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Bloodstock announce replacement Saturday night headliner, add three more bands

As Mercyful Fate unfortunately pull out of Bloodstock 2021, the festival have announced the headliner's replacement – as well as three more bands.

Though planned headliners Mercyful Fate have sadly had to pull out of this August's Bloodstock (though they will be topping the bill at next year's metal weekender), the festival have announced an awesome replacement for the Saturday night of the event: Kreator.

The German thrashers will now join Friday headliner Devin Townsend and Sunday evening's Judas Priest, with frontman Mille Petrozza enthusing: "We are very excited to headline the Bloodstock festival for the first time! This means a lot to Kreator since all the previous shows we have played there were exceptional! We promise you the most brutal show Bloodstock has ever seen! Be prepared!"

Read this: Kreator’s Mille Petrozza: "Metal was always about human rights, and the common sense of not tolerating stupidity and government bullshit"

Mercyful Fate's King Diamond, meanwhile, says of their postponement: "Due to the uncertainties of international touring logistics, health, and safety issues, Mercyful Fate are unable to perform at this summer’s Bloodstock. Unfortunately, most of our summer routing is already postponed or postponing soon. Like many others in our position we’re amending our plans to get back on the road as soon as possible. We’re gutted. However, we are happy to say that we’ve worked with the Bloodstock organisers and report that we will be back to headline the festival in summer 2022. Until then, stay heavy and stay safe."

Bloodstock have also added three more bands to the bill: Seidrblot, Bloodshot Dawn and Evile. Meanwhile Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, Butcher Babies, Life Of Agony, Sacred Reich, Necrot, Exhumed and Unto Others have cancelled their 2021 appearances.

Check out the updated Bloodstock line-up below: