The Hellfest management have now announced the first bands set to appear on the French metal festival, taking place on June 15th to 17th, 2012.

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2012

Three new cancelations for Hellfest 2011!

Here is the official statement of the festival with replacement.

"Unfortunately, Unleashed, BlackRain and Masters Of Reality are canceled?

These three bands will be respectively replaced by Primordial, Headcharger and The Damned Things.

The 3 day passes and daily tickets are still available in all of our usual stores and are still at a special price with Digitick through our website www.hellfest.fr

We remind you that bus+ticket packs are still available with buses leaving from cities from all around Europe. Please visit our "Bus-Trip" section!

Stay tuned on www.hellfest.fr to get more news soon including the running-order and map of the festival 2011!"

Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2011

Some line up changes for Hellfest 2011 !

Here is the official press release of the festival:

Unfortunately we're sad to announce that two bands are forced to cancel their upcoming appearances at Hellfest 2011.

The first one, and not the least, is Trust. Here is the band's official statement :

"Unfortunately Trust will not be playing on the 18th of June 2011 at Hellfest festival. The band will not be performing any concerts for an indefined period of time. We would like to point out that that it is not linked in any way with the organization of the Hellfest event."

The second cancelation is Lock Up originally scheduled to play Saturday, June 18th under the Rock Hard tent. A problem in their tour schedules has forced the band to cancel this performance.

We apologize for these two changes and we would like to announce the bands who will be replacing them, as well as the 3 surprise acts you were all waiting for!

With great pleasure, we can confirm that In Flames and Down will be playing at Hellfest on June 17th and Dark Tranquillity, Duff Mackagan's Loaded and Static-X will be playing on Sunday, June 19th!

Also note that Angel Witch and Hail Of Bullets will be performing on the Saturday, June 18th, instead of on the Sunday, June 19th as originally planned.

Again we would like to apologize for these line-up changes!

More news to come soon! So keep posted!

Hellfest Team

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2011

Hellfest 2010 DVD is out today !

The DVD features 30 bands live + 1 CD live audio! (5.1 sound!)

You can buy the DVD on http://www.hellfestshop.com

Here is the track list:

Disc 1 - Live Video :
01. FEAR FACTORY - Smasher / Devourer
02. SEPULTURA - Dead Embryonic Cells
03. SICK OF IT ALL - Death Or Jail
04. FINNTROLL - Under Bergets Rot
05. WALLS OF JERICHO + A Trigger Full Of Promises
06. SWALLOW THE SUN - Swallow (Horror Pt.1)
07. GOROD - Disavow Your God
08. WATAIN - Sworn To The Dark
09. LOUDBLAST - Cross The Threshold
10. URGEHAL - Satanic Black Metal In Hell
11. OTARGOS - Unaltered Negative God
12. Y&T - Dirty Girl
13. ELECTRIC MARY - Let Me Out
14. NEVERMORE - Your Poison Throne
15. TANKARD - Slipping From Reality
16. TAMTRUM + THE GARAGE BABES - The World You Live In
17. CANDLEMASS - Mirror Mirror
18. ASPHYX Death - The Brutal Way
19. SWORN ENEMY - As Real As It Gets
20. FREAK KITCHEN - Propaganda Pie
21. VULCAIN - Ebony
22. EXODUS - And Then There Were None
23. BEHEMOTH - Conquer All
24. ELUVEITIE - Thousandfold
25. SABATON - Coat Of Arms
26. BLASPHEME - Carpe Diem
27. GENERAL SURGERY - Necrodecontamination / The League Of Extraordinary Grave Robbers
28. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - Milk Lizard
29. MONDO GENERATOR - Invisible Like The Sky
30. SAVIOURS - Acid Hand

Disc 2 - Live Audio :
01. CANDLEMASS - Samarithan
02. DEVIN TOWNSEND - Truth
03. LOUDBLAST - Taste Me
04. SABATON - The Art Of War
05. WATAIN - Malfeitor
06. BLASPHEME - Désir De Vampyr
07. FREAK KITCHEN - Porno Dady
08. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - Panasonic Youth
09. OTARGOS - La Génèse De Dieu
10. EXODUS - Bonded By Blood
11. GENERAL SURGERY - Necrocristicism
12. VULCAIN - Rock N Roll Secours
13. GOROD - A Common Hope
14. URGEHAL - Stesolid Self-Destruction To Damnation


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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2011

The countdown started about a week ago is over, so it is time for you to discover the new list of confirmed artists for the next HELLFEST!

As usual the HELLFEST stay in its shoes, eclecticism and taking risks are our watchwords! Extreme music being not limited to any particular style, you will still discover many original bands, real "UFOS", but famous and legendary artists that it is time to discover or rediscover on stage before that it's too late! We promise to surprise you again!

We won't talk about the qualities of each artist's newly confirmed, but you're free to check all the bands this list which shouldn't people indifferent:

Ozzy Osbourne - Scorpions

Opeth - Anathema - Black Label Society - Kreator - Bolt Thrower

1349 - Ancestors - Arkona - Arma Gathas - Atheist - Audrey Horne - Black Dalhia Murder - Comeback Kid - Dagoba - Electric Wizard - Exhumed - Eyehategod - Firewind - The Gates Of Slumber - Hawkwind - Krisiun - Korpiklaani - Kylesa - Masters Of Reality - Mekong Delta - Pain Of Salvation - Red Fang - Satanic Warmaster - Skeletonwitch - Skyforger - Street Dogs - Unleashed - Vader

Like every year, some fans will be disappointed by the announcement ... it is always difficult to please the connoisseurs of the Hellfest! We ask them to be patient because some big surprises will come in the weeks to come, and especially just before Christmas, as two new bands will be revealed during this period... we let you guess!

New announcement in November means new discounted ticket! The ones who trust us, who believe in the festival and its programming will once again find tickets at ?109 (without booking fees) instead of ?139! This operation is valid until the 1st of January 2011 and / or of 2500 3-day tickets sold. On this occasion, we remind you that last year these packages were sold in just two short weeks ... It is up to you to make the next 25th December, a Christmas "metal"!

See you soon with a new special announcement and two "mysterious" which should kick the ass of the people who haven't buy their tickets through the special offer!

Until then have fun discovering the new bands!


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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2011

Original news, posted on 03.06.2010

Once again it hasn't been easy to keep our original line up and we're sorry to announce the cancellation of three bands: 7 SECONDS, NACHTMYSTIUM and EARTH CRISIS.

7 Seconds, by reason of family issues, (see the band's official statement below) will not play in June and will be replaced by the British hardcore punk band Discharge. One legend will be replaced by another one!

Earth Crisis, which was paired on the road with 7 Seconds, will also cancel their tour and will be replaced by the glamorous 69 Chambers. The Swiss will switch their place with Tamtrum and will play on Friday at 11:05 am on the Main Stage 2. Tamtrum will play Saturday at 11:40am while Born From Pain will take the place of Earth Crisis under the Terrorizer Tent.

Finally, Nachtmystium has decided to focus on its U.S. tour and will be replaced by new "industrial-goth" sensation from Switzerland, Sybreed.

!!! WARNING !!!

Only 15 days remain before the beginning of the fest and we're nearly sold out ! 90% of the tickets have been already sold!!! You now know what you have to do if you want to attend Hellfest. Don't waste anymore time. Buy your tickets and we'll see ya in 15 days! -- The Hellfest Team

UPDATED on 05.06.2010

Also, don't forget that two line-up changes happened previously:

Overkill will not play at Hellfest, and they will be replaced by 36 Crazyfists, the famous metalcore American band which already convinced us with an excellent concert in 2006 at the first Hellfest!

Finally, Atheist has taken the decision to cancel their European tour and their performance at Hellfest for some professional reasons as you could read below. Atheist will be replaced by Sadist, the famous Italian Death Thrash Progressive metal masters who will perform at Hellfest for their first time.

Official statement from Atheist: "We are really sorry to everyone, but we regret to inform that we have to pull out of our upcoming shows in Europe to focus and finish our new album. for us to take time out to rehearse, and prepare for those shows, and take time away from our new record, just does not make any sense for the band. We apologize for this because we have never intentionally canceled anything in our career, and we cannot wait to get back over and make it up to you all. We think it makes more sense for us to get in the studio in june as opposed to playing just 4 shows of the same material that you have all seen us play already, especially at hellfest where we had one of our greatest moments as a band. We want to come with our new album and blow minds, so this is the best decision in the process of making this happen. The new material is so exciting and ferocious we cannot wait for the world to hear it. We hope you will understand and we will be back with a new set of tunes to boggle your brain. we are set to enter the studio in the very end of june and into july, so you will be hearing new Atheist as soon as possible."

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2010

It's Monday, Monday sucks but we have good news for 5 lucky people who will have the chance to attend Hellfest festival at Clisson for free in 10 days!

The answers to the not so easy questions were:

1: Hellfest 2009
2: Kalisia
3: Pale Ale Beer
4: 650 Hcl

...The winners of the 3Day passes are:

- Maria M (France)
- Alex B (UK)
- Gael C (France)
- Javiera L (Spain)
- Awen P (France)

The five winners will be notified by email. Have fun at Hellfest!

For the others, you'll have better luck next time !

Source:	metalstorm.net
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2010

Season of Mist just signed the first South American band of the label's history!

"We are happy to welcome Chile's MAR DE GRISES to the roster. The band's third full-length album should be released later this year".

"We are very happy about this deal with Season of Mist", the band comments. "For a young band like Mar de Grises, it is really exciting to be part of an impressive roster with big names such as Morbid Angel, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mayhem and Cynic, among many others.

We are also proud to be the first Ibero-American band working with this company. It is an important motivation to continue composing this kind of music on the other side of the world, in Chile. This partnership with Season of Mist represents a big step for us. It is exactly what we were looking for, as it enables us to share our music with more metalheads than ever before! We are nearly done composing the new album and are about to start the recording process. We couldn't wish for a better incentive than to know we will have the best support for our upcoming campaigns. We can't wait to come back to Europe!"

Source:	season-of-mist.com
Band profile:	Mar De Grises

The full line up was announced on the 25th February, but sometimes surprises can happen! We're pleased and proud to announce that the legendary guitarist of Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver SLASH has just confirmed his participation at HELLFEST on Saturday 19th June along with ALICE COOPER, TWISTED SISTER, etc?

Many of you (like us to be honest!) thought that the bill was definitely closed and that there wouldn't be any more additions, but what could we do? Could we refuse to see such a legend on the festival's stage? We decided to give you this little gift which will, for sure, satisfy all the fans of hard rock.

SLASH will be accompanied by famous musicians such as Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Bobby Schenck (Slash's Snakepit / Aerosmith), Todd Kerns (Age Of Electric / Sin City Sinners) and Brent Fritz (Theory Of A Deadman / Alice Cooper). He will play songs from his latest solo album and classics of Guns n' Roses and Velvet Revolver.

HELLFEST will be upon us in less than 80 days and tickets are selling really well. This gives us high hopes that the festival should be sold out in advance! You know what you have to do now!

More news about the festival on http://www.hellfest.fr

Hellfest Team

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2010

We're happy to introduce you the new 24 bands, now just a month before the final announcement? Fans of desert rock will be thrilled, as will fans of black metal and 80's punk! The bill will also appeal to those nostalgic for US rock, thrashers and death-metal experts, hardcore fans and, of course, good old metalheads will be happy too! And finally true heavy metal fans will have the chance to see the cult of the legendary speed metal band from Canada, Anvil!

JOHN GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS - JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE - BIOHAZARD

ANVIL - BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - BRANT BJORK AND THE BROSS - DELAIN - DISCIPLINE - DEW SCENTED - EVILE - GOROD - KMFDM - LOUDBLAST - MARDUK - MONDO GENERATOR - NACHTMYSTIUM - NEVERMORE - NILE - OTARGOS - RATT - SIGH - THE YOUNG GODS - WATAIN - Y&T - YAWNING MAN

GWAR cancels?

We're sorry to tell you that GWAR has canceled. The booking agent and the band have decided to postpone the tour in August?

In one month's time, the 26th of February, we will reveal to you the last and biggest names, the bands which be headlining the festival for a last "blast", which will be devastating!

Keep an eye on the new www.hellfest.fr which should open at the end of the day!

Hellfest Team

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2010

Wendy Dio, the wife and manager of legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Heaven And Hell, Black Sabbath, Rainbow), has released the following statement:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio. Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

Ronnie James Dio, 67, has performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and his own band Dio. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser "Hear 'n Aid". He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He is currently involved with Heaven And Hell, a project which also includes former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. Their first studio album, The Devil You Know, was released on April 28, 2009.

Dio cancelled its European tour last week after Ronnie was taken ill. The band's lineup for the trek was supposed to include Whitesnake/ex-Dio axeman Doug Aldrich due to the fact that the group's regular guitarist, Craig Goldy, had prior touring commitments with Budgie in Australia.

UPDATED on 11.12.2009

Here is an update from Wendy Dio on Ronnie's battle with stomach cancer:

"Well, it has been a very exhausting month - after all the neverending tests in Los Angeles, we flew to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and as soon as we arrived, we got a call from the MD Anderson Hospital that they had an appointment for us with the doctor we originally wanted, so we then flew to Houston to the clinic, and of course MORE tests, but Ronnie finished receiving his first chemo treatment on Wednesday, and all is going very well.

I would like to thank Tony Martell from the T.J. Martell Foundation, Dr. Stuart Aaronson from Mount Sinai, Lindsay Brown and Mike Carden from Eagle Records, and our very own Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, for all your help in getting us into MD Anderson, and also our friends Geezer and Gloria Butler, who flew to Houston to be with Ronnie while he had his chemo.

Ronnie and I are totally overwhelmed by the amount of well wishes that we have received from friends and fans - we are reading them all. Some make us laugh, some make us cry, but all of them are so filled with love that it gives us so much support and makes Ronnie even more determined to fight this battle and win. Thank you all for the positive energy and prayers."

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Source:	ronniejamesdio.com
Band profile:	Dio

Original news, posted on 16.12.2009

The metal webzine from Israel, Metalist Magazine http://metalist.co.il, gives the opportunity to listen to one of the first songs of the upcoming Orphaned Land long awaited album The Never Ending Way Of OrWarriOR.

This song called "Sapari" is, like "Nora El Nora" (featured on Mabool), a cover of a traditional song and doesn't really represent the musical orientation of the album...

...but If you cannot wait anymore time to listen to the song, just follow this link http://metalist.co.il/NewsPrivate.asp?id=2847 and enjoy!

UPDATED, on 22.12.2009 (thanks to Forsaker)

A new Orphaned Land song, called "Vayehi Or" (English: "Let There Be Light") is available for streaming at the band's MySpace page.

UPDATE (thanks to BudDa and Jojolviking)

Another new Orphaned Land song is streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Vocalist Kobi Farhi adds: "With less than three weeks to go till the release of The Never Ending Way of ORwarriOR (for the Israeli and European fans), we have posted a brand new track online.

"Disciples Of The Sacred Oath II" is a heavy song, both musically and lyrically and it is one of the most important tracks of the album by its meaning. Indeed, it calls for a laying down of arms, to realize that the warriors are first of all brothers: "Lay down your swords, blood and flesh you share" ... "Shall we see the end of war, blood brothers?". It is definitively the most outspoken text we ever wrote on this subject.

Furthermore, as this song contains Arabic lyrics, we would like to dedicate it to our Arab fans and we hope that one day we will sing it together in a show in their home countries!"

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Source:	metalist.co.il
Band profile:	Orphaned Land

British thrashers EVILE have revealed the identity of their new bassist, who joins the band following the tragic and untimely death of their late bassist, Mike Alexander.

Mike Alexander passed away on October 5th, 2009 while the band was on tour in Sweden.

EVILE members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter have released the following statement:

"This has been one of the most bizarre and surreal tasks we've ever had to undertake. It isn't like Mike has decided to leave the band and we're simply finding a new bass player, he was taken from us, and we were forced to replace him. In effect we had to look for a new Mike, but that would never happen. He was one of a kind, and we'll never forget him.

"We had hundreds upon hundreds of emails from bass players from around the world (though we can only realistically have a bassist from the UK), and we want to thank everyone for taking the time out to contact us, and the people who came to jam with us. We only had a certain amount of time to actually audition/jam with bass players before the upcoming tours, to get time in for rehearsing the songs, getting visas sorted etc.

"Our new bass player goes by the name Joel Graham. He's an excellent, experienced bass player, and a really nice guy. We'd all appreciate it if you gave him a warm welcome to the band, as this must be a bizarre situation for him to be in also. We'll be getting some photos taken with him soon so you can see us with Joel, we just wanted to get the news out there that we have a new bassist, and that we thank each and every person for auditioning. Mike would be honoured at the amount of respect and admiration you expressed to us through contacting us."

EVILE are set to kick off a headlining European tour in January. The "Infecting Nations" tour will start with a run of UK shows, before the band heads off to mainland Europe. Joining EVILE on the tour will be American thrashers WARBRINGER and Israel's THE FADING.

The full "Infecting Nations" tour dates are as follows:

14.01.10 Cardiff, UK - Barfly
15.01.10 Wrexham, UK - Central Station
16.01.10 York, UK - Fibbers
17.01.10 Glasgow, UK - Cathouse
18.01.10 Newcastle, UK - University
20.01.10 Manchester, UK - Academy 3
21.01.10 Nottingham, UK - Rock City
22.01.10 Leeds, UK - Rios
23.01.10 Bristol, UK - Thekla
24.01.10 London, UK - The Underworld
25.01.10 Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
27.01.10 Tilburg, Holland - O13
28.01.10 Kerkrade, Holland - Rocktempel

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Source:	earache.com
Band profile:	Evile

With a career spanning 36 years, more than 100 million records sold, and an absolutely crazy number of delirious concerts, for sure KISS is one of the most famous Hard Rock bands in the world. They're finally back with their new studio effort, the already acclaimed "Sonic Boom".

Kiss is the first revealed headliner of the Hellfest 2010, which will take place in Clisson the 18th through 20th of June 2010. This UNIQUE concert will end three days of the biggest extreme music festival of France, which has sold out every year since 2008!

KISS joins the 32 others bands (Immortal, Twisted Sister...) which were announced in September.

Next Sunday, the 29th of November, Hellfest will present the names of more band who will be on the final bill. From this date too you'll also be able to buy the Hellfest 2009 DVD on www.hellfestshop.com and everywhere in France!

To finish, from the 29th of November to the 31th of December, the "Christmas Hellbanger" tickets will be available at the special price of ?109. Act fast! This offer will be limited in time and quantity!

Have a good week and see you Sunday for the next announcement!

Hellfest Team

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Source:	hellfest.fr
Band profile:	KISS
Event:	Hellfest Open Air 2010

Sadly, just a few days into their European tour with Amon Amarth, Evile's Mike Alexander was suddenly taken ill and rushed to hospital, but tragically passed away in Lulea, Sweden.

Evile members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter have released the following statement:

"This is so hard to find the words to express fully how we feel. We can't believe or accept what's happened. One minute we're talking to our buddy, Mike, the next minute we can never speak to him again.

There's so many things rushing through our heads that we want to say, do and feel. We half expect him to come round the corner and call us 'dickheads'. We can't get our heads around it.

It upsets us so much that he was away from his family when this happened, although knowing Mike, we're at least glad he was on tour doing what he loves.

We're lost for words. We all miss him so much already. He was such a headstrong, genuinely nice guy who loved music and his family. We've got so many brilliant memories with him.

Our hearts go out to his daughter, family and friends at this tragic, difficult time.

Mike is much loved and is sorely missed.

Rest in peace, brother."

Source:	earache.com
Band profile:	Evile