Still filled with excitement from last nights knockout set from Trivium, we’re up bright and early on Saturday morning. Ready to make our first trip of the weekend over to the Sophie Lancaster stage. Where a light breakfast of progressive metalcore awaits…
Despite drawing what’s usually a death slot at 10:30am, when most of the campsite is still desperately trying to get over the night before. Ireosis (7) have still managed to pull a decent gathering for this time of day. Thanks in no small part to their astronaut cosplaying mascot, who’s been advertising their return to Bloodstock all weekend.
Many bands rest on their laurels in circumstances such as these, but the boys from Yorkshire put in a solid performance. Chugging along nicely. Steadily pulling more curious eyes and ears into the tent. Drummer Matt Talbot in particular deserves a special mention for his ability to shoehorn a triplet or blast beat into seemingly any fill. Keeping even seasoned headbangers on their toes during tracks like Darkest Cold. They might not be setting records for attendance this morning, but we’d take a set from Ireosis over a strong cup of coffee any day.
Over on the Ronnie James Dio stage, Cage Fight (7) have also amassed an impressively sized crowd for 11 O’clock in the morning. Frontwoman Rachel Aspe can hold a low note about as well as anyone in the scene right now, while you can clearly see friend of Rock Sins James Monteith enjoying the chuggy riffs that are very different to his other musical life in TesseracT. Cage Fight are a fearsome live unit with an equally impressive rhythm section, leading to some good early morning moshpits – and even a slowed down safety pit due to the early start (genius). Well worth seeing live if you are yet to do so. JG
Back in the Sophie tent, Vnder A Crvmbling Moon (7) instantly fail the first test by virtue of being one of these bands that ridiculously change vowels for V’s in their name. Fortunately for all in attendance, thats the only negative. Sounding like a mix of Cult Of Luna, ISIS and Pelican with added Korg synth thrown in, its about as different to Cage Fight as it comes, but no less enjoyable. If you like post-metal, Vnder A Crvmbling Moon are well worth a look and a listen, V’s and all! (JG)
Sheffield natives Ba’al (7) are next up in the Sophie. A band on the periphery of Rock Sins attention for many years, this was a welcome opportunity to see what they were all about. With a sound that can be described as early Opeth having a baby with the extreme end of Anaal Nathrakh, especially vocally – its not going to be for everyone. It was for us though – as the Yorkshire outfit put on a very enjoyable half hour performance. Both Ba’al and Vnder A Crvmbling Moon felt like they’d brought a taste of ArcTanGent to Bloodstock today, and that’s more than alright by us. (JG)
After a swift and necessary visit to the Roaming Rotisserie. It’s back over to the Ronnie James Dio stage for a bit of Heriot (7) who end up with a real battle on their hands and not because of the tin foil knight in Heriot branded armour who makes it his business to dominate the mosh pit. Alas, the technical gremlins that plagued Lacuna Coil’s set on Friday afternoon having made an unwelcome return. Plauging the rising stars in the early going. Leaving tracks like Enter The Flesh lacking their usual punch.
Thankfully they do manage to pull things together. Much to the delight of their bacofoiled brother in arms. However, it’s a shame that having made the jump from the modest confines of the Sophie Lancaster stage over to the big leagues this year that they find themselves making the best of a bad situation. Rather than basking in the limelight they deserve.
Off to the Timothy Taylor New Blood stage next. Where Mantis Defeats Jaguar (8) lay in wait. Having emerged the victors from this years Birmingham heats of Bloodstocks annual Metal 2 The Masses contest. The Midlands based quartet are clearly on a high. Bouncing their way around the stage as they start things off with Advantage Mantis. Getting the kind of airtime that would put Busted to shame in their prime.
On a line-up filled with heavy metal posturing and hard faces, their funky, Limp Bizkit infused bops are a breath of fresh air and it doesn’t take long for their energy to infect the crowd. Who are completely on side by the time they roll into Kick The Wreckin’ off. Throw in a pitch perfect snippet of War Pigs and stick a fork in it, it’s done. They’ve got the audience in the palm in their hands and deservedly so.
There’s no time to wait though. Because over on the Sophie Stage, Waterlines (8) are having a party of their own and everyone’s invited. We had no idea such a thing existed, but as the synth driven metalcore groove of Set The Pace kicks in and vocalist Ben Mars bellows “Welcome to the Daisy Chain Gang motherfuckers”. What can only be described as part circle pit, part conga line appears and we know we’re ready for a membership card.
We aren’t the only ones looking to sign up either. As crowd surfers ride their way to the barriers, reaching for the strobe lights, loving every moment. Mars can’t contain his excitement either. Mounting the barrier during the aptly named Brace, bringing the mic out into the crowd. Hundreds of eager hands threatening to pull him into the maelstrom as he orders everyone in the audience to put their heads between their legs and kiss their ass goodbye. Leaving us all yearning for more as they bring their set to a close a few short minutes later. Main stage next time please. No notes.
Leaving the Sophie tent on a serious high. It’s back over to Bloodstocks main stage for us. Where goth rockers Creeper (7) are up next. Despite the serious hype around their debut here. The leather clad ghouls from Southampton fail to live up to expectations. Tight and well rehearsed as they sound today. Even anthems like Blood Magick and Teenage Sacrifice seem to fall mysteriously flat. Despite the addition of a serious amount of pyrotechnic wizardy.
The Ballad of Sleep & Mercy is the only song in their setlist today that really seems to hit home. Which as a real shame, as it leaves their set feeling like a massive missed opportunity. With even the most hardcore Creeper faithfuls walking away looking disappointed after they wrap things up with Cry to Heaven.
Luckily, Kublai Khan TX (9) are waiting in the wings to right the ship. Absolutely laying waste to the Ronnie James Dio stage in the summer sun. Landing knockout blow after knockout blow with tracks like the whiplash inducing Low Tech and Cannibal. While master of ceremonies and walking gun show Matt Honeycutt marshalls the mosh pit with ease. Reminding everyone of the bands unwritten 11th commandment to “never let that shit close up”.
There’s a universal, almost primal appeal to their constant barrage of skull crushing breakdowns. Although, one more arf arf and we’re concerned Kublai might summon the spirit of Knocked Loose. Resulting in a heavyweight hardcore showdown that would signal the end of days. Thankfully however, the only apocalyptic scene that unfolds is a record breaking wall of death. Before they finish off their with a double bill of Antpile and Antpile 2, bringing new meaning to the phrase don’t mess with Texas.
As the evening begins to draw to a close, we find ourselves back at the Sophie Lancaster stage. Ready to check out arguably the biggest unsigned band on Bloodstocks line-up this year, Breed 77 (9). Returning to Bloodstock for the first time in over a decade after a lengthy hiatus. The five piece from Gibraltar receive a very warm welcome as they start things off with Worlds on Fire. With everyone singing at the top of their lungs and clapping along flamenco style. The only giveaway that that clock hasn’t magically spun back to 2005 is the wall of smartphones pointed toward the stage capturing every moment of Breed 77’s comeback.
Sticking mostly to material from their sophomore album, Cultura. With a handful of more recent offerings woven into the mix. Their passion and enthusiasm to be back together again shines through on every track. Guitarists Danny Felice and Pedro Caparros are grinning from ear to ear as they jump back and forth to their nylon strung acoustics with practiced ease. While lead singer Paul Isola pours his heart and soul into every chorus. Making for a performance that’s every bit as heartwarming as it is impressive.
Their hour long set seems to simply fly by. Coming to a crescendo with a cover of Zombie by The Cranberries, which absolutely brings the house down. Followed by fan favourite, La Última Hora, Putting the perfect full stop on Breed 77’s triumphant return.
With the memory of Triviums landmark headline set still fresh from Friday night. We would usually be concerned for the act unlucky enough to have to follow them tonight. However, if anyone can pick up the gauntlet laid down by Matt Heafy and co last night, it’s Machine Head (10).
There are undoubtedly opening tracks that can stand toe to to alongside Imperium. We can’t think of any as Rob Flynn’s roar of ‘Hear me now’ lights the touch paper and ignites tonight’s sold out crowd though. Signalling the start of over ninety minutes of pure carnage. The setlist that follows is near perfect. With the likes of Ten Ton Hammer, Is There Anybody Out There and Locust amply demonstrating both Machine Head’s longevity and ability to lay waste to any audience in front of them.
For all the fire and fury that underlines the Bay Area behemoths performance tonight however. It’s Robb’s touching dedication of Darkness Within to dearly departed PR legend, Michelle Kerr that hits home the hardest. With thousands of lighters and flashlights held aloft, illuminating the Ronnie James Dio stage in her memory as he strums away at the acoustic guitar now slung over his shoulders. Earnest, heartfelt and genuine to the core. It’s truly a beautiful scene to behold.
Alongside the raw emotion on display, there are more than a few moments of levity to be had too. Machine Head may have been absent from the festival circuit proper for some time now. Yet Flynn has lost none of his ability to joke and toy with the crowd. Laughing maniacally as he plays his own version of beer pong with Banana Man and Beer Box Jesus (you had to be there) between songs.
All good things must come to an end however and what a finale it is. Bulldozer quite literally crushes all. The nu-metal groove of From This Day, once considered a deep cut from an era Machine Head would generally avoid gets one of the biggest pops of the night. Then comes Davidian…. Fists pump the sky, the meat grinder of a mosh pit that has grown exponentially throughout the night finds a new gear and minds are well and truly lost. Leaving us all putty in Robb Flynns capable hands as Halo brings Machine Heads set tonight to a suitably dramatic end. Leaving ripples of electricity running throught the crowd long after the fireworks that mark their departure from the stage have finished rattling off like machinegun fire. Proving in no uncertain terms how they earned their nickname of Machine Fucking Head in the first place.
