Bloodstock is the perfect excuse to roll around in a field listening to heavy metal and swilling paper cups of crap lager. Hugh Platt reports from the fattest, ugliest and most ridiculous festival in the UK.
“It’s a European-style festival, only in the UK,” is how Vicky Gregory, one of the Directors of Bloodstock, describes the event to Thrash Hits .com.
Compared to the bloated corporate sheen of Download, the heavy-as-we-want-it-to-be attitude of Bloodstock is a welcome addition to the metal calendar.
Growing from an indoor one-dayer of just 700 people back in 2001, the festival now spans three days and over 8500 people rolled up to throw the horns. And we were there to soak it all up.
Most flags
There is nothing, nothing, more irritating at a festival than that handful people who wave flags around in front of the stage. But when on Sunday almost the entire Main Stage was almost blotted out by dozens of skull and crossbones, our interest was piqued. Responsible for this sea of flags was Alestorm, Scotland’s only true pirate metal band. With their tongues so firmly in cheek they’ll probably develop a speak impediment, the Perthshire gang soon had the entire crowd roaring “Hey, hey! I want more wenches! Hey, hey, more wenches and mead!” Sentiments that we at Thrash Hits .com can only endorse.
Biggest amount of bells and whistles Dimmu Borgir might’ve had enough flames to roast Satan’s cockles, and Nightwish may have used up the UK’s entire supply of dry ice for their closing set, but when it came to OTT stage gear, Swiss folk-metallers Eluveitie win the prize. With eight members playing everything from tin whistles and bagpipes to even a hurdy gurdy (google it), the celtic-folk metallers were almost like indie-types Arcade Fire. Well, if Arcade Fire played big fuck-off guitars and stuffed their songs with liberal amounts of death metal vocals that is.
Biggest scene of carnage
After scorching the main stage on the final day with an unholy firestorm of thrash’d –up death metal, French Canadians Kataklysm brought the backstage to a messy end when a drinking competition escalated into something altogether more rough’n’tumble. Like their uncompromising metal roar, Kataklysm don’t mess about.
Biggest success in the face of adversity
Both Ted Maul and Ravens Creed jostle for this one, with both bands’ performances on the Scuzz Stage blighted by early technical problems. Ravens Creed soon settled into a gut-punching groove, with man-mountain Ben Ward bellowing like a wounded bear. Ted Maul, for whom it was the last show with current drummer Matt ‘Cave Gnome’ George, gave their departing sticksmith a whirlwind of chaotic noise as a send-off. But it is antipodean extremists The Berzerker who take the crown, by managing to blow the PA with only their second song.
Best Legacy
With the media obsession with all things new, sometimes we forget just how good the back catalogues many of the weekend’s established acts are. Iced Earth’s vocalist Matt Barlow’s voice was as high as the waistband of his trousers, and Jon Schaffer demonstrated why his vision for his band is so strong, with riff after riff of ferocious metal. Overkill’s hour of punked’up thrash, led by the svelte and sneering Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth, was every bit as entertaining as you expect legends to be.
Band of the weekend
There was nothing at Bloodstock to touch At The Gates(pictured, above). The roar of disappointment that met vocalist Tomas Lindberg’s onstage announcement that this would be the last ever UK show for the reformed At The Gates said it all. With a set featuring classics like ‘Under A Serpent Sun’, ‘World of Lies’, and ‘Raped By The Light Of Christ’, At The Gates found a fitting place in Bloodstock to host their sole UK outing.
Velvet Revolver have signed over 20% of the royalties for their song ‘Dirty Little Thing’ to Tony Newton, bassist from UK rock band, Voodoo Six.
Newton’s publishers, Universal Music sued the US rock behemoths because the single, released in 2005 from their 2004 debut album Contraband, is an unmistakable copy of Newton’s track ‘Cyber Babe’ from his former band, Dirty Deeds’ 1999 album Real World. Newton said:
“A couple of years back a mate of mine in LA called me to say he’d heard what he thought was my song on the radio, and that he had been a bit shocked when he realised it was Velvet Revolver. When I checked it out myself, I genuinely couldn’t believe it, because it wasn’t as if it was close… it was basically the same riff.”
Voodoo Six are going to go on a nice long tour in September. You should buy tickets to some of the shows but they don’t really need the money any more.
Slipknot have cancelled all of thier forthcoming European dates including this weekend’s appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals because drummer Joey Jordison has broken his ankle.
This is after DJ Sid Wilson broke his heels earlier this year. Hopefully they’ll return in December fully intact but this is what the band has to say:
“To Our Fans: It is with huge regret and disappointment that we have been forced to cancel our imminent European festival appearances at Leeds, Reading, 2 Days a Week, Area 4, as well as exclusive performances for MTV Europe and Virgin TV.
The other night, Joey Jordison broke his ankle and doctors have advised Joey to stay off his leg for 4-6 weeks to prevent further injury or permanent and more serious damage.
We know you will be hugely disappointed and so are we. Cancelling shows is never an easy decision and we apologize to all our fans, friends and family for not being there to throw down with you.
We will be back in Europe this November and can’t wait to see you all then.
Stay (sic),
Slipknot”
December
01 London Hammersmith Apollo 02 London Hammersmith Apollo 05 Cardiff International Arena 07 Birmingham NIA 08 Glasgow SECC 09 Manchester MEN Arena 11 Newcastle Metro Arena 12 Sheffield Arena
The thrash legends confirmed their plans on their official website that tickets will be a retro-priced £5, which is not very much at all, and will only be available in person from the venue box office on the day.
At Thrash Hits .com, we reckon this is only the start of the fun. Will they be playing a tiny aftershow in either the indigO2 or in Matter? Will the cinemas be taken over to show some Metallica films like Some Kind Of Monster, or even a new film? Are Metallica going to take over Greenwich?
Do we know something you don’t know? We knew about this, didn’t we?
After playing a few reunion shows in Ireland in 2007, Kerbdog agreed to play a Kerrang! Awards Show at the Barfly. Lynsey Wright was there to take some photos and report on a welcome return.
The Computers’ set is short, sharp and like a punch in the gut. Shrieks, screams and stop-gap drums make for an exciting show from this Devonshire band.
Second up is alt-rock band, Slaves to Gravity, formed from the ashes of the now defunct band, The*Ga*Ga*s, their power riffs and ballad-like songs can’t help but seem a little wasted on somewhere as small as the Barfly. It’s stadium rock at its best, err… minus the stadium!
After “10-odd years”, as front man, Cormac Battle, puts it, Kerbdog are back. And “who would’ve thought it?!” Yes, quite right Cormac, who would’ve?! It’s been a long time since the Irish trio graced the stage but the fans still flock in their herds to see if they’ve still got the magic.
At the Barfly in Camden they prove that they do. They churn out their best hits to chants of, “UK Tour!” from the audience and are bombarded with cheers before, throughout and after the set.
Crowd-surfers break their glasses and almost their bones as Kerbdog rock as much as middle-aged men can rock on a Saturday night in London.
Middle-aged or not, it’s clear that Kerbdog are still very much in demand.
Kerbdog, Slaves To Gravity & The Computers @ London Camden Barfly photo gallery
RARGH
Proper boyband
We hope they separate their colours from their whites.
At 7pm GMT Monday, 18 August 2008, the mighty Gallows will be unleashing a brand new track, ‘Gold Dust’, streamed on their official MySpace.
However, if you can’ wait until then, it will be debuted on the XFM Rock Show with Katie P the night before at some point between 10pm and 1am GMT. American folk can listen online.
Recorded with Tom Mitchener, the band have confirmed that ‘Gold Dust’ will not be found on the next album. Instead, “it’s just a little treat for everyone that’s been asking for new Gallows songs for a while.”
With the football season fast approaching, Gareth Dobson takes it upon himself to ponder the numerous parallels between the English Premier League’s finest and the rock world’s… finest. Some bands might call it soccer.
Following on from Part 1, quite naturally, is The 2009 Premier League vs Thrash Hits XX – Part 2.
We are mere hours from kick-off now so forget about leaving the house tomorrow afternoon. There’s footy to watch. Forget about staying down the pub. You’ve got Match of the Day to watch.
To celebrate, Thrash Hits .com has decided to pair up its favourite rock bands with this seasons title contenders, ne’er do wells and downright doomed.
Don’t have any sporting affiliation? Now with our handy rock-u-like comparison feature, you can choose next season’s sporting protégés by attachment to your preferred guitar heroes.
Bullet For My Valentine History: Fervently supported collective from the regions, boasting a proud working class following. Probably over-idealised by many, they have a recently history of threatening to dominate but ultimately falling short. Form: Mixed times right now. The strong critical backing they received earlier on has receeded to be replaced by murmurs of doubt over their top-class credentials. Much money has been poured into recent campaigns to dent the upper echelons, but no-one’s confident it’s been well-spent. Despite being viewed by fans as quite the god-head, their main man’s occasionally irrational outburst has dropped them into the soup before. You are…Newcastle United FC
The Subways History: Initially bursting out of nowhere to make a big impact, claiming some big prizes on arrival. Then it all went wrong as they struggled to cope with the success, but now on an even keel. Critics are disdainful of their meat and potato style, others however, are fans of their typically English, 100 mph energy and efforts. Form: Struggling a little bit with some big internal changes, there’s rumours of fractured relationships within the camp as the group attempt to match recent successes. Not easy thing given that many think they’ve over-achieved. You are…Blackburn Rovers FC
Linkin Park History: Emerging in the late 90’s as an aspiring global force, Linkin Park have always had to deal with suspicion and wrinkled noses. Fortunately for them, the huge amounts of cash flowing through their accounts makes them essentially bulletproof. Would dearly love to be loved, but will settle for playing to the biggest crowds forever. Form: After a crushing run that saw them clean up for a protracted period of time, they’ve stumbled by their own high standards recently. However, word of a new approach to their game offers hope that they’ll evolve into something more enjoyable. Critics are waiting for proof though. You are…Chelsea FC
Staind History: To the surprise of most onlookers, the outfit from Massachusetts have been around the big leagues since the turn of the decade. Backed for success thanks to some influential friends, they’ve held an elevated position many thought would never be possible, despite being dwarfed by their more esteemed rivals and neighbours. Form: Mixed of late, many believe the cracks are beginning to show. A lot of money has been spent on the latest product, but it’s hard to see how it will succeed in the face of more adept and ultimately, superior rivals in the same division. You are…Fulham FC
The Wildhearts History: Who would be a fan of this neanderthal lot? Doomed to traverse the nether regions of the circuit, any success disappeared a long time ago. To be honest, no-one’s particularly sure how or why they’re even competing. Form: Recently came back into the wider public eye thanks to a dogged climb out of their trough of ill-fortune. Will struggle to stay afloat though, and people have forgotten about them before they’ve even re-started. You are…Stoke City
Paramore History: The reliance of youth is a brave world for some but folly for others. This sprightly bunch has achieved unparalleled success for their backwater region, thanks to the ardent backing of the men in the shadows. Clearly a strong desire to make this outfit a success, money has been poured in, but results have been decidedly mixed. Form: Too adept to be dismissed, but not classy enough to really gun for the big time, the outfit seem to be riddled by image problems and exasperation at not receiving due credit. Strangely, their best performer comes under a lot of flak from the fans, partly due to speculation of their relationship with the rest of the team. You are…Middlesbrough FC
Saxon History: Hardy perennials with solid regional support, theirs has always been a case of ploughing on throughout the ages with survival the main success in itself. Now however, this collection of aged pros seem to have peaked at an unlikely age. Surely the dream can’t last for long… Form: Unprecedented success. Set to play to their biggest ever crowds and enjoy previously unheard of exposure – all thanks to a televised roulette wheel of fortune. Old enough and ugly enough to realise that this is their only and final shot at glory, and will enjoy their high-profile time in the sun that’s been a long time coming. You are…Hull City FC
Incubus History: Well supported bunch with a good smattering of celebrity fans. Easy on the eye, it’s hard to spite this hard-working bunch. Certainly though, they don’t demand the adoration of neutrals either. Form: Beyond the glory days, but still managing to spend occasional periods in the limelight. Tendency to chop and change core members and an inability to keep key men probably hampering them. Despite a modern aesthetic, still viewed by many as a kickback to older, staid times. You are…West Bromwich Albion FC
Slayer History: Never particularly glamorous before, they nevertheless make a hell of a racket and their followers love getting stuck in. Now however, they’ve re-emerged as a reborn force. Particularly loved by the pundits, who seem to get rather dewey-eyed over them. Form: Riding a new wave of glory and hitting the heights. Seemingly re-energised, they’re big draws doing pretty well indeed. Long-term fans might be getting a little wary of all these new fans emerging from everywhere though. They’ve stood by them through the lean years and are now enjoying the fruits of their faith. You are…Portsmouth FC
Porcupine Tree History: Without a doubt, not the most glamorous lot going, sometimes there’s a whiff of something slightly naff about it all, hinting back to another era, despite valiant attempts at modernising. Still though, a better bunch than many might give them credit for and astutely run. Form: One of the more successful stories of recent times, their ascent has been slow but there’s no indication they’ll let it go to their heads. Hard work seems the attitude of the day, even if, with a constant revolving door of contributors, they might need benefit from a more settled line-up. You are…Wigan Athletic FC
Agree with the bands the teams have beeen matched up to? Reckon you can do better? Thrash it out below.
Welcome to Thrash Hits – a new rock music website. Rock music has always had that magical property that both unites strangers and divides opinions – often at the same time. It’s something that should be celebrated and that’s exactly what we intend to do. Read more...
