As the saying goes, good things really do come in three’s! Now on our third day at Bloodstock Festival, we woke up bright and early to check out even more of some of the premier talent to come from all over the world at this gathering of grungers, this congregation of Metallers and what better way to kick things off this morning that the haunting stylings of Ghost Bath.
Making their festival debut today Ghost Bath are in high spirits, excuse the pun, as they walk on stage to deliver their brand of pained Black Metal tinged sorrow. Dressed all in white save for our frontman who opts for a brave black attire considering the piercing sunshine already making its way forward. Comprised of various emotions, the set might be hard for some to stomach so early in the day. Owing in part to our singers shrill shrieks coupled with the slower melancholic drones on the guitars works wonders. Particularly finishing with a poignant piece on piano as the band gracefully exit. Putting on a great performance for a first time band, there was small evidence of perhaps some growing pains in the live arena. Nevertheless for a band who have performed twenty times all together I would say they pulled it off with style and aplomb. Good job lads!
With a touring schedule busier than London’s Underground at rush hour, Heart Of A Coward are seasoned veterans in the live arena. Bounding onto the stage for yet another early start frontman Jamie Graham is all smiles as the band descend into depravity with the earth rocking “Hollow”. Immediately perceivable is the sheer tone this band employ, heavier than most of the acts having performed before them the band are simply unstoppable. Releasing their Deliverance record last October this year has seen the group simply go from strength to strength. Commanding fans to create massive circle pits for the likes of “Deadweight” and creating an intimidating chant for their Turmoil series with “Turmoil I : Wolves” polished off with classic finisher “Around A Girl In 80 Days” the band show absolutely no signs of stopping. Sound on point, navigating not only the stage but the songs excellently these Milton Keynes lads will definitely go far particularly with a performance like this.
Lifesblood of the Metalcore come Hardcore scene Unearth are a band that need no introduction. Responsible for some of the fastest riffs of the mid two thousands the band are well at home in the festival aesthetic. Owing to a problem with his inner ear Trevor (…………) is slightly less insane than usual, though you wouldn’t notice with the usual antics taking place from Buzz McGrath and the like. Flinging their guitars around like its going out of fashion the boys create an anvil heavy sound displayed here. The likes of “Zombie Autopilot” still tear through the speakers as they did in the years of The Oncoming Storm along with newer cut “The Fall” from the bands most recent output Watchers Of Rule. Nevertheless its grand finale of “My Will Be Done” that sees the entire crowd reach for their air guitar to sweep the morning away as the sounds bloom through the speakers matching our revellers hunger. Unearth might not be a band that take a serious risk when it comes to music and have slowly but surely been evolving but they certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to the live environment. Heading back over in the Autumn with Iced Earth on the weirdest line up to come you won’t want to miss out on these boys.
This year in particular has been exceptionally horrific in the Metal world for the loss of life. With just recently losing Tom Searle from Architects, prior to that we lost the demi God Lemmy and David Bowie many many others. Celebrating their life and times Metal Allegiance, in a very sparse performance put their spin on things. Beginning with their original piece “Can’t Kill The Devil” our UK all star line up consists of guitarists Alex Skolnnick and Mark Menghi, Mark Osegeuda and filling in for what would normally be Portnoy was Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. Heading into cover territory with “Wrathchild” the band proceeded to lead us through memory lane with covers of “Suffragette City” honouring the late Bowie along with the Motörhead classic “Iron Fist” the band are essentially friends just jamming and have a good time and the electricity that is felt here is all about unity. With various other odes to our fallen heroes the likes of Dio in particular the band are what you would expect a incredibly well oiled machine. Not just a supergroup but an embodiment of the true spirit of Metal, Metal Allegiance although a logistical nightmare are a fantastic ambassador for the true spirit of Metal forever staying alive.
After the celebration of some of Rock and Metal’s biggest influences had died down and Metal Allegiance left their mark on the stage the colder winds of the realms of Frost began to blow summoning the arrival of the stone faced Satyricon. Known for their aptitude at being the moodiest band around Satyr and his cohorts don’t break their reputation today either ensuring that whilst they roll out riff after riff in their signature Black Metal snarl ensuring that our Bloodstockers are suitably freezing despite their hotter than normal circumstances. With their set consisting of material from the likes of The Age of Nero right up to their 2015 release of Satan the band perform well but perhaps lack a certain element of energy that some of the band’s here tonight have possessed so far.
Trading frost for fire we’re now firmly in the realms of wizards and dragons with the arrival of London based Power Metal madness that is Dragonforce. Bounding onto the stage Herman Li is his usual energetic self and busts into the likes of “Holding On” the Power Within number sees the glee come forward on the faces of happy revellers here today with much material consisting of their newer works, presumably as the band will be heading into the studio soon. The Guitar Hero breaking “Through Fire And Flames” makes a brief appearance at the end of the band’s set to deliver that final PacMan, eighties infused killing blow. Understanding what the order of the day was the band well and truly brought their a game, note for note, blistering speed and pinching vocals all there the band confidently conquered the main stage here at Bloodstock, proving that the band are definitely not a hasbeen.
Kicking the Power Metal notch up one gear higher sees the appearance of Symphony X. A rare occasion seeing the band perform our revellers here at Bloodstock ensure they make the most of the band sporadic performance here tonight. Flanked by Michael Romeo and Michael LePond stands our compare of the hour Russel Allen. In keeping with the theatrical leanings of their brand new album Underworld the man takes on many different guises using the simple attribute of a mask for the likes of “Nevermore” and “Underworld” followed close together. With usual flamboyant musicality expected from the band instrumentally the band are incredibly tight. Particularly Allen’s Pavarotti like pipes. Before the labyrinthine slither of “Serpents Kiss” however show stopper “Sea Of Lies” is rolled out proving that no one in the world will ever be able to perform a solo the likes of Michael Romeo, showing just how the man has mastered his instrument. Finishing on the cinematic climax of “Set The World On Fire (Lie Of Lies)“, the band like lies don’t they?! Before calmly and collectively stepping off the stage knowing that despite their Power Metal status have well an truly bowled over Bloodstock’s crowd.
Undeniably regal in their delivery Anthrax are simply firing on every cylinder currently. Releasing their album five years in the making For All Kings this February the band simply haven’t stopped since its release. Acting as main support here tonight to close the ceremonies at Bloodstock the imperial march of “Impaled” signals our heroes’ arrival before the staccatto riffing of Scott Ian is introduced in “You Gotta Believe” and the kinetic energy of Belladonna bursts onto the stage coupling with the instrumental section to create a gorgeous compromise. With a set list largely tailored to it’s crowd Anthrax know exactly what punch to pull and where.
From the likes of classic “Madhouse”, always a festival favourite the band are able to galvanise the crowd into a veritable maelstrom for one of the greatest titled tracks in Metal “Caught In A Mosh“. Despite the sun setting on this sunny Sunday evening the crowd here tonight are borederline baying for blood when the band are on stage. Bassist Frank Bello bounding around the stage for the arrival of “Evil Twin” though its personal highlight of “Breathing Lightning” which steals the show for me. Performed in an absolutely perfect setting as the sun is being tucked in and Jonathan Donais softly spoken lead lines bleed into the songs verse before that Stairway to Heaven opening solo in its midsection. Before saying their goodbyes however the band ensure that the audience are treated to one last track the eponymous “Indians”. Seeing Scott Ian temporarily take the reigns in the songs final section commanding the crowd to ensure maximum devastation the band are met with roaring approval with yet another set that would rival our headliners here tonight. Having changed line up over the years there are questions to ask whether this is the best Anthrax line up yet and I can without a doubt answer that with a resounding yes once more.
With it now being almost a year since their return to the creative arena with Repentless, Slayer have well and truly been working hard with this new record. Sprouting up new tours all over the world the band make one of their biggest UK appearances certainly with their headline slot at this year’s Bloodstock. Acting as the climax to the three day festival the anticipation is suitably high, catching the band on their November run last year with Anthrax the new line up is slowly but surely becoming an incredibly cohesive entity. Adorned with a ghostly white sheet the intro riff of the new record slowly echoes in until the beginning of title track “Repentless” bursts in taking no prisoners.
Being Slayer, as fun as it may be surely must be somewhat a little tedious at times. Walking on with the same gusto the band have always had members do look a little tired if anything. Understandable being rolled out gig after gig to perform the same classic songs. Nevertheless, not quite new blood anymore Gary Holt holds the fort delivering his signature riffing to perfection in the likes of second ripper “The Antichrist” after the recent re release of Show No Mercy the band decide to return to the beginning before jumping into Seasons In The Abyss material with “War Ensemble”. Looking ostentatious, Slayer throw their metaphorical manliness around with the stage being decorated with Marshall’s stacked in upside down crosses spouting fire, but then would expect anything less?
Arguably one of the best tracks on Repentless the tension created live for “When The Stillness Comes” makes it a masterstroke for performance. Seeing headbangers old and new come out in their droves to hear the tune of course its no match for thel likes of Reign In Blood classic’s “Necrophiliac” or “Post Mortem” which will forever hold the crown as some of the fastest material the band have written. Of course the ode to a loved one in “Dead Skin Mask” is always appreciated but tonight Slayer seem if anything just a little tired. Reliably heavy the band will always deliver the goods but in comparison to their Brixton performance of last year it seems that the band might just need a bit of a break! The three track finisher of “South Of Heaven“, “Reign In Blood” and “Angel Of Death” are hoisted out with ease but tonight its the newer material the likes of “You Against You” that gives Slayer that joie de vie rather than being what is essentially the world’s most expensive jukebox choice live. Sonically there could have been a little better ears to with the bands tone but regardless the band delivered. I just hope that perhaps one day people might want to embrace more of the new and less of the old and we will get some excited performances out of the band.
As the final notes of the ode to Josef Mengele shatter through the speakers the grounds of Bloodstock will be quiet for another 352 days until the next year. Unequivicoally matched Bloodstock is a fantastic example of open mindedness in Metal. Bringing opposing genres together in the one stage is just as beautiful a marriage as it will ever be and we are still long into the honeymoon period. See you 2017 Bloodstock.
