As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver lining,” and that seems to be exactly what happened in the case of Rock Hard Festival Greece. Since ENSLAVED guitarist Ivar Bjørnson will not be able to make it to Greece on September 11, when BLOOD FIRE DEATH — the all-star BATHORY tribute band — are set to perform, his place will be taken by a legend of both extreme and progressive metal: Ihsahn, guitarist and vocalist of EMPEROR, who will become part of the core line-up performing on the night!
The band’s full statement reads as follows:
“Legions of Greece!
Due to scheduling issues, Ivar will not be able to perform with us at Rock Hard Festival Greece in two weeks. Taking his place for this special occasion will be a true legend, Ihsahn of EMPEROR!
Ihsahn joined us on stage for one song at Wacken Open Air this summer, and we are thrilled to now have him with us for an entire set in Greece.”
Ihsahn comments:
“BATHORY are undoubtedly the most influential band in the history of black metal, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to honour Quorthon’s legacy together with old and new friends in BLOOD FIRE DEATH.”
The final line-up with which BLOOD FIRE DEATH will perform at the festival is as follows:
Erik Danielsson (WATAIN) – vocals
Ihsahn (EMPEROR) – guitar, vocals
Blasphemer (VLTIMAS, RUIM, AURA NOIR, ex-MAYHEM) – guitar
Apollyon (AURA NOIR, ex-IMMORTAL, ex-DODHEIMSGARD) – bass/vocals
Faust (DJEVEL, ex-EMPEROR) – drums
Guests:
Grutle Kjellson (ENSLAVED) – vocals
Gaahl (GAAHLS WYRD, TRELLDOM, ex-GORGOROTH) – vocals
Frederick Melander (ex-BATHORY) – bass
Tickets for the festival are available through the festival’s official website, more.com, as well as Metal Era and Monsterville in Athens, and The Nephilim Store in Thessaloniki.
