The UK’s premier heavy festival concludes this years return edition today, but they are already looking to the future for next year. Announcing 17 bands already, including two of the three headliners, the hype is well and truly building already!

Headlining the Saturday will be the band who were supposed to have that slot this year before having to pull out, Mercyful Fate. The band usually deliver one hell of a stage show and frontman King Diamond says, “This time we are going to bring the Devil himself.”

Headlining one of the other days are groove metal legends Lamb Of God. The band previously headlined back in 2013 and it has been far too long since they did a big show over here. Frontman Randy Blythe had this to say: ‘It’s been way too long since we’ve rocked the festivals of Merry Olde – what better way to announce our return than a headliner slot at Bloodstock. Until then, pack your wellies and stay safe, England – LAMB OF GOD will see you Summer 2022!”

The final headliner is yet to be announced, but they gave us plenty of other incredible bands to get excited for while we wait. Filling up the main stage are bands such as Dimmu Borgir, Testament, Exodus, Black Dalliah Murder, GWAR, Bury Tomorrow, Life of Agony and Butcher Babies. They also have a few of the bands who had to pull out of this year due to travel issues, such as Sacred Reich, Vio-lence, Bloodywood and Phil Anselmo & The Illegals performing their blistering Pantera Set.

That’s not all, headlining the Sophie Lancaster Stage on the Thursday are Night Flight Orchestra and closing it out on the Sunday is industrial metallers Static X with their only UK show of 2022.

Are you as excited as we are for this so far? We’ll keep you up to date on any more announcements over the coming months, be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram here.