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.
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 theticket 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 schemehere.
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.
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 INZIDENTand 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 DAKESISand 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 schemehere.
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 theticket store.
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 schemehere.
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 foundhere or onFacebook. 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 theticket store.
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.
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 FLAMESland 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 TROLLFESTalso 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.
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.
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 Omensalbum 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.
With BLOODSTOCK 2022 well under way, the festival is thrilled to already be looking ahead and announcing a swathe of awesome bands for the 2023 event, which is set to take place on 10th-13th August 2022 at Catton Park, Derbyshire.
Metalcore pioneers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are set to headline the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Friday, their first ever appearance at the festival. Meanwhile, thrash legends MEGADETH will close out proceedings in spectacular style on Sunday night. Other confirmed main stage bands include DEVILDRIVER, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, KNOCKED LOOSE, DECAPITATED and GATECREEPER.
Over on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, ZEAL & ARDOR will headline one day (tbd) and expect to also see sets from KING 810 and UNTO OTHERS. Stay tuned for more 2023 surprises soon.
In surprise news at this year’s event, Bay Area metal squad MACHINE HEAD thrilled fans over on the Sophie Lancaster stage when they played a surprise set; their very first festival show in 10 years! Internet chatter had prevailed all week as BLOODSTOCKers tried to guess who the unannounced band on the running order was. Over their hour long set, the only thing hotter than the weather was the riffs in the tent!
Early bird weekend camping tickets are available at the on-site box office across the duration of the 2022 event with no booking fee, then will go on sale online at 9am Monday 15th August, priced at £150 (+ bkg fee) at the ticket store. Serpents Lair VIP tickets and camper van passes (which always sell out very quickly, so don’t snooze if you’re after one) will go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 17th August. Once the early bird allocation has sold out, standard weekend tickets will increase to £165 (+ bkg fee). For the first time in 2023, there will also be a child’s VIP ticket available, so mini moshers can join their parents in the VIP area and camping at a more reasonable cost.
BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023.
With a month to go, BLOODSTOCK’s taking a breather from bands this week to showcase the diverse range of traders, food stalls, drinks, on-site entertainment and other facilities at next month’s heavy metal weekender, plus a handy reminder to get your questions ready for the one and only Nergal, frontman and creative visionary of Friday’s headliner BEHEMOTH for this coming Friday’s Facebook Live chat!
First up, BLOODSTOCK is very aware of the cost of living squeeze we’re all going through right now, so is extra pleased to announce that food prices at 2022’s event are frozen at 2021 prices. Not only that, BLOODSTOCK can confirm you’ll be able to buy a pint of beer at the bars on site for £5, paying by cash or card.
Speaking of beer… BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce their first year teaming up with MOTÖRHEAD BEER to bring both their cask and keg Road Crew – a session 4.5% easy-drinking, refreshing beer – to #BOA22 pouring across all bars (including Lemmy’s Bar, of course)! Grab a pint of your choice of cask condition ale, draught keg beer, or the Overkill pilsner.
For those camping, you can even pre-order your campsite beers & they’ll keep them on ice for you to collect during festival weekend! While you need to order in full cases, you can collect in part each day so no need for warm beer! To celebrate this perfect partnership, with every pre-order for BLOODSTOCK placed here, you will be automatically entered to win a Motörhead beer package every week between now and BLOODSTOCK! (please note, all entrants must be 18+ & will be notified personally via email if they’ve won.)
Not much of a beer fan? BLOODSTOCKers can also head to a special JACK DANIELS bar (in the main arena, near the New Blood stage) for all manner of delicious rock ‘n’ roll cocktail libations, as well as the RED BULL bar (located near the Sophie stage). And if vodka’s more to your taste, make sure you check out Ukrainian vodka brand NEMIROFF, also available at the bars this year.
There will also be non-alcoholic beer for those after a sober option. Whether you’re vegan, veggie, meat-eating, or seeking something gluten-free, BLOODSTOCK has a wide range of food available on site. Here’s just a few options… burgers, pizza, tacos, burritos, meat-free nuggets, waffles, crepes, croissant, toasties, smoked meats, chicken of all types, noodles, pies, giant Yorkshire puds, baguettes, fish & chips, curly and sweet potato fries (or wedges), kebabs, donuts/churros, chickpea curry, mac n’ cheese, wraps, cakes, nachos, hot dogs, paella, and the return of Bunnychow.
For those who need a caffeine-blast of proper coffee, BLOODSTOCK’s got you covered (and there’s tea, hot chocolate, and all manner of other soft drinks available). There’s also free drinking water at designated water points in the campsites and main arena, so remember to bring a refillable non-glass bottle with you.
For any essentials you’ve forgotten, there’s a supermarket in the Midgard campsite plus Fat Frank’s Camping Store, where you can even get your air bed inflated for a comfier night’s sleep. For those looking to do a little heavy metal shopping, browse BLOODSTOCK’s market traders; you’ll be able to pick up everything from unique candles, prints, patches and badges, CDs/vinyl, or official merch and alt clothing (leggings, tshirts, denim jackets, leather waistcoats, army surplus, hats… you name it) to rock n roll home accessories, wiccan wares, all types of jewellery (visit the Guitarwristfor items benefiting charity made with used guitar strings), ponchos and sunglasses – and if you don’t have one already, surely a Viking drinking horn is an essential addition (other Viking crafts also available).
Plus, don’t forget BLOODSTOCK’s own merch stall! When you’re not watching bands, how about a spot of axe-throwing with your mates or visit Firehound Forge, the local blacksmith stall? There’s also the Nordic Spirit Gaming Arena with modern and retro video games to play (by yourself or challenge others!), the Rock And Metal Gallery (including an extensive Iron Maiden exhibition amongst other wondrous displays), the Planet Rock Signing Tent, and a new, white knuckle, adrenaline fairground ride, the AIRMAXX! The only one in the UK, this visually spectacular ride is not for the faint-hearted, reaching a height of 50m and speeds of 4.5G’s! Do you dare?!
When the bands are done, it doesn’t mean BLOODSTOCK is! Late night ents kick off with DJs on both the New Blood and Sophie stages til the early hours.
Over in the Sophie tent, you’ll find Bearpit & Adam Onslaught with classics & headbangin’ anthems on Thursday, Friday welcomes not-so-guilty pleasures from DJ Lloyd with everything from 80s to alternative, DJ Soundwave brings Saturday night bangers of ABBA to Anthrax and disco to deathcore, and then wind down Sunday with DJs Lloyd & Harris for some AOR anthems and classic rock earworms.
The New Blood tent sees the return of the very popular silent disco on Thursday and Saturday nights – take your pick from three channels of rock & metal, pop & party cheese, or full-on dance, or why not mix it up with all three?!
At the other end of the scale, New Blood’s Friday night sees DJ Darren Smith offering up a fine selection of the blackest, darkest, and heaviest music around. You can find this year’s map of BLOODSTOCK here.
BLOODSTOCK also wants to take a moment across festival weekend to celebrate and elevate the work of an amazing woman. 2022 saw the very tragic loss of Sylvia Lancaster OBE, the pioneering fundraiser & educator who established The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, as well as of course being Sophie’s mum and a dear friend of everyone at BLOODSTOCK HQ.
At Sylvia’s funeral earlier this year, she had requested that everyone attending wear something pink, as this was her favourite colour. So in honour of Sylvia, at this year’s festival on the Sunday, we’re mirroring the sentiment and asking BLOODSTOCKers to please wear an item of pink in acknowledgement of her truly phenomenal work, which has been life changing for many in alternative subcultures. Perhaps you’d like to don a pink shirt or hat, or maybe plump for a full pink outfit! Let’s see a sea of pink for Sylvia on Sunday, and don’t forget to drop by The Sophie Lancaster Foundation stand in the arena and make a donation if you can.
Don’t own anything pink? A limited The Sophie Lancaster Foundation pink BLOODSTOCK t-shirt will go on sale here tomorrow morning, priced £25 with all proceeds going to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. If there is any stock remaining, it will be available at the festival too. Also keep an eye out for other new merch additions: key rings, badge sets, koozies, and grey/black hoodies.
Besides The Sophie Lancaster Foundation stall, where Sophie’s brother Adam will also be giving talks over the weekend (stop by to find out more details and times each day), there will be stalls for Derbyshire Bloodbikes and a team from Derbyshire LGBTQ+ (to the left of the main stage as you look at it). Well worth your time, wander over and learn more about the incredible work these charity organisations do.
If you find yourself in need of some extra support/assistance while at BLOODSTOCK, head to the MEDICAL / WELFARE TENT in the main arena (near the Sophie stage). You can also visit THE SAMARITANS marquee located in the Midgard campsite for a non-judgemental, confidential chat at any time over the festival event.
Don’t miss BLOODSTOCK’s next Facebook Live at 7pm BST this FRIDAY 15th July with festival management in conversation with 2022 headliner Nergal from BEHEMOTH! Put your questions to Nergal or BLOODSTOCK and pay attention for spot prizes too! With more special guests from 2022’s line-up to come on future Facebook Lives with BLOODSTOCK, pose your best questions in real time at the additional following guest chats:
7pm BST – Wednesday 20th July – The Berserker Blothar from GWAR 7pm BST – Thursday 28th July – Alex & Kon from MALEVOLENCE
