It seems like no time at all since Bloodstock 2018 finished, yet already plans are being made and bands being booked for the 2019 festival.
Recently they announced the first headliner for Friday night in Sabaton from Sweden. They are a band that always put on a show and have graced the Dio stage before. In 2015 they had their tank stage and went down the proverbial treat. With a catalog of songs that need singing and riffs that require some fist throwing this should be a fine end to the first day’s festivities.
For Halloween, the organizers are treating us all to a new 6 band announcement. First up being Finnish melodic death metallers Children Of Bodom who are in the process of recording their first album in 3 years to be released next year in plenty of time for their Friday night slot on the Dio stage. They are old friends of the festival having headlined the old indoors event away back in 2004 as well as the first outdoors event in 2005! This performance will be a welcome return after a 5 year period gap of playing Bloodstock.
Bringing some evil sounds on Saturday will be British stalwarts Cradle Of Filth who will be appearing again on the Dio stage. I think this is only the second time that Dani Filth and his crew have played the festival, the last time being cut short due to one idiot throwing something on to the stage injuring the guitarist. The only time I am glad to say that sort of idiocy has ever happened. Dani has stated they are coming back to “finish what we started, that being our set” as well as promising “a massive stage show” and finishing with “we can’t fucking wait”. Expect plenty of gothic horror and piercing vocals.
There is a Bloodstock UK festival exclusive on Sunday with the only performance by Swedish heavy metal outfit Soilwork. The band are hard at work recording a new album which I am sure we will see and hear before next August allowing us all time to choose some favorites. Again a band that have played Catton Hall before a couple of times so are returning guests to the festival. Who knows maybe (just maybe) they could get 2 of the guys to do another set with their other project The Night Flight Orchestra or is that too much to hope for?
Returning as a solo artist this time all the way from the USA is former Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider. Having wowed with the band a few years ago (blowing away some doubters who thought they were a glam band, Doh!) this is a great chance to hear songs from his new solo album For The Love Of Metal. A terrific performer who knows how to work a crowd and entertain and is happy to chat between songs getting a vibe going, this should be a real treat. Expect to also hear some classic Sister tunes for a great singalong. A lively Sunday can be expected with him around.
Also on Sunday are progressive metal outfit from Seattle Queensryche. Now of course fronted by Todd La Torre who is very impressive handling the old songs with great aplomb. They still play plenty of classics and being a festival show chances are there will be some absolute crackers played on the day. Once again a band putting the finishing touches on a new untitled album so perhaps they will let us hear a little live at Bloodstock. Expect some incredible drumming from Scott Rockenfield and politically inspired and intelligent lyrics.
Finally in these announcements come Hypocrisy again from Sweden (there are so many great bands from that part of the world). This death metal band have been around since 1992 and have recorded 11 albums in that time. Starting as a straight-ahead death metal band with songs about Satan etc but moving into both the paranormal and the world around us and the evil that is truly real they have grown and progressed into a something different again. Their last album was way back in 2013 but singer and guitarist Peter Tagtgren has revived the band and they are also planning to record a new album next year. As far as I can tell (and know) this will be their first visit to the festival playing on Sunday which is good news indeed.
So 7 bands all told and not even out of October!
The festival, for those who are unaware, has a policy that all those who are press accredited have to put a minimum of £20 into the Teenage Cancer Trust which has helped the festival organizers to collect and give £11,872 to the charity (that is also from the charity stall and general crowd donations). Great thinking as well as work by the folks who run the festival. This is along with the work they do for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation helping to eliminate hate crimes!
Tickets are already on sale for the festival to take place at Catton Hall in Derbyshire between the dates of August 8 to 11. Standard weekend tickets can be found at early bird prices of £132 for 4 days. VIP tickets are £290.
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