BOA

Bloodstock: More bands and Club Nights

by

The clock’s ticking! There are just 133 days ‘til BLOODSTOCK, the best heavy metal party weekender of the year and BLOODSTOCK HQ has a bumper batch of Sophie Lancaster Stage bands to announce to cheer you into April.  

Plus, if you didn’t win festival tickets in the very popular BLOODSTOCK website’s Easter Egg hunt, fear not, you could win a pair at one of the upcoming BLOODSTOCK raucous club nights – the first batch of party nights detailed below!

Joining the Sophie stage on Sunday are the new, but old school death metal outfit MEMORIAM. Terrorizer magazine got the lowdown on this new outfit, featuring ex-Bolt Thrower and ex-Benediction members, which you can read at: http://www.terrorizer.com/news/karl-willetts-speaks-to-terrorizer-about-memoriam/. Still curious?  Visit: www.facebook.com/Memoriam2016.  London’s symphonic metal six-piece, PYTHIA are looking forward to rocking your face off on Sunday.  Perhaps you caught them in London in Feb, playing with BLOODSTOCK alumni, Ensiferum?  Check them out at www.facebook.com/PythiaBand.  THIS IS TURIN will be showcasing their brand of British tech metal on Saturday at BLOODSTOCK this Summer!  The band have been busy working on their forthcoming release ‘Thrones’ – learn more at www.facebook.com/thisisturin.  Inspired by Game Of…?  We’re not sure.  Also partaking in Saturday’s Sophie Lancaster stage shenanigans are ONE MACHINE, the thrashtastic brainchild of Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden).  Soon to hit the road with Overkill, stay up to date via www.facebook.com/OneMachineOfficial.  Sunday’s final addition are Londoners, DERANGE. Tipped by Metal Hammer (http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-10-13/hot-new-band-derange), watch their video for ‘Echo’ at https://youtu.be/QoQYAzu5LM4.  For more, head to:  www.facebook.com/DerangeUK.

Have you watched the brand new BLOODSTOCK 2016 trailer yet? Turn up your volume and click to https://youtu.be/T7gpYjVIH7o.  Popcorn not included.

The first batch of 2016’s BLOODSTOCK club nights are also ready to go!  That’s thirty-three pre-festival parties already planned!!  More will be added for June, July and early August, so don’t despair if your nearest rock club isn’t listed yet.  In the meantime, get along to one/some/all of these, check out the headbangin’ tracks being kranked out from BLOODSTOCK bands old and new, and be in with the chance of winning weekend tickets and BLOODSTOCK-related giveaways.  Check with your local club for further details and expect the unexpected!  Events for April and May stack up as follows:

Fri 1st April – Stoke on Trent – Bunker 13

Fri 1st April – Woking – Schism

Sat 2nd April – Norwich – The Waterfront

Fri 15th April – Ipswich – The Cock and Pye

Sat 16th April – Coventry – The Phoenix

Sat 16th April – Liverpool – Krazyhouse

Mon 18th April – Reading – Sakura

Fri 22nd April – Middlesbrough – SUMO

Fri 22nd April – Camberley – Agincourt

Sat 23rd April – Birmingham – The Asylum

Thu 28th April – Exeter – Walkabout

Fri 29th April – Plymouth – Envy

Sat 30th April – Manchester – Satan’s Hollow

Sat 30th April – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 30th April – Sheffield – Corporation

Fri 6th May – Woking Schism

Fri 6th May – Leicester – Firebug

Fri 6th May – Portsmouth – Edge of the Wedge

Sat 7th May – Stoke on Trent – Bunker 13

Sat 7th May – Brighton – Envy

Sat 7th May – Norwich – The Waterfront

Sat 14th May – Camberley – Agincourt

Sat 14th May – Bristol – Basement 45

Mon 16th May – Reading – Sakura

Fri 20th May – Bournemouth – Sound Circus

Fri 20th May – Glasgow – The Cathouse

Fri 20th May – Ipswich – The Cock and Pye

Sat 21st May – Coventry – The Phoenix

Fri 27th May – Mansfield – The Intake

Fri 27th May – Nottingham – The Landing (Nottingham Trent SU)

Sat 28th May – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 28th May – Cardiff – Fuel

Sat 28th May – Sheffield – Corporation

*clubs can be subject to change, so always check locally*

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

Bloodstock: More bands and Club Nights

by

The clock’s ticking! There are just 133 days ‘til BLOODSTOCK, the best heavy metal party weekender of the year and BLOODSTOCK HQ has a bumper batch of Sophie Lancaster Stage bands to announce to cheer you into April.  

Plus, if you didn’t win festival tickets in the very popular BLOODSTOCK website’s Easter Egg hunt, fear not, you could win a pair at one of the upcoming BLOODSTOCK raucous club nights – the first batch of party nights detailed below!

Joining the Sophie stage on Sunday are the new, but old school death metal outfit MEMORIAM. Terrorizer magazine got the lowdown on this new outfit, featuring ex-Bolt Thrower and ex-Benediction members, which you can read at: http://www.terrorizer.com/news/karl-willetts-speaks-to-terrorizer-about-memoriam/. Still curious?  Visit: www.facebook.com/Memoriam2016.  London’s symphonic metal six-piece, PYTHIA are looking forward to rocking your face off on Sunday.  Perhaps you caught them in London in Feb, playing with BLOODSTOCK alumni, Ensiferum?  Check them out at www.facebook.com/PythiaBand.  THIS IS TURIN will be showcasing their brand of British tech metal on Saturday at BLOODSTOCK this Summer!  The band have been busy working on their forthcoming release ‘Thrones’ – learn more at www.facebook.com/thisisturin.  Inspired by Game Of…?  We’re not sure.  Also partaking in Saturday’s Sophie Lancaster stage shenanigans are ONE MACHINE, the thrashtastic brainchild of Steve Smyth (Nevermore, Testament, Forbidden).  Soon to hit the road with Overkill, stay up to date via www.facebook.com/OneMachineOfficial.  Sunday’s final addition are Londoners, DERANGE. Tipped by Metal Hammer (http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-10-13/hot-new-band-derange), watch their video for ‘Echo’ at https://youtu.be/QoQYAzu5LM4.  For more, head to:  www.facebook.com/DerangeUK.

Have you watched the brand new BLOODSTOCK 2016 trailer yet? Turn up your volume and click to https://youtu.be/T7gpYjVIH7o.  Popcorn not included.

The first batch of 2016’s BLOODSTOCK club nights are also ready to go!  That’s thirty-three pre-festival parties already planned!!  More will be added for June, July and early August, so don’t despair if your nearest rock club isn’t listed yet.  In the meantime, get along to one/some/all of these, check out the headbangin’ tracks being kranked out from BLOODSTOCK bands old and new, and be in with the chance of winning weekend tickets and BLOODSTOCK-related giveaways.  Check with your local club for further details and expect the unexpected!  Events for April and May stack up as follows:

Fri 1st April – Stoke on Trent – Bunker 13

Fri 1st April – Woking – Schism

Sat 2nd April – Norwich – The Waterfront

Fri 15th April – Ipswich – The Cock and Pye

Sat 16th April – Coventry – The Phoenix

Sat 16th April – Liverpool – Krazyhouse

Mon 18th April – Reading – Sakura

Fri 22nd April – Middlesbrough – SUMO

Fri 22nd April – Camberley – Agincourt

Sat 23rd April – Birmingham – The Asylum

Thu 28th April – Exeter – Walkabout

Fri 29th April – Plymouth – Envy

Sat 30th April – Manchester – Satan’s Hollow

Sat 30th April – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 30th April – Sheffield – Corporation

Fri 6th May – Woking Schism

Fri 6th May – Leicester – Firebug

Fri 6th May – Portsmouth – Edge of the Wedge

Sat 7th May – Stoke on Trent – Bunker 13

Sat 7th May – Brighton – Envy

Sat 7th May – Norwich – The Waterfront

Sat 14th May – Camberley – Agincourt

Sat 14th May – Bristol – Basement 45

Mon 16th May – Reading – Sakura

Fri 20th May – Bournemouth – Sound Circus

Fri 20th May – Glasgow – The Cathouse

Fri 20th May – Ipswich – The Cock and Pye

Sat 21st May – Coventry – The Phoenix

Fri 27th May – Mansfield – The Intake

Fri 27th May – Nottingham – The Landing (Nottingham Trent SU)

Sat 28th May – Birmingham – Eddie’s Rock Club

Sat 28th May – Cardiff – Fuel

Sat 28th May – Sheffield – Corporation

*clubs can be subject to change, so always check locally*

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, MISERY LOVES CO, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, DIAMOND HEAD, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

More bands announced for Bloodstock 2016

by

BLOODSTOCK HQ is currently a hive of activity, with even more bands being confirmed for this August’s best heavy metal weekender.

Joining the Ronnie James Dio stage are the recently reformed industrial outfit, MISERY LOVES COMPANY.  The band inform us, “The UK was always special to MISERY LOVES CO, our very first show outside of Scandinavia was in London and without the support of the British people we probably would have stayed in Scandinavia for ever, listening to ABBA, eating herring and dreaming of the outside world…  MISERY LOVES CO + Britain = a true love story.  Now, when we return to the stage, we’re extremely happy to showcase our industrial demons in front of the British crowd once more.  Doing a summer of festivals without coming to the UK would have been a failure, so, we can’t wait to come to BLOODSTOCK!”  Check out a clip of ‘My Mind Still Speaks’ – https://youtu.be/ZiPENHSeFYM.  

Opening the RJD stage on Saturday are Brit tech metallers, CAMBION.  As proud BLOODSTOCK alumni (2012/2014), the band are currently at work on their debut album, having released the Virus Extended Edition EP in 2014.  Check out the video for ‘Heterodox’ here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpeerilbWqU, and keep up with plans for the album street date over at http://www.cambionofficial.co.uk/.

Stepping into the Friday night headline slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage are NWOBHM icons, DIAMOND HEAD.  The likes of Metallica have often stated that without DIAMOND HEAD, they’d probably not exist, such is the Stourbridge band’s influence.  Check out this fan-filmed clip of the ‘Big 4’ (Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax & Megadeth) covering DIAMOND HEAD’s classic ‘Am I Evil’, joined by the band’s very own Brian Tatler – https://youtu.be/K9P-H_Qd908.  Brian and his cohorts are set to release their first album of new material in over 8 years on 22nd April, simply titled ‘Diamond Head’.  Don’t miss ‘em at BLOODSTOCK!

Also joining Saturday night’s Sophie stage shenanigans are Brit metallers, KRYSTHLA.  The band’s debut album, ‘A War Of Souls And Desires’, can be snapped up at their Bandcamp – http://www.krysthla.bigcartel.com/.  Also check out the video for lead track ‘Luminosity’ here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjJwiBVlcFc.

With Easter weekend also looming, BLOODSTOCK are once again gearing up the website’s very popular Easter Egg hunt, as they’ve done in years past.  Will you be one of the lucky winners of a pair of weekend tix with camping?!  Click over to the BLOODSTOCK website at www.bloodstock.uk.com on Good Friday 25th March to take part.

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, METAL ALLEGIANCE, STUCK MOJO, ROTTING CHRIST, GHOST BATH, VENOM, UNEARTH, GOATWHORE, ACID REIGN and many more.  Additional bands are still to be announced.

Bloodstock clock up more bands for 2016

by

Headbangers….ready!?!  The BLOODSTOCK gladiators have been out marauding and have rounded up five more metal beasts for your entertainment this August.  First up, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY join the Ronnie James Dio main stage bill.  Now reunited with Pepper Keenan up front, BLOODSTOCK’s faithful can look forward to a slew of classics from their three-decade-plus career.

Pepper tells us,
"It’s been a real pleasure after all this time to get back with the COC lads and start jamming again and creating music.  We are having a blast!  We've have had so much support from all over the globe and landing on a fest like BLOODSTOCK really sums it up.  We’re honoured and cannot wait to up the fuckin' hammers in the middle of nowhere in merry ol' England!  Thank you!  Ohh yeah, don't forget me cider ….!”

CoC kicked off 2016 by launching their own ‘Wiseblood’ beer with the Three Floyd’s Brewing Co, announced a US run with Lamb of God & Clutch, and are also hard at work on a brand new album.  Get the latest news at www.coc.com UNEARTH also join the BLOODSTOCK bill for the first time.

If you’re fast, you can get clued up on their new material in time for August by picking up current album, ‘Watchers of Rule’ at a discounted price of around a fiver over at their merch store – http://unearth.merchnow.com/products/185256/watchers-of-rule-cd Wherever they can, BLOODSTOCK is proud to bring you bands who don’t often grace UK shores, so joining the main stage bill to play their first ever UK show are atmospheric US black metal outfit, GHOST BATH.

Local heroes, EVIL SCARECROW also make a triumphant return!

As serious contenders for the ‘most fun had on stage’ prize, what do they make of their return? “We’re back!  Again!  We’re like the BLOODSTOCK house band or maybe a bad STD that you can’t get rid of. Either way, we’re hoping to bring our biggest ever show and even some new material.  After the historic, record breaking crowd of 2014, we’re looking forward to being back on that stage, although a custom-built, floating glass pyramid ‘Scarecrow Stage’ would have been nice.  We’re genuinely overwhelmed and beyond excited to be back partying with our BLOODSTOCK brothers and sisters.”  Keep up with Scarecrow’s shenanigans via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Evil.Scarecrow

Also, joining the Sophie stage bill are XII BOAR.  A big slab of rock n' roll-infused, southern-fried metal, this power trio are determined to make sure everyone has a good time. Ric Flair raves, "We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing our trademarked XII BOAR grooves to BLOODSTOCK.  This year's line-up is already beyond words and we're so stoked to be a part of it. Get your dancing shoes on and get down to the super massive XII BOAR sound as we're assembling the biggest party BLOODSTOCK has ever seen!  See you there!” 
 

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCES THREE MORE BANDS FOR 2016!

by

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCES THREE MORE BANDS FOR 2016!

 

Wipe away those January blues, because BLOODSTOCK has three more bands locked and loaded, ready to level Catton Park in August!

The METAL ALLEGIANCE project joins the bill!  You never know who’ll show up on stage at a METAL ALLEGIANCE show, but the line-up confirmed so far includes Testament’s Alex Skolnick, Death Angel’s Mark Osegueda, Anthrax’s Scott Ian & Charlie Benante, Russell Allen from Symphony X, Gary Holt from Slayer & Exodus, Mike Portnoy of Twisted Sister/numerous other projects, plus METAL ALLEGIANCE leader, Mark Menghi.  Mike Portnoy says “I'm so excited for Metal Allegiance to make their UK debut at one of the most metal festivals on Earth!  The perfect audience to share this brotherhood of metal with."  Who else might step into their ranks for the day?  You’ll have to be at BLOODSTOCK to find out!!

Also joining the 2016 line-up are Atlanta’s rap metal pioneers, STUCK MOJO.  Having reformed in 2014, the band are active once more and this year celebrate the 20th anniversary of their second album, ‘Pigwalk’. Check out the video here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOL6htxn-tc. The band have been working on a new album with producer Andy Sneap.  Stay tuned on the latest news on the release over at www.facebook.com/StuckMojo.

Mighty New Orleans metallers, GOATWHORE also join us as Friday’s Sophie Lancaster stage headliners!   The band are hard at work on their new album which is expected to see the light of day later this year.  Check out the video for ‘Bearing Teeth For Revolt’, shot at NOLA’s infamous ‘House of Shock’ – https://youtu.be/tJkju9-919s.  Get clued up on the band over at their main website – http://www.goatwhore.net/.

BLOODSTOCK’s very popular Deposit Scheme for 2016 has undergone a few changes this year and it’s now even more manageable to pay for your ticket in stages, with the scheme expanding the number of payments from 3 months to 5 months.  Less to shell out each month!  To pay this way, just sign-up at any time before 29th February.  The 1st payment of £34.80 is payable immediately, then 4 additional payments of approximately £30 will debit your account on 28th of March, April, May and June.  (Exact amounts; £27.80 for Mar/Apr/May, £31.30 for June to include postage).  Get signed up over at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2016/catton-park/902838.  We regret that VIP tickets are NOT available via the payment plan, although pending remaining VIP availability, you could purchase a VIP upgrade in July or August and still be in time for the festival!

Already announced for 2016 are our three headliners, TWISTED SISTER (in their last ever UK show), MASTODON and SLAYER, plus special guests BEHEMOTH, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.  Also on the bill are FEAR FACTORY, SYMPHONY X, SATYRICON, PARADISE LOST, DRAGONFORCE, ROTTING CHRIST, VENOM and ACID REIGN.  Many more are still to be announced.

SLAYER announced for Bloodstock Open Air 2016!

by

As the calendar turns to the final month of the year, BLOODSTOCK are excited to announce their Sunday night headliner for 2016!  The very mighty SLAYER are set to close out the festival at Catton Park next August.

Having recently released their twelfth studio album, ‘Repentless’, which has been their most successful to date, SLAYER are on truly blistering form!  Check out their brutal, yet epic video for ‘Repentless’, starring Machete star Danny Trejo: https://youtu.be/yjb0j9l1sz4.

Legendary SLAYER axeman, Kerry King comments; "I’m looking forward to heading back to Bloodstock, as always!  Come party with SLAYER and watch us wreck the place!!"

Already announced for BLOODSTOCK 2016 are TWISTED SISTER (their last ever UK show), MASTODON, GOJIRA, ANTHRAX, SATYRICON, BEHEMOTH, DRAGONFORCE, ROTTING CHRIST, VENOM and PARADISE LOST. Many more are still to be added.

Early bird weekend tickets with camping are available now, priced £120 (+ booking fee) from http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2016/catton-park/902838.  BLOODSTOCK is family-friendly and welcomes rockers of all ages!  A weekend ticket with camping for kids aged 4 – 11 is just £35 (+booking fee) and if your little mosher is under 4, they can join you for free (Note: all children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian over the age of 18)!  Campervan pitches are already on sale and these move very quickly, so pick yours up ASAP to avoid disappointment. Rock Society passes are already sold out.

New bands for Bloodstock Open Air 2016

by

BLOODSTOCK add GOJIRA, SATYRICON & ANTHRAX to 2016!

 

As the festive season looms, BLOODSTOCK come bearing early gifts for you!  Three more bands for 2016!

 

French heavyweights GOJIRA are set to bring their whale-sized riffs to Catton Park as Saturday’s special guests!  A crowd favourite every time they play, and with a brand new album on the way, being recorded in their own studio, their BLOODSTOCK set is sure to be a sight to behold.  Frontman Joe Duplantier enthuses, “BLOODSTOCK is one of our favourite festivals in the UK!  The quality of the bands playing is always a high standard and we love the passion of the people who come to rock out!  It’s an honour to be a part of it again.” Look out for updates from the studio at www.facebook.com/GojiraMusic.

 

Stepping into Sunday’s special guest slot are thrash titans, ANTHRAX!  More than three decades in and with a new album, ‘All For Kings’ coming in February, BLOODSTOCK will be the place to see them next Summer.  Axe legend Scott Ian comments: “On the most metal of days we will once again have the privilege to rage with you crazy fuckers!  BLOODSTOCK!!!  A festival fit for all kings!!!  See what I did there?  See ya soon, my friends.”  Get excited by checking out their latest single ‘Evil Twin’, released last month, at: http://youtu.be/xPmLkF3e6Fc.

 

Playing their only UK show for 2016 are Norwegian trailblazers SATYRICON, performing their classic ‘Nemesis Devina’ album in full on Sunday.  “Next year it’s 20 years since Satyricon made its live debut as a band, and 20 years since we released Nemesis Divina,” frontman and visionary Satyr comments. “There's a nemesis walking through life, for all to face.  And there's a Divine Nemesis, for all to face that come to see Satyricon at BLOODSTOCK 2016.  Let us celebrate the 20th anniversary of a milestone album like only Norsemen and Brits can!"  Learn more at www.facebook.com/SatyriconOfficial.

 

Early bird weekend tickets with camping are available now, priced £120 (+ booking fee) from http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2016/catton-park/902838.  BLOODSTOCK is family-friendly and welcomes rockers of all ages!  A weekend ticket with camping for kids aged 4 – 11 is just £35 (+booking fee) and if your little mosher is under 4, they can join you for free (Note: all children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian over the age of 18)!  Campervan pitches are already on sale and these move very quickly, so pick yours up ASAP to avoid disappointment. Rock Society passes are already sold out.

Bloodstock Open Air – Two weeks to go, final bands announced!

by

It’s fever pitch over at BLOODSTOCK HQ with just over two weeks to go!  That doesn’t stop one last HUGE announcement of bands who’ll be joining the Catton Park bill!

Picking up the last Ronnie James Dio main stage slot on Saturday are Brit metal merauders, SAVAGE MESSIAH.  Get a taster of their sound with the video for ‘Hellblazer’, taken from current Earache Records album, ‘The Fateful Dark’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMLgbl7yU98.

 

A wealth of successful ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ winners also line up for the New Blood stage.  On Friday, you can bang your head to the Bristol final winners, MORTISHEAD (www.facebook.com/mortishead), Nottingham’s winners, FORGOTTEN REMAINS (www.facebook.com/forgottenremainsband) and KRYOCELL (www.facebook.com/kryocell). On Saturday, we have the victors from the Manchester, Wales, Burnley and Corby finals; AMETHYST (www.facebook.com/aovuk), CHAOS TRIGGER (www.facebook.com/chaostrigger), BLOODYARD (www.facebook.com/bloodyard666) and FROM EDEN TO EXILE (www.facebook.com/fromedenttoexile).  Sunday’s bill swells with the inclusion of Oxford’s winners, HELLS GAZELLES (www.facebook.com/hellsgazelles), Birmingham’s victors, BURDEN OF THE NOOSE (www.facebook.com/burdenofthenoose666), plus Nottingham’s SPIRYTUS and the Black Country’s LEFT FOR RED (www.facebook.com/leftforreduk).

 

Joining the Jagermeister stage bill on Friday are Leicester death metallers, FOUL BODY AUTOPSY , Brum heavy metal beasts THE MIGHTY WRAITH and Notts stoner grunge squad, WITCHTRIPPER.  Saturday sees the addition of Kettering’s symphonic metal outfit, DIVINE SOLACE and Blackpool death metal machine, CIRCLE SPECTRE HAUNTING.  Also added on Sunday are Bristol prog metallers ENDEAVOUR, Norwich thrashers KILLER HURTS and Wigan hard rockers, BIG FOOT.

 

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to announce its partnership with TEENAGE CANCER TRUST for the fifth year in a row.  Since kicking off a relationship in 2011, over £21,000 has been raised for the charity, with the money going to help the UK’s teenagers & young adults with cancer.  To celebrate hitting the £20k mark and this special anniversary, this year we’ve set a fundraising target of £12,500 so we need your help to shatter that!  Once again the charity will have a stall in the market area, where you can purchase Teenage Cancer Trust merchandise and join in the popular ‘T-Shirt Amnesty’ (clear some drawer space and bring your unwanted band t-shirts to donate or swap).  There are also three very special raffle prizes up for grabs.  On Friday, you could meet headliners TRIVIUM and watch their first three songs side of stage, while on Saturday, WITHIN TEMPTATION offer the same prize. On Sunday, one lucky winner could be taking home a black gloss BC Rich Warlock Edge guitar, signed by 2014 BLOODSTOCK headliners, DOWN. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is purchase a raffle ticket for £1 at the charity stand, so stop by, pick up a ticket and be in with a chance of winning.

Bloodstock Open Air – Three weeks to go!

by

BLOODSTOCK HQ is a-buzz with activity with just over three weeks to go!   There’s still more bands to announce and we also welcome the return of the brutal-yet-amazing ‘Battle Of The Nations UK’ historical fighting team!

 

The New Blood stage on Friday sees a brace of additions; Hertfordshire melodic death metal outfit and Luton ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals winner, COUNTLESS SKIES (www.facebook.com/countlessskies) and Gothenburg, Sweden’s WE ARE THE CATALYST (www.facebook.com/WATCofficial) – who also won DELAIN’s competition with Metal Hammer magazine to win a support slot on the Dutch symphonic rockers’ UK tour.  Joining the New Blood bill on Saturday are Midlands-based prog metallers, MARTYR DE MONA (www.facebook.com/martyrdemona, groove metal outfit and Norwich M2TM winners, SOULBORN (www.facebook.com/soulborn) and self-proclaimed ‘hobo sludge’ gang and Reading’s M2TM winners, VICTORIAN WHORE DOGS (www.facebook.com/VWDBAND).  Sunday welcomes London death metallers SKARTHIA (www.facebook.com/skarthia), hard rock funk/schplunk metal men and London final M2TM winners, WRETCHED TOAD (www.facebook.com/wretchedtoad) and lastly, the winners of the ‘Metal To The Masses’ Hobgoblin online video upload competition, Newcastle groove metal beasts, TOMBSTONE CROW (www.facebook.com/tombstonecrowofficial).

 

Over on the Jagermeister Stage on Friday, hard rock four-piece CITY OF THIEVES (www.facebook.com/cityofthievesuk) join the fray.  On Saturday, the blues-based rockers PIG IRON (www.facebook.com/pigironmc) grab a slot, as well as stoner/sludge squad, MORASS OF MOLLASSES (www.facebook.com/MorassOfMolasses) and straight out of Valhalla, the truest of true cover bands, HANOWAR (www.facebook.com/Hanowartruemetal); a bit like Manowar, but…well, you do the math!  Lastly for this announcement, Sunday sees horror-metal punksters, THE HELL PUPPETS (www.facebook.com/hellpuppets) join the Jager bill.  Final additions to all stages will be announced next week!!

 

There’s plenty more on site to see and do besides watching the awesome bill!  Returning this year for Friday-Sunday are the very popular BATTLE OF THE NATIONS UK historical fighting team!  These guys have to be seen to be believed.  Catch their regular ‘demonstrations’ (read: ‘full-on’, no-holds-barred fighting with broadswords, maces and plenty of other historical weaponry) in their designated pen in the main arena.

 

All these stellar bands are on the bill!  Friday’s headliner TRIVIUM and special guests SABATON, Saturday’s headliner WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, Sunday’s headliner ROB ZOMBIE and special guests BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, plus CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA, ORANGE GOBLIN, DEATH D.T.A, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, 1349, NAPALM DEATH, DARK ANGEL, ARMORED SAINT, BELPHEGOR, OVERKILL, ENSIFERUM, AGALLOCH, KORPIKLAANI, PRO-PAIN, ENSLAVED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, XERATH and WOLF.  Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, there’s headliners DELAIN, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, GODFLESH and ARNOCORPS, LAWNMOWER DETH, MORDRED, ETHEREAL, ONSLAUGHT, OAF, CONAN, PLANET OF ZEUS, GODSIZED, plus many many more.

Seven more bands for Bloodstock Open Air

by

BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce seven more of metal’s finest for the UK’s heaviest weekender, including a clutch of bands from the farthest flung corners of the globe.

 

Friday’s line up will now include extreme prog metal Aussies, NE OBLIVISCARIS for their long awaited debut on UK soil.  The band proclaim, “UK, here we come!  2015 is the year we are finally going to reach your shores and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that it will be as part of the enormous BLOODSTOCK festival.  We’re looking forward to playing alongside many of the best and biggest heavy acts from across the world!”  Get a taste for them in this clip from their Australian tour in November; https://youtu.be/WdW88MzfHec.  Also joining Friday’s fray are the London based group SILAS, who describe themselves as a “fusion of genres”. Curious?  Head over to the official website at http://www.silasbanduk.com/ for the full lowdown.

 

Saturday’s bill sees two bands who’ve jetted in from Indonesia, a hotbed of metal and one of the planet’s most burgeoning heavy music scenes.  BURGERKILL and JASAD are two of the country’s biggest metal acts, even counting the country’s metal-loving prime minister, Joko Widodo among their fans. Check out the video for BURGERKILL’s ‘House of Greed’ at: https://youtu.be/A7RM2W4kQco and then take their Indonesian heavy metal language lesson with Metal Hammer at: https://youtu.be/xAEKQO4n8vE.  To learn more about JASAD, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Jasadbdm.  Also joining Saturday’s Sophie bill are Mancunian metallers, PIST, already flagged up as a Terrorizer ‘Band of the Day’ around the release of their ‘Riffology’ EP. If you’re into stuff like Orange Goblin, Red Fang & Kyuss, you’ll appreciate the PIST sound.  Learn more about PIST at: http://www.terrorizer.com/news/botd/pist-band-day/.

 

Sunday’s line-up sees a very special solo set from ex-Evile shredsman, OL DRAKE to accompany his upcoming solo album, ‘Old Rake’ which is out in June via Earache.  Ol comments "I'm very excited to be returning to Bloodstock in a musical capacity. The weekend is fully booked off work (I was going anyway) and we're rehearsing right now. It’ll be a very special show, so don’t miss it.  I’ll no doubt be having my fair share of drinks and Jagermeister afterwards and no doubt be returning to work feeling buzzed yet terrible.  This is probably the only show I'll be doing to promote the album. Hope to see you there!"  The album’s lead track, 'Guitarists Playing Guitars' features the likes of Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus), James Murphy (Death/Testament/Obituary), Josh Middleton (Sylosis) and Mike Heller (Fear Factory, on drums).  Check it out now on Spotify; http://open.spotify.com/track/1YdYUEsRxVB2UGkrqLn4JD.  Sunday also sees the return to Catton Park of South Wales metallers, TRIAXIS, who release their third album ‘Zero Hour’ on May 18th via Rocksector Records.  Listen to first single ‘Victorious’ and delve deeper at: http://www.triaxis.info/.

 

Tickets for BLOODSTOCK 2015 are available via the 24hr ticketline at 0871 230 5584 or online at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2015/catton-park/809956, priced at the very reasonable £135 (plus booking fee) for a four-day Thursday through Sunday weekend ticket with camping.  VIP packages and upgrades are also available, plus pre-booked car parking pitches.  Camper van pitches are now all SOLD OUT!

 

All these killer bands are already announced!  Friday’s headliner TRIVIUM and special guests SABATON, Saturday’s headliner WITHIN TEMPTATION and special guests OPETH, Sunday’s headliner ROB ZOMBIE and special guests BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, plus CANNIBAL CORPSE, IHSAHN, SEPULTURA, ORANGE GOBLIN, DEATH T.A, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, 1349, NAPALM DEATH, DARK ANGEL, ARMORED SAINT, BELPHEGOR, OVERKILL, ENSIFERUM, AGALLOCH, KORPIKLAANI, PRO-PAIN, ENSLAVED, RAGING SPEEDHORN, XERATH and WOLF.  Plus over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, there’s headliners DELAIN, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, GODFLESH and ARNOCORPS, LAWNMOWER DETH, MORDRED, ETHEREAL, ONSLAUGHT, OAF, CONAN, PLANET OF ZEUS, GODSIZED, plus many more and, there’s even more bands to be announced in the coming weeks!