System of a Down reunite to headline Download

System of a Down will headline Download 2011 with Avenged Sevenfold also confirmed.

Download Festival organisers today confirmed that System of a Down, the Grammy award winning US-Armenian rock group who are reuniting next year for a series of live dates are to headline the ninth Download Festival, held over the weekend of Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June 2011 at Donington Park.

Their heavily politicised brand of rock has seen System of a Down sell in excess of 20 million albums worldwide. The band released five albums between 1998 and 2005, which spawned the singles and rock club staples 'Suite-Pee', 'Chop Suey', 'Toxicity', 'B.Y.O.B.' and 'Hypnotize'. Their subject matter marked them apart from the other rock and metal acts dominating the late 90s and early 2000's, with topics ranging from genocide, Armenian and world politics. Having been away for five years, this reunion at Download will be one of the most talked about events of the rock and metal calendar.

In a statement today the band said, "We are excited to announce that System will be playing some dates together in 2011. We also want to thank you for your loyalty and support, not only to System Of A Down, but to all of our solo efforts as well. We have no master plan of sorts – we are playing these shows simply because we want to play together again as a band and for you, our amazing fans. We look forward to seeing all of you.

It has also been confirmed that American heavy metallers Avenged Sevenfold will perform at next year's Download. Avenged Sevenfold's performance follows their previous appearance at the festival in 2006.

Live Nation's VP of Promotions Andy Copping said, "After the huge success of this year's Download, where over 100,000 fans came to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Donington, I am pleased to say that Download 2011 is already shaping up to have another stellar line up.

"To have the mighty System of a Down headlining next year after a 5 year break is just fantastic, they're a world class band and I'm personally very excited to have them on the bill. Also, Avenged Sevenfold agreeing to come back and play at Download after the runaway success of their recent sold-out UK tour is a real privilege...they are a future Download headliner for sure.

"We've got loads more to come over the next few months so watch this space, this is just a very small tip of a very big iceberg!! - and make sure you grab your tickets as we are not increasing the price for 2011, so the prices are the same as what we had this year."

A limited amount of weekend with camping tickets for the Download Festival 2011, will go on sale at 9am Friday 3 December and eFestivals will have links to buy them then.

This 'early bird' offer ends 5pm Monday 20 December, and includes 3 day and 5 day camping options. Organisers have also confirmed that prices will remain the same for Download 2011 as they were in 2010.

Weekend arena tickets with 3 nights camping will be priced at £170, a five nights camping weekend ticket will be priced at £180, and a weekend only ticket without camping will be priced at £140. Lockers, car parking, and campervan supplements will also be available.

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