Music

Ticketmaster / 8 August 2016

The who, where and why of Bloodstock Festival 2016

It’s the week UK metallers have been waiting for, with Bloodstock Festival 2016 just a matter of days away.

Here, our resident riff-lover, Nikki Hegarty, rounds up the bands Bloodstock-goers need to check out this weekend at Catton Park.

Who: Karybdis
Where: Sophie Lancaster stage on Thursday
Why: If there is only one set you see on Thursday make it these guys. The London-based band are the epitome of modern metal, combining mind-blowing technical guitar work with fantastic vocals and a stage presence to rival even the most established of bands.

Who: Gojira
Where: Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturday
Why: After releasing Magma earlier this year it’s clear to see that Gojira will be the name on everyone’s lips next weekend at Bloodstock. One of the most extreme groups to come out of France, they play the most complex riffs with precision and ease.

Who: Beholder
Where: Sophie Lancaster Stage on Friday
Why: It doesn’t get more Bloodstock than Beholder; frontman Simon Hall is a true supporter of the metal scene and has a hand in booking all the great bands you’ll be seeing this year. Beholder are pretty much Bloodstock royalty so go give them some support.

Who: Heart of a Coward
Where: Ronnie James Dio Stage on Sunday
Why: This isn’t your usual Bloodstock band, and that is exactly why you should go see them. Featuring ex-Sylosis frontman Jamie Graham the band has risen from strength to strength, securing spots at both Download and Bloodstock main stage this year. With spine-tingling vocals and groove metal influences they are bound to surprise even the most extreme metal fans.

Who: Rotting Christ
Where: Ronnie James Dio Stage on Saturday
Why: Flying the flag for Greek metal at Bloodstock this year is Rotting Christ. Honestly it doesn’t matter if you understand the lyrics or not, the anthemic lyrics will have you chanting back at them regardless of any language barrier.

Who: Akercocke
Where: Ronnie James Dio stage on Saturda
Why: After a five year break the three founding members have come back together making Akercoke’s set at Bloodstock a must-see for any fan. With core influences in death, thrash and black metal we can’t wait to see them back in action.

Who: Satyricon
Where: Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday
Why: Formed in 1991, Satyricon have made a name for themselves as one of the most significant bands in extreme metal. Core members Satyr and Frost combine black metal with some hard rock influences for a sound that surpasses many other bands in their genre.

Who: Behemoth
Where: Ronnie James Dio stage on Friday
Why: Do not miss Behemoth. Seriously – these guys don’t just play a set, they turn every song into a true performance which demands your attention. The Polish blackened death metal quartet is one of the most powerful and exhilarating bands getting set to perform this year.

Who: Brutai
Where: Sophie Lancaster Stage on Friday
Why: If a djent sound is what you crave then look no further. This is one band you can dance, sing, mosh and scream too. They are on early in the day, making them the perfect first band to see when you are nursing your first night hangover.

The Hobgoblin New Blood Stage

That’s right, we’ve given a whole stage its own slot in our preview. What makes Bloodstock so great is its dedication to metal, and to upcoming bands.

If you don’t know already Bloodstock has an entire stage for bands rising up in the metal scene from across the UK, who have battled it out at Metal 2 the Masses for a slot to play this year. So if you want to be the first in the know, check it out.

Bands to see: Burning the Dream, Mordrake, The Face of Ruin, Far From History, I Saw The World Burn.

Words: Nikki Hegarty

Bloodstock Festival 2016 takes place between 11 – 14 August at Catton Park, Derbyshire. Check availability and book last minute tickets now at Ticketmaster.co.uk.