BOA

BLOODSTOCK reveal Lorna Shore Full Set YouTube Premiere & New Plush Toy

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While you’re waiting patiently for this year’s BLOODSTOCK to roll around, HQ are putting together a few tasty treats to help pass the time. 

Have you explored BLOODSTOCK’s official YouTube channel yet? Chock-full of exclusive footage from previous year’s events, it’s about to get even better, with a brand new premiere on the way from none other than LORNA SHORE, with their whole set from 2022 hitting the channel from 7pm GMT on February 24th in all its ferocious glory. You’ll be able to watch it in full here. Click here for a quick 30-second sneak peek of what’s in store.

With 2022 marking their very first performance on BLOODSTOCK’s hallowed stage, LORNA SHORE said, “We dreamed about playing Bloodstock for years and years. The reality was beyond the dream. We thank the entire Bloodstock team and the fans for a life changing experience.”

Overwhelmed at the vast array of videos to choose from? BLOODSTOCK’s YouTube chief & webmaster has highlighted several of his favourites and why!  In no particular order then… 
THE ENERGY
ARCH ENEMY – You Will Know My Name – Bloodstock 2017 I absolutely love Arch Enemy, this video is such a great track with lots of energy. I would love to see them back at Bloodstock in 2024.
THE CLASSIC
JUDAS PRIEST – Metal Gods – Bloodstock 2021 A very iconic moment when Glen Tipton came on stage for 3 tracks at Bloodstock 2021, Metal Gods is simply a classic. 
THE MIND CHANGER
DEVIN TOWNSEND – Full Set Performance – Bloodstock 2021 I confess I’ve never been a true Devin fan, but the 2021 performance was simply out of this world and has to be one of my favourite premieres on our channel to date.
THE TASTER
KREATOR – Terrible Certainty – Bloodstock 2021 I helped convince our band booker to have Kreator as a headliner in 2021 and what a great performance it was! To date a couple of the tracks have been shared, but I’m excited to reveal that their full set will be coming as a premiere in April! It’s a killer set, really looking forward to sharing this for everyone to enjoy!
THE UNMISSABLE
GOJIRA – Full Set Performance – Bloodstock 2016 What can I say… you gotta watch some Gojira, simply a band that creates masses of energy and gets the crowd moving. Their 2016 and 2018 performances at Bloodstock were amazing. 
THE EPIC
LAMB OF GOD – Full Set Performance – Bloodstock 2022 This Lamb Of God set just had to go online! I have watched it many times; it took a long time to get this approved – so thank you to the band and management for working with us to get this online, it’s a simply epic set.
THE SURPRISE
ORBIT CULTURE – Strangler – Bloodstock 2022 Because we’re busy working, I don’t get to watch all the bands live at the festival – but I do go through all the footage to choose which bands to put online. Orbit Culture were a band that simply blew me away, their sound and energy is just on another level –  they played the Sophie Lancaster stage, but I would love to see them on the main stage in the next few years.
BLOODSTOCK want to know which are your favourites from the channel! Send in your video playlists and perhaps the festival will highlight a few or give out some spot prizes! What other sets do you want to see? Tell BLOODSTOCK via your social media platform of choice!

In BLOODSTOCK merch news, you asked… and BLOODSTOCK has delivered! The festival’s very first plush S’tan toy is on the way, horns n’ all You can pre-order from the merch store on Friday 24th February here for dispatch by April 10th. For those quick off the mark, the first 200 S’tans ordered can be snapped up at a special intro price of £19.99, saving you a fiver on the normal retail. Here he is larking around with his new pal the Download Dog. Wonder what other adventures he’ll get up to and where he’ll be spotted next…?
Unfortunately, since BLOODSTOCK’s previous band announcement, ska-punkers RUSSKAJA have split up, and will therefore no longer be performing. Take heart, there are still lots of bands to be revealed in the coming weeks!

Last call! Time is running out to sign up for the very popular weekend ticket Deposit Scheme. If you’re keen, you must sign up before 28th Feb. 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, 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. Join the scheme or see all ticket options here.

Never been to BLOODSTOCK before and just want to come for a day to check things out? Can’t do the whole weekend this summer but don’t want to miss all the fun? A limited number of day tickets are on sale now in the ticket store. Adult day tickets are £75 and if you’d like to make it a family day out, child day tickets are £25 (mini moshers under 4 can come for free), plus booking fees. Want to come for the full weekend experience? VIP and campervan tickets are already sold out, but you can still get standard weekend tickets in the ticket store! If you’d like to stay onsite so you don’t miss a single minute of the action, camping is included! There’s also a  dedicated quiet campsite, sometimes preferred by those with junior headbangers and fans of a proper sleep. 

Watch BLOODSTOCK’s new trailer at: https://youtu.be/y4cL0i4vFSU or by clicking below.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2023 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, MESHUGGAH, and MEGADETH. Also appearing are HELLOWEEN, IN FLAMES, DEVILDRIVER, BIOHAZARD, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, ROYAL REPUBLIC, SACRED REICH, HEAVEN SHALL BURN, SEPULTURA, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, CROWBAR, CANDLEMASS, TRIBULATION, 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, GAEREA, BLOODYARD, WOLFBASTARD, SKIN FAILURE, WITCHSORROW, WYTCH HAZEL, HATE, BLACK COAST, STRIKER, and ZETRA. Many more are yet to be announced. 

BLOODSTOCK IS NEXT MONTH!

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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. 

Check out more details at: https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/events/boa-2022/traders and here’s a handy graphic to help you keep track of which food stands to head to first.
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 Guitarwrist for 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

BLOODSTOCK REVEALS THIRTEEN MORE BANDS

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BLOODSTOCK can finally declare that 2022’s biggest metal weekender is next month! So to whet your appetite further, here’s thirteen more bands (lucky for some) you’ll be able to catch at the festival, plus details of exactly when you can put your own questions to some of this year’s stellar line-up, via a new Facebook Live series with BLOODSTOCK management in the coming weeks.  

Regretfully, BLACK TONGUE have had to pull out of their Sophie Lancaster stage slot, but BLOODSTOCK is pleased to welcome death metal heavyweights INGESTED in their wake on Saturday. These self-proclaimed ‘Kings of Slam’ are sure to impress; if you’re not familiar with them yet, take a look at the official video for ‘Ashes Lie Still’. If you dig it, there’s some extra behind-the-scenes content on their Facebook page too.  

With still a few more Metal 2 The Masses finals to go, BLOODSTOCK is enthused to reveal more of the winning bands and some very popular runners up, who’ll be appearing on the New Blood stage across festival weekend! Friday’s bill welcomes brawny riffs from hotly-tipped, South Wales champions I FIGHT BEARS and Northern Ireland runners up NØMADUS who blend thrash, groove, and prog.

Saturday brings modern metal crew COLLECTED who were runners up in Essex; folklore-named, progressive sludge trio SILEN who nearly clinched first in Kent; and a dystopian soundtrack from the interesting, industrial/post-metal TRIBE OF GHOSTS.

Sunday offers up a slice of heavy from North Wales winners, the high voltage, tech thrashers APOLLYON; Macclesfield’s melodic metal five piece KARMA’S PUPPET; and Hertfordshire victors MUST KILL, promising a unique take on their love of old school thrash and death metal.


Not only that, BLOODSTOCK has even more bands to tell you about, adding another four to the Jagermeister stage. If you need yet more live action after watching MERCYFUL FATE crush on Saturday night, get yourself back over to the Jager stage for a dose of THE KUNTS UNPLUGGED, doing a late headline set after the Danish icons finish. You may remember them from their Christmas chart-busters about politicians and royalty…! 

Also performing on Saturday are satirical, fantasy-themed, power metallers WARLOCK AD (channelling Dio, Manowar, Rhapsody, Powerwolf, and Feuerschwanz) telling epic tales of bizarre interdimensional proportions. Added to Sunday’s line-up are uplifting, atmospheric progsters LORE OF THE WOODMAN and ACID THRONE, who take their influence from classic rock, hardcore punk, and black metal to serve up doom-laden cuts for bangin’ heads.


Don’t miss BLOODSTOCK’s latest Facebook Live at 7pm BST this THURSDAY 7th July with festival management in conversation with none other than Will Ramos of LORNA SHORE! Put your questions to Will or BLOODSTOCK and keep an ear out 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 following additional guest chats:

7pm BST – Friday 15th July – Nergal from BEHEMOTH

7pm BST – Wednesday 20th July – The Berserker Blothar from GWAR

7pm BST – Thursday 28th July – Alex & Kon from MALEVOLENCE

BLOODSTOCK goes pink; reveals more bands

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Some of BLOODSTOCK HQ’s favourite festival moments are wandering amongst their metal brethren at Catton Park and seeing someone become a fan of a new band. Elevating the best upcoming heavy metal talent is one of the chief aims of Metal 2 The Masses, and as finals continue, we’ve details of a few more winners you’ll be able to see at BLOODSTOCK this August, alongside the first of the Jagermeister stage bands to be announced! 

First though, BLOODSTOCK also wants to take a moment 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. 

With Metal 2 The Masses finals well underway across the country, BLOODSTOCK is excited to share a few more of the winning bands, who’ll be performing on the New Blood stage. Essex champions EXISTENTIALIST are set to impress with their blackened death metal on Friday, alongside immersive goth rockers FYRESKY, who won the Kent heat. Milton Keynes victors VERMINTHRONE add some sludgecore flavour (imagine if EyeHateGod, Lamb of God, and Mastodon had a child) to Saturday’s bill, ably assisted by alt metal crew NOVACROW, who took first place for Merseyside.

Joining them on Saturday are Stoke’s brutal metal vanquishers HEADPRESS, Norwich heavyweights COLLAPSE THE SKY who crushed the competition in East Anglia, plus the kings of the London final, blistering thrashers IMPERIUM, who were so stoked to win, they also sent this message: “It goes without saying… the highlight of our music career so far. Winning has blown us away and we can’t wait to walk on that New Blood stage and do our thing! Getting to this point has been a winding road, but M2TM has humbled us, improved us and now given us this incredible opportunity to play Bloodstock Open Air. We can’t thank our fans enough for the support over the last year pushing us on and making our shows what they are. Thank you so much to everyone out there, you are a huge part of Imperium.” 

Sunday welcomes Leicester’s conquerors SULVAIN, four devotees of NOLA grunge from Northampton, with more bands yet to be revealed as the MT2M finals continue! BLOODSTOCK can also reveal some of the hotly tipped talent who’ll be ripping up the Jagermeister stage this year, so why not grab a cold one and go check out what could become your new favourite band.

Friday brings Rotherham’s SWAMP COFFIN, offering up a slab of nihilistic, metallic sludge for your eyes and ears, and good-humoured, Scottish rap/thrash n rollers, CERTAIN DEATH, whose music you may recognise from numerous extreme sports videos including the ‘Thrasher’ skateboarding series (or even just their ‘Jailbait’ single from colossal video game Grand Theft Auto VI).

Saturday now includes doom/thrash/groove fans BOZ, riff-worshipping Dundee trio SOLAR SONS, and rock doomsters MASTER CHARGER, hailing from the blackest heart of the Midlands. If you’re still head-bangin’ by Sunday, head over to catch balls to the wall, ground-shakers DEADLOCK SAINTS (think Motorhead meets Led Zeppelin) as well as some filthy sludge – by way of some grindcore, prog, psychedelia, and stoner doom too – from Limerick City’s TOOMS.  

Don’t miss BLOODSTOCK’s latest Facebook Live (and also on Instagram) TONIGHT at 7pm for the latest news, gossip, giveaways, and more. Get excited with your fellow BLOODSTOCKers and ask any burning questions direct to festival management.

Iron Maiden Exhibition & More At BLOODSTOCK 2022

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There’s now just 8 weeks to go ’til BLOODSTOCK 2022! HQ is in a frenzy getting the infrastructure together and locking in the last of the slots. There’s still another batch of Metal 2 The Masses bands to come and plenty more info about this year’s event to reveal, but first off, BLOODSTOCK has all the info about what to see at the festival’s unique Rock And Metal Gallery, including a very special Iron Maiden exhibition, as well as some Venom-shaped news. 

Each year, the RAM GALLERY brings a very unique element to BLOODSTOCK. There certainly aren’t many metal festivals showcasing a wealth of rock and metal inspired art, but here at Catton Park you can get your fill. Curated by festival founder and globally renowned fantasy artist, Paul Raymond Gregory and housed in a purpose built, professionally-lit marquee, the gallery acts as a focal point for a variety of artists, photographers, and other creatives.


This year, there’s a special Iron Maiden theme, with illustrator Mark Wilkinson returning to display a range of his impressive work for the British metal icons across the years. Maiden’s official photographer, John McMurtrie will also have a wall of his spectacular imagery, with a dozen shots from the ‘Legacy Of The Beast’ tour & a Bruce Dickinson ‘Trooper’ print, all authorised and approved by the band themselves.

John says, “When it comes to doing something well I cannot think of any other band that is as driven to outdo itself than IRON MAIDEN. I have been the band’s photographer since 2006 and each tour just gets bigger and more ambitious! The current Legacy of the Beast tour celebrates the music and showmanship of IRON MAIDEN with three full stage set changes representing WAR, RELIGION and DEATH. What other band on the planet would have a full size SPITFIRE dive bombing on stage, a CATHEDRAL with stained glass windows, then a scene from HELL with a 25ft monster surrounded by flames? I have a lot to photograph each night but it is the best gig in music photography and I feel honoured to play my part in capturing the IRON MAIDEN legacy.”  

And if you want to own a little piece of this Maiden history for yourself, John is offering a massive 25% discount to BLOODSTOCKers ordering a 20”x16” pearl fibre, 310gsm GICLEE print at the festival! You’ll be able to scan the QR code next to the print you want, enter the discount code displayed, and the print will be shipped by special delivery to your home direct from John’s studio, no worries about keeping it pristine in your tent!

These GICLEE prints are professionally produced on a massive 8 ink machine and will be archival for 200 years! The pearl fibre paper has a semi-gloss satin finish that feels exactly like a silver gelatine print. All ready to be framed and cherished! You can read more about these prints in a blog post from John here or see more of his work here. Up the Irons!

In addition to BLOODSTOCK’s Iron Maiden extravaganza, perhaps you’ve admired Venom Prison’s latest album artwork? It was created by artist Eliran Kantor, who is back with some new works. We can’t wait to see what else he’s been creating! The ever metal Krusher is bringing a few surprises from his lengthy ‘other’ career in art and design.

Expect the unexpected! 3D artist, Liam Brandon Murray has been working on some insane ideas for his amazing three dimensional works of art – and yes, that incredible throne you may have seen in the gallery last year will be making a return. Do check out his Instagram and prepare to be dazzled! Legendary fantasy illustrator (and accomplished musician) Rodney Matthews also has a display dedicated to his iconic artwork. Through the years, Rodney has produced more than 600 colour illustrations which have been used on everything from posters and snowboards, to album covers for a range of bands including none other than Rick Wakeman, Asia, & Nazareth – and even concept art for The Magic Roundabout movie & children’s series Lavender Castle. 

For the first time this year, BLOODSTOCK is also including select works from a couple of BLOODSTOCK’s official festival photography team. Be sure to check out some wonderful images from Katja Ogrin and Steve Dempsey, whose work has been featured in many international rock publications, plus BLOODSTOCK’s own Rock Society photographer, Matt Negus. When they’re not shooting bands, they’ll be roaming BLOODSTOCK to capture festival colour, shots of the crowd, and giving you a peek behind the scenes.  

Grab a selfie with BLOODSTOCK’s history wall, featuring the festival’s art through the years, with each signed by many of the bands who performed that year, including the likes of Alice Cooper, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, Judas Priest, and many more. For a great memento, pick a year you attended! Last but certainly not least the RAM Gallery’s iconic luthier Cynosure will return with three new astonishing guitars. Two have been inspired & created specially for the Iron Maiden wall and one from this Rodney Matthews image – and you’ll be able to see the print displayed next to the guitar.  

On a more sombre note, BLOODSTOCK was saddened last month to learn of the passing of Trevor Strnad and that BLACK DAHLIA MURDER can no longer join us this year. Filling their spot on Sunday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage will be VENOM INC, who are set to treat us to a special ‘Black Metal’ 40th Anniversary set. The band tell us; “To be asked to return to BLOODSTOCK is for us a great honour and we look forward to more Main Stage antics with you all! But why just do any old set, we thought let’s do something uber special for you. As it’s the 40th Anniversary of the ‘Black Metal’ album, we will deliver for the first time on British soil, the complete album in full running order, live!!! We are so looking forward to this and together with you, we will lay down our souls to the Gods of Rock And Roll, as well as the Teachers Pet while we are At War With Satan…and you can Count(ess) your Bathory on that! Ave!!”  

Don’t miss BLOODSTOCK’s latest Facebook Live THIS THURSDAY EVENING at 7pm for the latest news, gossip, giveaways, and more. Get excited with your fellow BLOODSTOCKers and ask any burning questions direct to festival management.

The countdown is on: 79 Days til Bloodstock 2022!

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The clock is ticking!  There’s just 79 days left until the marauding hordes thunder their way through the gates of Catton Park, pitch their tents, crack some beers and kick off the best heavy metal weekender of the year! 

As is often unavoidable in these still uncertain times, there have been a couple of changes due to travel logistics for some bands, but BLOODSTOCK always finds a way!  As such, BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce that Sheffield’s fast-rising, hardcore heroes MALEVOLENCE are stepping in to headline the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday night – replacing Hatebreed, who’ve sadly had to pull out of a number of EU shows this August.  Fresh from their pulverising slot on Architects’ recent UK arena tour, MALEVOLENCE just released their new album, ‘Malicious Intent’.  If you’ve not had the chance to catch their incendiary live set just yet, you are in for a treat!  See what’s in store via 2021’s absolute slayer of a set at Catton Park and get ready for some serious pit action! 

BLOODSTOCK has been busy juggling line-ups on the Sophie Lancaster stage to fix other unforeseen logistical issues.  NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA will now headline on Sunday night and DARK TRANQUILLITY move to headline the Sophie tent on Thursday. 

BLOODSTOCK can also reveal the first phase of winners in their celebrated Metal 2 The Masses programme, all who’ll be appearing on the New Blood stage at some point across festival weekend. Landing Friday slots are Scottish heat victors and modern metal 5-piece CATALYSIS, plus Northern Ireland’s top dogs, the riff-heavy trio HAINT, the Republic of Ireland’s winners, blackened death metal squad FORNOTH and the Leeds heat champions and heavy metal militia, PARIAH. 

Also snagging Saturday sets on the New Blood stage are the Manchester final overlords, deathcore squad PORTRAYAL OF RUINN, Leeds’ victors, the melodic hardcore squad STEEL MAGE and Newcastle upon Tyne’s conquerors, the brutal deathcore outfit CAST IN TEPHRA. Also grabbing New Blood stage slots from CD submissions are ferocious Yorkshire 5-piece, IREOSIS, who land a Friday slot, dark symphonic deathcore outfit DRACONIAN REIGN score a Saturday slot and Sunday appearances will come from heavy rock power trio SWEET MAY and groove-laden riff-worshippers TORUS. 

BLOODSTOCK is also delighted to continue their Bloodstock-themed club nights across the country!  Local rock pubs and clubs are a key part of what BLOODSTOCK does with the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme, so we’re stoked to continue supporting them by announcing the second wave of club nights for 2022.  Get along to your local event, hear a metric ton of beefy tunes from BOA bands past and present and be in with a chance of winning a pair of standard weekend tickets. Dates & times are subject to change, so check locally for latest info. 
If you’ve already got your ticket bagged, maybe you’re now thinking about how best to get to Catton Park?  BLOODSTOCK is pleased to support two sustainable travel options – Big Green Coach (who’ll drop you & your gear right inside the festival gates for minimal walking, from 33 locations around the UK. Reserve your seat for just a tenner) and Liftshare (a safe way to offer up a spare seat in your car, or nab one in someone else’s & make new friends to boot).  Get more info on both options over at BIG GREEN COACH and LIFTSHARE.  

As part of BLOODSTOCK’s continued sustainability drive, they’re encouraging everyone to say a big NO to single use tents.  TANGERINE FIELDS and FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOP will be on site to help!  Both solutions make travelling to the festival via public transport, car share, Big Green Coach or even flying in from abroad, so much easier.  When you rent from TANGERINE FIELDS, arrive on site and your tent, bed & bedding will be all set up ready and waiting in the Asgard campsite.  Come Monday morning, no need to worry about packing it up, the Tangerine team will take care of it.  No hassle, no waste, no sore arms!  Get full details on their pre-erected tent service here. 

Alternatively, FAT FRANK’S CAMPING SHOP – situated in the Midgard campsite – offer a Click & Collect service (as well as Loan & Go).  You can pre-purchase any or all of your camping needs on their website and collect it all at the festival (stop by their stand and they’ll even blow up your air bed).  If you don’t want to take down and lug the tent home afterwards, you can even donate the tent back at FAT FRANK’S stand. They donate all used tents possible to homeless charities and youth groups.

BLOODSTOCK REVEALS BANDS, CLUB NIGHTS, & PLANS WITH SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION & DERBYSHIRE LGBT+

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BLOODSTOCK can’t wait to welcome you to the UK’s best heavy metal weekender this summer and as every day passes, there are more exciting things to reveal! Read on for the latest news on who’s been added to the bill, some riotous club nights to get you warmed up, the start of the M2TM final heats, plans afoot with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Derbyshire LGBT+, plus while you’re getting set for the long Easter weekend, stop by BLOODSTOCK’s social media later this week for some special Easter competition fun! 


Following the unfortunate news that STATIC-X are cancelling all their European shows in 2022, BLOODSTOCK is excited to announce that their replacement in the Sunday night headline slot on the Sophie Lancaster stage are none other than Swedish melodeath pioneers DARK TRANQUILITY. The band are currently touring across Europe, covering more than 27,000km over 52 cities in 24 countries, in just 57 days, almost immediately after wrapping a US tour too! 


Regretfully, TALLAH have also had to pull out, but their spot will be filled by modern metal crew DEFECTS, fresh off tour with In Flames. Get to know them via their latest single, End Of Days. 


BLOODSTOCK is committed to inclusivity and is pleased to announce that Derbyshire LGBT+ and Sophie Lancaster Foundation will both have stalls at the festival this year, where all are welcome to stop by and learn more about the work they do. You can find them in the arena to the left of the main stage, alongside Derbyshire Blood Bikes.
 
2022 marks the 15th year since Sophie Lancaster’s tragic death. Adam Lancaster, Sophie’s brother and team member at the Foundation, will also give a talk each day of the festival at the Rock Society tent at the back of the main arena. His powerful, intimate account details the true horrors of hate crime and the work the Foundation does to combat prejudice and intolerance in Sophie’s name. 
 
Derbyshire LGBT+ add, “For 39 years Derbyshire LGBT+ has operated as the only charity in Derbyshire committed to the LGBT+ community of Derbyshire; offering support, advocacy, advice and empowerment. We are very proud to announce our attendance at BLOODSTOCK this year, so that we can extend our reach even further and offer these services at an event that promotes inclusivity and acceptance. Our amazing staff and volunteers will be standing by and we encourage people to visit us, find out more and to see what we have to offer. Let’s put the ‘Unity’ in ‘Community’ together!” 


BLOODSTOCK’s Metal 2 The Masses, the initiative that supports all genres of grass roots metal and offers a chance to play BOA’s New Blood stage, kicks off their final heats across 25 regions from 1st May. Get on down to your local event and help shape the festival’s line-up! Look out for the winners to be announced in due course, together with some additional bands chosen from CD applications and some of the very best runners-up. Check out the image below for your nearest finals event.

BLOODSTOCK is also thrilled to restart Bloodstock-themed club nights across the country! Local rock pubs and clubs are a key part of what BLOODSTOCK does with the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ scheme, so we’re stoked to support them further by announcing the first wave of club nights for 2022. Get along to your local event, hear a ton of tunes from BOA bands past and present and be in with a chance of winning a pair of standard weekend tickets, a goodie bag or various other giveaways. Dates & times are subject to change, so check locally for latest info. More cities will be announced in Phase 2 which runs through June & July, but meanwhile, head down to the following for some fun!

Friday 15th April – Exeter, Cavern – Altern8
Saturday 16th April – Southampton, The Hobbit
Friday 22nd April – Reading, Face Bar
Saturday 23rd April – Camberley, Agincourt
Friday 29th April – High Wycombe, Crash Rock Club (Bucks SU)
Saturday 30th April – Stoke on Trent, The Sugarmill – Devil’s Night
Saturday 30th April – Brighton Above,
Friday 6th May – Plymouth, The Junction
Friday 6th May – Woking, Schism
Friday 13th May – Bristol, The Lanes – PHUCT
Friday 13th May – Exeter, Cavern – Altern8
Friday 13th May – Winchester, The Railway Inn
Saturday 14th May – Manchester, The Bread Shed
Saturday 14th May – Newcastle, Grindhouse
Friday 27th May – London, Elektrowerkz
Saturday 28th May – Stoke on Trent, The Sugarmill

If you’ve already got your ticket bagged, are you now thinking about how best to get to Catton Park? BLOODSTOCK is pleased to support two sustainable travel options – Big Green Coach (who’ll drop you & your gear right inside the festival gates for minimal walking, from 33 locations around the UK & you can secure your seat for just a tenner) and Liftshare (a safe way to offer up a spare spot in your car, or nab one in someone else’s & perhaps make new friends to boot). Get more info on both options over at BIG GREEN COACH and LIFTSHARE.

All VIP packages, Early Bird tix, and campervan passes have now sold out. You can still snap up standard weekend camping tickets (just £145 +fees for 4 days of heavy metal fun) plus day & child tix are available now at the ticket store. Mini moshers under age 4 get in free!

EUROPEAN METAL FESTIVAL ALLIANCE MEMBERS LAUNCH ‘METAL UNITED’ CHARITY T-SHIRT

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Members of the European Metal Festival Alliance (EMFA), have today launched a new ‘Metal United’ t-shirt, with all proceeds going to a recognised relief charity to aid Ukrainian people most in need in their current crisis.
 
The festivals taking part in this fundraiser – Alcatraz Hard Rock & Metal Festival, Belgium; Art Mania Festival, Romania; Bloodstock Open Air, Great Britain; Brutal Assault, Czech Republic; Dynamo Metal Fest, Holland; Inferno Metal Festival, Norway; Into The Grave, Holland; Leyendas Del Rock, Spain; Midgardsblot, Norway; Motocultor Festival, France; Party.San Metal Open Air, Germany; Resurrection Fest, Spain; and Summer Breeze Open Air, Germany – are all united against war and oppression, and welcome all people, no matter what country they are from, or what race or religion they are. The festivals want to make plain that they are not for Ukrainians and against Russians; that they wish most of all to just help people who are in need in these troubling times.

The t-shirt is available in a wide range of sizes at https://www.sbtix.de/produkte/45549-charity-shirt-for-ukraine for 16,66 Euro, with proceeds going to Music Saves UA. It can be pre-ordered until March 20th, with shipping beginning at the start of April. Vlad Yaremchuk, Booker of Atlas Weekend Festival, co-initiators of Music Saves UA, states: “We are the All-Ukrainian Association of Music Events, in peacetime we are the largest association of representatives of the music industry of our country.


Now, normal life in Ukraine has completely stopped. So, we are using all our resources and people to provide humanitarian help to our people who need it the most right now. Our team works 24/7 to help as many victims of this cruel war as possible.


Humanitarian help centre has already been deployed on the premises of the Atlas venue in Kyiv. We are also working on setting up refugee assistance centres on the borders with Europe to facilitate a safe and robust infrastructure for hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing the country. Our entire team is currently located in multiple cities of Ukraine, and we are in close contact with volunteers, Ukrainian military, and humanitarian groups so we are aware of the current urgent needs on the ground and are ready to provide immediate help where it is most needed at this very moment.Therefore, we need financial assistance urgently. For this we have organized a project aimed at raising funds for the humanitarian needs of the civilians in Ukraine.


We encourage you to not remain indifferent and to help Ukrainian families to survive this difficult time.”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vamp.org.uaInstagram: https://instagram.com/vamp.org.ua Adam Gregory from Bloodstock Festival on behalf of EMFA comments, “We all find ourselves shocked at recent events and wish to do all we can to aid in such harrowing times. All proceeds from the t-shirt will be going to support those in need and our thoughts are with everyone affected by war or oppression.”

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCES FINAL BATCH OF SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE BANDS

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Over halfway there! With just 168 days to go before the marauding metal hordes charge through the gates of Catton Park, BLOODSTOCK has its last batch of Sophie Lancaster Stage bands to announce. It’s also ‘Last Call’ time for the Deposit Scheme, where you can pay over 6 smaller instalments (full details below). Artists for the Jagermeister and New Blood stages and other fest entertainment details are yet to come, but in the meantime, wrap your eyes and ears around the following…
 
Once you’ve set up your tent and had your first beer, Thursday’s Sophie tent proceedings open with the unmissable, incendiary noises of Bristol blues-punk four piece, MOTHER VULTURE. Check out their high octane video of ‘The Wave’ for a taster of what’s in store!  
 
Also snagging a Thursday slot are BASEMENT TORTURE KILLINGS who’ll bring their serial killer grindcore to your Thursday evening. If you’re not familiar with their sound, watch the clip for ‘Armchair Psycho Or Pure Predator?’. 
 
Friday’s Sophie opener is deathgrind squad CREPITATION. If you’re heading to the Liverpool Napalm Death/Raging Speedhorn show in March, you’ll catch them opening the show. If you can’t make it, you can still witness their sonic chaos via this live footage from Foothills Gutfest a couple of years back. 
 
If hardcore is more your vibe, you won’t want to miss London bruisers INHUMAN NATURE, also playing the Sophie stage on Friday. You can warm up extra early if you’re attending Cro-Mags’ London gig in June, for they’re first onstage that night. If not, check out the title track from their recently released ‘Under The Boot’ EP, out now on Church Road Records.
 
Saturday’s Sophie fun brings a pummelling from Hull crew MASTIFF. US magazine Decibel described them as “a rousing blend of savage power that’s as ready for the mosh pit as it is for your next clandestine ritual in the woods.” See for yourself via the video for ‘Endless’ from their crushing album, ‘Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth’.
 
Joining the Sophie Lancaster Stage shenanigans on Sunday, are Coventry three-piece and M2TM alumni PELUGION, levelling up from their 2018 New Blood stage slot. Inviting fans of Black Sabbath & Black Label Society especially, investigate their single ‘Bane Of Humanity’, while you wait. 
 
BLOODSTOCK’s Metal 2 The Masses, the initiative that supports all genres of grass roots metal and offers a chance to play BOA’s New Blood stage, is proud to announce a partnership with Eyesore Merch in 2022. The programme provides up and coming bands with an awesome opportunity to be seen and heard by a wide audience and part of the music industry normally out of reach for bands at that level. In partnering with Metal 2 The Masses, Eyesore Merch wants to add to that opportunity by offering 3 winning bands from the 26 regional heats, a chance to get their merchandise showcased to an audience of potential new fans. Those 3 winners will see their merchandise featured and available to purchase on www.eyesoremerch.com, have their gear included on Eyesore Merch’s mailout direct to customers and featured on the Eyesore Merch socials, which directly targets a metric tonne of metal lovers who love buying ‘hard to find’ band merch.


If you’ve got your ticket bagged, are you already thinking about how best to get to BLOODSTOCK? BLOODSTOCK is pleased to support two sustainable travel options – Big Green Coach (who’ll drop you and your gear right inside the festival gates for minimal walking, from 33 locations around the UK & you can secure your seat for just a tenner) and Liftshare (a safe way to offer up a spare spot in your car, or nab one in someone else’s & perhaps make new friends to boot). Get more info on both over at BIG GREEN COACH and LIFTSHARE. 


Want something to get you all fired up for this summer’s event, or maybe you’re curious about BLOODSTOCK having never been before? If so, check out the brand new festival trailer for the lowdown. 


Lastly, it’s final call for BLOODSTOCK’s phenomenally popular weekend ticket Deposit Scheme. Sign up here before 11.59pm this Saturday night, 26th Feb, if you want to take advantage. This year, payments are spread across 6 months instead of 5, making it even more manageable to secure your place and pay for your ticket in instalments. An initial payment of £31.20 is due upon sign up, then five additional payments of £24.16 will debit your bank account on 25 Mar, 29 Apr, 27 May, 24 Jun, with a final instalment on 29 Jul, which will include any applicable admin/booking fees. Tickets will be delivered digitally.  


All VIP packages, Early Bird tix, and campervan passes have sold out. You can still snap up standard weekend camping tickets (just £145 +fees for 4 days of heavy metal fun) plus day & child tix are available now at the ticket store. Mini moshers under age 4 get in free!


BLOODSTOCK’s 2022 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are BEHEMOTH, LAMB OF GOD, and MERCYFUL FATE. Also appearing across the weekend are KILLING JOKE, DIMMU BORGIR, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, AVATAR, ALL HAIL THE YETI, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, GWAR (in a UK festival exclusive), BURY TOMORROW, SACRED REICH, LIFE OF AGONY, SPIRITWORLD, BELPHEGOR, BUTCHER BABIES, VIO-LENCE, BLOODYWOOD, JINJER, LORNA SHORE, DOYLE, LOST SOCIETY, HATEBREED, SLEEP TOKEN, DARK FUNERAL, EYEHATEGOD, DISCHARGE, STATIC-X, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, ENFORCED, PARTY CANNON, SOEN, HERIOT, BLOOD YOUTH, BLACK TONGUE, HEART OF A COWARD, FEROCIOUS DOG, HEATHEN, NEKROGOBLIKON, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ORBIT CULTURE, TALLAH, SAMAEL, CYHRA, NOCTEM, NANOWAR OF STEEL, THROWN INTO EXILE, PUPIL SLICER, CAGE FIGHT, VENDED, ILL NINO, SKARLETT RIOT, DESERT STORM, SORCERER, RED METHOD, and BAEST as well as many more yet to come. Stay tuned for additional 2022 announcements in due course.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 11th-14th August 2022.

For more info, click to www.bloodstock.uk.com. 

BLOODSTOCK ADD TWELVE MORE BANDS!

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If you’re anything like us, you can’t wait to be back in the green fields of Catton Park watching some world class heavy metal at BLOODSTOCK – and we’re well over half way there! Is it too soon to start a count down yet?! (136 days to go, in case you were wondering… yes, 19 weekends). 


With lots more bands and festival fun to reveal before then, here’s 12 more joining the bill to help round out the most fun you’ll have all summer. 


Swedish rabblerousers AVATAR jostle their way onto Friday’s Sophie Lancaster stage bill.  Joining them that day are US metalcore squad, THROWN INTO EXILE.  Saturday, the Sophie stage welcomes the hotly-tipped, viscerally-dubbed PUPIL SLICER and hardcore/crossover thrash newcomers (feat. members of Tesseract and Eths) CAGE FIGHT. Sunday’s fun will be ably abetted by nu-metal stalwarts ILL NINO, Manchester hardcore noiseniks GUILT TRIP, hard-hitting rockers SKARLETT RIOT, and progressive groove/sludge merchants DESERT STORM.


Over on the Ronnie James Dio main stage, the super-buzzy Des Moines, Iowa upstarts VENDED are set to kick off proceedings and blow your Sunday morning wide open.  Epic Swedish doomsters SORCERER and industrial metalheads RED METHOD are also both added to Friday’s bill, and waking you all up first thing on Saturday, will be Danish death metallers, BAEST.


Unfortunately, PHIL ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS will no longer be joining us with their hotly received Pantera set, due to the cancellation of their entire European tour, but rest assured there are plenty of other headbangin’ riffs across the BLOODSTOCK weekend to take your fancy.


For those of you who can’t join us for the whole weekend, or perhaps you’ve never been to BLOODSTOCK before and just want a one day taster, mark your calendar with this important date!  Day tickets will go on sale in the ticket store on Friday 4th February at 9am, priced £65 (+bkg fees) for adults and £20 (+bkg fees) for children (4-11 years). Kids under 4 go free! 
 
In other news, BLOODSTOCK’s phenomenally popular weekend ticket Deposit Scheme is filling up fast.  Grab yours quick if you want to take advantage as once the allocation is filled, it will no longer be available.  This year, payments are spread across 6 months instead of 5, making it even more manageable to secure your place and pay for your ticket in instalments.  An initial payment of £31.20 is due upon sign up, then five additional payments of £24.16 will debit your bank account on 25 Mar, 29 Apr, 27 May, 24 Jun, with a final instalment on 29 Jul, which will include any applicable admin/booking fees.  Sign up to the scheme here.
 
BLOODSTOCK’s 2022 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are BEHEMOTH, LAMB OF GOD, and MERCYFUL FATE.  Also appearing across the weekend are KILLING JOKE, DIMMU BORGIR, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, ALL HAIL THE YETI, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, GWAR (in a UK festival exclusive), BURY TOMORROW, SACRED REICH, LIFE OF AGONY, SPIRITWORLD, BELPHEGOR, BUTCHER BABIES, VIO-LENCE, BLOODYWOOD, JINJER, LORNA SHORE, DOYLE, LOST SOCIETY, HATEBREED, SLEEP TOKEN, DARK FUNERAL, EYEHATEGOD, DISCHARGE, STATIC-X, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, ENFORCED, PARTY CANNON, SOEN, HERIOT, BLOOD YOUTH, BLACK TONGUE, HEART OF A COWARD, FEROCIOUS DOG, HEATHEN, NEKROGOBLIKON, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ORBIT CULTURE, TALLAH, SAMAEL, CYHRA, NOCTEM, and NANOWAR OF STEEL as well as many more yet to come. Stay tuned for additional 2022 band announcements in due course.
 
With tickets selling faster than ever, all VIP packages, Early Bird tix and campervan passes are already sold out. Weekend camping tix & child tix are available now at the ticket store.  

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 11th-14th August 2022.

For more info, click to www.bloodstock.uk.com.