The Bloodstock team are delighted to announce that Swedish melodic rock legends EUROPE have been added to the bill for Bloodstock Open Air 2009. The band will close the festival on the Sunday and the event will mark their ONLY UK show of 2009!
Europe were formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 by vocalist Joey Tempest and guitarist John Norum. Originally called Force, the band switched to Europe after winning a prestigious battle of the bands contest in 1982 which earned them their first record deal. Their self-titled debut album appeared the following year and was a success both in Sweden and in Japan where the single Seven Doors Hotel entered the top 10. Their second album Wings Of Tomorrow followed in ’84 and caught the attention of major label CBS who signed the band in 1985.
In September ‘85, Europe began work on their international breakthrough album The Final Countdown which was released in May 1986. It was an instant smash, rated multi-platinum the world over, and its super-catchy title track reached number one in 25 countries when issued as the album’s first single. Norum, however, disliked the keyboard-heavy production and quit at the end of the year to be replaced by Kee Marcello.
The band’s next album Out Of This World appeared in 1988 and although less successful than The Final Countdown, it was certified platinum in the USA and saw the band mount a major American tour with Def Leppard. 1991’s Prisoners Of Paradise all but disappeared in the midst of the grunge boom, and at the end of their 1992 tour the band opted for a lengthy sabbatical. A live appearance in Stockholm to celebrate New Year's Eve 1999 sparked speculation about an official reunion and the return of John Norum, both of which were confirmed in 2003. Their comeback album Start From The Dark was released in 2004, and although somewhat edgier than their ‘80s material, shifted in excess of 600,000 units. The more melodic Secret Society followed in 2006 and the band have just completed work on their latest effort Last Look At Eden which is set for release in time for their headline Bloodstock slot.
Joey Tempest sent the following message:“RAAAAWWWWKKK! It's with great pleasure we will be returning to the UK this summer. We've just finished recording our 8th studio album Last Look At Eden. Can't wait to blast out some new tunes and some Europe classics. See you at Bloodstock festival on the 16th of August.â€
Click Here to View the EUROPE Bloodstock Band Profile page .
EUROPE – Rock The Night - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2009.
Line up so far: AMON AMARTH, APOCALYPTICA, ARCH ENEMY, BATTLELORE, BLIND GUARDIAN, CANDLEMASS, CARCASS, CRADLE OF FILTH,
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, ENSLAVED, EQUILIBRIUM, EUROPE, GIRLSCHOOL, GWAR, KATATONIA, KREATOR, MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, MOONSPELL,
MUNICIPAL WASTE, SATYRICON, SAXON, TURISAS, THE HAUNTED, SABATON,
Date: 14th, 15th, 16th August 2009
Location: Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire .
Regards
Bloodstock Team
