Still riddled with telltale aches and pains from Lamb of Gods epic headline set last night. We’re back in the arena bright and early on Saturday morning. Where our first order of business, after resting our aging millenial bones and scarfing down some top tier scran courtesy of the Spudman (9). Is to head over to the Ronnie James Dio stage for a bit of Urne (8).
Unfortunately, Gremlins in the backline don’t make it the easiest of starts for the prog metal maestros. Robbing the likes of Be Not Dismayed and The Spirit, Alive of their usual punch. Leaving frontman, Joe Nally visibly a bit dismayed as he apologises numerous times in the early going.
Thankfully, things begin to improve just as Urne start digging into A Feast on Sorrow. At which point their set takes on an entirely new lease of life. You can see the whole band start to loosen up. Guitarists Angus and Kurtis start moving around a little more, Joe begins to relax and James Cook really starts to lay into the drums. Filling the Derbyshire countryside with the kind of thunderous progressive grooves that have made Mastodon a household name.
As the ocean of sound washes over us, we quickly lose track of time and between that and their troubled start. It feels as though Urnes set disappears in the blink of an eye. However, all issues aside. They deserve their flowers today. Not only have they put on the kind of show that hints at much bigger things on the horizon, but they’ve triumphed over the odds to do so. With all the grace and professionalism we’ve come to expect.
A quick water break later and we’re back in pretty much exactly the same spot ready for Vended (7) and we’ll get the obvious right out of the way at the start. Yes, they sound like Slipknot. Which for the the most part, is down to frontman Griffin Parker Taylor. Whose vocals are so much like his fathers, it’s impossible not to make the comparison. Especially on tracks like Ded to Me and Disparager. When you could legitimately close your eyes and be transported to a world of jumpsuits and tribal S’s.
To describe it as formulaic feels harsh. Because Vended do add some more modern elements into the mix here and there. But no matter how hard you try to reach past the obvious when describing their sound, energy or aesthetic. It’s exactly the same cocktail of ingredients as early Slipknot. The raw nu-metal edge, their outfits, the seemingly bottomless reserve of energy they display on stage. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck… Well, you get the picture.
It doesn’t stop us, or anyone else for that matter, from enjoying their set. Quite the opposite in fact. Having performed their UK festival debut here at Bloodstock, the band have something of a special place in the audiences heart. As good as Vended are though, it’s hard to shake the feeling that we’ve seen this all before.
With the afternoon sun well and truly beating us into submission. We dive off to the Sophie Lancaster stage for some shade and stumble across some fantastic old school death metal for our trouble. Celestial Sanctuary (8) weren’t a band we were all that familiar with coming into Bloodstock. However, the galloping main riff of their opening track, Where the Blood Flows draws us in like moths to a flame. Vocalist, Tomás Palmer-Cronin has got some serious pipes too. Dropping some impressive gutturals in amongst the razor sharp edges created by the guitars.
They might not have the production value of some of the main stage acts we’ve taken in today. But, the level of intensity they bring to the stage is unquestionable. Especially if you’re anywhere near the circle pit, which Tomás has in the palm of his hand throughout. Unfortunately we don’t get to catch their whole set. Which is a shame, but even the small dose we do get is more than enough to put them firmly on our radar. Reminding us that some of the best bands at Bloodstock are the ones you find by accident.
By contrast, Aussie metalcore outfit, Northlane (8) are a band that have been on our to-do list for some time. We’re not the only ones either. Because as we make our way back from the Sophie tent, the biggest crowd we’ve seen all day is camped out waiting to greet them along with us. Which we find a little odd, given that when the line-up was announced last year they were one of the bands that seemed to divide the “true” metal fanbase.
Whether you feel like they belong at Bloodstock or not. There’s no denying Northlane sound huge as they take the the stage. Starting things off with 4D. A track that amply demonstrates the number of genres are known for blending together. With Josh Smiths Mick Gordon-esque guitar style and the rising techno synth lines in the background creating a tapestry of sound that’s equal parts EDM and heavy metal.
Keyboard player/rhythm guiatrist John Deiley really deserves a special mention too. He might have turned up today looking like a long lost Gallagher brother, but the way he jumps seamlessly between his samplers, keyboard and low slung six string is the secret ingredient to Northlanes success here this afternoon. If it weren’t for him working double duty, tracks like Welcome to the Industry wouldn’t have the sheer amount of heft that they do.
The atmosphere that they create is so immersive, that before we know it the band are bringing things to a close with fan favourite, Clockwork. Which gets one last massive burst of energy out of the crowd and hammers home the fact that whatever people may have said about their booking, Northlane have a place here at Bloodstock.
From techno party to technical tour de force, Nevermore (9) are the next band on our hit-list today. It’s been well over a decade since the prog metal titans last played the UK and nearly twice that long since they were last here at Bloodstock. So we’re more than a little excited to see their return. Initially, we feel like we might be the only ones who got the memo though. Because the crowd is very thin as the band get things going with Beyond Within.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for the crowd to start filling out and it has to be said, the bands latest incarnation is a force to be reckoned with. Berzan Önen, who’s filling the late Warrel Dane’s shoes (rest in power) on the microphone has the perfect combination of power and stage presence. Van Williams is on top form as well, with his ferocious double kick attack providing thunderous backdrop for Jeff Loomis to work his fretboard magic over. Weaving a tornado of tasty thrash inspired riffs and soaring lead guitar melodies alongside fellow axeman Jack Cattoi.
Loomis may have already teased new material being on the horizon. Today’s show is all about the classics though. Sticking to a setlist mostly made up of fan favourites from Dead Heart in a Dead World. With a few numbers from 2005’s This Godless Endeavour sprinkled throughout. There’s no pomp or props to be found here either, no video screens or gimmicks. Just the kind of pure old school metal that makes you want to jam both your thumbs in your belt loops and give yourself whiplash.
We admit, at the start of the bands set we were deeply concerned. Meagre turnout, relatively fresh line-up… For the first few minutes it looked like we were going to be in for a bit of a disappointment. However as it comes to an end, thousands of fists pumping the air along with Enemies of Reality. We’re pleased to be able to say Nevermore are back and as strong as they’ve ever been.
Speaking of old school metal. We have just enough time to catch a little Death Angel (8) before our next appointment on the main stage. So, it’s off to the Sophie Lancaster tent for a light dose of Bay Area thrash. Proceedings are already well under way when we arrive. With a frankly vicious looking wall of death being the first thing we see as we wriggle our way into a suitable spot.
One of the oldest names in the genre, Death Angel have had their ups and downs over the years. Here, this afternoon though, they are lords of all they survey. With every thrash anthem inciting more and more carnage in what ends up being multiple mosh pits dotted around the Sophie Lancaster tent. Unfortunately we don’t get to stay for long, but the metal legends put on an absolutely blinding performance. Delivering hit after hit from a back catalogue that stretches all the way back to 1984. We just wish we’d been able to hang out a little longer!
With the sun hanging low in the sky, it’s time for Scottish metallers Bleed From Within (10) over on the Ronnie James Dio stage. One glance at their set-up and it’s obvious that the boys from Glasgow have pulled out all the stops. Ramps, runways and pyrotechnic charges litter the stage from left to right and that’s not all. Looming ominously behind drummer, Ali Richardson’s kit there’s a full sized inflatable rendition of the artwork from the bands latest album, Zenith. As Gen Z would say- It’s giving headliner energy and we’re here for it.
They don’t stop there either. There’s no pre-recorded intro track today, no sir. Instead, a full marching band and pipers appear to usher Bleed From Within on in style. You can tell just from their body language as they emerge that they’re loaded for bear today. Vocalist Scott Kennedy looks hyped beyond all belief. Beaming from ear to ear as the rest of the band take their places, poised and ready. Then they kick into the opening riff of Zenith and the crowd goes completely wild. There’s so much going on, it takes us a moment to realise the operatic backing vocals we’re hearing aren’t being piped in. Bleed From Within have snuck long time studio collaborator Hannah Boulton out on stage with them. Adding another wonderful texture to the mix.
The next sixty minutes is pure, out and out mayhem. With twenty years and seven albums under their belts, the set-list is near perfect. There’s no fuss, no let up, no padding for time. It’s banger after weapons grade banger. Sovereign, Stand Down, Levitate… The pulverising riffs and bone crushing breakdowns just keep coming. At one point, there are no less than six circle pits whirling away at a breakneck pace. None quite as large as Malevolences now infamous effort a couple of years ago. However, the feeling that we’re watching a band level up in real time from supporting artist to main attraction is exactly the same.
“I feel like Scotland have just won the World Cup” exclaims Kennedy, clearing the sweat from his eyes, still grinning like a man possessed. “This is the best show we’ve ever played”. He’s not wrong. Having caught Bleed From Within on their headline tour just six months ago, the difference is night and day. Which isn’t to say they didn’t nearly blow the roof off the o2 Institute back in March. We’re simply witnessing a whole new evolution of the Glaswegian wrecking crew today.
They aren’t finished raising hell just yet though. Rounding out one of the best sets of the festival so far with a one-two combo of I am Damnation and God Complex. Bringing a thoroughly crushing performance to a suitably brutal end and leaving us with little doubt that the lads from Scotland might be topping the bill here in future.
After the chaos that was Bleed From Within’s set, a good old fashioned sit down and some food are well in order. So, we head over to one of our favourite festival food spots, Roaming Rotisserie (10). We know what you’re thinking, two 10/10 ratings in one review… and one of them is for a chicken stand!? All we can say is, IYKYK.
Once we’ve come down from our Scottish metal induced high and devoured some thoroughly fantastic chicken. We decide a little after dinner Leprous (8) is in order. Who absolutely don’t disappoint. As digestive aids go in fact, we dare say we can’t think of a more ethereal, relaxing and musically fascinating way to help deal with a carbohydrate overdose.
Full disclosure, the Norwegian sextet are a band we know largely by reputation. Watching them build their opening track, Silently Walking Alone from an ambient drone to an all encompassing soundscape is an engrossing experience though. So much so that soon we find ourselves completely drawn in. There are elements of ambient electronica, hints of King Crimson and plenty of high gain thickness from the Tor and Robins guitars. Which coupled with Einar Solbergs cathartic lyrics make them a fantastic way to round off another wonderful day at Bloodstock!
For more information on Bloodstock, you can head over to the festivals official website. Where tickets for next years event are already selling fast! Go ahead and give them a follow on social media. Oh and of course, keep an eye out for the final installment of our coverage from this years Bloodstock Festival, which will be coming soon!
