Following the launch of the UK’s new prestige rock festival, in 2010, High Voltage returns in 2011 with exclusive performances from headliners Judas Priest and Dream Theater, UK festival exclusives from Black Country Communion, Jethro Tull, Queensryche, Thunder, Neal Morse and Spock’s Beard and performances from Michael Schenker group, Caravan, The Enid, Pallas, Saint Jude, Anathema, Curved Air and Mostly Autumn. The further acts announced are:
JOHN LEE’S BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST (Prog Stage)
is the modern incarnation of the legendary progressive rock band, led by vocalist and guitarist Lees, who co-founded the group in 1966. A hugely popular live act throughout Europe, BJH once played an open-air show in Berlin to an audience of 250,000. Their appearance at High Voltage sees them return to the fray after the death of co-founding member Stuart ‘Woolly’ Wolstenholme in 2010.
SKIN (Main Stage)
UK-based hard rockers Skin enjoyed six Top 40 singles during their first original run, which ended in 1998. After 11 years away all four of their original members reunited to record their fourth album, ‘Breaking The Silence’ in 2010. After performing what was intended as a farewell tour last December, an undertaking plagued by horrific winter weather, the band have announced one final date at HV, pledging to sign off in the summer sunshine.
RIVAL SONS (Main Stage)
One of the hottest young rock bands of the moment, Rivals Sons are a band who perfectly bring back the sounds and sentiments of early Led Zeppelin with the bombast of Aerosmith and some added blues. And don’t be afraid that they're signed to infamous metal label Earache, they've got more in common with Cream than Carcass. We can't wait to get down and get with it for the guys as they revisit our shores!
AMPLIFIER (Prog Stage)
are cult heroes on the UK progressive rock scene. Formed in Manchester, the band released their debut album in 2004 to rave reviews in the British rock press, and built a loyal fanbase touring with Porcupine Tree and Opeth. Amplifier’s new double-album The Octopus has been hailed by Classic Rock as “unbridled progressive and space rock”.
VON HERTZEN BROTHERS (Prog Stage)
are Finland’s number one rock act, with a modern/classic rock sound that has been described as “Foo Fighters playing Pink Floyd’s greatest hits”. Comprising three siblings (vocalist/guitarist Mikko, guitarist/vocalist Kie and bassist/vocalist Jonne), Von Hertzen Brothers topped the Finnish charts with their album Love Remains The Same. New album Stars Aligned is released this month.
The Metal stage is also pleased to announce the following acts – with introductions courtesy of Metal Hammer magazine UK…
NEUROSIS
It is an honour to have California’s cerebral progressive post-metallers Neurosis on the Metal Hammer stage. Last year the band celebrated 25 years, and while their output may not be the most prolific and their live shows few and far between it only makes the occasion all the more special.
ELECTRIC WIZARD
Dorset’s own stoner doomsters have become legends in their own lifetime. Over 18 years and seven albums – including last year’s epic Black Masses - the band have built a loyal fanbase that won’t be uprooted. A great opportunity to come and join the kvlt.
EVILE
The Huddersfield thrashers have struggled through adversity to become one of the best loved new British metal bands, not least for their continuing commiment to bring the spirit and sounds of retro thrash into the new millennium. A great addition to the bill!
GRAND MAGUS
Brand new trad metal doesn’t come anymore denim and leather than Sweden’s power trio Grand Magus. The sound of Saxon and Maiden and Black Label Society sent into the future looking like the bikers from Animal House with riff-driven heavy metal anthems such as ‘Iron Will’ and ‘Like the Oar Strikes the Water’.
RAVENS CREED
These British deathly thrashers are made up of members and former members of Iron Monkey, Sabbat, Skyclad and bring back the flavours of classics like Venom, Celtic Frost and Exodus. The band only formed in 2006 but have already impressed the underground with their no-nonsense brutality and uncompromising live show.
PRIMITAI
They may be relative newbies but this English quintet know their NWOBHM with tons of glorious twin-harmony guitar-work and soaring vocals – and a hint of modern thrash in the mix. We may never get to see Maiden at the Ruskin Arms with Di’Anno again, but Primitai bring back the spirit and sound.
ATTICA RAGE
Scotland’s Attica Rage have already wowed crowds at Hammerfest and the like, and are now set for their HV debut. The muscular metallers are a brute force wall of riff, groove, solos and driving rhythms. For all the head-bangers and fist-pumpers, your weekend is complete.
BLACK SPIDERS
The world would be a sadder place without Black Spiders to inject some massive urgent anthemic rock’n’roll into it. Not long in existence the band have already wowed crowds supporting Kiss as well as their own triumphant headline tours. Beer + sun + Black Spiders = win!
GENTLEMENS PISTOLS
Another British rock curiosity that have superceded all expectations to become one of the best loved new UK bands. Complete with tiny vests (and recently joined ex-Carcass guitarist Bill Steer) the band perfectly bring back the fun and eccentric proto-metal of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy.
FURYON
Brighton’s Furyon haven’t been around long but their US-minded melodic metal with its strong rock edge and epic guitar-work have found them favour and friends around the world. The band back up their musical mastery with an intense live show that has no doubt been a large part in their fanbase swelling as it has.
High Voltage is the festival all true rock fans have been waiting for – custom built by rock fans for rock fans. The High Voltage team has been to every rock festival imaginable – taking what they have learned to build a festival unlike any other.
First of all there’s the music: Amazing headliners AND three unique stages specially curated to cater for different sides of the rock audience, and a brilliant supporting cast playing special must-see sets. Then there’s the festival itself. The facilities will be second to none: great food, proper beer, clean toilets and deluxe hospitality packages. This is somewhere you take the whole family.
High Voltage offers a new and unique festival experience for rock fans of all ages. Only High Voltage gives ticket buyers the freedom to design their own bespoke festival package – which can include accommodation, transport and VIP entertainment.
Tickets priced £99 (for weekend tickets) and £56.50 (for day tickets) – subject to booking fee. VIP tickets will be available at £105.00 for the day, £199.00 for the weekend – subject to booking fee. There will also be various VIP and hotel packages available, at varying price levels to suit.
High Voltage are also pleased to announce the new deposit scheme. This applies to any weekend ticket (i.e VIP weekend or standard weekend) and allows customers to spread the cost of the ticket over 2 payments. General Admission and VIP weekend tickets can be purchased with an initial £50 deposit plus booking fee, with the final payment due on June 1st. More info can be found HERE
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