Power metal supergroup, AVANTASIA step into Sunday’s ‘special guest’ slot. Spearheaded by EdGuy frontman, Tobias Sammet, AVANTASIA was originally intended as a one-off side project, but has since turned into an ongoing musical love affair. A new “rock/metal opera” album is in the works, set for a late Spring 2013 release, and the Bloodstock set is one of only a few handpicked European festival appearances for the group next year.

Tobias enthuses, "I know I once said we weren't gonna do it again, but then I don‘t see a reason to let this die. I wanna put on the biggest thing you have ever seen, I wanna bring more vocalists, play longer shows, and just make it a giant Rock Opera.....I am so looking forward to it. The stage designer has just showed me his stage & light design, and it looks absolutely killer. 2013 will be a major year for Avantasia, and people don't have a clue how big things are actually going to be! I am very excited - the album will be amazingly epic, and the tour will be too!" Recording for the new album is already underway and while guest musicians are still being revealed, ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick recently confirmed his involvement. Learn more in this studio report with Tobias -

Also added to the bill are Knoxville deathcore crew, WHITECHAPEL. Their self-titled fourth album was released in June through Metal Blade, and the band spent the summer melting tarmac on the Mayhem Festival tour in the US (alongside Slipknot, Slayer, Motorhead... and Bloodstock compadres, Anthrax). The album’s lead single, ‘Hate Creation’ can be checked out on the Youtube video below...

Not content just playing Bloodstock with KATAKLYSM, Maurizio Iacono also brings his Roman-themed supergroup, EX DEO to the festival. The band features members of Martyr, Blackguard, and his other Kataklysm cohorts. The band’s second album, ‘Caligvla’, released by Napalm Records on 31st August 2012 - the 2000th birthday of Emperor Caligula - featured guest appearances from members of Tristania, Graveworm, All Shall Perish, and Septic Flesh.