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The third Bloodstock Open Air Festival kicks off on Friday 15th August to the stately background of Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire.

The three-day, three-stage festival brings the best of UK and International Heavy Metal to music lovers in a heavily fan-orientated event which has grown from its beginnings as a one-day special in the Derby Assembly Rooms back in 2001.

Little did organisers Paul Gregory and Vince Brotheridge know then how their metal acorn would grow.

Paul, who has lived in Derby since he was born, is a well-known artist on the music scene, having been commissioned to do create cover art for bands such as Saxon, and his artwork for Bloodstock has always echoed its Derbyshire roots with the Derby Ram appearing with a metal makeover.

This year鈥檚 festival looks set to continue the brand's phenomenal growth having secured Nightwish, Dimmu Borgir and Opeth as headliners.

With Nightwish and Dimmu Borgir bringing their full pyro spectacular stage shows to the UK for the first time, the event is sure to go with a bang - not that it is all about the big names.

Whilst the UK fans are treated to some of the best names in metal from across the world the festival remains committed to supporting and showcasing the best of British talent and unsigned talent.

A diverse array of groups are on hand from the Birmingham stalwart thrashers Napalm Death to Canadian Death Metal legends Kataklysm and Eluveitie鈥檚 Folk Metal with Celtic undertones.

From surging power metal to the theatrically entwined Black Metal it promises to be a feast for all the senses.

Music aside, the festival will be boasting plenty of food to keep your energy levels up for the pits, the metal market and a fairground. It's very much a family-orientated event though so expect some embarrassed offspring as their parents hit the metal karaoke and Guitar Hero 3 zones.

Organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans to attend - so expect plenty of devil horn signs!

Ticket information is available on the Bloodstock website (www.bloodstock.uk.com) with full weekend tickets with camping - 拢85, day tickets - 拢45 and child tickets 拢35 available for collection.