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Festival News: Bloodstock To Pay Tribute To Ronnie James Dio

Posted on Tuesday, June 01 @ 05:05:00 UTC by nightowl

"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 would like to pay tribute to one of metal's leading and legendary lights, with the announcement of the renaming 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 music we love.



"'As the UK's only true 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 on.'

"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 simply 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 15th. 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 band's 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 Descration. 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 ...'

"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."

[Of a prog/power metal related interest, Sonata Arctica, Edguy, Andromeda, and Devin Townsend, are also on the bill (beside the likes of Obituary, Children of Bodom, Fear Factory, Behemoth, Rage, and others) -ed.

[Source: Bloodstock newsletter]

Posted in Festival News