Rock metal band System of a Down will headline Download Festival for the third time, organisers have announced.

The group will be joined at the top of the bill by rock stalwarts Aerosmith and Scottish group Biffy Clyro.

Armenian-American group System of a Down previously headlined the festival in Leicestershire’s Donington Park in 2005 and 2011, while Aerosmith played in 2010.

Also playing the rock and metal festival will be pop punk veterans Simple Plan and Californian thrash metal group Slayer.

The energy and atmosphere there is always electric

System of a Down said: “It’ll have been a couple of years since our memorable Wake Up the Souls show at Wembley, so returning to the UK to headline Download, a festival we always love to play, is really exciting for us.

“The energy and atmosphere there is always electric.”

Joe Perry, of Aerosmith, said: “Every time we go on tour I look at the schedule for cities, towns or events that I look forward to playing. Download Festival is always one of the ones I circle. Donington is like home to us.

“I have some great memories playing there and I can’t wait to make some more.”

Download Festival 2017 will take place between June 9 and June 11.

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