Catton Park

BLOODSTOCK REVEAL ‘METAL 2 THE MASSES’ FINALS DATES AND FIRST BANDS FOR 2023’s NEW BLOOD STAGE

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As Spring settles in, BLOODSTOCK HQ is a hive of activity.  This week’s announcement sees the first bands announced for the New Blood stage, and the dates are set for the Finals of 2023’s METAL 2 THE MASSES programme, BLOODSTOCK’s celebrated initiative to help developing bands score a landmark opportunity, playing a slot on the New Blood stage at the festival in August.  Some winners are chosen from online submissions, whereas others battle it out among their peers at local events across the country. This year, 29 different regions have stepped up and we also welcome initiatives from Croatia and Poland to the programme. 

The finals kick off this Saturday 29th April at Leicester’s O2 Academy and roll through to Saturday 8th July at Oxford’s Jericho Tavern.  Full dates are detailed below, so be sure to get out and support both bands and venues near you. 

Sat 29th Apr – LEICESTER O2 Academy
Sat 6th May – EDINBURGH La Belle Angele
Fri 12th May – BELFAST Voodoo 
Sat 13th May – DUBLIN Fibber Magees
Sat 20th May – SHEFFIELD Corporation
Sat 20th May – MANCHESTER Rebellion
Thu 25th May – NORWICH Brickmakers
Sat 27th May – MILTON KEYNES Craufurd Arms
Sat 27th May – LEEDS The Library
Sat 3rd Jun – LONDON The Dome
Sat 3rd Jun – NEWCASTLE Trillians
Sat 3rd Jun – OSIJEK (Croatia) Ex-Epic
Sat 10th Jun – CHORZOW (Poland) Lesniczowka Rock n’ Roll Cafe
Fri 16th Jun – COLCHESTER Coda
Sat 17th Jun – GRAVESEND Leo’s, Red Lion
Fri 23rd Jun – BIRMINGHAM Devils Dog
Sat 24th Jun – HITCHIN Club 85
Sat 24th Jun – WREXHAM XS @ The Penny Black
Sat 24th Jun – BRISTOL The ExchangeFri 30th Jun – BOURNEMOUTH Bear Cave
Fri 30th Jun – CHELTENHAM Frog & Fiddle
Sat 1st Jul – BURNLEY Sanctuary
Sat 1st Jul – STOKE The Underground
Sat 1st Jul – NORTHAMPTON The Black Prince
Sat 1st Jul – LIVERPOOL Zanzibar
Sat 1st Jul – CARDIFF Fuel
Sat 8th Jul – NOTTINGHAM The Old Cold Store
Sat 8th Jul – SALTASH Livewire
Sat 8th Jul – OXFORD Jericho Tavern
Meanwhile, grabbing New Blood slots via the online submission process are these lucky acts.
Joining Friday’s New Blood stage are London’s LOKUST.  Their ferocious, instrumental demo single, ‘Guiltless’ (featuring Krimh – Septicflesh/ex-Decapitated) only hints at what’s to come when they release their debut album this year.  Also appearing Friday will be Stoke On Trent’s self-described “heavy as fuck” trio, HEADPRESS. Get a taster of their brutal triple attack via the video for ‘Outlines’. And joining Friday’s fray are Yorkshire UKHC squad, STREET SOLDIER. Check out the crunchy uncompromising title track from their debut ‘One Man Gang’ EP.

For Saturday’s New Blood stage, we welcome South Wales black metal collective OFNUS. Watch out for the band’s debut full length coming this Summer and meanwhile get a taster of their bleak, brutal sound.  Also featured on Saturday will be riff-laden Manchester metal trio, VICE. Their second album, ‘For The Fallen’ was released last summer – watch their video for ‘Vultures’ here. 

Irish doomsters SOOTHSAYER also land themselves a Saturday slot. Get familiar with their glorious, atmospheric noise via the video for ‘Cities Of Smoke’, taken from their album ‘Echoes Of The Earth’. Last, but certainly not least, Danish modern death metal squad NAKKEKNAEKKER join Saturday’s line up. For a five piece with the average age of 18, these boys have skills beyond their years. Check out this clip of their live show.

Over on Sunday’s New Blood stage, you’ll be seeing East Anglian thrashers ELIMINATION. The band’s 2021 debut, ‘Echoes of the Abyss’ turned many heads and the band are at work on its successor, due out this year.  In the interim, watch their video for ‘Icon of Despair’. 

Also grabbing a slot are Northern Ireland rock trio, SKYPILOT. The band’s latest album, ‘Simple Beasts’, laden with fat riffs, landed last Summer, featuring the track, ‘Octofuzz’. And Nottingham extreme noise terrorists OUTERGODS grab a Sunday spot. Featuring members of Evil Scarecrow and Raised By Owls, the band are working on a new album that’ll land this Summer.  In the meantime investigate their ungodly ‘Catacombs of Madness’.  
BLOODSTOCK’s very popular club nights are also underway! Grab your mates, hit the dance floor, and perhaps you’ll be a lucky winner coming home with a free pair of weekend tickets – every club night will be running a competition! If none of these are near you, fret not, there will be more party nights at other locations through June and July revealed soon.
APRILFri 28th April – Warrington, FC2Fri 28th April – Cardiff, Metro’sSat 29th April – Camberley, AgincourtSat 29th April – Stoke-on-Trent, The Sugarmill
MAYSat 6th May – Brighton, AboveFri 12th May – Bristol, The LanesSat 20th May – Newcastle, Reds Bar @ Northumbria Uni Students UnionFri 27th May – London, ElektrowerkzSat 27th May – Southampton, SuburbiaSat 27th May – Stoke-on-Trent, The SugarmillSun 28th May – Exeter, The Cavern

BLOODSTOCK’S EASTER UPDATE

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With 135 days to go to BLOODSTOCK, are we allowed to start a countdown yet?! Spring is officially here and though the festival has some disappointing news to share first, there is also a plethora of excellent news and lots more still to reveal while we’re (im)patiently waiting for August to roll around. You can also tune in to the next Facebook Live on Thursday, 6th April at 7pm. We can’t promise festival management will be wearing Easter bunny ears, but we can promise some Easter goodies. Keep an eye out on BLOODSTOCK’s socials next week too for a little Easter competition…!
Unfortunately, we have to share that both Nonpoint and DevilDriver have pulled out of the festival this summer. Putting on a festival involves a lot of moving parts, and BLOODSTOCK is as disappointed and frustrated as its audience when things crop up which the festival has no control over – after all, BLOODSTOCK wants to deliver the very best possible festival for you and works hard year round to curate an stellar line-up. Dez from DevilDriver has shared the following message and we wish Dez all the best with his continuing recovery. 
BLOODSTOCK is delighted to announce that the legendary, Norwegian black metal icon  ABBATH will step in to fill the breach on Saturday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage. Rarely in the UK, and not at BLOODSTOCK since Immortal’s headline slot in 2011, this is certifiably a set not to be missed!! ABBATH declares, “We’re really looking forward to be coming back to the UK to shake the Bloodstock foundation. It’s been way too long!” Get up to speed with this full stream of latest release ‘Dread Reaver’, out now via Season Of Mist, or watch the video for ‘Dream Cull.’ Better hone your meme skills, too. 
With Nonpoint dropping out, the previously announced, almighty BOSSK are moving up the Sophie Lancaster stage bill to takeover their slot, and BLOODSTOCK can also reveal the addition of crossover thrash beasts PEST CONTROL to keep your heads bangin’. Trot over to Bandcamp to investigate their tunes, including latest release ‘Don’t Test The Pest’, released just last month. 
The festival is more than just bands though! BLOODSTOCK is excited to welcome the UK’s biggest rock and metal fitness company ROCKFIT for the first time! Renowned for an amalgamation of cardio, dance, and some serious body-sculpting set to a pure rock and metal playlist for those that like it loud, if you’re not sleeping in then ROCKFIT will be the perfect way to shake off the night before and limber you up for the pit! Squatting to Slayer, singing your lungs out, and even the occasional viking row, there will be a 45-minute open air class kicking off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday  in the main arena at 10:15am! RockFit @ Bloodstock is going to be a seriously unique festival fitness experience for metal fans by metal fans to leave you feeling energised and fit for the pit! 
If the ROCKFIT workout gets you hot under the collar, then BLOODSTOCK also has the perfect thing to cool things down. BLACK ICE-CREAM is back!
Suitable for all ages and a refreshing ginger and lemon flavour, it’ll be available in the main arena all festival. Possibly the perfect summer accessory for you to watch ABBATH’s unholy set with?

BLOODSTOCK WELCOME BOSSK TO THE SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

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Bossk!

Following the unfortunate news that ska-punkers RUSSKAJA have called it a day, and will therefore no longer be performing at BLOODSTOCK this summer, BLOODSTOCK is pleased to tell you who will be stepping into their slot… 

This enigmatic and experimental band formed in 2005 but it was eleven years before their debut ‘Audio Noir’ saw light of day through Deathwish Inc and exploded them into post-metal’s most respected echelons. Despite nods to Neurosis and Converge, this distinctive, atmospheric five-piece remain hard to pigeonhole, and continue to display their bone-crushing heaviness on latest album ‘Migration‘, which also features a guest spot from Cult Of Luna’s Johannes Persson on the single ‘Menhir‘. This Sophie Lancaster stage slot on Friday will be filled by none other than the mighty BOSSK!

BOSSK said, “It’s been a fair few years since we last played at Bloodstock. When we played the first time we were a little apprehensive about how we would go down at a predominantly fast metal festival, but the response was incredible. And even better the next time. To play in 2023 is going to be incredible, and to see the festival continue to grow is a great thing for the UK music scene. Thank you to everyone involved for having us back, we can’t wait. Hail the riff.

BLOODSTOCK reveal TRIPTYKON performing CELTIC FROST, and more

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Following on from the bonanza 15-band announcement earlier this week, BLOODSTOCK has some more news to share about 2023’s event. 

In these rapidly changing times, unfortunately Saturday’s special guest Anthrax have pulled out of their slot. With regret, the band have issued a brief statement saying, “Due to logistical issues beyond our control Anthrax will no longer be appearing at Bloodstock 2023.” 

Anthrax leave some big boots to fill but BLOODSTOCK is confident that their replacement is more than up to the task. Joining the 2023 line-up as Saturday’s special guests on the Ronnie James Dio main stage, will be the iconic metal pioneers, TRIPTYKON. In an unmissable UK exclusive performance, they’ll be treating BLOODSTOCK to a CELTIC FROST set. Warm your neck up with the stone cold Celtic Frost classic, ‘Circle Of The Tyrants’. 

Tom Gabriel Warrior comments, “It was audiences and media in the UK who first embraced Celtic Frost’s music in the mid-1980s and gave this band a history and career. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here as the musician I have become. Moreover, we have also been very fortunate with Triptykon to be granted an equally warm welcome every time we have played the UK. This is particularly true for our past appearances at Bloodstock. It is thus truly a special honour and pleasure for us to have been asked by Bloodstock to play this unique Celtic Frost-themed concert at Bloodstock 2023. There will be many memories and emotions.”

What songs will they play? Check out the Top 10 Celtic Frost songs according to Paradise Lost’s Nick Holmes here. You’ll have to come along to find out which songs make the cut! If you need to brush up on your Celtic Frost ahead of time, why not pop the new ‘Danse Macabre’ box set on your Christmas list, which includes their complete recordings between 1984-1987 and have a read of this recent interview with The Guardian.

BLOODSTOCK would also like to thank all the 2022 BLOODSTOCKers for supporting the festival’s efforts to be a little greener. BLOODSTOCK is delighted to state its officially certified as ‘A Greener Festival 2022 – Improvers’; particularly commended in the ‘external reach’ and ‘local community impact’ categories. A Greener Festival said, “Improvers signifies great strides on the green event journey, with continued improvements, and shows your event exhibits a significant engagement with the process of reducing negative environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts. Bloodstock have demonstrated a passionate drive for a greener event with a focus on best practice going forwards. The team have shown excellent efforts and a clear determination to continue to improve, to protect the environment and enhance positive stakeholder connections. The whole AGF team are very grateful for the achievements of certified events, and again we thank you wholeheartedly for your efforts and actions to make the global event industry greener, and striving for AGF Certification.” BLOODSTOCK also wanted to share, that in conjunction with Fat Franks, following on from the Tent Amnesty points and a site-wide salvage of reusable camping equipment, 90% was able to be redistributed, with some spare tent fabric even being used on the Nottingham Trent University sustainable fashion project, and some other equipment including chairs/gazebos going to the Scouts. BLOODSTOCK looks forward to continuing its greener efforts with your help in 2023.

Buying someone a BLOODSTOCK e-ticket as a Christmas gift? You can download a free, bespoke Christmas card via the link at the top of the ticket store page. Browse a full range of BLOODSTOCK merch here including the new special edition luxury hoodie and super soft BOA blanket, perfect now it’s getting colder! You’re still in time to order for pre-Christmas delivery! To buy weekend tickets, visit the ticket store. VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. 

If you prefer, you can now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your standard weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the scheme here.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, TROLLFEST, SKYND, WARKINGS, FROZEN SOUL, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT, TRIBE OF GHOSTS, DAKESIS, THE ENIGMA DIVISION, THE GREY, EYES, TUSKAR, STENGAH, OVERTHRONE, TORTURED DEMON, CASKET FEEDER, and ZETRA. Many more are yet to be announced. 

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK reveals Thursday line-up + 10 more for the Sophie Lancaster stage

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After just last week revealing their final headliner, MESHUGGAH and special guests, HELLOWEEN joining the bill, BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce even more bands for 2023, including the entire Thursday eve, opening party night line up!!

Headlining Thursday night on the Sophie Lancaster big top stage are hotly tipped, industrial goth duo, SKYND.  Also bringing the noise once you’ve set up your tent and cracked your first beer are power metal outfit WARKINGS, Texan death metal squad FROZEN SOUL, post-nu-core parody five piece, THE VIOLENT INZIDENT and opening the afternoon’s proceedings are Brighton M2TM alumni, TRIBE OF GHOSTS. 

Also joining are a slew of bands filling out the Sophie Lancaster stage line up across the weekend.  On Friday, expect to see the likes of avant garde goth duo ZETRA, Birmingham prog metal squad DAKESIS and THE ENIGMA DIVISION (feat. former Xerath guitarist, Conor McGouran).  Landing a slot on Saturday are thrashcore 4-pce TORTURED DEMON,  Cambridge post-rock trio THE GREY, Danish heavyists EYES and death metal/hardcore fusionists CASKET FEEDER.  Rounding out the bill on Sunday will be psych/doom outfit TUSKAR, French riffmonsters STENGAH and Brum metalcore gang OVERTHRONE. 

You can also now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme. With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it much more manageable to pay for your weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the scheme here.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, and TROLLFEST. Many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever for 2023, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. Grab your weekend tickets now at the ticket store.  

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK welcomes MESHUGGAH and HELLOWEEN

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BLOODSTOCK is renowned for being for the fans, by the fans. HQ listens hard all year round to which bands BLOODSTOCKers want to see at the festival, so this announcement is sure to be a crowd pleaser, adding two of the most heavily requested acts as a new main stage headliner and as a special guest.  If that seals the deal for ordering your tickets, don’t forget the ticket deposit scheme has now launched, letting you spread payment over six instalments. Without further ado… 

BLOODSTOCK’s Saturday night Ronnie James Dio main stage headliner will be the most excellent, Swedish tech metal legends MESHUGGAH; their very first time headlining the festival.  If you’ve never caught them live before, you are in for a treat. Come and see why they are so respected!  The band’s most recent album ‘Immutable’ landed earlier this year, spawning the epic video for ‘I Am That Thirst’, which you can check out here.

Secondly, the revered German power metallers HELLOWEEN, swoop into Sunday’s main stage special guest spot. Check out their video for ‘Best Time’ – taken from last year’s self-titled album – which features a guest appearance from Arch Enemy’s Alissa White-Gluz. Markus Grosskopf, bass player & founding member of HELLOWEEN, can’t wait and explains why… “Playing the UK is always something special for us. Back in 1989, the energy and dedication of the British fans was the decisive reason for us to record our first live album ‘Live in the UK’ there, instead of any other country in the world. Our headlining shows in May 2022 once more proved why the UK is the cradle of metal!”

You can also now sign up for the very popular ticket Deposit Scheme!  With payments spread across 6 monthly instalments, it makes it more manageable to pay for your weekend ticket. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul. Sign up to the scheme here.

In case you missed it, the grass roots music-supporting METAL 2 THE MASSES 2023 programme has begun! If you’re a self-released or unsigned band, throw your hat in the ring to land a slot on BLOODSTOCK’s New Blood stage next August. Regions include MERSEYSIDE (Liverpool), BURNLEY, OXFORD, EAST ANGLIA (Norwich), NORTHANTS (Northampton), CHELTENHAM, BIRMINGHAM, CHESTERFIELD, NORTHERN IRELAND (Belfast), REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Dublin), SHEFFIELD, HITCHIN, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES, BOURNEMOUTH, LEEDS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ESSEX (Colchester), KENT (Gravesend), BRISTOL, NORTH WALES (Wrexham), LEICESTER, STOKE ON TRENT, SOUTH WALES (Cardiff), NOTTINGHAM, DEVON & CORNWALL (Saltash), SCOTLAND (heats locally, final in Edinburgh), and LONDON. Not only that, this year, BLOODSTOCK also welcomes back POLAND and NORWAY events and is thrilled to bring in the former Yugoslavia countries, which will be hosting inaugural heats in SLOVENIA, CROATIA, SERBIA and MACEDONIA. The final will be held at the Lomljenje Metalom Open Air event in Croatia.  Full details of all venues and who to contact to enter in each region, can be found here or on Facebook. Heats kick off very soon – apply NOW so you don’t miss out!

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are rounded out by none other than KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and MEGADETH. Also appearing are IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, SEETHING AKIRA, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, URNE, ALL HAIL THE YETI, DEAD LABEL, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL, BROTHERS OF METAL, GUTALAX, UUHAI, INVISIONS, COBRA THE IMPALER, and TROLLFEST. Many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever for 2023, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. Grab your weekend tickets now at the ticket store.  

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK confirms 12 more bands for 2023 + deposit scheme

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BLOODSTOCK is hurtling towards the Xmas season at a rapid pace, but planning for August 2023 is still in full swing. The Deposit Scheme is also ready to go, so if you’ve not already grabbed your ticket, secure yours now by signing up and make paying for your ticket a little more manageable. First though, here’s twelve new bands to get you excited for next August…

Landing a slot on Friday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage are Bay Area thrash icons SACRED REICH. Having dropped ‘Awakening’ in 2019, their first studio album in 23 years, they’ve wasted no time since 2021 hitting the road (most recently with Sepultura). Check out the rifftastic video for the album’s title track here. BLOODSTOCK also welcomes HEAVEN SHALL BURN, in their first ever UK festival appearance! The well respected German metalheads are warming up for BLOODSTOCK touring with Trivium in early 2023. Watch the video for ‘Übermacht’ to get in the mood, from their album ‘Of Truth And Sacrifice.’ Also bagging a Friday main stage slot are electro nu-core squad, SEETHING AKIRA, whose new album ‘Nozuki’ just landed. Get up to speed on their sound via the lyric video for ‘Punishment Instructions’. 

Saturday’s main stage sees NOLA swamp kings CROWBAR join the fray. Having released their latest album, ‘Zero And Below’ earlier this year to much acclaim, expect to hear brand new tracks like ‘Bleeding From Every Hole’ alongside their classic riffs. Also snagging a Saturday slot are hotly tipped London metal trio, URNE. Snapped up by Candlelight Records, wrap your ears around their killer track ‘Desolate Heart’ if you’re not yet familiar with them. You’re welcome.

Sunday on the RJD main stage sees the return of ALL HAIL THE YETI, after having to cancel their 2022 appearance due to unforeseen circumstances. The SoCal sludgemeisters released their latest collection, ‘Within The Hollow Earth’ last November, featuring the fan favourite, ‘Headless Valley’. Also grabbing a Sunday main stage slot are rising metal squad DEAD LABEL, who are fast becoming festival favourites. Check out their video for ‘R.E.D’ to see them rocking those crowds! Lastly on Sunday, we welcome UUHAI, all the way to Catton Park’s main stage from Mongolia! Watch their cinematic video for ‘Uuhai’ here.

There’s plenty of action over at the Sophie Lancaster stage too. Friday welcomes heavy Swedes BROTHERS OF METAL. Perhaps they’ll treat us all to a live rendition of ‘Yggdrasil’, from their ‘Prophecy of Ragnarok’ album? They’re also recording a new album right now! Gore grind merchants GUTALAX jet in from the Czech Republic to liven up your Saturday and the video for their track ‘Shitbusters’ is sure to put a smile on your face. Not slacking off as the weekend draws to a close, Sunday adds supergroup COBRA THE IMPALER. Not one to miss, see what they’re all about via the absorbing video for ‘Mountains’, from their ‘Colossal Gods’ album and then go listen to the rest of it! Joining them on Sunday are North Yorkshire’s INVISIONS, bringing a welcome dose of melodic metalcore/post-hardcore, potentially including the track ‘Annihilist’ from their album ‘Deadlock’, out now. 

This coming Monday 21st November, the very popular Deposit Scheme will be available for sign ups! Payments are spread across 6 months, making it even more manageable to pay for your ticket in instalments. An initial payment of £34.50 is due upon sign up (which you can do at any time before 21st Feb), then five additional payments of £27.50 will debit your bank account on 28 Mar, 28 Apr, 29 May, 28 Jun, with a final instalment on 28 Jul, which will include postage. Sign up to the scheme here.

In addition, the grass roots music-supporting METAL 2 THE MASSES 2023 programme is underway and has added even more locations! If you’re a self-released or unsigned band, throw your hat in the ring to land a slot on BLOODSTOCK’s New Blood stage next August. The new regions include MERSEYSIDE (Liverpool), BURNLEY, OXFORD, EAST ANGLIA (Norwich), NORTHANTS (Northampton), CHELTENHAM and BIRMINGHAM, to add to the previously announced CHESTERFIELD, NORTHERN IRELAND (Belfast), REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Dublin), SHEFFIELD, HITCHIN, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES, BOURNEMOUTH, LEEDS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ESSEX (Colchester), KENT (Gravesend), BRISTOL, NORTH WALES (Wrexham), LEICESTER, STOKE ON TRENT, SOUTH WALES (Cardiff), NOTTINGHAM, DEVON & CORNWALL (Saltash), SCOTLAND (heats locally, final in Edinburgh) and LONDON. Not only that, this year, BLOODSTOCK is excited to welcome back Poland and Norway events and thrilled to bring in the former Yugoslavia countries, which will be hosting inaugural heats in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. The final will be held at the Lomljenje Metalom Open Air event in Croatia.  Full details of all venues and who to contact to enter in each region, can be found here or on Facebook. Heats kick off very soon – apply NOW so you don’t miss out!

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and MEGADETH, with the third to be announced in the coming months. Also appearing are IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, ANTHRAX, BIOHAZARD, SEPULTURA, WHITECHAPEL, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, UGLY KID JOE, DECAPITATED, GATECREEPER, ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810, UNTO OTHERS, NONPOINT, CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL and TROLLFEST. Many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever for 2-23, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out. Grab your weekend tickets now at the ticket store.  

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK shares nine more bands for 2023!

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As we head into Halloween territory, BLOODSTOCK has dropped an absolute face slasher of a band announcement!  Here’s the latest on what’s coming to Catton Park in 2023!

Swedish metal luminaries IN FLAMES land themselves Friday’s special guest slot on the Ronnie James Dio main stage. Last month, the band dropped a music video for new track, ‘Foregone Pt. 1’, taken from their forthcoming album, ‘Foregone’ which is set for release in Feb 2023. Perhaps BLOODSTOCKers will get to hear some new tunes live!

Saturday’s RJD main stage special guests are the mighty ANTHRAX!  2021 marked the band’s 40th Anniversary and to celebrate, they recorded the ‘XL’ livestream which was released digitally this Summer (and will be available on BluRay later this year). Check out their performance of ‘Aftershock’ here.

Also grabbing main stage slots on Sunday are Brazilian metal icons SEPULTURA, who recently played an incredible set at this year’s Rock In Rio together with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and Cali alt rock squad UGLY KID JOE, who release their new album, ‘Rad Wings Of Destiny’ later this month.  Check out ‘That Ain’t Livin’, the lead track from that record, for all the AC/DC vibes.

Headlining the Sophie Lancaster big top stage on Friday are deathcore frontrunners WHITECHAPEL, who released their most recent album ‘Kin’ last October, investigate that here.  Florida heavy rock squad NONPOINT, who dropped a high octane video for new track, ‘Paper Tigers’ recently, and Norwegian folk metal maniacs TROLLFEST also join the bill on Friday.  Be sure to bring a ‘Pina Colada’ for those guys! 

NY hardcore legends BIOHAZARD are set to headline Sunday night on the Sophie stage, with their original line up!  Check out their monster landmark track, ‘Tales From The Hard Side’ taken from their classic ‘State of The World Address’ album.  Also landing a Sunday slot are retro sounds from the brothers and sisters of the CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL.  If you’re not yet aware, get a handle on their 70s psych rock with the video for ‘Sorcery & Sabotage’. 

In addition, the grass roots music-supporting METAL 2 THE MASSES 2023 programme is underway!  If you’re a self-released or unsigned band, throw your hat in the ring to land a slot on BLOODSTOCK’s New Blood stage next August. Regions announced so far are: CHESTERFIELD, NORTHERN IRELAND (Belfast), REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Dublin), SHEFFIELD, HITCHIN, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES, BOURNEMOUTH, LEEDS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ESSEX (Colchester), KENT (Gravesend), BRISTOL, NORTH WALES (Wrexham), LEICESTER, STOKE ON TRENT, SOUTH WALES (Cardiff), NOTTINGHAM, DEVON & CORNWALL (Saltash), SCOTLAND (heats locally, final in Edinburgh) and LONDON. Full details of venues and who to contact to enter in each region, can be found here or on Facebook.  Heats kick off soon!

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and MEGADETH, with the third to be announced in the coming months.  Also appearing are DEVILDRIVER, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, DECAPITATED and GATECREEPER, plus over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, expect to see ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810 and UNTO OTHERS.  Many, many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out and Early Bird tickets are down to their last few, at a discounted price. Grab yours now at the ticket store.  

Get full festival information at bloodstock.uk.com.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. 

BLOODSTOCK Festival launches M2TM 2023 across the UK & Ireland

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It’s that time again already, when BLOODSTOCK kicks off its grass roots-supporting ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme, which gives unsigned and DIY bands the chance of being part of the BLOODSTOCK festival experience.  

M2TM 2022 was without doubt the biggest BLOODSTOCK New Blood initiative to date and the festival managed to capture the bands, the fans, and grab a chat with a few of the promoters hosting the events, alongside chief M2TM organiser Simon Hall.  Check out the ‘Highway To BLOODSTOCK’ video below and get a handle on another phenomenally successful year for the initiative. 

Plans are already locked with many local promoters and BLOODSTOCK is set to track down the hottest new metal talent in the land, who’ll grab themselves slots on the New Blood stage across festival weekend in August 2023.  21 regions are secured so far, with more locations expected to be added in due course.  See the full list of participating regions to date below, and if you’re in a self-released or unsigned band and want to try out for a slot on the BLOODSTOCK bill, get in touch with the event nearest you and get yourselves involved!  One winner from each region will secure themselves a slot on the New Blood stage and some of the very best runners-up may also get lucky, space permitting. 

Bands should get their applications into their nearest regional promoter ASAP, as heats kick off in the coming weeks.  Any local promoters in regions not yet represented can email Simon Hall ([email protected]) for information if they wish to host the scheme in their local area. 

Regions announced so far are: CHESTERFIELD, NORTHERN IRELAND (Belfast), REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Dublin), SHEFFIELD, HITCHIN, MANCHESTER, MILTON KEYNES, BOURNEMOUTH, LEEDS, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ESSEX (Colchester), KENT (Gravesend), BRISTOL, NORTH WALES (Wrexham), LEICESTER, STOKE ON TRENT, SOUTH WALES (Cardiff), NOTTINGHAM, DEVON & CORNWALL (Saltash), SCOTLAND (heats locally, final in Edinburgh) and LONDON. 

Full details of venues and who to contact to enter in each region, can be found here or on Facebook.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and MEGADETH, with the third to be announced in the coming months.  Also on the main stage are DEVILDRIVER, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, DECAPITATED and GATECREEPER, plus over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, expect to see ZEAL & ARDOR, KING 810 and UNTO OTHERS.  Many, many more are yet to be announced. 

With tickets selling faster than ever, all VIP packages and campervan passes are already sold out and Early Bird tickets are down to their last few, at a discounted price. Grab yours now at the ticket store.  

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023. For more info, click to www.bloodstock.uk.com. 

LAMB OF GOD share new video “Omens (Live at Bloodstock)”

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Following their incomparable headline set at Bloodstock Festival this August, Virginian metal titans LAMB OF GOD have now shared a live video for “Omens”, the title track of their forthcoming new album. With their set both crushing and scorching in equal measure, the video footage was captured during that performance and premieres for the first time today. 

When the “Omens” single was first released, LAMB OF GOD frontman D. Randall Blythe commented, “I think a lot of the messes human beings find ourselves in could be very easily prevented simply by paying attention to obvious repeating patterns, both in our personal lives and in a broader sociohistorical context. What some call ‘omens’ are really just manifestations of the fact that there is nothing new under the sun. It’s foolish to ignore this, but we all do it.”

The Omens album arrives on October 7th, 2022, via Nuclear Blast Records, and is perhaps Lamb Of God‘s angriest album yet. Produced by long-time collaborator Josh Wilbur (Korn, Megadeth), Omens is a vicious new testament for the Richmond, Virginia-based band, a furious entry in their beloved catalogue. “The world is crazy and keeps changing. Omens is a reaction to the state of the world,” Blythe explains. “It’s a very pissed-off record.” He pauses for emphasis. “It is extremely pissed-off.” 

The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal architects tracked Omens at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, a location that birthed classics from The Doors, The Ramones, and Soundgarden, among others. “The inner workings of the band have never been better,” explains guitarist Mark Morton. “You can hear it in Omens. You can see it in our performances, and if you’re around us for five minutes, you can feel it.”

The Omens album pre-order is live now at Lamb-Of-God.com and Record Store, boasting several exclusive items, including a signed coloured vinyl variant, shirt, hoodie, and signed CDs with an alternate colour cover. UK vinyl variants include standard black vinyl; a crystal clear, silver, and black marbled vinyl (exclusive to the UK); white and sky blue marbled vinyl; and a silver vinyl (band shop exclusive). All physical CD and vinyl orders from the Nuclear Blast store will include a free access code to watch the livestream viewing of “The Making of Omens” documentary, which will premiere the week of album release.

The group are currently midway through a massive U.S. headline tour, featuring special guests Killswitch Engage on all dates. Different legs of the tour will also see support from Baroness, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, plus Animals As Leaders as well as Suicide Silence and Fit For An Autopsy.  Tickets are on sale now. The Omens Tour dates remaining are:

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Baroness, Suicide Silence

Sep 30 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Motionless In White, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great SaltAir

Oct 02 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park  

Oct 04 – Fresno, CA – Selland Arena – Fresno

Oct 07 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival *No Fit For An Autopsy

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 09 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre  

Oct 10 – Kent (Seattle), WA – Accesso ShoWare Center

Oct 11 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Animals As Leaders, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 13 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater 

Oct 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theater 

Oct 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Oct 16 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center

Oct 18 – San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum 

Oct 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall 

Oct 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 

After the US dates, LAMB OF GOD kick off their State Of Unrest European run. The headlining UK leg takes place in December, with thrash legends Kreator as special guests, and Thy Art Is Murder and Gatecreeper rounding out the bill.

UK dates include:

Dec 13 – London – O2 Academy Brixton

Dec 14 – Glasgow – O2 Academy

Dec 15 – Birmingham – O2 Academy

Dec 16 – Bristol – O2 Academy

Dec 18 – Manchester – Academy

In mainland Europe, the tour is co-headlined by Kreator, with Thy Art Is Murder and Gatecreeper. Those performances are:

Nov 18 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Forum Black Box

Nov 19 – Stockholm, Sweden – Fryshuset Arenan

Nov 21 – Oulu, Finland – Teatria

Nov 22 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall Black Box

Nov 24 – Warsaw, Poland – Stodola

Nov 26 – Munich, Germany – Zenith

Nov 27 – Berlin, Berlin – Columbiahalle

Nov 29 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13

Nov 30 – Brussels, Brussels – Ancienne Belgique

Dec 02 – Ludwigsburg, Bw – Mhp Arena (Arena Ludwigsburg)

Dec 03 – Essen, Germany – Grugahalle

Dec 04 – Saarbrücken, Germany – Saarlandhalle

Dec 06 – Madrid, Spain – Riviera

Dec 07 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz

Dec 09 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof

Dec 10 – Hamburg, Germany – Edel Optics Arena

Dec 11 – Leipzig, Germany – Haus Auensee

Dec 20 – Paris, France – L’olympia

Dec 21 – Dübendorf, Switzerland – Samsung Hall Zurich

To snap up the remaining tickets, contact box offices or order online here. You can also visit stateofunresttour.com for more information. For a full list of all tour dates, visit: lamb-of-god.com/tour.