BLOODSTOCK FOUNDER PAUL GREGORY PAYS TRIBUTE TO RONNIE JAMES DIO WITH RENAMING OF MAIN STAGE
As the BLOODSTOCK team were preparing this announcement, we received the tragic news of the passing of metal legend RONNIE JAMES DIO - originally scheduled to appear as one of the headliners of this year’s festival, fronting HEAVEN HELL. So before sharing the news of the latest announcement, we’d like to pay tribute to one of metal’s leading and legendary lights, with the announcement of the renaming of BLOODSTOCK’s MAIN STAGE as the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage. BLOODSTOCK founder PAUL GREGORY - responsible for the cover artwork for DIO’s “Angry Machines†and “Inferno - Last In Live†albums - says on behalf of the BLOODSTOCK family:
“It is indeed a sad time for me and I know for metalheads throughout the world; the demise of one of the true legends of metal has come to pass. I had the privilege of doing two albums for Dio and only got the opportunity to meet him once, a true gentleman in every sense and a giant of the genre. My condolences to the family and all true fans of the music we love.
“As the UK’s only true outdoor metal festival, it seems only fitting that we pay tribute to a man who has done so much for our beloved genre, and so - with overwhelming support from our social networking users - we wish to pay tribute by renaming our main stage the RONNIE JAMES DIO stage, and ensure the spirit of this metal icon lives onâ€
With the cancellation of HEAVEN HELL’s summer appearances, BLOODSTOCK have been left with boots to fill that are simply far too big for just one band - the metal legends are irreplaceable. So HEAVEN HELL’s vacant slot will be filled by not one, but two awesome names from the world of metal, in the form of a headliner, plus a very special guest.
We are tremendously excited to confirm the only 2010 UK appearance of Swedish pioneers MESHUGGAH, who will appear as special guests to an equally exciting headline act, which will be announced on June 14th.
Since 1987, MESHUGGAH have pushed the boundaries of hard music, with their innovative brand of extreme experimental metal dropping jaws across the globe. With their complex, polyrhythmic song structures, a MESHUGGAH live show has to be seen to be believed - impressive doesn’t even come close to describing the almost inhuman delivery of their death/thrash/prog metal blend - BLOODSTOCK ticket holders are truly in for a treat. Heralded by many as one of the most important bands in metal, it is an honour to have MESHUGGAH at BLOODSTOCK for an exclusive, rare live appearance at this 10th anniversary show.
BLOODSTOCK can also confirm the addition of Welsh death metal superstars DESECRATION. With their brutal, gore-drenched death metal, the band have become one of the leading names in the underground scene, touring with some of the top names in extreme metal. The band look forward to their BLOODSTOCK debut:
“...with Bloodstock fast becoming ‘THE’ UK metal festival for real metal fans we’re over the moon to be included in this year’s line up...â€
In other news, TWISTED SISTER’s headline slot has been moved to the Sunday, in order to close the festival with a bang. Look out for the announcement of the new Friday night headliner on Tuesday 15th June.
The BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2010 will take place at Catton Hall, Derbyshire from 13th – 15th August.
Weekend tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com
BAND LINE UP SO FAR :
MESHUGGAH : CHILDREN OF BODOM : FEAR FACTORY : TWISTED SISTER
OBITUARY : ROSS THE BOSS (with Scott Columbus) : RAGE : ANDROMEDA : BEHEMOTH : DEVIN TOWNSEND : DORO : LEAVES EYES : SUFFOCATION : CANNIBAL CORPSE : KORPIKLAANI : GWAR : AMORPHIS : GOJIRA : SONATA ARCTICA : GORGOROTH : BLOODBATH : BLACK SPIDERS : EDGUY : ENSIFERUM : ONSLAUGHT : SNAKEBITE :
HOLY MOSES : BENEDICTION : ENFORCER : KILLING MACHINE : MITHRAS : THE PROPHECY STEELWING : REGARDLESS OF ME : WITCHSORROW : EVILE : BONDED BY BLOOD : MORDECAI
PURIFIED IN BLOOD : DESECRATION
www.bloodstock.uk.com
Sponsored by Metal Hammer www.metalhammer.co.uk Scuzz TV www.scuzz.tv and Rock Radio www.rockradio.co.uk
