Bloodstock 2018???

[VizardAmata]

Emperor would be great, it's a bit weird they're missing from this year. The announcement has to be Priest!

[bloodofthekings]

Emperor just announced a festival date in April next year...

Meh. Emperor would be a massive let down for me. Plus, it would be odd for them to do a festival announcement twice on the same band, surely?

[CharlesDexterWard]

Emperor would be great, it's a bit weird they're missing from this year. The announcement has to be Priest!

Priest = would guarantee my attendance next year on them alone

[Gandalf the Red]

Emperor just announced a festival date in April next year...

Meh. Emperor would be a massive let down for me. Plus, it would be odd for them to do a festival announcement twice on the same band, surely?

Why?

A legendary band that has only played the UK a handful of times surely is worth an announcement. Much more so than the vast majority of bands.

[CharlesDexterWard]

Would be delighted with Emperor

[bloodofthekings]

Emperor just announced a festival date in April next year...

Meh. Emperor would be a massive let down for me. Plus, it would be odd for them to do a festival announcement twice on the same band, surely?

Why?

A legendary band that has only played the UK a handful of times surely is worth an announcement. Much more so than the vast majority of bands.

Because Emperor were announced at the festival in 2013 for the following year. A big band who hasn't played before would be much more preferable.

[houston4044]

Depends how they word it really, if they announce as a special "Anthems..." appearance then it'll look alot better than "hey we repeated the same thing we did 4 years ago".

[Haldamir319]

I still have this sneaking suspicion it might not be a band announcement. If you watch the vlog thing they did they made a point of saying "we are announcing SOMETHING" (rather than, "a band").

I mean, they could have just been trying to add mystery or whatnot.

As for bands, the big one is obviously Priest, but I still don't see it happening unfortuntately. My guesses are Sabaton, Emperor or Helloween.

[Gandalf the Red]

I would much prefer Emperor to most bands. They hardly had a small crowd like all those Power Metal bands that everyone apparently wants. I love PM, but even the most ardent devotee realises that nobody watches them, unless it's Sabaton who are probably the worst band in the genre and wouldn't even be worth announcing as they play all the bleeding time anyway.

I think everyone is getting a bit over optimistic thinking that Judas Priest are playing. They can play a decent sized slot at Download (special guests last time) and will probably be doing a proper album tour next year anyway.

Halford recently said "a very exciting 2018 period with a big world tour taking place next year"*. Even if they did want to play a smaller festival then put your money on Ramblin' Man getting them instead.


*Planet Rock April issue according to Wiki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Pri ... present.29

[Skippy]

I still have this sneaking suspicion it might not be a band announcement. If you watch the vlog thing they did they made a point of saying "we are announcing SOMETHING" (rather than, "a band").

"Next year, by popular request, we are bringing back Battle of the Nations. Bloodstock - by the fans, for the fans!"

I'd love them to do what Wacken did that one year and just do the entire lineup in one go. Or at least the mainstage. Can't see it happening though, they probably like the exposure that constant band announcements bring.

Personally I'd guess Priest. They've openly been trying to get them for a while (if they'd announced anything else last year it would have been a disappointment for so many), and I think they'd make a big deal if they did get them. I wouldn't be shocked by Emperor either, they did make a big deal out of Behemoth the other year, and they were a recent repeat. Maybe announce Priest on the Friday and Emperor on the Sunday as their special guests.

[Gandalf the Red]

They can't play Sunday as that's the day Slayer are playing.

[Jay1993]

I still have this sneaking suspicion it might not be a band announcement. If you watch the vlog thing they did they made a point of saying "we are announcing SOMETHING" (rather than, "a band").

I mean, they could have just been trying to add mystery or whatnot.

As for bands, the big one is obviously Priest, but I still don't see it happening unfortuntately. My guesses are Sabaton, Emperor or Helloween.

Vicky confirmed on Twitter that the first band booked for 2018 will be announced at this year's fest. Would be cool if other stuff was announced too though.

[Haldamir319]

Ah well, that clears that up then.

[cheesemason]

Emperor have actually announced two dates in March/April next year (Inferno and Metalmania).

Would love it to be them, but not convinced yet that they will do summer festivals.

Does increase the chance of maybe a one of London show tho, which I'd travel for

[bloodfiend]

Emperor have actually announced two dates in March/April next year (Inferno and Metalmania).

Would love it to be them, but not convinced yet that they will do summer festivals.

Does increase the chance of maybe a one of London show tho, which I'd travel for

Hope they're not still doing Anthems in full if they do play, found the Anthems set massively underwhelming compared to the Nightside shows.