, who are also playing this year’s Download.
Gossip Girl and Hollywood actress Taylor Momsen will be bringing her rock outfit The Pretty Reckless to Download, following a Top Ten album in the UK charts (for 2010’s Light Me Up). Multi million selling US rockers Puddle Of Mudd, will return to the UK for the first time since 2002 to play Download for the very first time in their 19 year career, which hasseen hit singles such as ‘Blurry’ and ‘She Hates Me’.
Roadrunner signings Times Of Grace, featuring Killswitch Engage guitarists Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel, and formerKillswitch vocalist Jesse Leach will perform, along with West Yorkshire heavy metal outfit Evile, who are now writing their third album following North American dates with the likes of Kreator, Overkill and Voivod.
Having already played the Download Festival, plus toured with metal legends such as Slipknot, Slayer and Megadeth, Suicide Silence are to hit Download once again to showcase the new material currently being written for their third full length album, with UK hardcorepunk rockers Your Demise also returning to the fray to raise hell with this year’s Download crowds.
Weekend tickets for Download (at 2010 prices) are on sale now from
http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/tickets/
Guest Area passes are once again available, allowing you unlimited access to the general guest area over the 3 days of the festival. Located only a short distance from the main stage fans can get away and relax with undercover facilities, toilet trailers, privatecash bars, dining options and “random occurrences” unseen in the general arena!
