Bloodstock 2012 In Review

Following a year where most UK festivals have suffered from extremely bad weather conditions it was a great pleasure to see the weekend’s weather forecast for UK’s finest metal festival, Bloodstock 2012, shaping up to be nothing but sun, sun and more sun.

This year’s event saw a massive line up headlined by Alice Cooper, Behemoth, Machine Head (pictured), Sepultura and metal-legends Anvil amongst others. We were proud to be hosting Bloodstock’s second arena, the Sophie Lancaster Stage, featuring some of metal’s best established and up and coming bands.

We started with German power-metal band Freedom Call who whipped the crowd up with an energetic set. It was Floridian metal veterans Iced Earth up next, who proceeded to play a vital set of classic power metal. Next was Brazilian powerhouse Sepultura – a band who has undergone many changes over the years. Their energy levels were definitely pushing eleven and by the time they pulled ‘Roots Bloody Roots’ out of the bag, the crowd knew they were witnessing one of the special moments of the weekend.

Following on was Swedish black metallers Watain who’s trademark gore was in full effect. After a short break we headed over to the Sophie Lancaster stage to check out headliners Alcest – who’s set mixed soft melodic metal with extreme thrash. We then headed back to the Main Stage for headliners Behemoth who’s set, backed up with supporting pyrotechnic display, was the perfect way to bring Bloodstock to a close for the night. Stand out tracks included “Christian To The Lions” and “Conquer All”, both of which were received with raucous applauding and a sea of swinging hair from the assembled throng.

The Saturday saw us increase our metal intake in the best way possible, starting with Winterfylleth, featuring ex-members of UK hardcore legends The Seventh Cross. Their brand of pagan metal was received spectacularly by the faithful down the front, screaming back the band’s lyrics that are drenched with themes of British heritage and folklore. Elsewhere, metal/hardcore crossover tough guys Hatebreed pummelled the crowd with their down-tuned goodness, featuring tracks spanning their whole, illustrious career. As the sun started to set, it was time for Machine Head‘s headline set. Easily one of the more accessible metal bands of the weekend, their 90 minute set featured tracks from latest album Unto The Locust such as “I Am Hell [Sonata in C#)” whilst the diehards were treated to five songs from the band’s debut album Burn My Eyes, climaxing with a suitably brutal encore of “Davidian”.

The last day of Bloodstock saw us busy interviewing acts such as Nile, The Black Dahlia Murder, Paradise Lost, Kobra and the Lotus and Orianthi (check back with Last.fm Originals for those video interviews soon) so our metal viewing was harshly limited. Did you see Alice Cooper, Dimmu Borgir or any other of the Sunday acts? Head over to the Bloodstock 2012 event page now to join the conversation and tell the Last.fm community what you thought of it!