FESTIVAL organisers have revealed the final 24 bands playing Sonisphere 2011 at Knebworth House this summer.

Sonic Boom Six, The Defiled and Black Spiders lead the final charge of bands set to storm the stages of the three-day music extravaganza in July.

The Defiled – making their third appearance at Sonisphere Knebworth – and Black Spiders both take Jagermeister stage headline slots.

“We’re ecstatic that we will be headlining the Jager stage on the Friday at this year’s Sonisphere Festival,” said The Defiled’s keyboard player The AvD.

“To be invited back again and to be playing the same day as the Big 4 is gonna be amazing!”

The three-day rock and metal festival returns to the Hertfordshire stately home from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10.

Charismatic Black Spiders frontman Pete Spiby said: “We’re honoured and privileged to be playing Sonisphere again this year, this time headlining the Jager stage.

“Our relationship with the noble rock audience continues to delight and amaze us. Anyone who is anyone is going to be there.”

Joining The Defiled on the Friday are toga-clad metal warriors Hammer of the Gods, Seattle thrashers Black Breath, London rockers Slam Cartel, pop-punk/hardcore quintet Decade and new UK old-school punk revivalists Flats.

On the Saturday, Marshall Ultimate Band winners Sons of Icarus kick off proceedings on the Jagermeister stage, with new Californian classic rock sensations Rival Sons also putting in an appearance.

Joining the UK Sonisphere bill on the Sunday are progressive metallers The Safety Fire, groove metallers Panic Cell, Reading post-hardcore mob Exit Ten and Northern Irish alt-rockers Mojo Fury.

Sonic Boom Six will headline the Red Bull stage on the Sunday, joining some of rock and metal’s biggest names at Knebworth.

Other Red Bull Bedroom Jam additions include British post-hardcore trio Young Legionnaire, Brooklyn hardcore maniacs Cerebral Ballzy, dance rockers Innerpartysystem and Welsh thrash newcomers Revoker on the Saturday.

“It’s amazing to be a part of such an awesome line-up,” said Revoker bass player Shane Phillips.

“You’ve only got to look at the bands playing Sonisphere this year to know that it’s going to be something special, and we’re very excited to be a part of that.”

Sunday will see an appearance from Bedford post-hardcore popsters Don Broco and a headline set from ska-punk-hip-hop fusionists Sonic Boom Six.

The last five acts for Bohemia come in the shape of all-girl LA rock troupe Cherri Bomb, US alt-rockers Anberline, Bristol electro-rockers Turbowolf, alt-rock duo Blood Red Shoes and Sheffield hardcore heroes While She Sleeps.

As previously reported on www.whtimes24.co.uk, thrash metal’s Big 4 of Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax will rock the main Apollo stage to its very core on the opening day.

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro will headline on the Saturday night, while American metallers Slipknot will return to these shores to close the festival on the Sunday.

Also playing the festival are Limp Bizkit, The Mars Volta, Weezer, The Sisters of Mercy, Mot�rhead and You Me At Six.

On the comedy front, Bill Bailey will headline the outdoor Saturn stage on the Sunday, with the likes of Steve-O and Sean Hughes also appearing over the weekend in the Bohemia tent.

Weekend camping tickets for the UK leg of Sonisphere are available from www.sonispherefestivals.com – click on the Sonisphere Festival link above.

Day tickets have not yet gone on sale.