Metal

LAST CALL FOR BLOODSTOCK TICKETS!

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There’s just 29 days left to BLOODSTOCK and the remaining tickets are flying, so don’t wait if you want to join the fun this year, as it’s looking very likely the event will sell out in advance. Don’t miss tonight’s BLOODSTOCK Facebook Live at 6:30pm with festival directors Vicky & Adam, for all the very latest info including safety measures for this year’s event.

With international issues continuing for some artists, DARK TRANQUILLITY have had to cancel, but we’re thrilled that the very epic LOATHE are able to join us in their place on Friday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage. Frontman Erik Bickerstaff tells us, “We are thrilled to be performing at this year’s BLOODSTOCK Festival for the first time, and to be sharing the Main Stage on August 13th alongside an incredible and eclectic lineup of heavy artists.” Not familiar with LOATHE’s atmospheric heaviness yet? Get with the programme via their video for ‘Two Way Mirror’ taken from the amazing ‘I Let It In And It Took Everything’ album. 

Similarly, BURY TOMORROW have had to pull out, but we welcome WHILE SHE SLEEPS in their place. BURY TOMORROW explain, “Due to the band’s current line up situation and despite best efforts we are unfortunately unable to play BLOODSTOCK this year, we are truly gutted! We support the festival and hope everyone enjoys every minute of the weekend! We are however over the moon to confirm BLOODSTOCK have invited us back next year so we will see you all at BLOODSTOCK 2022!!” We are more than sure that WHILE SHE SLEEPS are up to the task of filling their shoes – check out ‘Sleep Society’ from their blistering set at the Download Pilot.

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS have also unfortunately dropped out and they will be replaced on the Sophie Lancaster stage by British rock squad BLACK SPIDERS, in their first ever BLOODSTOCK appearance. To whet your appetite, they just released a lyric video for the aptly-named new song ‘Give ‘Em What They Want’ from next week’s new album. We want to be back head-bangin’ in a field with all our mates! Look out for the album’s special diablo red vinyl on July 17th’s Record Store Day. 

Due to LOTUS EATER splitting up, death metal bruisers FOETAL JUICE will now step into their spot, declaring, “We are absolutely delighted to be playing Bloodstock this year! It’s an incredible festival that we attend every year. The last time we played back in 2016 has still been the biggest show we have ever played. The year will absolutely kick that in the bollocks. We literally cannot wait to play this festival again!!” Get familiar with them via their latest album’s title track ‘Gluttony.’

This year’s Metal 2 The Masses scheme played out in a rather different landscape to the norm, but we applaud the efforts of the local promoters who’ve made a success of their heats despite an array of logistical issues. As such, we’re thrilled to announce 10 more winners from various areas across the country, who’ll each win a slot on the New Blood stage on Friday or Saturday. 

Landing slots on the Friday are extreme metal 5-piece, TERMINAL SUN who win the Sheffield competition, the Essex victors are death metal squad BEYOND EXTINCTION, Somerset’s champs are melodic alt metallers, SAIL, Manchester’s top dogs are tech thrashers BEYOND SALVATION, and SEVERENTH bring home the prize for North Wales. 
Snagging slots on Saturday’s New Blood stage are Hitchin’s stoner/grunge winners, BLACK ATLAS, Norwich sludgers A HORSE CALLED WAR, blackened death trio ASCARIS take the Bristol area prize, Newcastle’s goes to groove metal squad DESOLATION, while London’s victors HAWXX are also the winners of PRS’s Women Make Music award! Congrats to them!

There’s lots happening over on BLOODSTOCK’s Twitch channel and at 7:30pm this evening (13th July) the inaugural ‘BloodThirsty’ video interview podcast sees DEVILDRIVER frontman, Dez Fafara and JUDAS PRIEST’s Rob Halford talking all things metal! Tune in to watch the two legends discuss BLOODSTOCK and much more.

Brand new to BLOODSTOCK this year is our exciting gaming arena! Brought to you by our friends at Nordic Spirit, the Game Zone brings that little bit extra to an already packed, 5-day bonanza of metal. Feeling competitive? There’s a very wide array of games to play, on Xbox, Playstation, PC, retro consoles (from Atari to Sega to Nintendo), arcade machines, and more! The arena runs from 11am-8pm daily from Thursday, play at your leisure! While there’s plenty of space, do note it’s limited numbers at any one time.  If you’ve got your ticket but are yet to figure out your camping situation, let Tangerine Fields take the stress out of the weekend. If you’d rather not transport and wrestle with your own, you can rent one of their pre-pitched tents, all set to go and ready for your arrival at Catton Park. No hassle with putting it up and then taking it down on Monday morning! Check out all the size options and book online here.   

Our friends at PLANET ROCK RADIO have launched a BLOODSTOCK pop-up radio station, showcasing music from many of this year’s acts like Judas Priest, Kreator, and The Wildhearts, as well as others from BLOODSTOCK’s past such as Slayer, Nightwish, Machine Head, Gojira, etc to celebrate BLOODSTOCK’s 20th Anniversary. The channel will run for 3 months and is available on Planet Rock’s premium app, the Planet Rock Radio website and via smart speakers. Fans can get a month’s free subscription to Planet Rock Premium (in addition to a 7-day free trial period) using the code ‘Bloodstock’. Start your BLOODSTOCK party early by tuning in! More info here.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), KREATOR (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, DIAMOND HEAD, THERAPY?, VENOM PRISON, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, THE WILDHEARTS, GLORYHAMMER, BLEED FROM WITHIN, NAPALM DEATH, PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, RAGING SPEEDHORN, LAWNMOWER DETH, CONAN, SYLOSIS, WINTERFYLLETH, HACKTIVIST, THE CRAWLING, EVIL SCARECROW, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, BORSTAL, SEIDRBLOT, MOTHER VULTURE, BLOODSHOT DAWN, EVILE, and more, with plenty still being announced. For further line-up details, visit the official website. 

COUNTDOWN TO BLOODSTOCK!

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There’s just 41 days to BLOODSTOCK 2021! We’re counting down the hours before Catton Park opens the gates to the biggest – and longest, at 5 days – metal party of the year!   First we have some bad, but also, good news! 

A few more international bands are experiencing issues with travel and logistics and have had to cancel, but we’ve secured some fantastic replacements from UK shores.  Unfortunately, Thursday’s Sophie Lancaster stage headliner, The Night Flight Orchestra now cannot make it, but Brit metal legends, LAWNMOWER DETH step in to save the day. They tell us; “We are truly sorry you’re not going to get Night Flight Orchestra. They’re terrific and awfully melodic. Naturally as the B-TEC replacement for them, we sound exactly the same, so your disappointment should be somewhat abated. Just think melodic Swedish hard rock, with balloons. However, the chance to get in a field, well a tent, with you lovely lot and some beer, did we mention beer, is the bar open yet? BLOODSTOCK, we’re coming! At our age, slightly slower, but we’ll be there. Bring beer. And dancing shoes. And beer. Love LMD. x” 

Stepping into Soen’s slot on Friday’s Sophie stage are sonic heavyweights, CONAN. The British three-piece tell us “We return to Bloodstock, dead eyes ablaze, breath like frost in our lungs as we arise from our slumber. From a lake of frozen souls, all hail CONAN!”  Check out the doomtastic video for ‘Volt Thrower’, taken from their 2018 album, ‘Existential Void Guardian’ and prep for maximum heaviosity at Catton Park next month from this unholy trinity.  

Replacing Lost Society on Friday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage, are BLOODSTOCK New Blood stage alumni, DIVINE CHAOS. BLOODSTOCK loves helping New Blood bands level up, so are thrilled to offer DIVINE CHAOS the opening main stage slot on Friday! The band tell us; “BLOODSTOCK is woven into the very fabric of DIVINE CHAOS. Having had the pleasure of playing both the Sophie Lancaster and New Blood Stages, not to mention countless messy weekends as attendees, we are beyond delighted to have the opportunity to play on the Ronnie James Dio stage, long considered the holy grail of UK underground metal. We’re eternally grateful for the faith that the BLOODSTOCK crew has put into this band over the years, and can’t wait to showcase ‘The Way to Oblivion’ on the greatest of stages.” 

Also replacing Savage Master in Friday’s RJD Stage opening slot are British metal collective, LOTUS EATER. The band’s debut album, ‘Where The Body Goes’ is set for release later this month via Hopeless Records and features their ferocious new single, ‘Obliterate’, featuring a guest slot by Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon.  

Thrash beasts SHRAPNEL replace Noctem on Friday’s Sophie stage. The band inform us, “It’s been a long, crazy year, but we can’t think of a better way of getting back to business than playing at BLOODSTOCK! It’s the 20th Anniversary, and our first time at BLOODSTOCK with our new line up, so it’s going to be a special one. We can’t wait to finally blast some of ‘Palace For The Insane’ for you, and we’ll see you in the pit!”. In the meantime, warm up your necks with some ‘Winds of Slaughter,’ taken from that same album.  

While Blasphemer also had to cancel, NECRONAUTICAL bring their British black metal wares into their spot on Sunday’s Sophie Stage. Frontman/guitarist Naut tells us, “We are thrilled to be granted the opportunity to perform at this year’s BLOODSTOCK. After over a year in wait, it will be an incredible experience to meet with the fans for our return, and right before the release of our new album “Slain in the Spirit”! In spite of the short time to prepare, we guarantee the audience at this year’s BLOODSTOCK an epic and immersive Black/Death metal experience they will not soon forget! See you at the Sophie stage on Sunday night!”.  Also check out the video for ‘Hypnogogia’, taken from their upcoming album, ‘Slain In The Spirit’, set for release in late August.  

Last but not least, dark metal squad, SPECTRAL DARKWAVE join Sunday’s Jager stage line up. Describing themselves as “a hi-definition musical tour of human horror in sonic technicolour”, you know you’re in for something unique! If you’re as yet unfamiliar with the band, check out their 2019 video for ‘A Toll Is Due’ and make your own mind up.  

In after hours entertainment news, the legendary VIP Area ‘Silent Disco’ is returning in an expanded format! VIP-ers will still get their Silent Disco on Friday and Sunday in the Serpents Lair tent, but on Thursday and Saturday, the Silent Disco will kick in from 11pm until 2am over in the New Blood tent. Headsets are at limited capacity, so availability is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. There’ll be two channels, DJ Rich Harris (Total Rock, Desertfest) will be manning the metal/rock channel and DJ Lloyd Rust (Bearded Theory, Truck Festival) will be spinning the cheese on the pop/disco/dance channel. Expect Vader to Vengaboys, Machine Head to Madonna; one channel permanently playing metal & alternative and the other playing all your guilty pleasures from the 1950’s to present day. 

On 9th July, our friends at PLANET ROCK RADIO are launching a BLOODSTOCK radio pop-up station showcasing music from many of this year’s acts like Judas Priest, Kreator and The Wildhearts, as well as others from BLOODSTOCK’s past such as Slayer, Nightwish, Machine Head, Gojira, etc to celebrate BLOODSTOCK’s 20th Anniversary. The channel will run for 3 months and is available on Planet Rock’s premium app, the Planet Rock Radio website and via smart speakers. Fans can get a month’s free subscription to Planet Rock Premium (in addition to a 7-day free trial period) using the code ‘Bloodstock’. Start your BLOODSTOCK party early by tuning in from next Friday! More info here.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), KREATOR (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, BURY TOMORROW, DIAMOND HEAD, THERAPY?, VENOM PRISON, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, THE WILDHEARTS, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BLEED FROM WITHIN, NAPALM DEATH, PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, RAGING SPEEDHORN, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SYLOSIS, WINTERFYLLETH, HACKTIVIST, THE CRAWLING, EVIL SCARECROW, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, BORSTAL, PIST, SHARKS IN YOUR MOUTH, SEIDRBLOT, MOTHER VULTURE, BLOODSHOT DAWN, and EVILE, with more still to be announced.

Standard weekend tickets for the extended, now 5-day event in 2021 remain under a temporary price freeze at £145 (+ booking fees). In addition, child tickets and parking tickets for 2021’s event are available now at the ticket store, as well as a limited number of day tickets for Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Wednesday’s fun remains exclusively for weekend ticket holders. VIP and campervan tickets for 2021 are sold out. 

BLOODSTOCK SHARES MORE JAGERMEISTER STAGE ADDITIONS!

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While we all wait patiently for the final lockdown restrictions to be eased, BLOODSTOCK HQ remains busier than ever finalising details for this year’s event. We know everyone is more than ready for a hellaciously good time with their friends in the sunshine and tickets are moving fast now, don’t miss your chance to grab yours before you can’t!
So while you’re making your long-anticipated summer plans, here are 14 more reasons not to miss the fun at Catton Park in August, BLOODSTOCK’s 5-day 20th birthday party. Who’s bringing the cake?! Definitely bringing heavy and/or metal to the Jagermeister Stage on Friday are sludge instrumentalists Wall (feat. twins Ryan & Elliot Cole of Desert Storm & The Grand Mall), Reading trio Black Emerald, slap bass/drum duo Ale of Adam, doom/stoner crew Godless Suns, and Häxan, devotees of modern classic rock.  

Joining them on Saturday’s Jager line-up are: alt metalheads Zookeeper, The New Sun (a solo project from Garganjua’s Scott Taylor), Middle Eastern doomsters Lowen, instrumental heavy prog three-piece Mountain Caller, and playing an additional stripped down set, power metal squad Primitai (who play their full electric set over on the Sophie Stage on Friday). Save a bit of head-bangin’ energy to go with your Jager shot though, because come Sunday, you won’t want to miss: bluesy hard rockers The Howling Tides, 100% prog beasts Trilobite, grindcore punkers Boycott The Baptist, and Gemma Fox, the vocalist from Collibus, not the grime singer!  

First timer at BLOODSTOCK? Welcome! Check out the vibe in store via this new trailer. If you’re on Facebook, make new friends before you even arrive and get chatting to your BLOODSTOCK brethren in these unofficial groups – BMF666 and Bloodstock Camp Loners & Newbies. Don’t be surprised to see the festival directors joining in the conversation.

If you need a new tent this year, Fat Frank’s Camping Store have got you! You can pre-order anything and everything you need and collect it all on-site. Have them blow up your air bed while you wait, or even ‘rent-a-tent’ from them for the weekend. Not only that, if you’re not driving to the festival, they also solve the problem of towing it all home on the train with their ‘festival bag’ service, where they’ll deliver all your kit back to your home address within 3-5 days post-event. 
BLOODSTOCK’s 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), KREATOR (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from SKINDRED, CRADLE OF FILTH, PARADISE LOST, BURY TOMORROW, DIAMOND HEAD, THERAPY?, VENOM PRISON, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, THE WILDHEARTS, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BLEED FROM WITHIN, NAPALM DEATH, ONSLAUGHT, PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS, MEMORIAM, BEHOLDER, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, RAGING SPEEDHORN, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SYLOSIS, WINTERFYLLETH, HACKTIVIST, THE CRAWLING, EVIL SCARECROW, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, BORSTAL, SEIDRBLOT, NOCTEM, MOTHER VULTURE, BLOODSHOT DAWN, & EVILE and many more. And there’s still even more bands yet to be announced.

Standard weekend tickets for the extended, now 5-day event in 2021 remain under a temporary price freeze at £145 (+ booking fees). In addition, child tickets and parking tickets for 2021’s event are available now at the ticket store, as well as a limited number of day tickets for Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Wednesday’s fun remains exclusively for weekend ticket holders. VIP and campervan tickets for 2021 are sold out. Don’t delay though, because when they’re gone, they’re gone!

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 85 DAYS TO BLOODSTOCK 2021!!

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Regrettably, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, DIMMU BORGIR have been forced to postpone to 2022, but fear not, we welcome CRADLE OF FILTH onto the bill in their wake. Dimmu’s management tell us, “Due to restrictions and uncertainties regarding international travel and logistics, we have to postpone DIMMU BORGIR´s performance at Bloodstock until next year. The band is absolutely gutted about this, having to cancel BLOODSTOCK again, but we have already confirmed with Vicky and the BLOODSTOCK team that the band will be back in the UK for the 2022 edition. Stay safe!”. We look forward to welcoming DIMMU back next year. Besides this killer livestream, CRADLE OF FILTH meanwhile recently collaborated with California merch brand, BlackCraft Cult on an exclusive t-shirt design – get your orders in here, so you can wear yours at Catton Park!
 
BLOODSTOCK is also excited to bring you details for Wednesday, the extra day this year exclusively for weekend ticket holders. Once you’ve arrived and set up your camping area, over in the Sophie stage tent, there’s a fun-packed evening lined up. British thrash legends, ONSLAUGHT are set to headline, with the bill rounded out by underground metal standard bearers, BEHOLDER, who will be playing their farewell show and epic-soundscape painters and M2TM alumni, WARD XVI. In a reshuffle, the ever-entertaining RAISED BY OWLS and progressive death metallers ANAKIM both move across to a Wednesday slot, from their previously announced Thursday.  
 
BLOODSTOCK’s party goblins have also been busy locking in a full range of after-hours fun at Catton Park. Once the bands are done each day, the entertainment in the big top Sophie tent borders on legendary, so be sure to rock up to Catton Park early on Wednesday, pitch your tent and get your beer on in time for the evening’s proceedings. DJs ChunkRock & Miss Abraxas will be hitting the decks, welcoming everyone back ‘home’ for the Metal party of the summer! On Thursday night, there’s a ‘Wrestling’ theme with the whole evening set to be livestreamed on the official BOA Twitch channel. BLOODSTOCK’s ‘Bear Pit’ Twitch host and DJ, Ryan ‘Bear’ Mills will be slamming a wrestling-themed evening where capes, lycra, and war paint are encouraged. Will you be rocking the full Ultimate Warrior or Hulkamaniac look, or prefer the more subdued Road Warriors approach? Either way, prepare to win prizes and power pose to some kick ass tunes. On Friday (13th), naturally it’s Horror Night, so BLOODSTOCK welcomes South coast rock/metal club titans, Apocalypse. Dust off the Elvira, Freddy, and Pinhead costumes and bang, whilst trying not to lose, your head. Saturday celebrates music through the decades, so join DJSoundwave as he celebrates the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and Naughties with a full-on mix of tunes from Abba to Anthrax and Disco to Deathcore. Closing out the 5-day weekend, the Apocalypse crew return with a Pirates Vs Vikings Party, so raise your horns to Odin or for Rum, with Crabulons and Robototrons also welcome. 


If you’ve still not found your tent after 2019’s fest, fear not, Fat Frank’s Camping Store can help! You can pre-order all your gear, or just that one missing item and collect it on-site. You can have them blow up your air bed while you wait, or even ‘rent-a-tent’ from them for the weekend. Not only that, they also solve the problem of towing it all home on the train with their ‘festival bag’ service, where they’ll deliver all your kit back to your home address within 3-5 days post-event. 

NOT 1, NOT 2, BUT 19 BANDS ADDED TO BLOODSTOCK 2021!

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With the weather slowly warming up, we’re counting down the days to BLOODSTOCK.  There’s a veritable feast of new bands to get your ears around before August – some you may know, some you may not (yet), but one thing is for sure – they’re all determined to help make this year’s BLOODSTOCK the absolute best fun you’ve had in over a year. 


Landing the Sunday night Sophie stage headline slot are festival favourites, EVIL SCARECROW.  With some of our overseas bands having to cancel, many of our UK friends are heroically saving the day.  We asked SCARECROW to come join the fun and they said, “So, we haven’t played as a band for a year. Not even a practice! We closed and abandoned our rehearsal room. Our van is gathering moss on a driveway. We have 2 new members who we have never played with. One of them was our main stagehand and we have not replaced that position. Basically, EVIL SCARECROW are, in reality, unconscious in stasis, floating through the void of space until we clear the disease-ridden Van Allen radiation belt.  Along came the good ship BLOODSTOCK, who nudged us awake to see if we will come and play with them. “No”, we mumble, “No band yet.  More sleep”. They return with a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich. “It’s headlining the Sophie Stage” they whisper.  Shit.  So, we’ve sprung back into life!  We are dusting off our props and may even have a band practice or two. So, if you want to see the most shambolic, unpracticed, unprepared EVIL SCARECROW show ever, then join us!  We can’t promise our usual super-polished -ahem- performance. But we promise to bring the biggest, messiest, stupidest party yet.”  We believe them and we’re all about it!  Remind yourself of their skills via their one-take video for ‘Hurricanado’ and get ready to close out the festival with a Scarecrow party! 

With the Metal 2 The Masses events happening soon, as well as the winners from that initiative, the New Blood bill is rounded out with a number of bands selected from online applications and we’re happy to give these additional bands the opportunity to showcase their wares at BLOODSTOCK.  We had over 600 applications and these lucky acts get a slot on the New Blood stage.  Grabbing a Friday slot are Gloucester metal squad BROKEN JAW and Liverpool death metallers COLPOCLEISIS.  Saturday’s bill will feature Brummie rockers DEVILFIRE, Irish sludgemeisters GREY STAG and purveyors of ‘true metal’, HANOWAR (yes, they are what you think they are)! 

Sunday’s bill features a swathe of fresh blood, including mask-wearing, theatrical noiseniks THE INJESTER, classic rockers SOUTH OF SALEM, stoner/doom squad SON OF BOAR, Midlands thrashers WIRED, THIS IS ENDLESS (featuring members of Onslaught/Ted Maul), power metallers FELLOWSHIP and SORCERESS OF SIN, melodic death metal outfit FROZEN IN SHADOWS, southwest metal 5-piece HYBRIDIZE, psychological death metallers STRANGLE WIRE, Irish modern metal outfit WORDS THAT BURN, black metal sonic terrorists DEITUS, and GHOSTS OF ATLANTIS (featuring members of Devilment). The remaining New Blood bands will be announced after the M2TM events in July, so stay tuned for more additions then.

SIXTEEN WEEKENDS ‘TIL BLOODSTOCK…

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Hot on the heels of JUDAS PRIEST confirming that their Sunday headline slot at BLOODSTOCK this summer will now be their only European performance this year, let the excitement for the metal party of the year continue to rev up with another 7 bands joining them on the bill… 

 VENOM PRISON are set to crush a Friday slot on the Ronnie James Dio main stage.  The band tell us, “Venom Prison are honoured to be invited to play at the legendary Bloodstock Festival again, having first appeared at the 2017 edition. This will be our first show in nearly two years since the world was shut down by the pandemic. We can’t wait to step out on stage again and cause utter destruction. See you in the pit.” The group are hard at work on their next studio album, the first for new label Century Media. For a hint of what’s to come, watch ‘Slayer Of Holofernes’, from their recent ‘Primeval’ release. 

New UK hardcore squad, BORSTAL, featuring Nick Barker (ex-Cradle of Filth, Brujeria) on drums, promise a punishing opening to proceedings on Saturday’s main stage.  Just the thing to sort out your Friday night bangover! The band released their debut EP, ‘At Her Majesty’s Pleasure’ just two weeks ago via 4Family Records.  Check out the video for ‘Vicious Circles’, taken from that EP, here.  

On the Sophie Lancaster stage front, BLOODYWOOD have unfortunately had to postpone their appearance at BLOODSTOCK, but we look forward to welcoming them in 2022!  As such, their Friday night headline slot will be filled by the mighty NAPALM DEATH!  Having recently renewed their record deal with Century Media, the grindcore legends are set to see some of their ample catalogue re-released on vinyl.  Check out their social media for details and warm your necks up with some classic Napalm noise via the video for ‘Time Waits For No Slave’.  

Snagging Friday spots on the Sophie stage are Cornish rockers KING CREATURE and melodic/power metal beasts, PRIMITAI.  Adding to the Saturday Sophie affray are Southampton crew TERRA IV and steamrolling in to Sunday’s lineup are Leicester metal five piece, INTERNAL CONFLICT.

BLOODSTOCK’s 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), KREATOR (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday).  The festival will also feature sets from DIMMU BORGIR, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, BURY TOMORROW, DIAMOND HEAD, THERAPY?, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, THE WILDHEARTS, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BLEED FROM WITHIN, PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, RAGING SPEEDHORN, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SYLOSIS, WINTERFYLLETH, HACKTIVIST, THE CRAWLING, RAISED BY OWLS, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, SOEN, BLASPHEMER, PIST, SHARKS IN YOUR MOUTH, SEIDRBLOT, NOCTEM, MOTHER VULTURE, BLOODSHOT DAWN, & EVILE and many more.  Even more bands performing across the long weekend are still to be announced.

BLOODSTOCK FORGE AHEAD, ANNOUNCING 11 MORE BANDS FOR 2021!

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We’re full speed ahead with plans for this year’s event and are excited to announce a string of new bands to the 2021 bill at Catton Park!


THE WILDHEARTS romp into a main stage slot on Friday! Having been a big hit in 2019 when they stepped up last minute to fill in a cancellation, we’re happy to welcome the band back to Catton Park this year. With 2019’s ‘Renaissance Men’ album being deemed a huge return to form (as well as a return to the ranks for original bassist, Danny McCormack), the band also very recently dropped the ‘The Wildhearts, Live: 30 Year Itch’ via Round Records. 


Grabbing a Sophie Lancaster stage slot on Friday are Corby’s finest, the mighty RAGING SPEEDHORN! Having impressed many with their ‘Hard To Kill’ comeback album in October 2020, we’re thrilled to see they’re back and bringing their delicious noise to BLOODSTOCK. 


Moving into Saturday’s headline position on the Sophie stage are PHIL CAMPBELL & THE BASTARD SONS. The band unveiled their splendid new album ‘We’re The Bastards’ in November via Nuclear Blast, having recorded it in Wales during the lockdown.


Also grabbing Thursday spots on the Sophie stage are HACKTIVIST, THUNDEROUS JONES, ASHEN CROWN, LUNA’S CALL, URNE, FORLORN WORLD, SEETHING AKIRA, and KING WITCH. 


BLOODSTOCK’s 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), KREATOR (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from DIMMU BORGIR, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, BURY TOMORROW, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BLOODYWOOD, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SYLOSIS, WINTERFYLLETH, THE CRAWLING, RAISED BY OWLS, ANAKIM, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, SOEN, DOG TIRED, BAILER, BLASPHEMER, BLACK TONGUE, LIBERTY LIES, PIST, SHARKS IN YOUR MOUTH, SEIDRBLOT, BLOODSHOT DAWN, & EVILE so far. More bands performing across the long weekend are still to be announced.

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCE REPLACEMENT SATURDAY NIGHT HEADLINER; DETAIL THREE MORE BANDS

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BLOODSTOCK is working to bring you the very best metal party possible this August, but due to the ongoing issues and restrictions surrounding Covid-19, a number of overseas bands are no longer able to be at Catton Park with us this Summer.  MERCYFUL FATE sadly have to postpone their headline slot until 2022. Their iconic frontman, King Diamond tells us, “Due to the uncertainties of international touring logistics, health, and safety issues, MERCYFUL FATE are unable to perform at this Summer’s BLOODSTOCK. Unfortunately, most of our Summer routing is already postponed or postponing soon. Like many others in our position we’re amending our plans to get back on the road as soon as possible. We’re gutted. However, we are happy to say that we’ve worked with the BLOODSTOCK organisers and report that we will be back to headline the festival in Summer ‘22. Until then, stay heavy and stay safe.”


As such, pioneers of heavy, KREATOR will replace MERCYFUL FATE as Saturday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage headliner, in a UK festival exclusive. Frontman Mille Petrozza says, “We are very excited to headline the BLOODSTOCK festival for the first time! This means a lot to KREATOR since all the previous shows we have played there were exceptional! We promise you the most brutal show BLOODSTOCK has ever seen! Be prepared!” The much lauded German thrashers just released the deluxe ‘Under The Guillotine’ box set, celebrating their classic early Noise Records years. Fans are eagerly awaiting the group’s fifteenth studio album – the follow up to 2017’s ‘Gods Of Violence’ – due out later this year via Nuclear Blast. Check out this clip of ‘Violent Revolution’ taken from their 2017 set. 


Also having to cancel plans to be at Catton Park are PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, BUTCHER BABIES, LIFE OF AGONY, SACRED REICH, NECROT, EXHUMED, and UNTO OTHERS. While fans of these acts may be disappointed, BLOODSTOCK knows everyone appreciates the exceptional challenges right now and we hope to welcome these bands to Catton Park before too long. BLOODSTOCK remains as keen as you to be reunited with our metal brethren this summer and is determined to make it a most excellent time for all, with more bands and on-site fun still to be revealed.


Without further ado, picking up a Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Sunday are Norse shamans, SEIDRBLOT. If you haven’t discovered them yet, check out this video for single ‘Skeggold’, shot in stunning Iceland. The band are promising a new song imminently and plan to resume making their new album as soon as lockdown lifts.
Joining them are UK-based melodic death bruisers, BLOODSHOT DAWN, who first appeared at BLOODSTOCK many moons ago as METAL 2 THE MASSES winners! The group have been teasing a new album on social media, so BLOODSTOCK looks forward to the possibility of hearing new headbanging tunes in August! Get familiar over on their Bandcamp.

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to reveal that Brit thrash beasts, EVILE will be adding to Friday’s mayhem on the Sophie Lancaster stage. The band’s hotly anticipated and long awaited fifth album ‘Hell Unleashed’ lands April 30th via Napalm Records and while you’re waiting, check out the title track here. Keep an eye out for another new track at the end of next week…


Stay tuned for more news soon, with plans underway for a re-jigged version of the 2021 METAL 2 THE MASSES scheme, as BLOODSTOCK continues to champion grassroots metal, bringing the best of upcoming talent to the New Blood stage.  BLOODSTOCK’s other two 2021 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday) and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival will also feature sets from DIMMU BORGIR, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, BURY TOMORROW, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SAXON, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, CATTLE DECAPITATION, BLOODYWOOD, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC., GREEN LUNG, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SYLOSIS, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, WINTERFYLLETH, NEKROGOBLIKON, THE CRAWLING, RAISED BY OWLS, ANAKIM, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, SOEN, DOG TIRED, BAILER, BLASPHEMER, BLACK TONGUE, LIBERTY LIES, PIST, & SHARKS IN YOUR MOUTH so far. More bands performing across the long weekend are still to be announced. 

Bloodstock announce new charity partner & reveal six more acts for 2020

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BLOODSTOCK has another six bands to announce for this summer’s best metal weekender. Not only that, the festival has a brand new charity partner this year. Read on for the latest news…
First of all, BLOODSTOCK is pleased to reveal that Louisville, Kentucky’s SAVAGE MASTER will be opening the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Saturday, waking you up with a concrete slab of traditional heavy metal! The group released their latest record ‘Myth, Magic & Steel’ in October. Check out the title track here.
Jetting in from Italy, blackened-death metal demons BLASPHEMER stride onto Sunday’s Sophie Lancaster stage to unleash unholy hell, no doubt including a few new tunes from their latest opus, ‘The Sixth Hour’, released last month via Candlelight Records. A concept album, themed around ‘The Way of the Cross’, explore ‘The Deposition’ here.
Joining them on Sunday’s Sophie stage, are modern hard rock crew, LIBERTY LIES. Citing influences such as Biffy Clyro, QOTSA, and Coheed & Cambria, this West Midlands squad finally dropped new album ‘It’s The Hope That Kills You’ last November. Have a listen to their latest, chilled-out single ‘Letters’, released on Valentine’s Day, here.
Also performing on the Sophie stage on Sunday, are BLACK TONGUE. Hailing from Hull, and bringing some down-tempo doom, the five-piece have added their most recent album ‘Nadir’ to their YouTube channel in its entirety, so you have until August to make sure you know it back to front, if you don’t already. Get started here.
In addition, Bury based riff juggernaut PIST are added to the Sophie Sunday bill. The band released their latest album ‘Hailz’ last November through APF Records. It’s a record that will grab the attention of fans of Orange Goblin, Kvelertak, Motörhead, Entombed, Uada and Black Breath, elevating PIST to one of the standout bands in the current UK underground heavy scene. Have a listen to ‘Mind Rotter’ here.
If that’s shaping up your Sunday viewing nicely, why not add SHARKS IN YOUR MOUTH to your must-see Sophie list on Saturday. Offering up their take on post-hardcore and djent, the Italian outfit released their second full-length ‘Sacrilegious’ in 2019 and you can watch the video for their newly released single ‘Gone’ here.
BLOODSTOCK is very pleased to share that this year’s charity partner will be the mental health charity Mind. Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and campaign to improve services and raise awareness. 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem every year and Mind won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect. In addition to guestlist donations, raising funds on behalf of Mind on site at BLOODSTOCK will be festival attendee Michael Lacy, with his PATCH AMNESTY initiative. Bring your old, spare, or new patches to donate, browse patches to buy, or even just stop by for a chat. All proceeds go to Mind. Please look out for PATCH AMNESTY / Mind signage and stop by his stand in the main arena to give your support.
Maria Khosla, Community Fundraising Manager for Mind, says : “We are grateful to the organisers of Bloodstock Festival and to Michael Lacy from Patch Amnesty for choosing to support Mind at this year’s event. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem every year so their support in raising funds and awareness means we can continue to make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.”
BLOODSTOCK’s 2020 main stage headliners are DEVIN TOWNSEND (Friday), BEHEMOTH (Saturday), and JUDAS PRIEST (Sunday). The festival also welcomes HATEBREED, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS, SKINDRED, PARADISE LOST, LIFE OF AGONY, BURY TOMORROW, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DIAMOND HEAD, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, BUTCHER BABIES, CATTLE DECAPITATION, BLOODYWOOD, MEMORIAM, RAMAGE INC, GREEN LUNG, BOSSK, CONJURER, ORANGE GOBLIN, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, SAXON, SYLOSIS, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, NECTOR, WINTERFYLLETH, EXHUMED, NEKROGOBLIKON, THE CRAWLING, RAISED BY OWLS, ANAKIM, ACID REIGN, SVALBARD, IDLE HANDS, SOEN, VISCERA, DOG TIRED, & BAILER so far. Many more bands performing over the weekend are still to be announced! Unsure what to expect? Watch a trailer all about BLOODSTOCK here.
BLOODSTOCK 2020 takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire from 6th-9th August 2020. For more info, click to www.bloodstock.uk.com.

Download festival announces major site improvements for 2020

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Download Festival, the world’s premier rock event has announced major site improvement plans for the 2020 festival which takes place on 12 – 14 June 2020 at the spiritual home of rock in Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets are on sale now at  downloadfestival.co.uk/tickets.

Download Festival prides itself on listening to its loyal fanbase. The Village has moved even closer to The Arena and will be located on the hardstanding tarmac lake and will be home to the largest ever festival merch superstore for weekend campers. The festival has become even more sustainable on site with 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil biofuel to be used that will reduce carbon emissions by a dramatic 60%, and vegan options have increased. Alongside new locations for all campsites, walking distances have decreased, and with the new Castle Donington Bypass, there is the addition of an East Car Park. Download Festival’s legacy will also be encapsulated with a time capsule burial on site over Download weekend.

Melvin Benn, Festival Republic MD says;
“Download is a festival like no other, the audience is as essential as a headliner and we’re excited to bring these site changes to the 2020 festival for better customer experience. The new location of The Village is incredibly exciting as we have made use of the hardstanding tarmac lake. What’s equally exciting is the merch superstore that will be located here, with plenty of options to commemorate the weekend. The new Castle Donington Bypass has allowed us to introduce a third carpark for those coming from the North, and all these site changes have reduced walking times across the site.

The legacy of Download deserves to be celebrated so we will be burying a time capsule on site during Download weekend. Artists will add to it, and I would love for Downloaders to be involved by suggesting items to include and becoming a part of history. Here’s to a great 2020.”

Download Festival have reduced walking distances for festival attendees by moving campsites, car parks, the transport hub and The Village. When campers were looking at almost an hour walk to campsites from The Arena, the new campsite locations mean that Downloaders can reach their tents in the furthest campsites from The Arena in just 25 minutes. As The Village is now a central hub between campsites, this can be reached from the majority of campsites in 10 minutes or less.

The newly located general campsites will also see a fan rebrand, and Downloaders can suggest what each of the six campsites should be called right here (https://form.jotform.com/FRMarketing/campsite-name-suggestions-DL2020). Entries must be submitted by Monday 9th March, and winning names will be announced via socials on Friday 13th March. Greenpeace’s Eco Campsite also returns for its third year, with 100% of tents taken away in the previous two years.

Download Festival have reacted to public feedback, relocating The Village after the severe weather conditions of last year, to the hardstanding Tarmac Lake. Home of The Dog House, Hair Of The Dog bar, food stands, and the incredible Mind The Dog Mindfulness programming that will return in 2020, plus just minutes away from the Access Campsite, access customers can go from their camp to The Village without leaving solid ground.

The Village will also be home to a new massive 900 square meter merch superstore for the first time, and in The Arena, the serving areas of merchandise stalls have increased by 13 meters, plus additional staff on hand to aid in providing size choices whilst waiting. The lines were too long last year, and this should help speed up the process. New for 2020, the Guest Area will also have its own merch stand.

Download takes climate change seriously and as part of our Green Nation charter we are using 100% renewable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuel to power the event this year. HVO is a form of renewable diesel that has been produced from vegetable fats and oils and offers a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In the recent The Show Must Go On (https://www.vision2025.org.uk/) report, 76% of an event on site carbon emission is power, and this act will reduce Download’s carbon emissions by 60%.

In 2019, the Liftshare carpark sold out with 157 cars taking part, with combined travel saving 16.29 tonnes of CO2e, and £20,000 was raised for local schools to install solar panels through car park donations which is up on £15,800 in 2018. The Recycling and composting rates rose from 46% in 2018 to 59% in 2019 with zero waste going to landfill, bars will once again be operating with reusable cups, and Co-op’s reverse vending machines return for a third year. All water bottles sold at the bars and traders stands will be made from renewable plant-based bottles, and all water refill points in The Arena have been completely redesigned with high flow meaning that a litre bottle can be refilled in just 3 seconds, compared to last year which could have taken up to 12 seconds. That’s four times faster!

The food we eat is responsible for almost a third of our global carbon footprint.  We’ve increased vegan food offerings by 40% to give over 30 vegan vendors to choose from on site and a total of over 40 vegetarian stalls to tuck into. Gluten free traders have also increased to a total of 30 stalls across the site, an increase of 42% from 2019.

For 2020, Download Festival has introduced a new East Car Park, which alongside the West Car Park, will be dedicated to weekend campers with easy access to campsites either side of the site. The East Car Park will also be easily accessible by those travelling from the North of England via the newly created Castle Donington bypass. The South Car Park will be dedicated to day ticket holders and improved conditions within the car parks aim to better handle weather conditions. The increase in car parks also means Downloaders no longer have to walk for miles with their weekend belongings, as if parked in the East Car Park, they can reach the nearest campsite in just two minutes.

Inspired by Iron Maiden performing their Legacy of the Beast Tour, Download will be celebrating the festivals legacy with a time capsule burial on the hallowed grounds of Donington. Download will be calling on its line up of legends across the weekend to contribute to the time capsule and make their mark on the Download Festival legacy, Downloaders will also be able to suggest what can be included and have the chance to add their own bit of history. May 2078 will see the resurfacing date, marking 75 years since the very first Download Festival!

Inside the arena itself, The Dogtooth Stage has a reputation to host some of the best talent around, with the tent overflowing from overwhelming popularity within recent years and to reflect this, organisers will be increasing capacity from 2890 to 4050.

Festival Republic have worked with Attitude is Everything since 2001. Download Festival signed up to the Attitude is Everything Charter of Best Practice in 2017 and currently holds the Gold Award within the charter. The Accessible Campsite remains on the same hardstanding location. The Accessible Campervan space has moved to a flatter more accessible location and the space for campervans has increased by 42% to over 100 spaces for 2020.

For further information, please visit Download Festival’s Website, Facebook and Twitter

 

#DL2020