FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival 2023

The Mecca of metal for UK metalheads, Bloodstock is a staple in the calendar every festival season. Growing to become the premier event in a stacked calendar, every year, tens of thousands of heavy music enthusiasts descend to Catton Park in Derbyshire for four days of explosive live music. And 2023 was no different. The weather was much more comfortable as opposed to last year’s scorcher, but even sporadic downpours of rain didn’t threaten to ruin the party. Team Distorted Sound were on the ground for 2023’s festival. Here’s what went down.

Thursday – August 10th

FROZEN SOUL – Sophie Lancaster Stage

The sun might be shining on the hottest day of the festival weekend, but for Texans FROZEN SOUL, they arrive to Bloodstock to bring their cold school death metal to a mass of people congregating at the Sophie Lancaster Stage to kickstart the festival in brutal fashion. Buzz-saw riffing fuses with a bombardment of double bass kicks, all whilst Chad Green‘s rumbling gutturals ensnare the crowd as they band dispatch their potency for skull-crushing death metal as the likes of Crypt Of Ice and Arsenal Of War sound absolutely colossal. As far as opening festival statements go, it doesn’t get much heavier than this.

Rating: 8/10

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS – Sophie Lancaster Stage

There’s a complete change of mood next as VISIONS OF ATLANTIS bound onto the stage. The dark anthems and urban paranoia from KING 810 are replaced by big, anthemic slices of symphonic metal cheese played by five Austrians dressed as pirates. They completely ignore their older work and the set consists entirely of songs from the last two albums, but the catchy melodies and bombastic pomp are precisely what the increasingly drunk crowd needs. Master The Hurricane and Clocks keep the party in full swing, while Legion Of The Seas is a rousing finale. It’s over-the-top, singalong nonsense and just the sort of light-hearted fare that makes Thursday nights at Bloodstock so fun. Singer Michele Guaitoli repeatedly getting his hat stolen is an entertaining sight as well.

Rating: 8/10

SKYND – Sophie Lancaster Stage

With darkness prevailing, there’s no better setting for enigmatic SKYND. Juxtaposition lies not only in their material but with the contrast of cannibalistic material blasting across the tent where fairground rides cast their neon glow no more than 100 metres away. SKYND wasted little time beguiling a raucous crowd with tales of Richard Ramirez and Eliza Lam. The material isn’t for everyone as the subject of drama The Girl From Plainville, Michelle Carter, stops people in their tracks. This is effectively what SKYND wants.

SKYND’s sound is simply massive and the somewhat grating nature to their vocals sets people on edge in a niche they once found comforting. Adorned in shades of pink to honour this stage’s namesake, SKYND cuts a striking figure while counterpart Father lingers in shadows orchestrating sonic landscapes a few patrons find overwhelming. Columbine provides a stark example. Anxiety pervading a crowd in a place they should feel at ease. It’s strange to call them hits yet the reaction to John Wayne Gacy, Edmund Kemper, and Jonathan Davis (KORN) endorsed Gary Heidnik are haunting reminders true crime music is on the rise. SKYND were deliciously discomforting and made a triumphant debut in a place where difference is sovereign.

Rating: 8/10

Friday – August 11th

WITCHSORROW – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Raising the curtain of a festival’s main stage is no easy task as the pressure can be gargantuan and this year’s responsibility falls to home-grown doom merchants WITCHSORROW. And although the crowd thins towards the back, those present are treated to a plethora of SABBATH-drenched riffage as the trio keep things downtuned and heavy. Nick Ruskell beams from ear to ear as he looks on to a sea of headbangers and with clear appreciation to second stage headliners CANDLEMASS, doom very much bookends Friday at Bloodstock Festival 2023.

Rating: 7/10

WOLFBASTARD – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Intending to blow the cobwebs off any who are struggling from the night before, Manchester’s WOLFBASTARD unleash a barrage of d-beats and aural nastiness to snap the attention of those gathered early morning at The Sophie Lancaster Stage. Although there is much comedic appreciation to the Mancunians as songs like Buckfast Blasphemy and Sick In the Bath can attest to, or after a barrage of riffs to be concluded with “TA!!!” and “BUY SOME MERCH, WE’RE FUCKING SKINT”, their music itself is absolutely ferocious and showcases the band’s knack for disgustingly heavy music. For an early morning set, consider WOLFBASTARD the perfect remedy to get you set for the day’s action.

Rating: 7/10

WYTCH HAZEL – Ronnie James Dio Stage

At first glance, WYTCH HAZEL could be mistaken for a cult. Donning all-while ensembles (bold move at a festival) and large crosses is certainly a choice. Yet This Fire’s Control and I Am Redeemed’s harmonious riffs and hint of heavy metal days gone by bring joy to those who made the walk down to the arena early in the day. Archangel’s ode to “my morning star” brings a bounce to those only just learning the origins of Lucifer. Dry Bones brings a slow groove to Bloodstock many had been waiting for. “I will bring you back to life” resurrects the souls a little fragile from the night before while WYTCH HAZEL’s minimalist riffs bring the enthusiasts to the arena for the all infectious vocal hook. Thumping KISS-esque Strong Heart brings WYTCH HAZEL’s set to an end for many a jubilant metal fan despite it not being a wholly memorable experience.

Rating: 7/10

BLACK COAST – Sophie Lancaster Stage

If Friday’s bill was anything to go by, there was only one day for metalcore’s finest to come and stake their claim on Bloodstock. Enter Stoke-on-Trent’s BLACK COAST. Armed with their self-titled EP, the quintet took to the stage and allowed vocalist Charlie Hewitt to lay waste to the Sophie Lancaster Stage. Scott Pinnington and Joe Mayer’s riffs slithered through the tent before choking the life out of their material. Murky atmospherics were punctured by screams of wrath and anguish. Oppressive riffs drove circle pits on a moment’s notice. An experience of anger by design, punctuated but not overwhelmed by nu-metal elements. There was just enough bounce in the mosh pit to sate gatekeepers outdated views but more than enough for BLACK COAST to boot the gate clean off its hinges.

Rating: 8/10

HATE – Ronnie James Dio Stage 

With the sun blazing, some of the alluring nature of Polish blackened death metal fiends HATE is inevitably lost in the British summertime as the collective’s corpsepaint feels a tad out of place on a mid-afternoon set on Bloodstock‘s main stage. Fortunate then, that the Poles have an arsenal of hefty blackened riffage to ignite the crowd and make a big statement on the festival’s main stage. Sovereign Sanctity kicks off the set with explosive fashion as a cacophony of riffs wash over the crowd and ATF Sinner‘s snarls and growls cut through the noise like a hot knife through butter. There’s a lot for extreme metal aficionados to enjoy from HATE and serves as an excellent adrenaline injection for Bloodstock‘s first full day.

Rating: 8/10

GATECREEPER – Ronnie James Dio Stage

There’s a slight alteration to the line up next as due to logistical issues, GATECREEPER and SACRED REICH swap places. The capacity crowd seems utterly delighted though and as soon as Chase “Hellahammer” Mason lets out a bowel-loosening, low-register growl, Bloodstock goes berserk. The Phoenix wrecking crew delivers one barn-burning riff after another and the pit rages from start to finish. The new song Caught In The Threads sounds massive and Flamethrower is a brutal, neck-breaking finish. We’re not even halfway through the weekend yet and it already seems like we’ve seen one of the highlights of the festival. This was one of those mid-afternoon shows that has all the hallmarks of a game changer, and while it might be because of Mason’s resemblance to the late Riley Gale, it has a similar vibe to when POWER TRIP graced this same stage in 2018. Nice one lads, that ruled.

Rating: 9/10

SACRED REICH – Ronnie James Dio Stage

The bar has been set high but fellow Arizonans SACRED REICH don’t look remotely intimidated. They’re all smiles and good times as they hit the stage and launch into The American Way, a circle pit opening before they even play a note. They’ve been trying to get to Bloodstock for years and after multiple setbacks, they’re finally here and the assembled thrashers adore them. Curiously, they choose not to play a greatest hits set and instead lean heavily on 2019’s Awakening album. That record was terrific though and cuts like Divide And Conquer and Salvation match the quality of their earlier material. An intense Manifest Reality is greeted like a classic, while the closing duo of Death Squad and Surf Nicaragua results in a crowd-surfing frenzy.

Rating: 9/10

PEST CONTROL – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Just as crossover thrashers INHUMAN NATURE decimated this very stage one year prior, 2023 sees Leeds-based outfit PEST CONTROL arrive to The Sophie Lancaster Stage and whip up a storm of epic proportions. The riffs are nasty and encourage heads to bang aplenty and in Leah Massey-Hay, the band have a vocal point as the frontwoman exudes an abundance of energy and keeps the pit swirling by leading the line with aplomb. It’s a storming performance and we can only see the band rising up the Bloodstock ranks in the years to come.

Rating: 8/10

FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Given their position as one of the frontrunners for the modern deathcore movement, it’s somewhat a surprise that this year’s Bloodstock marks the first time FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY have performed at the festival. However, the New Jersey wrecking crew don’t show any debut nerves as they proceed to throw down the gauntlet and unleash a live sound that is enormously heavy. Huge bass drops and hefty breakdowns sound like the aural equivalent of a wrecking ball, with The Sea Of Tragic Beasts and Pandora sounding absolutely colossal, whilst frontman Joe Badolato‘s deep growls cut through the noise with absolute ease. It’s a thundering set and we anticipate this won’t be the last time FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY grace the Bloodstock stage.

Rating: 9/10

HEAVEN SHALL BURN – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Although their popularity is much bigger on the European mainland, it’s somewhat eyebrow raising that German metallers HEAVEN SHALL BURN are only just making their Bloodstock Festival debut this year. Extremely consistent across their back catalogue and in the live arena, their placement on Bloodstock‘s main stage makes a lot of sense. And fresh from their main supporting slot to TRIVIUM at the start of the year, the Germans successfully ingnite aural chaos as a thundering opening salvo of Endzeit, Protector and Übermacht kicks the set off in explosive fashion whilst the epic EDGE OF SANITY cover of Black Tears goes down an absolute treat. A solid set from one of metal’s unsung heroes.

Rating: 8/10

GAEREA – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Since the release of the astonishing Limbo in 2020, anonymous collective GAEREA have been one of the most alluring bands within black metal. At Bloodstock, the capitalise on the hype and unveil a performance that is as captivating as it is ferocious to a heaving crowd at The Sophie Lancaster Stage. Together, the collective conjure and weave a menacing aural maelstrom as Mantle (taken from last year’s stellar Mirage) kicks off the set whilst the likes of Deluge and Conspiranoia slither and croon with sadistic intent, allowing the band’s heavy atmospherics to really cement themselves. An astonishing performance from one of black metal’s brightest burning stars.

Rating: 9/10

IN FLAMES – Ronnie James Dio Stage

With clouds descending, IN FLAMES bound on stage to raucous cheers. Launching into The Great Deceiver, the band wasted little time spawning mosh pits and amping up the energy. IN FLAMES weaved through Everything’s Gone and Where The Dead Ships Dwell with little incident bar a dip in sound quality. Come Clarity’s Leeches was met with ecstasy and a trumpet blast. After a short exchange of confusion, vocalist Anders Fridén invited the trumpeter on stage to run through the monolithic track. Had we been able to hear them, we would have said it was marvellous. Cloud Connected, the track many had been waiting for, conjured circle pits to almost no end which cycloned through Only For The Weak. It was here interest dwindled despite State Of Slow Decay and The Mirror’s Truth being highlights. With no visual spectacle however, the crowd started thinning for something to distract the eye.

Rating: 7/10

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

It’s criminal KILLSWITCH ENGAGE hadn’t headlined a UK festival before this. The crowd frothed at the maw to have their feelings decimated by quintessential metalcore. Expectations KILLSWITCH ENGAGE well hellbent on exceeding. Opening with a huge trio of My Curse, Rise Inside, and This Fire laid waste to any doubt this band wasn’t ready. Jesse Leach’s militant vocal delivery was a sight and sound to behold as he commanded the crowd with ease.

Reckoning and The Arms Of Sorrow had fans and casual listeners meet their catharsis before their time came to drown the band out with In Due Time. Frustration from the state of the world as we know it oozed through The Signal Fire and later The Crownless King. Chants of “corned beef balls, corned beef box”, an ode to campers coined by guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz permeated the blistering set which was bursting at the seams with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE’s best cuts.

Confetti falling from the heavens with the end of boisterous Holy Diver, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE delivered a masterclass. They took the opportunity with both hands and simply destroyed it. Not only were they ready for this moment but they should have been passed the torch long before now.

Rating: 10/10

Saturday – August 12th

SEETHING AKIRA – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Forget the hair of the dog, fry-ups or drinking gallons of water, it turns out that the best hangover cure is watching SEETHING AKIRA. The Portsmouth six-piece greet the early risers with thirty-odd minutes of adrenaline and optimism and get the day off to a rousing start. They’re upbeat, working-class lads who wear their hearts on their sleeves and it’s all but impossible to have a bad time. And yes, their fusion of rap, metal, drum ‘n’ bass, and a half dozen other genres might annoy the extreme metal traditionalists, but this is pure fun. They manage to recall bands such as PITCHSHIFTER, SKINDRED, and POP WILL EAT ITSELF without sounding like any of them, and if their momentum holds they’ll be huge in a year or so. Metal can be a grim and morose genre sometimes, but SEETHING AKIRA are pure rays of sunshine. Also, there’s someone dressed as a T-Rex on the front row.

Rating: 8/10

TORTURED DEMON – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Two years ago, a young and energetic band nearly broke the foundations of Bloodstock‘s Jagermeister Stage. That band was TORTURED DEMON and two years later, the band are back on the much larger Sophie Lancaster Stage and there’s no sense of shyness on show here. Rather than be a flash in the pain, the band ooze confidence as they unleash a cacophony of wicked riffs and fist-pumping anthems. There is a real sense of talent and promise with TORTURED DEMON and the best feeling we get after watching them slay the festival’s second stage is that it feels like they are just getting started.

Rating: 8/10

URNE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Having released their brand new record, A Feast On Sorrow, a day prior, for London metallers URNE, Bloodstock intends to be the perfect launch platform as the band look to kickstart their next chapter. And the band make good on this promise as their early morning set on the festival’s main stage is a solid statement of intent. Opting to open with Serpent & Spirit, the title track from 2021’s debut, the band launch into a cacophony of earth-shattering riffs whilst Joe Nally dispatches his vocals with aplomb. Material from their brand new album sounds strong in their live arsenal, with Becoming The Ocean being a particularly great highlight, and its clear that Nally is taken back with what is unfolding before him.

Rating: 8/10

ROYAL REPUBLIC – Ronnie James Dio Stage

What better on an overcast Saturday afternoon than some bouncy Swedish rock? Exactly, nothing, and this is why ROYAL REPUBLIC were a great addition to the Bloodstock lineup. Drawing a sizable crowd, the quartet bounced out onto the stage with their dapper suits and clean cut image. Frontman Adam Grahn, sporting some interesting facial hair, took to the mic and started proceedings with Fireman & Dancer. There was something reminiscent of THE DARKNESS with ROYAL REPUBLIC’s flamboyance. Grahn’s grandstanding and hip-orientated dance moves were certainly infectious. Stop Movin’ and Full Steam Spacemachine were gloriously over the hop as the band fully leaned in to the enjoyment they were curating. The skies may have been grey but the atmosphere was anything but gloomy. For those claiming ROYAL REPUBLIC weren’t “heavy enough” for the weekend’s festivities, a rather bubbly cover of METALLICA’s Battery put the dampers on those thought processes. A wonderfully joyous reprieve for all.

Rating: 7/10

EMPLOYED TO SERVE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Woking’s EMPLOYED TO SERVE have been a driving force in British heavy music for years now and with Justine Jones and Sammy Urwin‘s management of the stellar Church Road Records, this band live and breath homegrown heavy music. As such, their set at Bloodstock is not only an emphatic celebration of heavy fucking metal, but it is the perfect companion piece to ramp up the intensity of Bloodstock‘s Saturday. Armed with plenty of pyro to add visual flare to their massive sound is a nice touch but in absolute juggernauts like Force Fed, Mark Of The Grave and Eternal Forward Motion, EMPLOYED TO SERVE make their time at Bloodstock one for the history books.

Rating: 10/10

CASKET FEEDER – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Over on the Sophie Lancaster Stage next, it’s pure carnage. Buckinghamshire lads CASKET FEEDER have been growing in stature since the release of last year’s excellent Servants Of Violence album and today, they don’t so much play as ignite a riot. The likes of To The Hounds Go The Faithful, Vulture Culture and Doomsday Prophecy result in a human pile-up down the front and the pit never ceases. Mixing the visceral thrill of death metal with the macho stomp of UK hardcore, they’re a fiercely heavy proposition and make a lot of new friends. CASKET FEEDER aren’t an overly complex or sophisticated band, but for pure bang-head-constantly music, they’re easy to recommend. They’ll be on the main stage next time.

Rating: 9/10

KNOCKED LOOSE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

KNOCKED LOOSE have been one of the breakout successes for heavy music in recent times and their placement at Bloodstock is reflective of their recent surge in popularity. And although the weather gods threaten to derail their scorching impact with a deluge of torrential rain erupting, the Kentucky rabble make the most of their time at Bloodstock by igniting a warzone. The likes of Trapped In The Grasp Of A Memory, Where Light Divides The Holler and Mistakes Like Fractures all sound absolutely monstrous on the festival’s biggest stage and in Bryan Garris, they have a bonafide superstar as he commands the crowd with the utmost ease. There’s a lot of hype surrounding KNOCKED LOOSE, and at Bloodstock, they justify why.

Rating: 9/10

ABBATH – Ronnie James Dio Stage

ABBATH is a legend within black metal and although he is more commonly associated with memes these days, there’s no denying the influence he’s had for metal’s most abrasive sub-genre. At Bloodstock, he’s on solid form as along with his bandmates, they proceed to unveil frostbitten riff after frostbitten riff. The set is mostly composed from his recent solo material, with a large portion being dedicated to recent record Dread Reaver, but there’s still room for IMMORTAL‘s The Rise Of Darkness, which is a welcome addition. Sure, the cover of darkness would have really helped bring the set to even greater heights, but for the Bloodstock faithful, they care none the less and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Rating: 7/10

GUTALAX – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Donning hazmat suits and plenty of toilet paraphernalia, Czech bruisers GUTALAX have an aura of comedic value to their charm with their obsession for human faecal matter, but musically, the band decimate the Sophie Lancaster Stage in one of the heaviest sets of the weekend. Skull-crushing riffs are the order of the day and the snarling pig squeals and croaked snarls are met with both adoration and confusion in equal measure. For music this heavy and brutal, the comedic value in GUTALAX‘s shtick helps them win over those who normally aren’t knee deep in this level of extreme metal, but for some, it’s too much. A marmite band perhaps, but the band effectively showcase that the obtusely heaviest of metal still is welcome at Bloodstock table.

Rating: 7/10

TRIPTYKON PERFOMING CELTIC FROST – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Tom G Warrior is a living legend in metal. HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, TRIPTYKON. His lengthy career has had a profound impact and influence on extreme music and sub-headlining to MESHUGGAH, the Bloodstock faithful are treated to showcase Warrior‘s profound impact on extreme music, as alongside his TRIPTYKON bandmates, they retreat to the vault of a CELTIC FORST celebration. The likes of Into The Crypts Of Rays, Morbid Tales and Dethroned Emperor sound absolutely colossal on the festival’s biggest stage whereas the iconic Circle Of The Tyrants still sounds as essential as it did when it was first unleashed in 1984. A stunning set from a man who has had such a profound influence on the music we love.

Rating: 9/10

NAKKEKNÆKKER – New Blood Stage

Over on the New Blood Stage next, Danish five-piece NAKKEKNÆKKER leave a lasting impression with their ridiculously confrontational death metal. It takes them a song or two to find their confidence, but once they get going, they deliver the goods like seasoned professionals. They’re one of the youngest bands on the bill and to date, don’t even have an EP out, never mind an album. However, they get the pit churning and Death By Devourment is a carnivorous, blood-spattered highlight. They’re not the finished article yet, but a few more shows like this and they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Or at least they will be if the vocalist’s larynx holds together; he doesn’t so much sing as belch up a demon corpse, piece by infernal piece.

Rating: 7/10

WATERLINES – Jagermeister Stage

Surprise of the day goes to WATERLINES. Tucked away on the Jagermeister Stage, the metalcore newcomers put on a ridiculously entertaining set that will hopefully catapult them onto big things. Having formed from the ashes of their previous band SERTRALINE, they’ve already got some pedigree to draw on, but it’s still remarkable how quickly they’ve developed. They’re in their first year as a band and already look like veterans. Frontman Benji Mars is one of those singers that you can’t take your eyes off. He’s a charismatic, likeable party dude, and the crowd might as well be in his palm by the close of the first song. Their nu-metal inflected ‘core is upbeat and lively and their comparatively short set is as excitable as a seven-year-old who just discovered his dad is Iron Man, Thor and Spiderman all at once. If you like your metal po-faced and cynical, stay away from WATERLINES, but if you like grinning from ear to ear to big chunky breakdowns, they’ll be your new favourite band any day now.

Rating: 9/10

MESHUGGAH – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Like the previous night’s headliners, MESHUGGAH closing the main stage is well overdue. That’s where the similarities end though; if KILLSWITCH specialised in grandiose, emotive anthems, the Swedes are pure cybernetic extremity. There are no catchy hooks to grab onto, but there are surgically precise riffs, bizarre time changes and intricate drumming that’s so complex, it’s borderline inhuman. It’s hard to shake the impression that they’re not robotic skeletons clad in the skins of men, and Jens Kidman’s unorthodox head-banging technique does nothing to dispel this.

However, it’s also a spectacle. They’ve shelled out for an incredible light show and their PhD metal is as eye-catching as it is enthralling. Bleed is notably absent, but the likes of Rational Gaze and Straws Pulled At Random more than make up for it. And the Demiurge/Future Breed Machine encore is a highlight of the weekend.

Rating: 8/10

BROTHERS OF METAL – Sophie Lancaster Stage

After a big savoury dinner, it’s perfectly natural to want a less filling but much sweeter dessert. Minutes after the cyborgian Swedes rap up, BROTHERS OF METAL offer us a delightfully sugary pudding. The Sophie Lancaster Stage is packed out and after being starved of choruses for the past two hours, the throng bellows along heartily to every silly lyric. BROTHERS OF METAL know exactly what sort of band they are and every over-the-top anthem is bigger than the last.

And yes, some of it is too cheesy for its own good. A few of their onstage antics are so hackneyed that even a past-his-prime light entertainer on a tour of Butlins venues would cringe. But when they hit the sweet spot, they are a perfect late-night power metal party, even if they don’t fully understand what the words “last song” mean. We should also point out that despite what they said on the night, Powersnake is about the Midgard Serpent, not the drummer’s penis.

Rating: 7/10

Sunday – August 13th

ELIMINATION – New Blood Stage

Back on the New Blood Stage, ELIMINATION find themselves hamstrung by a poor mix. Their Echoes Of The Abyss album was an underappreciated gem for UK thrash back in 2021, but today, the guitar is overly murky and it robs them of too much power. Things do improve after a few songs, but the brief set time means there’s not enough opportunity for them to prove what they can really do. It’s a crying shame too because these lads are usually terrific, but fate conspired against them this afternoon. They put in a determined performance and win a few folks over with their down-to-earth attitudes, but it would have been nice to hear those razor-sharp thrash riffs without having them submerged in molasses.

Rating: 6/10

OVERTHRONE – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Metalcore upstarts OVERTHRONE started proceedings bright and early on Sunday morning. Bringing their Birmingham brings of angst, the band threw themselves into Masochist and the blistering Prisoner. Angular riffs collided with rampant drums much like the bodies in a small yet volatile circle pit. Considering it was so early on the final day of the festival, OVERTHRONE played as if they were opening the entire festival rather than just the day. Watch The World Burn and Suffer jolted by with the band attacking each second as if this were the final opportunity they were going to have to play together. Bitter Reign came as a bittersweet end to the set. Though playing eight tracks, many left wanting more. It was refreshing to see a band this hungry for their moment and it’s this which made them shine against a plethora of riffs and blastbeats from some of metal’s best bands.

Rating: 8/10

UUHAI – Ronnie James Dio Stage

There is nothing as surreal as seeing a sea of festival-goers fending off hangovers to the soothing sounds of Mongolian throat singing and horse-head fiddle at 11am. Flying the flag for Mongolia, UUHAI arrive on stage head-to-toe in traditional attire, their smiles radiating warmer than the rare sun that’s suddenly appeared. Vocalist TS. Saruul is a conduit for the chaos this clash of tastes creates, whether amping up the audience to chant their name, lapping up the love coming their way, or swaying side to side like a shaolin knight sent to battle. The shining star is the song they share their name with, rousing the hungover away from headaches and to the stage. Much like RAMMSTEIN or THE HU, you don’t need to speak the language; it’s the spectacle that makes the magic.

Rating: 8/10

ALL HAIL THE YETI – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Hollywood heavyweights ALL HAIL THE YETI are a rude awakening for anyone stumbling over to the Ronnie James Dio Stage from their tents. Opener Suicide Woods slams into life like a car crashing a wall, their sludgy grooves grind up the moshpit gears, like a pre-workout protein shake stirring up your endorphins. From here on in, vocalist Connor Garritty leads them through a discography-swallowing avalanche, as newer cut Headless Valley and the hard-rock injection of heavy hitter Highway Crosses go toe-to-toe with set staples like Deep Creek. As a monstrous Mr. Murder blasts off into a sludgy swamp of woah-ohs, you can’t help but wonder why they’re not conquering bigger slots.

Rating: 8/10

TUSKAR – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Doom at Bloodstock? Absolutely, and who better to wake people up on a Sunday afternoon than darlings TUSKAR. Following a blistering set at this year’s Desertfest London, many were expecting BEYONCÉ’s Crazy In Love to introduce the band. Instead, ABBA’s Voulez-Vous was granted the honour and the duo took to the stage met with claps and cheers of adoration. From here Tom Dommock’s riffs rattled the earth beneath our feet while Tyler Hodges bludgeoned us with huge drums. Material from last year’s Matriarch dominated the set though very few minded. The record is stacked with heady doom and this set was no different. Moving further towards becoming a stalwart name within the UK’s doom scene, this set was a stellar example of why our doom bands are among the best.

Rating: 8/10

NAMELESS – New Blood Stage

Birmingham’s NAMELESS don’t pay homage to the heavy metal heavyweights who put their hometown on the map. Instead, they inject the weirder worlds of 90s alt-metal, grunge, and nu-metal with the slam-dancing impact of modern hardcore. Vocalist Jordan fires up the crowd, a cross between the bandleading bravado of Benji Webbe and the genre-defying brevity of Maynard James Keenan. With the New Blood Stage nearly squeezing out the sides by the time they stride off stage, there’s no denying the potential this quartet have — just you wait, they’ll be on the Sophie Lancaster Stage next time.

Rating: 8/10

TRIBULATION – Ronnie James Dio Stage

TRIBULATION might be best suited for the cover of darkness, but the Swedes arrive to the Sunday sunshine to bring a rockin’ good time to Bloodstock Festival. Their blend of slick heavy metal, psychedelic tones and shameless gothic appreciation is met with sheer glee of those congregated at the main stage. Powering through the likes of Nightbound and Leviathans with aplomb, the Swedes are in tremendous form, with the dualling riffs from guitarists Adam Zaars and Joseph Tholl being utterly delightful. A strong set from a band who packed enough vampiric bite to withstand the threat of the summer sunshine dampening their impact.

Rating: 8/10

COBRA THE IMPALER – Sophie Lancaster Stage

What better way to suck out the fun of your first time playing the UK by peddling not-so-progressive progressive metal that’s as dreary as the grey clouds threatening to throw open the heavens outside? COBRA THE IMPALER sound great on record, with last year’s debut Colossal Gods a promising offering, yet this supergroup of sorts (featuring members of ABORTED, SOILWORK, and festival headliners MEGADETH) can’t project their potential on the big stage. Standing static, lacking the energy required to convince passers-by to buy-in to your band when its still early doors, does not serve them well or even match the mood of cuts like Colossal Gods and Blood Eye. Every festival has a toilet break band, and COBRA THE IMPALER was this one.

Rating: 4/10

DECAPITATED – Ronnie James Dio Stage

The last time DECAPITATED graced Bloodstock in 2017, they gave one of the best sets of the weekend and left the Ronnie James Dio Stage‘s foundations shaking under their metallic might. Six years later, the band are back and armed with new record Cancer Culture, the Poles’ offer a set of tech-death precision that injects a much-needed dose of adrenaline for Sunday afternoon. A one-two punch of Cancer Culture and Just A Cigarette, both taken from their latest album, erupt with rage and set the stage nicely before Earth Scar ignites bedlam in the swirling pit. It’s a strong performance with guitarist Vogg‘s exquisite and technical riffs bending and swirling in the vortex and vocalist Rasta‘s growls hold their own in the chaos. Sheer elation is met as the likes of Day 69, Spheres Of Madness and Nine Steps are deployed and it reaffirms that DECAPITATED are still at the top of the pile when it comes to technical death metal.

Rating: 9/10

INVISIONS – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Yorkshire boys INVISIONS don’t give us the best set of the weekend, but it may be the most wholesome. They’ve been plying their trade in the UK’s crowded metalcore scene since 2016 but seem to have turned a corner this past year. A main stage appearance at Hellfest in June has given them a big boost of confidence, and their thirty minutes in the Sophie tent is another uplifting moment. The band quickly get the gathered crowd on their side and look absolutely delighted every time a fresh body surfs over the barrier. They threaten to peak too soon as their best track Annihilist turns up early, but they maintain their momentum and the set becomes a home run. INVISIONS have supported just about every international band that’s passed through their town and played in lots of half-empty venues, so the immense circle pit is richly deserved.

Rating: 8/10

UGLY KID JOE – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Billed as Bloodstock booker Vicky Hungerford’s full circle moment, 90s hard rockers UGLY KID JOE put in a proper shift to prove that they belong at the festival, sandwiched between the monolithically heavy in comparison DECAPITATED and SEPULTURA. From the foot-stomping, head-nodding punk of opener That Ain’t Livin’, it’s clear UGLY KID JOE aren’t here to mess around. The sun shines bright as Whitfield Crane croons his way through classic cut Neighbour, whilst No One Survives flexes their musical muscles with flair, before taking a seat centre stage to lead the crowd through a Sunday mass sing-along of their iconic HARRY CHAPIN cover Cat’s In The Cradle. There’s not a single face in the crowd not having fun as SEPULTURA’s Andreas Kisser crashes the set to spearhead a riotous, stage-swallowing cover of MOTÖRHEAD’s Ace Of Spades. Closing number Everything About You is as seismic as an earthquake in its crowd singalongs, leaving no stone unturned to prove that UGLY KID JOE can roll with the metalheads.

Rating: 9/10

CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL – Sophie Lancaster Stage

To say that CHURCH OF THE COSMIC SKULL stick out today is like saying you should be a little sceptical if Vladimir Putin buys you a plane ticket. Dressed all in white and taking their musical cues from 70’s prog bands, they may be the least metal act performing at Catton Hall this year. They’re not an intense band by any means, but there is something unsettling about them. Their stage outfits are pristine, their hippie vibe is a little too nice, and songs like Mountain Heart are catchy and enjoyable. But they also want you to let your guard down enough that you won’t notice the knife until it slips in beneath your ribcage. So yes, they’re not metal, but when they’re dancing and clapping along to Everybody’s Going To Die, you’re only one smiling Florence Pugh away from being stitched into a bear suit and burned to ashes. They’re not going to be for everyone, but the folks who get into the vibe have the time of their leader-loving lives.

Rating: 8/10

OUTERGODS – New Blood Stage

If the neck-snapping swagger in which OUTERGODS deliver their set says anything, it’s that the RAISED BY OWLS-adjacent project are by no means newcomers to Bloodstock Festival. Going on at the same time as Brazilian bruisers SEPULTURA was never going to be easy, but despite the tiny crowd that’s traded groovy thrash for an OSDM obliteration of the senses, they go in guns ablazing and don’t stop till their set comes to a standstill. Whilst it’s a shame that in places their hurricane of noise is blunted by a mix so muddying and swampy not even Shrek would call it home, they still incite slam-dancing circle pits and muscle-depleting head-banging. With less than a handful of songs in the public domain, there’s far more to come from OUTERGODS.

Rating: 7/10

SEPULTURA – Ronnie James Dio Stage

With the iconic Chaos A.D (1993) nearing its 30th anniversary, SEPULTURA’s Bloodstock slot had potential to be one of the highlights of the festival. Yet just three tracks from the album made the set list; Propaganda, Refuse/Resist, and Territory. This isn’t a slight on the band at all, purely a product of many a fan’s expectations. However Derrick Green led the legendary brood through material from the band’s stacked discography. “Are you still there Bloodstock?” Green would ask during moments of tepidness. The indifference comes purely from many Bloodstock goers not being familiar with tracks from 2020’s Quadra. The cuts we were being fed were tight and ferocious on a day where many were flagging toward the end of the festival. Yet the testament to SEPULTURA lies in the reactions to Roots Bloody Roots and Dead Embryonic Cells, as does the notion this is a band locked within its own legacy.

Rating: 6/10

EMBODIMENT – Sophie Lancaster Stage

New Blood Stage alumni EMBODIMENT are back on the much larger Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Festival 2023 and the Bristol-based death metal band offer another round of bludgeoning for those still recovering from SEPULTURA. The riffs come thick and fast from guitarists Finn Maxwell and Sam Godding, with the hefty breakdowns igniting plenty of stank faces amongst the crowd, and in vocalist Harry Smithson, the band posses one hell of a focal point. Consistently energetic and with a mighty set of guttural vocals in his locker, he leads the line effortlessly and keeps the intensity high. A solid set from a band that are really beginning to surge in momentum.

Rating: 8/10

ZEAL & ARDOR – Sophie Lancaster Stage

Darkness fell as one of metal’s most beloved projects, ZEAL & ARDOR, took to the stage for their 90 minute set. Being robbed of a headlining slot due to outside circumstances could have derailed the thing entirely. Yet Manuel Gagneux slinked on stage with his hood up and vocals on fire for Church Burns. Harmonies flowed like silk, a beautiful juxtaposition against harsh riffs. Thunderous Götterdämmerung and Row Row quickly followed, a statement ZEAL & ARDOR were ones to watch.

You could hear a pin drop during Ship On Fire and Blood In The River. Run’s aggression became a contagion leaving fans rabid. Weaving through the discography, tracks such as Tuskegee and Erase received a warm welcome. Though it was Death To The Holy which elicited the strongest reaction. Bodies thrashed against each other to the sound of black metal where Devil Is Fine brought them to a stop. An effortless execution from one of metal’s greatest minds.

Rating: 10/10

MEGADETH – Ronnie James Dio Stage

Thrash titans MEGADETH are no strangers to the Ronnie James Dio Stage — this is their third time headlining in nine years — so it’s no surprise to see the foursome once again break Bloodstock’s one-day attendance record. With a sold-out crowd stretching the stage, and an inflatable unicorn standing on the shoulders of moshers, MEGADETH do not disappoint. Opener Hanger 18 sounds as shred-tastically vital tonight as it first did in 1990, Dread And The Fugitive Mind definitely pleads, and wins, the case for MEGADETH’s early-noughties output, and Angry Again opens up the pits and the sing-alongs in quick succession. And that’s just the first three songs.

There’s not a single line of Sweating Bullets the Catton Park crowd don’t scream out, there’s not a single riff the crowd miss on their air guitars during In My Darkest Hour, and not a single soul in the crowd not lighting up the night with their torches and their lungs on an emotional A Tout Le Monde. Yep, if you hadn’t guessed it already, MEGADETH’s setlist is absolutely stacked with wall-to-wall bangers. Even a mid-set trio of late-career cuts We’ll Be Back, Conquer Or Die!, and Dystopia don’t drop the ball, before getting the big guns back out for a five-song closing run of Trust, A Tout Le Monde, Tornado Of Souls, Symphony Of Destruction and Peace Sells. Let’s be honest, there’s few bands who’ve played this stage that can stack it up as strong as that.

A double-encore dish-up of Mechanix and Holy Wars…The Punishment Due is all the proof you need that this era of MEGADETH is as much a celebration of their contribution to the shape of thrash to come, as it is a triumphant testament to their survival over the years. Simply put: this was a masterclass in how to have fun with heavy metal.

Rating: 10/10

Words: James Weaver, Tasha Brown, Jack Press, Tim Bolitho-Jones

Check out our extensive photo gallery of the action at this year’s Bloodstock Festival from Serena Hill Photography here: 

Like Bloodstock Festival on Facebook.