Bloodstock Festival 2022: The Review

Stepping into the hallowed grounds of Bloodstock Open Air, something just flicks in your brain. Is it the sight of tens of thousands of metalheads, or perhaps the cracking noise as cans of beer are opened at 10 am? Whatever it is, this switch ignites a primal desire to embrace some riffs, drink warm booze and eat bunny chow.

Tent raised, suncream applied and mates found – the walk to the arena begins. An array of illegible band logos on t-shirts, viking-esque facial hair and camp flags that feature the meat rubbing Ainsley Harriot guide the way to the arena – Thursday night begins. Basement Torture Killings begin 2023’s dose of Derbyshire metal chaos which was thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd, raising the energy and probably really upsetting the people that had come to see the vibes and atmospheric prog of Dark Tranquillity. That’s what Bloodstock is all about though, watching people in Tool shirts try and hastily leave a packed out Sophie stage because they heard 3 seconds of a blastbeat – oh it feels good to be home.

Bloodstock’s format of a Thursday evening to warm up the crowds before the mainstage chaos ensues is an ideal way to prime the charge of the thousands in attendance. Opening the Ronnie James Dio mainstage on Friday were Red Method. A visceral and in-your-face approach to the heaviest nu-metal riffs and huge breakdowns. Smoke bombs, bible desecration and a flawless performance causes the pits to open and the festival is well and truly underway. Heart of A Coward followed up, the metalcore five-piece returning to the stage after a long time away and presenting the growing crowd with a surgically tight and professional set.

As the day continued and the sun beat down, a trip to the New Blood stage was in order – respite from the heat and Death Metal to enjoy. Existentialist ripped into their performance with crushing waves of some of the most brutal breakdowns of the weekend, the Essex ‘metal 2 the masses’ victors proving that they deserved their spot onstage. Another band on the New Blood stage who did just that were Fyresky, a group who’s performance skills and hard rock riffs left an absolutely buzzing crowd wanting more. The day was closed with the descending of Behemoth’s legions upon the arena. Blackened death metal reigns hard from the dark sky, lit only by the fire of their incredible stage show and filled with Nergal’s soaring voice. This band are a true spectacle live.

Photo Credit:
Katja Ogrin

The heat of the August sun once again begins its oppression over the crowds as Saturday morning brings more incredible bands to see. Collected open the New Blood stage with a djent-filled and energetic set, authenticity and a charm that is very hard to come across – the Essex group smashed it out the park. Staying put in the shade of the New Blood’s tent, Draconian Reign took their place onstage and had the packed out audience in the palm of their hands, an extremely impressive display from a band so recently formed.

Braving the temperature which was soaring by the hour, the main stage was absolutely stacked to the rafters as Lorna Shore absolutely scorched the ground beneath everyone’s feet in a way which made the weather seem tame and cool. A blistering set which displayed the prowess of one of the fastest rising bands in world metal. The metalcore dose of Bloodstock’s weekend was provided by Blood Youth and Bury Tomorrow on the Sophie Lancaster stage and Ronnie James Dio Stage respectively – both showed just why Bloodstock’s increased booking of a wider range of bands across the metal spectrum is justified and necessary.

One of the highlights of the weekend – Ingested – then took the Sophie Stage by the scruff of the neck and beat it with intense riffs and bone-breaking slam, the Manchester slam crew took no prisoners with their walls of death and circle pits. The Saturday was completed by an absolutely earth shattering performance by Malevolence. Off the back of their fantastic set last year, these guys surpassed expectations and performed a set that had jaws dropped from start to finish. Just as punishingly heavy as it was atmospheric and powerful in its melodies, the sound that Malevolence offer is untouchable on its day – and this was certainly one of those days.

Photo Credit:
Steve Dempsey

Sunday arrives and the excitement for the upcoming bands is mixed with the disappointment of seeing the final hours of such an incredible festival fade away. One of the best ways to make use of those final hours is by watching Heriot, a band who’s ascend to the peak of popularity is well and truly underway. This is backed up by a grade-A live performance which holds an atmosphere of near-terror through the piercing screams and unrelenting breakdowns, an experience that is unique and violently heavy.

Further brutality is channelled through the supreme death metal of Cattle Decapitation – a band who need no introduction and their performance was a good example of why they are infamous in the world of heavy music. To tie a blood-soaked bow on the weekend you couldn’t ask for a band better than worldwide metal royalty Lamb of God. Their performance is no regular moment, witnessing Lamb of God decimate the RJD stage is the closest you can get to a religious experience for many metalheads. To stand in the eye of the storm that was the gargantuan circle pits, to be part of the thousands of voices shouting “Walk with me in hell” and to do it all at a festival as unique and enjoyable as Bloodstock – there is nothing quite like it.

An incredible festival full of immense bands and wonderful people. Bloodstock 2022 was another credit to heavy music in the UK and attending should be on the top priorities of all those who are yet to be a part of it. See you next year?

Photo Credit:
Steve Dempsey

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