Bloodstock, the biggest metal party weekender of the year, is just 10 days away, when 15,000 dedicated fans will descend on Catton Park’s hallowed ground for four days of non-stop metal. If you’ve not picked up tickets, there’s still time, although Serpents Lair VIP packages are now almost all sold out. You might get lucky if you’re very quick!
After a long day of rocking out, even the most dedicated headbanger deserves a few minutes to chill and have a laugh, and over on the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday night, big metal fan and stand-up comic, Andrew O'Neill will be closing out the night. Stop by the tent and catch some of his twisted humour. He’ll be on stage right after Sophie Stage headliners, Last In Line.
With a record 39 cranium-busting bands performing on the New Blood Stage this year, the Bloodstock team scoured the land via the Metal 2 The Masses tour to find your new favourite band. The 2013 roadshow has been an unprecedented success, with almost 3,500 miles logged. The BOA judges watching over 120 bands and met thousands of dedicated metalheads at many sold-out events. Pat yourselves on the back if you came out to support the British metal underground at one of the club nights! The last four lucky bands who win slots on the New Blood Stage are....
Craniation, who formed in 2011, hail from Bristol and drop into a slot on Friday’s bill. Purveyors of a brutal blend of the death and thrash genres, they’re currently writing material for a new EP due out later this year and are proud to represent the Bristol scene at Bloodstock 2013 with their face-melting metal.
Showcasing their tunes on Saturday’s New Blood bill are Cardiff lads, Ten Cent Toy. Formed in 2006, these lads have been building a name on the hyperactive Welsh metal scene for some years, as well as notching up tours in Europe (including Klagenfurt Metal Fest in Austria).
Also stepping up are Bournemouth M2TM winners, In The Hills, who hail from Wimborne, the same weed and cider soaked town that gave us Electric Wizard. In The Hills gatecrashed the sludge scene with their doom laden sound, aptly described as ‘Crowbar getting in a fight with Abominable Iron Sloth and Helmet’. The band are thrilled to play Bloodstock: “In The Hills didn't exist 18 months ago and here we are about to play at Bloodstock 2013! It really is a dream come true and we are very appreciative that Bloodstock give so many new bands - like us - the opportunity to play at such a prestigious event. The Metal 2 The Masses heats were so much fun - we saw a load of great new bands and made a bunch of new friends along the way. We are so stoked to be playing at Bloodstock 2013 and are equally excited to check out all the new talent, as well as some of our favourite bands. Cheers!"
Also rolling on to the Saturday bill, are the south west’s Elithia. Having entered the M2TM competition for three years in a row, they finally won their local heat! Tenacity pays! Influenced by the likes of Architects and Veil of Maya, the five-piece’s turbulent sound offers a refreshing perspective on the modern metal and hardcore scene. After winning the Plymouth M2TM event the band said: “We’re overwhelmed with the idea of playing such a great event - after persisting for the last 3 years, we’ve finally won our local competition! This has been a great year for us so far and being added to this massive line-up really completes it for us!”
Over on the Jagermeister Stage, alt-rockers Resin open the day with a roar on Friday. Hailing from Hinckley, Resin pack a formidable punch, channelling the likes of A Perfect Circle, Seether, and Alice In Chains. The band have been honing their live chops constantly for the last three years, trekking the UK with everyone from Voodoo Six, Fearless Vampire Killers, and I Am Giant, to Dr and the Medics. Resin can’t wait to show you: “An opportunity like this makes us want to work even harder, and to every band that dreams of this, keep at it, don't stray from what you want to be. If it's good, you will get noticed!! We can't thank the Bloodstock team enough for adding us to the bill! Now, LET'S DO THIS! Come say hi and buy us a beer!”
Are you catching the train to Bloodstock’s nearest rail station, Lichfield City, and need a ride to the site? Big Green Coach have shuttle buses running on Thursday and Friday to site for the bargain price of £6. Much cheaper than a cab! Pick up your tickets here.
Bloodstock Tickets are on sale now, priced £125 (plus booking fee) for a weekend pass with camping. A limited amount of one day tickets are currently on sale, and the last batch of VIP ticket packages and upgrades are also up for grabs.Head over to bloodstock.uk.com or facebook.com/bloodstock for more details.
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Over on the Jagermeister Stage, alt-rockers Resin open the day with a roar on Friday. Hailing from Hinckley, Resin pack a formidable punch, channelling the likes of A Perfect Circle, Seether, and Alice In Chains. The band have been honing their live chops constantly for the last three years, trekking the UK with everyone from Voodoo Six, Fearless Vampire Killers, and I Am Giant, to Dr and the Medics. Resin can’t wait to show you: “An opportunity like this makes us want to work even harder, and to every band that dreams of this, keep at it, don't stray from what you want to be. If it's good, you will get noticed!! We can't thank the Bloodstock team enough for adding us to the bill! Now, LET'S DO THIS! Come say hi and buy us a beer!”
