We’ve been analysing every winner of Bloodstock’s Metal 2 The Masses competition over the past few weeks, and here is the final crop of bands you’ll be seeing on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage this year at Catton Hall. Beers at the ready.
End Of Salvation
Exponents of ferociously modern death metal powered by a colossal triple-guitar attack, EOS are masters of the hulking groove and the pitiless blast. Brutal fun for all the family.
Redeye Revival
The spirit of gonzoid party thrash is alive and well. Redeye Revival are speed metal maniacs with a raging crossover sound that is clearly custom-designed to cause absolute fucking bedlam in the pit.
Regulus
Big beards and bigger riffs are on the agenda when these bong-juggling groove merchants kick into gear. Heavy psychedelic doom with a whiff of lysergic voodoo and the hiss of the Sheffield swamps.
The Face Of Ruin
Putting Warwick firmly on the melodic death metal map, these purveyors of savage grandeur belong firmly to the genre’s dark side, with irresistibly harmonised guitars and vocals belched from Hell.
Gutlocker
This lot have a nasty streak a mile wide. Menacing, stoner thrash grooves and asylum escapee vocals collide with eerie dynamics, hardcore grit and a strong sense of the unhinged. Approach with caution.
Kahtet
Bloodstock punters looking for something a little more challenging and cerebral will surely gravitate to these instrumental tech-metal scientists. Expect a fantastic voyage through the outer limits of heavy.
The John Doe’s Burial
Thirsty? Why not have a lovely pint of brutal? This Polish quintet specialise in destructive but artful deathcore that delves into humanity’s darkest depths. It slams. And so will you.
Valous
Cult heroes in Birmingham, Valous are melodic hard rockers with the spirit of their home town’s metal heritage coursing through their veins. If you’ve ever banged your head to Priest, you’ll be 100% in.
Chronicles
They call it “streetmafiageekmetal”. We call it a deliciously vicious hybrid of tech-tinged groove metal and Paradise Lost-style melancholy with the added bonus of a twin-vocal attack that would definitely scare your mum.
Firebomb
Fans of Soundgarden and loose-limbed stoner metal will cheerfully succumb to this Nottingham mob’s doom-laden take on old school ingredients. Giant riffs and a dash of grandeur, executed with panache.
Footprints In The Custard
Standard bearers for foolishness in heavy music, the mighty Footprints are punk-metal lunatics on a mission to make you spray beer out of your nose. Proof that the Devil has all the best jokes, too.
Bloodstock takes place August 11-13 at Catton Park, Derbyshire. Tickets are available now.
