British rock festival Sonisphere has been canceled, organizers said Thursday.

The event in Knebworth Park, England had been scheduled to run from July 6-8.

"It is with very heavy hearts and much regret that we announce the cancellation of Sonisphere Knebworth 2012," organizers said in a statement. They said putting on the event was being done "in what is proving to be a very challenging year" and was more difficult than anticipated."

"Unfortunately circumstances have dictated that we would be unable to run the festival to a standard that both the artists and that Sonisphere's audience would rightly expect," they said.

Sonisphere said ticket holders will automatically receive a full refund direct from their ticket agents.

Bands at the event had been expected to include Queen, Kiss, and Faith No More.

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Queen, KISS