US grindcore stalwarts PIG DESTROYER will return to the UK for the first time in eight years to perform at Damnation Festival.

The Virginia extreme metal quartet will make a rare overseas excursion to headline the Terrorizer Stage at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

It marks the first of many coups for the eighth edition of Damnation Festival, following a hugely successful event last year, and eager fans can get their hands on early bird priced tickets which will go on sale at 9am tomorrow.

On returning to UK shores, Pig Destroyer said: "Pig Destroyer is pleased to announce they are looking forward getting pissed in the UK for the first time in eight years.

"Our British accents are a little rusty and new drummer Adam Jarvis is going to have a doss time."

Festival director Gavin McInally added: "It's great to get this year off to a bang, and they don't come much noisier than Pig Destroyer.

"There isn't a more suitable stage to host their long awaited return to the UK than our legendary Terrorizer Stage, which they'll close in devastating fashion.

"As always, we'll aim to put together the most exciting and diverse bill we can possibly manage and, having not raised ticket prices since 2008, we'll keep early bird tickets at £29 for our loyal fanbase."

Tickets are on sale, priced £29 from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

BRITISH doom heavyweights MY DYING BRIDE will play a special one-off show at Damnation Festival, performing new material live for the "first time in many years".

The Bradford quintet will return to the Jagermeister Stage they played to a capacity crowd in 2008 for their only UK show outside London in 2012.

And the rare homecoming appearance will have extra significance for their army of fans as it follows the release of their latest as-yet-untitled album.

The band said: "My Dying Bride would like to say just what a great privilege it is to actually play a festival in their home County and to some of us our home town.

"Not only is this the second time we will have darkened the Damnation Festival door but this time we will be showcasing for the very fucking first time in many years our brand new material to Damnation Festival's fans first!

"Damnation Festival, we love you, but prepare to meet thy Doom."

Festival director Gavin McInally added: "My Dying Bride's appearance at Damnation Festival in 2008 was one of the best we have hosted and it's a real honour that they have chosen to celebrate the release of the latest album with a return to Leeds.

"With Pig Destroyer and My Dying Bride confirmed as our first two bookings, it's shaping up to be a beast of a year and we're confident that we can, once again, put on the best day of metal, rock and eclectic noise the UK has to offer in 2012."

Damnation Festival will take place at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Early bird tickets, priced £29 will be available until Monday, April 30 from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

DORSET doom heavyweights ELECTRIC WIZARD have promised a "mind-destroying" exclusive headline performance at Damnation Festival.

The band, who recently sold out London's cavernous Forum, will bring their full lights and visuals show to Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012, for what will be a full on assault of the senses.

Also joining the bill are Norwegian blackened thrash outfit AURA NOIR, Irish thrashers GAMA BOMB and elegant doom trio 40 WATT SUN, who will play their only UK show of 2012 on Damnation Festival's newly sponsored Eyesore Stage.

Electric Wizard's Jus Oborn believes fans who couldn't get their hands on tickets to the London performance, will experience something special at Damnation.

He added: "The sellout show at the Forum was a massive success and the fans loved the psychedelic lightshow.

"We had been working on the film show for years and when the opportunity arose to work with the lighting people from the Hawkwind lightshow we knew it would be the
ultimate mindfuck.

"Now, Damnation have given us the opportunity to repeat the experience for everyone outside of London and we are going to make it even more mind-destroying."

And if the prospect of Electric Wizard at Damnation Festival wasn't enough to celebrate, Irish thrash kings GAMA BOMB will be hosting a one-off 10th anniversary party on the Jagermeister Stage.

The band said: "Given that we started our band with the ambition of playing songs that sounded like Nuclear Assault and the aim of some day playing a show outside of our home town, it's pretty amazing that we've lasted for 10 thoroughly wasted years.

"Though we're insanely busy doing behind-the-scenesy stuff right now, we've managed to find time to book one special 10th anniversary show this winter at Damnation Festival.

"By the time we put on some trousers and take to the stage there, we'll have a killer fourth album to show off, as well as wheeling out all kinds of old songs we've forgotten how to play.

"The UK has been very good to us over the last 10 years, so this is our way of saying 'Cheers for that, can you pay in to one more show please?'.

"We'll see you there!"

Electric Wizard, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb and 40 Watt Sun join previously announced My Dying Bride and Pig Destroyer at Damnation Festival, which will take place at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

*Aura Noir will play Edinburgh's Banshee Labyrinth on May 31, for tickets visit http://eileandubh.bigcartel.com

IRISH pagan metal masters PRIMORDIAL will return to UK soil for an exclusive appearance at Damnation Festival.

They will be joined at the three-stage metal behemoth in Leeds by the much anticipated return of BOSSK and Dutch tech purveyors TEXTURES.

The latest additions bolster a bill which already boasts Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Pig Destroyer, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb and 40 Watt Sun for the eighth annual event, taking place at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Commenting on their return to England, Primordial vocalist Alan Averill said: "Finally we are confirmed for Damnation Festival this year.
"After several years in the wilderness and not playing in the UK it really feels over the last few years we have reconnected with playing in the UK.
"This is the place we cut our teeth after all, way back in the mists of time. It feels like payback. See you all at Damnation!"

Textures' Jochem Jacobs added: "We are really excited to play at Damnation Festival - and since it's not open air the roof will come down with a million tons of metal!"

And post-sludge stalwarts Bossk are looking forward to riff-filled day of Damnation.
The band said: "All of us are very excited to be part of this years Damnation Festival!
"It's been a long time since we played in Leeds, and this will be the first time we play there since reforming.
"We are gonna rent more lights, bring more smoke, and more riffs for this show.
"It will be the first time we play the new track Pick Up Artist live. Watch Electric Wizard and follow the smoke to the riff filled land."

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

AUSTRIAN death metal machine BELPHEGOR will play their only UK show of 2012 at Damnation Festival, performing the most brutal tracks from their new album.

The demonic group head up an unforgiving announcement for this year's Terrorizer Stage with crust punk pioneers EXTREME NOISE TERROR and English black metallers WODENSTHRONE also joining the stage which already boasts a headline billing for Pig Destroyer and a return to UK soil for Aura Noir.

Meanwhile, progressive hardcore group DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL will take to the Jagermeister Stage, also with a new album to showcase.

Belphegor's Helmuth said: "We are looking forward to shredding the mighty land of NWOBHM, again.

"It's always a pleasure and an intense ritualistic raid experience to bring our chaos sound to the UK.

"Hail Damnation! Hail Death!"

Wodensthrone guitarist/vocalist Rædwalh said: "Wodensthrone are very pleased to have been invited to play Damnation Festival; an event that we have seen grow from its inception in Manchester to one of the UK's premier metal events.

"I fondly remember the early incarnations of the festival, so to see it grow to its current status is very encouraging.
The already-confirmed lineup is extremely promising and for ourselves to be included in it is a humbling testament to this band's perseverance.

"With our second album, Curse, now out on Candlelight Records, we are proudly raising the banner of UK Black Metal in 2012 and to be able to cap off a busy year with a Damnation appearance is an honour. Wæs thu hæl!"

Devil Sold His Soul added: "We last played Damnation Festival back in 2008. It was hot, sweaty, loud and heavy and we loved every minute of it.

"We always enjoy playing in Leeds and the line-up this year looks incredible. We'll have a new album out by then and can't wait to play these new longs live - Bring it on Damnation."

Announced so far for Damnation Festival 2012 is: Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Pig Destroyer, Belphegor, Primordial, Extreme Noise Terror, Textures, Devil Sold His Soul, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb, 40 Watt Sun and Wodensthrone.

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

NORWEGIAN black metallers VREID and England's WINTERFYLLETH will darken this year's Damnation Festival, as they head up the latest acts confirmed to play the UK's finest day of extreme music.

London's death n' hardcore infusion HANG THE BASTARD and Leeds' very own aural acid trip BLACKLISTERS also join the eclectic three-stage event which will be hosted in Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Vreid, Winterfylleth and Hang The Bastard all but complete a Terrorizer Stage line-up which already boasts Pig Destroyer, Belphegor, Aura Noir and Extreme Noise Terror, while the likes of Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Primordial, Gama Bomb, 40 Watt Sun and Textures will also perform over the day.

Vreid said: "We are exited to return to your shores in November.

"The Damnation Festival has a great reputation and a killer line up for this year, so we are honoured to be a part of the 2012 edition.

"As football and cider fanatics we always love to go the UK, and we can promise you a potent and hungry Vreid for November. See you there."

Winterfylleth added: "Winterfylleth are pleased to announce we will be playing at this year's Damnation Festival.

"We are proud to be part of such a strong line up of bands and to be playing at a festival which we have all been attending as fans for years. See you all in November!"

Announced so far for Damnation Festival 2012 is: Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Pig Destroyer, Belphegor, Primordial, Extreme Noise Terror, Textures, Devil Sold His Soul, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb, 40 Watt Sun, Bossk, Vreid, Winterfylleth, Wodensthrone, Hang The Bastard and Blacklisters.

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

BELGIAN sludge kings AMENRA have promised their "most memorable" UK show in 13 years as they head to Damnation Festival to headline the Eyesore Stage.

They'll join English post-rockers MAYBESHEWILL and purveyors of doom Witchsorrow at Leeds University Union, on Saturday, November 3, 2012, for an exclusive appearance.

The band said: "Everyone in Amenra is really excited about performing at this year's Damnation Festival.

"This is now already our most memorable UK show in our 13 years of existence.

"We will make this one last forever in the memories and mouths of everyone who will be there."

Hampshire's Witchsorrow added: "We are honoured to be invited to stand beside such bands as Electric Wizard, Primordial, Winterfylleth, Aura Noir and My Dying Bride at Damnation.

"This is a circle of truly special bands, and to be counted among their number is flattering in the extreme.

"This will be a special occasion, and the doom we bring will be as much a celebration of real heavy metal as it is an opportunity to help cover the festival in darkness and Damnation. God curse us, every one!"

Announced so far for Damnation Festival 2012 is: Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Pig Destroyer, Belphegor, Amenra, Primordial, Extreme Noise Terror, Textures, Devil Sold His Soul, Aura Noir, Gama Bomb, 40 Watt Sun, Maybeshewill, Bossk, Vreid, Winterfylleth, Wodensthrone, Witchsorrow, Hang The Bastard and Blacklisters.

The opening band for each stage is still to be announced.

Tickets priced £32 are available from http://www.leedstickets.com and via the official Damnation Festival site and Facebook through Ticketscript: http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/tickets and at Crash and Jumbo store in Leeds.

For more information visit the official Damnation Festival sites:

Web - damnationfestival.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/damnationfestival
Twitter - twitter.com/damnationfest

If anyone can't make Damnation, or enjoys it so much you want more...

On Sunday 04th Nov, VREID are playing the Camden Underworld with The Furious Horde.

http://www.facebook.com/events/443695912342121/?fref=ts

Go on, extend your weekend