Priest to rule Donington again

Midlands heavy metal legends Judas Priest have been added to the bill at this year's three-day Download Festival.

Priest, who are currently in the studio recording a concept album about the 16th century French seer Nostrodamus, will be special guests at the Castle Donington event in June.

It will be the second time they have appeared at Donington, considered the spiritual home of British rock, after they played at the first ever Monsters Of Rock festival at the venue in 1980.

Priest, now reunited with singer Rob Halford, were formed in the early 1970s, drawing members from West Bromwich, Walsall and the Stafford area.

They went on to have worldwide success with hit singles including Breaking The Law and Living After Midnight as well as albums such as British Steel, Defenders of the Faith and Angel Of Retribution.

Judas Priest's 2005 reunion tour included a sell-out hometown show at Birmingham's NEC Arena, supported by The Scorpions. Their line-up is Rob Halford (vocals), KK Downing (guitar), Glenn Tipton (guitar), Ian Hill (bass) and Scott Travis (drums).

This year's Download festival will take place on June 13-15. Headliners are Kiss, The Offspring and Lost Prophets, with other groups taking part including Motorhead, Chris Cornell and Bullet For My Valentine.

Weekend tickets cost from £130. For more details go to www.downloadfestival.co.uk