Bloodstock Festival @ Catton Hall - 14-16/08/09

FRIDAY:

It was fitting that legends BLITZKRIEG (7.5/10) opened the 9th Bloodstock festival. Their classic metal sound really sums up the whole event with its love for tradition. The welcome given to the band by an amazingly sizable crowd at 11am is heart warming. Then this isn't a surprise when you consider 'Blitzkrieg' is a storming track, known by the young and the old. A perfect start.

VENTFLOW (6) kick things off on the unsigned stage with a set of standard metal delivered with all the ferociousness in the world. Vocalist Lee Brennan ensured Bloodstock was awake.

Adding some sleazy hard rock to proceedings were MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD (8) on the main stage. In truth they had no right to be this good sandwiched between two metal bands. Although the crowd had slightly thinned after the initial buzz surrounding Blitzkrieg the band used all of their experience from playing with the likes of Thin Lizzy, Tyketto and Warrior Soul to ignite the interest of everyone watching. The likes of 'Livin in the city' has a chorus to die for and frontman Phil Conalane is a true rockstar. His Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P) meets Joakim Berg (Hardcore Superstar) vocals are on fire today along with a swagger that follows him from one side of the stage to the other.

In contrast INSOMNIUM (6.5) seemed a little flat with even 'Mortal share' not sounding as epic as usual. With the sun's seemingly relentless attack on all beneath, it was down to DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER (7) to shoot some adrenaline back into the day. They sounded best when their industrialised metal attack strayed closer to Rammstein but an entertaining set complete with a crowd surfing rubber dinghy woman and some insane jestering from the vocalist helped up the energy levels for the rest of the days action.

Back on the unsigned stage DIVINE CHAOS (7.5) showcased their hard edged thrash metal to a packed tent which helped prepare everyone for MUNICIPAL WASTE (7.5) on the main stage. Their set was fun but a constant battle with the sound took away a vital edge to the music. With hardly any guitar in the mix the usual punch provided by their punked up thrash gems was sadly missing. Not that this bothered a majority of one of the biggest crowds of the weekend who happily banged their heads to the likes of 'Headbanger face rip'.

Due to the popularity of Municipal Waste and a clash of sets whoever played the unsigned stage at the same time would have to do so in front of a smaller crowd than usual. Bromley groove-metallers SNAKEBITE (8) had the unfortunate task. A lesser band may have crumbled but Snakebite didn't win their slot at Bloodstock from the Rock Matrix Band Quest competition by shying away from difficult situations. In said competition frontman Jason Smith owned the stage and crowd every night and during the last three songs today he had the entire tent in his grasp. This slab of southern fried metal went down a treat.

A sizable crowd had remained at the main stage to revel in the prog metal of KATATONIA (7) who were quickly followed by some of the loudest chants of the weekend for SODOM (7.5). The German thrashers haven't been to this country for twenty years so the band and the crowd had some catching up to do. They didn't disappoint with every track being cheered as if they were returning heroes.

Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage GODSIZED (7.5) showed why they are fast becoming one of the most talked about bands in the country. Imagine Black Label Society mixed with a bit of Grand Magus playing some gloriusly groovy and catchy songs to a spellbound crowd and you get the idea!

The unsigned stage also hosted one of Londons fast rising bands in the form of THE GREEN RIVER PROJECT (7.5). Andy Law on vocals and Mick Priestley on guitar are both destined to be stars within a band who mix sleazy hard rock and power metal with ease. Mick Priestley's riffage drives each song but also has an orchestrial quality meaning you feel you can listen to his guitar wizardry on its own all day. To add to this Andy Law's Wednesday 13/Halford vocals are so powerful you feel it's only a matter of time before they are splatterd all over some classic tunes. For now the likes of 'Nowhere to run' and 'Dig your grave' do a spanking job.

SAXON (8) need no introduction on the main stage. This is their 30th anniversary year and they are making sure everyone knows about it by playing here, there and everywhere. The excellent opening track 'Battalions of steel' sets the tone while 'Heavy metal thunder', 'And the bands played on' and 'Wheels of steel' are stone cold classics, perfect for Bloodstock. Among others things frontman Bill Bifford mentions that Metal Hammer is now out-selling Kerrang (which can only be a good thing) and how surprised he is that Saxon haven't got longer than an hour. It may be only an hour but they fill it superbly as 'Princess of the night' and ultimate set closer 'Demin and leather' leave the crowd on a high.

It was only two years ago that ARCH ENEMY (8.5) rocked the foundations at Bloodstock with a set of superb melodic metal. Tonight is no different as they blast their way through crowd favourites such as 'Dead eyes see no future', 'Ravenous' and 'Burning Angel' with more recent track 'I will live again' fast becoming a staple in the live set. The Amott brothers are as usual in top form shooting out glorious guitar solos at every opportunity. Angela Gossard barks out the lyrics like a woman possessed by the baying Bloodstock crowd. 'Nemesis' left us wanting more.

Mike Amott was quickly back on stage with headliners CARCASS (9). The lucky few who saw them at Damnation or at a number of European festivals last year knew what to expect, but those of us who were seeing them for the first time were blown away by a classic set of death metal and grindcore. It was obvious that the likes of 'Buried dreams', 'No love lost' and 'Heartwork' were going to destroy all before them. Years of hearing these tracks on CD or at clubs never fully prepared the 10,000 watchers for such evil sounds. Earlier tracks such as 'Genital grinder' and 'Exhume to consume' may of lacked the production on their recordings but tonight they are simply gut wrenching, and with Jeff Walker, one of the best extreme metal vocalists to walk the earth, snarling out words about death and decay the festival witnesses the set of the weekend. With fireworks and poppers going off at random times and mini moshpit ambulances navigating their way through the crowd during the set Friday was brought to a truly chaotic end.

SATURDAY:

We all awoke to the strains of UNCLE ROTTER (6.5) on the main stage on Saturday morning. Their trashy punk splatter, along with some amusing masks and lyrics made for a good start.

BATTLELORE (6) were next but their female/male fronted folk metal isn't the best in their genre and their set seems to pass many people by, unlike WOLF (8). The band have been delivering power metal to the masses for fourteen years so know a thing or two about entertaining a large gathering. Having played the festival before the crowd knew what to expect and cheered every song. Last years 'Ravenous' album has added a little more traditional metal bite to the Wolf live experience with 'Voodoo' being a particular highlight today.

On the unsigned stage NEFARIOUS (7) take their Metallica inspired riffs and please a crowd with a fine set containing enough good thrashy songs to keep everyone happy. THE HAUNTED (7) on the main stage take their enraged metal and slap the crowd around with it. Not the best set by this band I have seen but '99' is spat out to brain shaking extremes even if the crowd were reluctant to comply.

Along with Saxon and Sodom ENTOMBED (7.5) must have been one of the most loved bands at the festival. Long before they take to the stage the crowd are chanting their name, a sound which could be heard past the stalls, over the amusements and into the campsite while INTERNAL CONFLICT (7.5) impress a nicely crowded tent with their solid and powerful death metal.

Doom merchants CANDLEMASS (7.5) kept a hot and sweaty crowd going under a seering sun but we had to leave them after twenty minutes due to the fact that SANCTORUM (8.5) were busy destroying the unsigned stage. Many people were shocked to hear how good they were at the Rock Matrix Band Quest final and they continued that trend onto the Bloodstock stage. The likes of 'Carved in stone' wrap themselves around every head in the crowd and sqeeze any thoughts of leaving from their brains. The tent was filling up with people who heard a few seconds but decided to stay as the music was so good. Aaron Sly's vocals were enough to strike a blow as heavy as a boxers punch while the guitar magic from Ash Lewis was simply spellbinding. People literally stopped themselves dead to marvel in the sound coming from his strings, with some even becoming slightly emotional. This set sent shivers down the spine and was one of the best thirty minutes of the festival. At the time of writing the winners of the Wacken Festival slot have yet to be announced. Nobody would be surprised if Sanctorum are playing to thousands of Germans in August next year.

Back on the main stage the laid back Saturday afternoon vibe is continued by the almighty ENSLAVED (8). Tracks from 2008's excellent 'Vertebrae' album such as 'To the coast' sound like they were made for sunny afternoons at Bloodstock. The crowd only need to stand and allow the progressive death metal to flow through their bodies taking them on a journey.

O.M.T (8) on the unsigned stage at the same time do their best to ram their metal attack down the throats of all in attendance. O.M.T, like their Band Quest performances are damn solid with vocalist Stewart Ferguson barking the bands songs like there is no tomorrow. As people leave the tent they may have just seen the best O.M.T have to offer.

The main stage is about to be re-awoken by German thrashers KREATOR (8). Like Destruction last year Kreator take their European thrash sound and deliver one of the most exciting sets of the weekend. The crowd love it and even some hilarious pro heavy metal shouting from the singer can't detract from genre classics like 'Enemy of god'.

The evening approaches as sets from CELESTY (6.5) and APOCALYPTICA (6) come and go. Apocalyptica fail to impress as a set of vocaless songs begin to become boring after the twenty minute mark. Covers of the likes of Metallica and Sepultura are okay but fail to show why they are so high on the bill, even if the screaming girls at the front would disagree. ABGOTT (7) blast the Sophie Lancaster stage with some black metal but it is BLIND GUARDIAN (8) who truly deliver on the main stage. 'Valhalla' a perfect example of the quality melodic metal they perform.

A spot of DJing meant Cradle of Filth were missed although it wasn't long before everyone was aware that they were forced to retire early due to coming under attack from giant gobstoppers. Bloodstock prides itself on many things, one of which is the behaviour of the crowd. There aren't really that many idiots at this festival compared to the likes of Download and Reading but obviously this year there was one.

Despite this THE ROTTED (8) play to a packed crowd in the Sophie Lancaster tent using their punked up metal to end the night on a high. Get along to the Red Roar Festival in September to catch these guys headline!

SUNDAY:

It was already warm on Sunday morning when openers BEHOLDER (8) took to the stage. Frontman Simon Hall, for those who don't know, is one of the principle organisers of the Metal for the Masses arm of Bloodstock. He took a break from looking after the unsigned bands long enough to help get the day off to a great start. The old school metal vibe alongside a set of songs each containing either a memorable fist punching chorus or neck moving riff had the early rising crowd moving. Mr Hall seemed surprised with the reception, but today Beholder got everything they deserved.

Opening the second stage were EIBON LA FURIES (6) who's gothic metal sat uncomfortably in the morning air, although the overall performance was good in parts. The singers spooky voice kept the crowd amused and bemused between songs.

Back on the main stage SABATON (8) showed why they were one of the most anticipated bands of the weekend. The chants for the band started almost immediately after Beholder had departed and continued between each and every song and after the set. Vocalist Joakim Broden's energy was unquestionable as he ran from one end of the stage to the next, almost non-stop throughout the performance. The power metal anthems such as 'Ghost division' and 'Primo victoria' were lapped up by the loving crowd. Sabaton had already started building their reputation in the UK but expect it to soar after this performance.

For a band who have been around longer than Saxon GIRLSCHOOL (7.5) have done tremendously well making music that people always seem to enjoy. They also possess more charisma than some bands half their age, chatting to the crowd throughout the technically distruptive set like they had been friends for years (in fact, a few probably had been). The set provides no real surprises, but people don't watch Girlschool for surprises. What they get is a solid thirty minutes of British rock.

Martin Walkier seems to be at Bloodstock in a different capacity every year. This year we see him stroll on stage to introduce one of the unholy trinity in the form of ANATHEMA (8). Any thoughts that the ever more progressive English metallers were going to slow the momentum were dispelled with the triumphant one-two of 'Fragile dreams' and 'Empty' from the classic 'Alternative 4' album, the former track seemingly writing itself into nineties metal folklore. They end with a cover of Maidens 'Phantom of the opera' which although is odd considering the amount of material at their disposal, is welcomed by a majority of the crowd.

Anyone and everyone at the festival would have noticed an army of fans dressed in the rags of their favourite band. This is just one example of the popularity of TURISAS (8.5). Today they not only take over the stage but turn Bloodstock into their very own battlefield. Tracks like the storming 'Battle metal' drive one of the biggest crowds of the weekend into a blood splashed hysteria while 'Rasputin' kickstarts the biggest dance seen anywhere in Derbyshire for years. Musically Turisas weren't brilliant, but in terms of entertainment they decapitated the opposition.

It was always going to be hard to follow such destruction but MOONSPELL (7.5) have enough experience having played countless festivals over the years. Singer Fernando Ribeiro dreary vocal style gives extra menace to a set that pleases the fans, some of which are still recovering from the Turisas onslaught. A portion of the crowd are already departing to either rest or catch some of ANTERIOR (7) in the Sophie Lancaster tent. Their melodic death metal went down a storm at Hellfire earlier in the year and today some more excellent guitar work guarantees a positive response from the crowd.

The impressive performances on the main stage continued with viking metallers AMON AMARTH (8). With every album the Swedish giants get bigger, better and more confident in the live arena. Their viking anthems are a call to arms for most of Bloodstock, their unique invasion sounding riffs ensuring they crush all before them. 'The pursuit of vikings' is simple massive while tracks from recent album 'Twilight of the Thunder God' show why they are now playing bigger and better stages.

As the light begins to fade SATYRICON (8) cast their black metal magic over the festival. Despite several people in the crowd thinking every song was 'Fuel for hatred' (to be fare, the verses in a lot of the set sound very similar), this is an enthralling performance with Satyr looking like a demon gliding across the stage with all the menace of the underworld.

It was a surprise to many that EUROPE (8) were announced as headliners, but after seeing them it made perfect sense. You'll probably never see as many smiles in a field in Derbyshire again. Europe had a enough in their back catalogue to get the masses moving for one last time. 'Rock the night' and 'Ready or not' are superb eighties rockers while 'Superstitious' adds some Whitesnake style groove to proceedings. The newer tracks give the set balance, ensuring a heavier edge is evident throughout the headlining performance. Inevitably it was 'The final countdown' that tore the house down, bringing the festival and the weekend to a glorius end.

So another year has passed and again Bloodstock was bigger and better. See you next year and an even bigger and better Bloodstock!