Bloodstock Open Air organizers have issued the following update:

"BOA 2008 announces revolutionary initiative working with Metal promoters, venues and media to bring the cream of the Unsigned and Emerging Metal bands from all over the UK - from Lands End to John O' Groats and all major towns in between..with 30 slots up for grabs...it's going to be huge!

Calling all Venues and Promoters! Metal To The Masses is here! Do you want to put on a series of 4 officially endorsed Bloodstock Metal Festival Nights at your venue? By working with BOA 2008 as a fully accredited Promoter Partner, you can offer a performance slot at BOA 2008 as the ultimate prize.

The format?

Pretty simple...

You choose 12 bands that you would be happy representing your area as THE best Metal act around. Over a series of 3 heats each containing 4 bands, 3 winners emerge. The winners along your own wildcard selection from the remaining 9 acts play a BOA 2008 Showcase event. The Showcase is filmed and featured on www.bloodstock.uk.com and "put to the vote". The band that receives the most support will DEFINITELY play at BOA 2008. Votes are strictly restricted to one per pc. With all the major metal media on board and all our industry colleagues working together, the profile will be huge and it's yet another comprehensive way that the unsigned sector is supported in the true ethos of Bloodstock with selection "by the fans for the fans".

The 30 showcase events will all happen on different nights across the UK throughout the Autumn and Winter months, allowing fans to attend as many as they can. With an Easter deadline for all votes to be in, winners and the venue/ promoter/ area they represent will then be embraced as part of the official marketing and press campaign as we steam into the Festival season."

More info here.

The Bloodstock Open Air festival 2008 will takes place at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England, Friday, August 15th through Sunday, August 17th, 2008. Confirmed acts currently include DIMMU BORGIR, MOONSORROW and SWALLOW THE SUN.