Former Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell’s band Bastard Sons were joined on stage by Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider and Corrosion Of Conformity’s Pepper Keenan at Bloodstock on Thursday night (11th August). The pair appeared with Campbell and band for a frenetic run through Motörhead’s classic ‘Born To Raise Hell’.
The unexpected guests' appearance came on the opening night of the festival, which is taking place in Catton Park, Derbyshire between 11-14 August.
Phil Campbell’s band – formerly Phil Campbell’s All Stars – were appearing on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, where they belted out a number of Motörhead tracks, as well as covers by among others, ZZ Top and Black Sabbath.
It was towards the end of their headline set that Snider made his surprise appearance, followed by Keenan, who took on backing vocals. Dee, whose band Twisted Sister are due to close the Friday night (12th August) of the festival, took lead vocals on the track, and introduced it by paying an emotional and explosive tribute to late Motörhead band leader Lemmy Kilmister.
Said Snider; "This year we lost a friend, we lost a legend. This festival Season, without Lemmy F****n’ Kilmister, there’s a hole in my heart. Without Lemmy out here, it don’t seem right. So right now, Bloodstock – the only true heavy f****n’ metal festival in the f****n’ U.K. – f**k Download, this is the f****n’ show right here!"
He continued: "So it’s time for us all to have some closure; I need some closure, Phil needs some closure, you need some closure, and we’re going to get it right f****n’ now, we’re going to sing Lemmy's words, and we’re going to sing them loud and f****n’ proud!"
Twisted Sister’s Bloodstock slot comes as the band prepare to bow out, as part of their farewell tour. The Catton Park date is being billed as their last ever U.K. show.
Now in its twelfth year, Bloodstock Open Air is one of the U.K.'s most popular metal events. Acts set to appear at the 2016 gathering include headliners progressive metal leviathans Mastodon and angels of death Slayer. Joining them will be special guests Gojira and Anthrax, with the weekend set to feature the likes of Fear Factory, Corrosion of Conformity, Paradise Lost, Diamond Head, Dragonforce and more.
Stay tuned for eonmusic's full coverage of Bloodstock 2016, including interviews with Fear Factory, Paradise Lost, Metal Allegiance and more in the coming weeks.