SONISPHERE 2014 ANNOUNCE SLAYER, MASTODON, ALICE IN CHAINS...

This evening Sonisphere UK announced the first load of bands joining their headliners; Iron Maiden, The Prodigy and Metallica.The festival is set to return to Knebworth House on the weekend of 4th - 6th July. In addition to this two special guests are due to be announced shortly!

AIRBOURNE / ALICE IN CHAINS / GHOST / GOJIRA /
KARNIVOOL / MASTODON / SLAYER 

Mastodon will be returning to Sonisphere, having played at the last British date in 2011, and this will be the first chance for UK fans to see them play material from their sixth album which is due out in the spring.  

 “We are super excited to be playing Sonisphere Knebworth again!!! We had such a good time at the last one, this one will be even better!! We look forward to seeing you there!!” - Mastodon

Mastodon aren't the only ones returning for a repeat performance, Slayer of course graced the mainstage in 2011 as part of the Big Four along with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth. With two of the big four now set to play 2014, it will be interesting to see if the other two will make an appearance. (Note: I have no idea, I'm just speculating!)

Infamous Swedish doom-rockers Ghost, led by Papa Emeritus will be bringing their dramatic stage show to Sonisphere as will French progressive-metallers Gojira who will be playing their sole UK festival of 2014 at Sonisphere. Alice In Chains have also declared Knebworth to be the only UK festival they are playing at this year, their latest album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here was released last year which then led them to play a major UK tour, including their biggest-ever headline show at Alexandra Palace, London.

Perth-based Australian five-piece Karnivool are at the forefront of modern prog-rock, and their performance will be another UK exclusive for 2014 and will see them performing songs from last year’s critically acclaimed third album, Asymmetry. They won't be the only Australians there either, as the sensational hard rock band Airbourne will also be joining the line up. 

 

 "Us four guys are seriously fired up and chomping at the bit to bring the 'Black Dog Barking' Tour to Knebworth. With monumental metal juggernauts Iron Maiden and Metallica coming to shake Knebworth to the core along with Bruce Dickinson also announcing it will be the last concert of the 'Maiden England' tour this is a rock'n'roll event in time that can't be missed. We are deeply honored to have the green light for an Airbourne/Knebworth assault, to get out there on Knebworth's hallowed ground in front of that sea of heavy metal maniacs and give them every ounce of blood sweat and energy we got... And afterwards we'll grab a case of ice cold Trooper ale's and watch the best heavy metal bands of all time! See ya there!” - Airbourne