FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival 2019 – Thursday & Friday

Bloodstock Open Air came, and once again conquered all. The independent, pure-bred metal festival once again proved itself to be a vital part of the festival circuit, packing as many explosions, surprises, and pints of ale into one weekend as is humanly possible. With so much to talk about, we want to waste no time in delving right into the incredible bands we were able to catch throughout the immense weekend.

Thursday

BARBARIAN HERMIT – Sophie Lancaster Stage

After a fantastic performance atop the New Blood Stage as their last appearance at Bloodstock, BARBARIAN HERMIT return with a promotion this year. Kicking the festival off in sludgy fashion, the Mancunian unit are a bit slow to really give the festival life in these early hours, but when the band get into their stride there is little denying the weight and power BARBARIAN HERMIT hit with. As the very first band on, there is little to complain about here, except maybe the lack of immediate energy when there is an incessant party atmosphere thick int he air With this in mind though. The beers are flowing, the riffs are raining down, and for those present, this is a fine way to kick the weekend into gear.

Rating: 6/10

FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Raptuous silliness is the best way to describe FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD. An utterly ridiculous band who refuse to anything seriously, there is at least an inkling that these five mentalists know how to write a song, and how to command a crowd. Inflatable penises are everywhere, and the crowd are all eager to party as hard as possible with the tutu-adorning band on stage. FOOTPRINTS answer with a set that doesn’t let up. FOOTPRINTS are clearly aware of their luck, being in such an incredible position for a band that sing about my little pony, and take every moment to bleed as much fun from their set as possible. Sure, the stage sound was a bit weak, but when you’re having this much fun it doesn’t matter all that much.

Rating: 7/10

TEN TON SLUG – Sophie Lancaster Stage

There is a smaller crowd for the Irish-born and bred TEN TON SLUG, but these guys refuse to let anything slow them down. The four piece seek absolute domination with their massive, stoner influenced riffs that fill the Sophie Lancaster Stage with ease, and those present for the show head bang with gusto along with the band on stage. As opening nights for Bloodstock go, this is easily one of the strongest lineups in years, and it is performances like this that prove why. TEN TON SLUG have been tearing their way across Europe over the summer months, and their confidence on the Bloodstock stage clear. An early grab for set of the night, and a clear set of intent from a band who demand your attention.

Rating: 8/10

ROTTING CHRIST – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Legendary and pioneering are two words you could use to describe ROTTING CHRIST over their career. Their previous albums directing the black metal band towards a more ritualistic performance, ROTTING CHRIST took the Sophie Lancaster Stage through satanic rites soundtracked by some of the most uniquely brilliant extreme music around at the moment. The Greek legends lead the invested crowd through a varied collection of songs, each of which highlighting the incredible creativity with which ROTTING CHRIST have built their ironclad reputation on. The set does dip in intensity during the middle, but for those who are able to stick it out, this is a first day performance Bloodstock hasn’t seen in years. This is something to give the rest of the weekend a run for its money.

Rating: 8/10

Friday

INCITE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Opening the Ronnie James Dio Stage at Bloodstock is no easy task. INCITE step out onto the stage with little fear of the crowd that awaits them, and in fact the clear joy to be on the stage in the first place is immediately clear. INCITE waste little time in kicking the main stage show off, their Cavalera influence clear in the rhythms and guitar work being used, but their hardcore sensibilities bleed through enough to give INCITE some real punk energy this early in the day. The crowd react whenever Richie Cavalera demands action in the pit, and it goes a long way to show how hungry this year’s crowd is for some rough and tumble. This isn’t anything to shout home about, but this is definitely a good spend of time to ease you into the weekend.

Rating: 6/10

XENTRIX – Ronnie James Dio Stage

If there’s ever a place where the unsung Preston thrash will get their rightful time in the sun (even though it’s more of overcast with a 40% chance of precipitation) it’s in the fields of Bloodstock Festival in front of some of the UK’s most die-hard metal fans who have been championing them for years. But don’t get it twisted, XENTRIX aren’t here for a nostalgia fuelled reunion tour, in fact gems from the new album shine the brightest. Opener and the record’s title track and There Will Be Consequences rip open the field and instantly create bedlam as guitarist Kristian Havard looms over the ferocious headbanging crowd. The new stuff really does stand toe to toe with classics like For Whose Advantage? and No Compromise, and singer/guitarist Jay Walsh’s (who joined in 2017) vocals do the tracks immense justice. Every track gets a warm welcome and huge shout-along for the old school thrash choruses. Seeing a band who formerly only seemed to have a cult following complete such a victory lap of a performance after putting out a killer new record gives you a small shred of hope that there is some justice out there after all.

Rating: 8/10

BLASPHEMER – Sophie Lancaster Stage

BLASPHEMER are the first band to really highlight with pride just how excellent the Sophie Tent sounds this year. The death metal group sound utterly ferocious, and as such utterly steamroll over the criminally sparse crowd. Pacing up and down the stage with menacing intent, the band are imposing despite their appearance, as their old school audio horror is more than enough to stun all those in attendance. The speed and momentum carries BLASPHEMER well throughout their performance, and it is clear that the group still have a lot left to prove. There is a stoic power to the way BLASPHEMER deliver their noise, and the old school vibe is incredibly welcome on the Friday.
Rating: 8/10

METAL CHURCH – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Seattle’s METAL CHURCH were once in a similar position to XENTRIX, an underrated band coming back not to bask in former glory but to make a name for themselves once again. Now a firm five years and two studio albums into their (second) reunion, they’ve began to feel like a thrash metal mainstay once again, familiar but far from stagnant. The first thing to hit you is the pure energy being exerted from frontman Mike Howe, the second thing to hit you is how damn impressive they all sound. Even the new stuff like By The Numbers sounds like it could have been released on 1986’s classic The Dark. That’s not a slight, it’s a testament to how timeless their writing back in the day was, and how consistent they’ve remained over the years. Despite the odd instance of muddied sound (unavoidable at outdoor festivals), classics like Start The Fire, Badlands, and closer Fake Healer all get huge reactions but you can tell people will be leaving with the new stuff in their head.

Rating: 7/10

BONGCAULDRON – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Coming in for their last ever show, and making a damn good attempt to steal the whole weekend, BONGCAULDRON are utterly triumphant during their performance on the Sophie Lancaster Stage. The sludge metal purveyors kick the door down with massive bass lines, guitar tones that would make SLEEP double take, and enough energy to keep the crowd in the palm of their hand for the entire performance. The momentum only ramps up with every passing song, with tracks like Bury Your Axe and Bigfoot Reigns sounding utterly colossal and sending the crowd into a flurry of flailing hair and limbs. This is a stunning set from three Yorkshire lads who clearly had the most fun they’ve ever had, and it’s made even more bittersweet considering we will never see them again.

Rating: 9/10

SOULFLY – Ronnie James Dio Stage

There’s such an intense energy to SOULFLY shows; it’s a collective chaos that breaks down walls between consciousnesses. Also tribe leader Max Cavalera is an absolute madman who lives for making people lose their minds. The groove laden guitars cause Bloodstock to erupt as Cavalera belts out his signature screams of “OIII” and tribal chants. Tracks from last year’s Ritual feel earth shaking in their heaviness, especially opener The Summoning and the album title track. Soon the set descents into a jam with Max slamming the filth out of a berimbau and getting the whole field to scream “your tribe, our tribe” before jumping into a jam of Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up. The whole time Cavalera is plastered with the biggest grin, you can tell he absolutely lives for this and it’s amazing to see. He ends on a mashup of Jumpdafuckup and Eye For An Eye and with this much nu metal bounce thrown in it suddenly feels like a party. Sets like this really make you want to appreciate metal heroes like Cavalera whilst he’s still around, so here’s to you, Max. You massive legend. 

Rating: 8/10

KARYBDIS – Sophie Lancaster Stage

London metallers KARYBDIS have a few cards stacked against them with one of the biggest bands of the weekend directly clashing with their set, but that won’t stop them from going all in. A blur of tech/nu metal/whatever filthy stuff you’re into assaults the slightly unsuspecting crowd, and they bloody love it. Fast paced riffs seamlessly converge into cheeky breakdowns whilst vocalist Rich O’Donnell shows off some of the best vocal range of the festival. With a short set they showcase why they’re one of the best bands the UK metal scene has to offer, as the epic building chorus of In The Shadow Of Paradise cascade over the Sophie Lancaster Stage. With smiles placed firmly on their faces they pump out nothing but sick riffs and positive energy. They close with the ludicrously heavy Abyssal crushing anyone lucky enough to catch this gem of a band. 

Rating: 8/10

TESSERACT – Ronnie James Dio Stage

A band you definitely would have an argument over a purist about, TESSERACT seemed a bit out of place when first announced for the weekend. Given their softer sound, it can be easy to see why, but TESSERACT came right out the gate with a venomous rendition of Concealing Fate 1 & 2, both prog numbers delivering enough rhythmic impact and technical wizardry to keep the crowd well and truly glued to the stage. The band sound tight, and the mix is excellent as well, with the bass lines punching through the main stage speakers whilst enhanced by the mind-bending drumming and fantastic guitar work from both sides of the stage. Frontman Dan Tompkins is fantastic, and proves himself as one of the best frontmen to come about in recent years. Despite the simplicity of his choreography, and the odd moment of cringe, the timing of his movements works to make this more than just a tech metal set, and an actual performance. For a band who are looking to make an impact on a foreign crowd, TESSERACT delivered a textbook example of exactly what to do here.

Rating: 8/10

ANAKIM – Hobgoblin New Blood Stage

Headlining the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage are ANAKIM, who bring a potent brand of death metal to the weekend this year. The vocals are the immediate standout, with the ANAKIM vocalist standing out as a truly imposing individual, and his vocals sounding just an intense. The deep growl aside, this is good death metal that is hindered by a poorer sound and a stage show that is wounded slightly as a result of the muddy front of house. As the set continues, and the band settle, it becomes clear why ANAKIM are headlining, but with bands such as BLASPHEMER having already dominated today, ANAKIM just seem to be playing catch up too much to really sink their fangs into the audience. It’s a shame, because there are clear areas of absolute strength in the ANAKIM sound, but they just aren’t highlighted as well as they should be here.

Rating: 6/10

POWERWOLF – Ronnie James Dio Stage

As they construct a giant set of a collapsed cathedral and ascend a backdrop of a giant werewolf you do have to look at yourself and ask how cheesy you like your power metal. Because if you like it cheesier than a stuffed crust special left out in the sun then POWERWOLF are the band for you. Pyro lights the field as they leap out the gates with Fire And Forgive, as the galloping riffs and huge chorus engulf the crowd. The drums absolutely pound, making headbanging a necessity whilst Attila Dorn belts out his classic operatic, wielding a flamethrower in each hand. It’s tongue in cheek and balls out bonkers but it’s also fantastic, because they have some of the strongest choruses in power metal. Dorn commands the masses with charismatic ease, even walking them through some complex singalongs during Armata Strigoi. Keyboardist Falk Maria Schlege runs around like an absolute mentalist in a very Sid Wilson fashion, making for an excellent hype man when he’s not laying down big synths. It’s one of the most enjoyable, fun, and downright silliest sets of Bloodstock, and it’s excellent in it’s own exaggeration.

Rating: 8/10

SABATON – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Where does one even begin with SABATON? The tank on stage might be a good place to start. And it does look really fucking epic. SABATON have built their career from the ground up on the basis of writing epic power metal, and tonight at Bloodstock they have more than enough space and time to display their full and immense capabilities. Their set bursts into life with Ghost Division and from then on the pace is firmly set. New songs like The Great War and The Red Baron both hit home runs with the raucous crowd, and there are plenty of deep cuts here for the long term fans as well. Joakim gives his trademark banter in between songs, and in moments like this also show the groups humility in the face of certain success. The best thing about this SABATON set is the knowledge that over their career, the group have gone from nothing to headlining near enough every European festival under the sun, and they’ve done it by simply having the time of their lives on stage. And combining all this fun with a boatload of explosives. Night Witches spits physical fire, where as Resist and Bite and Winged Hussars both incite intense and heated crowd sing alongs that have been a staple of SABATON shows from the very beginning.  

The set certain loses feel in the middle given just how quickly SABATON come out the gates, but even with this in mind there is absolute no want for the night to end as the group kick into the closing encore of Swedish Pagans and To Hell and Back. There are few better ways to close the first night of an epic festival like this, and SABATON have well and truly proven themselves to be commanders in chief of delivering an explosive night of glorious heavy metal.

Rating: 9/10 

GRAND MAGUS – Sophie Lancaster Stage

After SABATON, the only thing needed To close the night was a strong dose of classic metal that makes the earth quake and the hips shake, so enter GRAND MAGUS. Huge old school riffs and the opening high pitch screams of I, The Jury fill the tent. They’re honestly the perfect band for festivals, as tracks like Sword Of The Ocean and the irresistible classic Steel Versus Steel make you want to do nothing but drink and headbang. In a stark contrast to SABATON the leather clad trio don’t bring much of a show, they just let the songs and the stripped back heavy metal do the talking. Fox’s basslines rumble out the speakers and shake the brain whilst Ludwig absolutely slams behind the kits unleashing some Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor-esque beats; simple but fast and effective. Closer Hammer Of The North gets an absolutely huge sing along even long after the set had finished, some say there’s still people in the Sophie Lancaster Stage belting it out to this day.

Rating: 8/10 

Words: Eddie Sims & Jack Richard King

And that rounds off our coverage of the Thursday and Friday of this year’s Bloodstock Festival! Keep posted to Distorted Sound as we bring you Saturday and Sunday’s action in the coming days!