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There’s only 4 weeks to go until the metal family’s favourite festival, Bloodstock, returns to Catton Park in Derby and we are beyond excited. It genuinely is our most favourite festival in the world and this year looks better than ever.
Headliners Sabaton, Parkway Drive and German legends Scorpions are joined by a cast of thousands including Anthrax, Cradle of Filth, Queensrÿche and Dee Snider whose final UK show with Twisted Sister here was one of our highlights of the festival 3 years ago.
There is genuinely something for everyone at Bloodstock but here are our pointers for the weekend. Getting a brutal pasting from Code Orange would have been high up on our list but unfortunately, they’ve had to pull out at short notice, so here’s what else you can expect:
THERE’LL BE LEGENDS EVERYWHERE.
Some of the best to ever do it will be in attendance with Max Cavalera bringing the tribal power of Soulfly to the main stage, thrash legends Anthrax will bring their electric energy to Saturday’s proceedings – bassist Frank Bello could power a small city with his energy alone – and we’ll bid farewell to the Scorpions whose Crazy World Tour calls in at Catton to rock us all like hurricanes. You won’t be able to move for metal heroes.
PEOPLE WILL GO BATSHIT FOR EVIL SCARECROW.
They’re pretty much Bloodstock’s house band and get a hero’s welcome every time they play there. This time will be no different and if you’re after a metal song about robots then they are the band for you. Guaranteed good times.
YOU’LL SEE ALED METALLERS RAISING HORNS.
Whether they’re drinking it from a Viking horn or a plastic pint cup, from the Serpent’s Lair or the Lemmy bar, expect to see a lot of merry metallers toasting the gods over the weekend. With everything from real ales, lager and rum available there’s really no excuse to settle for the insipid, warm stuff that’s been baking in your tent all weekend.
IT. WILL. NOT. RAIN.
OK, we’ve probably cursed it now, but every time we’ve been to Bloodstock it’s been crackin t’flags (apart from one downpour last year). With Drownload being a complete wash out this year Bloodstock is likely to be a much more enjoyable experience for the fans. Cannibal Corpse had us all in brightly coloured Hawaiian shirts last year but when the sun blares down at Bloodstock the traditional metallers choice of black and leather may make for a very sweaty weekend. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
YOU’LL FIND YOUR NEW FAVOURITE BAND.
Widows, Footprints in the Custard, the guy in the next tent to you who won’t stop whistling Winds of Change, whoever it is, it’s easy to discover a brand-new favourite band over the weekend. With the stages being close enough to each other to go for a wander between sets you are guaranteed to hear something that spikes your interest. With the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage hosting the Metal 2 the Masses winners they’ll be a host of new bands deserving attention and playing their hearts out for you. There’s even an ‘almost’ all female Women-O-War tribute band on the Sunday – and we’re betting they won’t cancel at the last minute! They promise to bring you 100% of the Manowar for 1% of the price and you can find them on the Jagermeister Stage on Sunday.
THERE WILL BE FIRE. LOT’S OF FIRE.
Sabaton’s war machines aren’t likely to sit quietly unused on stage just looking pretty, especially the bloody great tank they bring with them, so expect them to use their fire power in a manner that makes a statement. Also, Powerwolf don’t look like the subtle types so expect some of the combustibles from them too. Parkway Drive are destined to prove they’ve earned their slot at the top of the pile and silence the naysayers who appeared when they were announced so we guarantee their set will be pure fire.
YOU’LL WANT TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR.
And every year after that. If this is your first Bloodstock, it won’t be your last. You’ll feel like you’ve found your family and that you were part of something special. You are. It’s a wonderful family friendly festival, just the right size, and feels more like a community of friends with shared interests hanging out for a weekend. You will love it. If it’s not your first time, you know what we mean.
BLOODSTOCK takes place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 8th-11th August 2019. You can still get tickets and check out the full line up here but don’t hang about too long, they won’t last forever.