Bloodstock 2018 is looking to be the biggest yet, with tickets moving fast and set to sell out again in advance. If you want to join us at Catton Park in August, don’t delay in grabbing your tickets! The countdown is now on, with just 93 days to go! The remaining Friday/Saturday/Sunday slots on the Ronnie James Dio main stage and Sophie Lancaster 2nd stage rack up as follows. Thursday’s bill, the Jagermeister stage bill and of course the New Blood stage bill are all yet to come.
Adding some doomy melodeath to proceedings, Nailed to Obscurity land an early main stage slot on Saturday. Curious about this German five-piece? Listen to the song “Protean” from their King Delusion album, released last year by Apostasy Records.
Everyone knows Sweden does metal well, and these guys are no exception. Prog metallers Evergrey grab themselves a main stage spot on Sunday morning. They’ve ten albums of material under their belts, but get up to speed with their latest collection, The Storm Within, with “In Orbit”. The song features guest vocals from none other than Floor Jansen of Bloodstock’s Sunday headliners, Nightwish!
Brit crew Monument have the honour of opening the main stage on Sunday! On a mission to bring back classic British heavy metal – citing influences like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sabbath, Saxon, Rainbow, Thin Lizzy, and Led Zep – it’s no wonder Roar Records picked up these London headbangers! Feast your eyes on their castle-shot video for “Lionheart”.
Welsh death metallers Sodomized Cadaver play the Sophie Lancaster stage on Friday. Last seen at Bloodstock on the Jagermeister stage in 2016, we’re delighted to welcome these old school metalheads back in a bigger slot. Not familiar with them yet? Head over to their BandCamp page and take a listen.
Making their Bloodstock debut on Friday’s Sophie stage are South Africa’s Deity’s Muse. Bringing their unique blend of alt rock, metal and prog all the way from Johannesburg, these guys are are an absolute juggernaut live. Vocalist Wayne tells us, “I nearly choked on my coffee the morning we found out that we’re included in this year’s gargantuan Bloodstock lineup. To say that we’re excited about the opportunity is a gross understatement. We can’t wait to share our music with the BOA festival goers in August. This is literally a dream come true for us four weirdo South Africans. We’re salivating at the prospect!” Check out one of their videos.
Limb earn a Saturday slot on the Sophie stage. If you like your classic rock served up with a side of stoner doom, these guys could be your new favourite band. Watch their sci-fi inspired video for “Dawn Raiders”. They enthuse, “We can’t believe what a great honour it is to be asked to play this amazing festival! Our labelmates Vodun & Black Moth have both played incredible sets on the Sophie stage and now we get our chance to join them in stamping our name into the amazing Bloodstock story. We’re ready to make some ungodly noise for you all!”
Also playing the Sophie stage on Saturday are apocalyptic doomsters With The Dead. Formed by ex-Napalm Death/Cathedral and Electric Wizard/Serpentine Path members, you may just recognise the unmistakable vocals of Lee Dorrian. Get a sample via track “Isolation” over on YouTube. Might we suggest, one not to be missed!
Metal 2 the Masses, our programme to support grass roots metal has reached its Grand Finals stage this month, with 31 events happening regionally to pick the best new bands to play Bloodstock’s New Blood stage. Glasgow and Belfast’s finals happen this Friday 11th May, more locations follow from there. M2TM is the biggest initiative in the UK & Ireland (not forgetting one-off locations in Norway and Poland) to not only support regional venues, but also give local bands a chance to win a slot at the festival, an opportunity to network and aspire to the winning acts that have gone before them.
As well as that chance to play this year’s event, there’s a bigger national prize pool opportunity where selected finals winners will be chosen to open Bloodstock’s Sophie Stage in 2019, play a slot at Slovenia’s Metaldays Festival 2019, win recording time at Parlour Studios with Russ Russell, along with a raft of additional sponsor prizes. Attending punters aren’t left out either, as they could walk away with a ticket to this year’s festival or any number of free giveaways on the night. The Finals are rolling around the country right now so be sure to get down and show support!
Thinking about your route to Bloodstock yet? Official travel partner Big Green Coach are more than happy to transport you, your mates and all your camping essentials from 21 pick-up points all over the country to right inside the Bloodstock gates. For more details, watch this video. Alternatively, if you’re driving to the festival and have a space in your car, or are seeking a ride from your area, post your trip on GoCarShare’s website to match up with a friendly metaller and help each other ride to Bloodstock! You’ll even be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to next year’s festival just by using the GoCarShare scheme! Full details over at their website.
With Friday night headliners Judas Priest, Saturday headliners Gojira and Sunday’s bill toppers Nightwish announced, as well as Emperor, At The Gates, Devildriver, Watain, Suicidal Tendencies, Wednesday 13, Jasta & Friends, Fozzy, Combichrist, Bloodbath, Venom Inc., Mr Big, Orphaned Land, Kamelot, Doro, Orden Ogdan, Septicflesh, Exhorder, Pallbearer, Memoriam and many more, we’re more excited than ever for Bloodstock 2018!