Hundred Reasons are set to play their Ideas Above Our Station album in full at Sonisphere this summer as The Yoyos, Mixhell, Messenger, Dripback, Calling All Cars, Protafield and Blaas Of Glory also join the bill.

Back in 2012 a reformed Hundred Reasons were scheduled to play at Knebworth before the event was cancelled. Roll on two years to a chance meeting between Team Sonisphere's Alan Day and guitarist Larry Hibbitt in a bar. Larry politely asked Alan why they weren't on the 2014 Sonisphere line-up. Alan had no answer and so promptly gave them the final slot on the Saturn Stage.

"The cancelled Sonisphere of 2012 left a big hole in that summer for us. So when our shorts-wearing, crowd-surfing, festival-promoting comrade Alan Day came up with a slot for us this year we just couldn't say no. Don't get used to this. We say no A LOT so this is not going to happen often, if ever. But when it makes sense it makes sense and we're there," says Larry.

Also added are Ex-The Wildhearts bassist Danny McCormack's  rock'n'roll outfit The Yoyos, who admits he's "counting the days to play". Taking over the Bohemia Stage late on the Friday night are rocktronica trio Mixhell with live percussion from ex-Sepultura sticksman Iggor Cavalera.

Then there's folk-fused five-piece Messenger who mix in progressive psychedelia and London loud-louts Dripback making their Sonisphere debut, with their only UK festival appearance this summer.

"This is gonna be immense, we can't wait." says bassist Adam Da Rat. "Metallica and Maiden together for the first time, dozens of the most awesome bands ever, Chas & Dave, a World War 1 Dog Fight... I was wondering how this could get any better, and now we get to play too."

Melbourne rock trio Calling All Cars had one response to us booking them: "Holy fuck we are playing Sonisphere." Industrial punks Protafield also join the party, with an album out next week featuring guest appearances from Queen's Roger Taylor and fellow Sonisphere artist Gary Numan. 

Finally, heavy metal marching band Blaas Of Glory bring their unique approach to covers to Knebworth. Roaming around the festival they'll assault unsuspecting metalheads with classic hits such as "Running With The Devil', "The Final Countdown' and "Highway To Hell', armed with sousaphone, saxophone, flute, glockenspiel, banjo, accordion, acoustic guitars, snare and bass drums.