REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival, Saturday
Architects by Nic Howells
Saturday at Bloodstock 2024 was the epicentre of a very chaotic metal lineup. This day had things for everyone but went so far onto the extremes at the same time, be that the crushing set from Deicide, or the hyper-mainstream arrival of new headliner Architects, not to mention an insane wealth of bands on the Sophie Lancaster and New Blood stages. Here’s how it all went down.
Cauldron
Kicking off the day on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Cauldron brought their brand of heavy to the eager crowd. This set worked very much in the same vein as Burner’s banger of a set the day before. Frazer Cassling has one or two issues with having to wake up this early for the first time, but you wouldn’t be able to tell based on their energy. If the Sophie stage ends up a hotbed for hardcore-leaning bands, that would be an excellent move as the crowd was hot for this lot. Cauldron has been on the “want to see” list for a while and this summer-autumn has been an excellent chance to, not even a year out from dropping their debut album and they already have slots like this at BOA, support with the legendary Misery Signals, as well as featuring at No Play in Liverpool next month.
Deitus
Over on the Main Stage, Deitus gave many sore heads a rattle as they attacked the morning with some fiery black metal. The set was on the dramatic side as morning acts go, with the band in the usual matching garbs as well as corpse paints of sorts, while vocalist AG’s face is sheet red for what’s a striking and intense visual. These were a very welcome addition to the bill given how often festivals will have to book overseas bands in the black metal department. Deitus made a great case that the UK has some excellent acts in the genre. However, whipping out a cover of GG Allin’s "Bite It You Scum" was not on the bingo card. These guys played like they’d been waiting for this and certainly made the most of the morning slot.
Unpeople
The Sophie Lancaster Stage saw Unpeople deliver a chaotic and intense performance, fresh off their appearance at Radar Festival last month. The grind simply does not stop for this gang, and while it’s safe to say they aren’t the most obvious band for Bloodstock on the bill they went down a storm, with particular fans on the barrier screaming along to ‘Overthinking’ while the newly added cover of Nirvana’s ‘Territorial Pissings’ made a bit of a fuss in the mosh pit. The group is pulling consecutive weekends on the festival circuit with an appearance at ArcTanGent before also being one of the hottest bands on tap for the Heavy Music Awards.
Ignea
Back on the Main Stage, Ignea kept this rolling in a heavier direction whilst also having what we’d assume is one of the few performances of a keytar ever at Bloodstock, as well as some poignant moments mixed in. The state of affairs in Ukraine means this group was well supported with various flags pitched up in the crowd as well as one adorning Helle Bogdanova’s mic stand. Their performance on vocals was particularly excellent as they swapped between some excellent growls and time beautiful clean vocals. The setlist covered their catalog very nicely, starting with newer tracks ‘Dunes’ and ‘Camera Obscura’ from last year’s album Dreams of Lands Unseen, while ‘Alexandria’ from the show closing couplet of tracks from 2017 was impossibly catchy before ending on ‘Leviathan’.
Crypta
Crypta was an exciting addition to the Ronnie James Dio lineup, not least because of Fernanda Lira’s and Luana Dametto’s previous involvement with Nervosa from yesterday’s lineup. That aside, the inclusion of another excellent death metal outfit that happens to be all-female is a great feat for the festival simply because of the prowess that the Brazilians had on the show. Lira oozes intensity on stage, with many a possessed facial being shot in the way of the photographers while they were shredding bass. This set had zero faults from an instrumental point of view, and for a four-piece where all are on instruments had a fair bit of movement and organisation throughout their set. Even down to little touches like Lira’s mic stand being made up of several daggers, they just had “it”. We’d be beyond happy to see these get the Venon Prison treatment and shoot up the bill for their next appearance
Ludovico Technique
Over on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Ludovico Technique was an act of very high interest among the press. While people’s sets on the bill are savoured for various reasons, Ludovico’s slot felt like a real “moment”. The outfit made their UK debut on this tour in a huge way with this appearance being the final date of that run. Musically it was unlikely pretty much anything else that’s been on so far in the day and fans seemed to relish in that. Frontman Ben V acted as the perfect conduit for the band’s eerie energy while also battering his way back and forth across the stage at quite a pace. It’s the little things that made up this set, given Ben’s constant and very approachable presence in the VIP area over the weekend this clearly meant something as a milestone. For the industrial vibe and more avante-garde aspects of the show, the Sophie stage was the perfect setting.
Convey
The New Blood Stage saw Convey deliver a passionate performance, proving why they earned their spot at Bloodstock from the Cheltenham Metal 2 The Masses. For the number of times, it’s been pointed out how scarce but well-performing hardcore does at the festival, nu-metal is that bit more hard to find on a Bloodstock bill. It certainly has a place in Derbyshire when done as well as Convey does things, but a rowdy showing both on stage and off as it was one of the more attended sets of the day over on New Blood. Consider these very much new friends of Scene Music Media.
Forbidden
Forbidden fill the role of a veteran band on the Ronnie James Dio stage. Thrash metal as an afternoon set piece never fails when it comes to Bloodstock, and Forbiddens history and reformation does add an extra commodity to the slot here. Normal Skinner is on deck now filling vocals for the band as well as drumming legend Chris Kontos now being behind the kit. The lineup being a mix of both new and classic members could have led to somewhat of a cluster of a performance, but everyone on stage at this instance is such a professional that the showing was tight and enjoyable, whilst still clearly fulfilling the nostalgia factor for fans who have been waiting literal years for this. Craig Locicero and Matt Camacho made the right choice reviving the project, the better choice in who to bring on board, and the best choice in bringing the Bay Area back to Bloodstock.
Mimi Barks
Back on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Mimi Barks brought a unique blend of trap metal to Bloodstock, which is definitely a lesser seen medium in this field. They were in some familiar company with former tour mates Combichrist playing the stage later that same day, as well as them being the staring act in their recent tour supporting Yonaka. The aggression, intensity and performative sides of the set really shine through with Mimi’s demeanor on stage. The singer is very expressive but also does a great job of thrashing their way about. Featuring on the Saturday in a key time slot is definitely a show of Mimi being on the rise after also being a feature act on Downloads Dogtooth stage last year.
Unleash The Archers
Few things are an absolute at Bloodstock, one of those few however is that Power Metal will always draw fans to the fields in Derbyshire. The Canadians had a lot of energy as part of this voyage over the pond and it resulted in a very soaring set as the sun really started to beat down for the mid afternoon set. Brittney Slayes endears the group to the crowd on and off but by and large they sought to batter through as many songs as possible from the start of ‘Abyss’ to the very end of ‘Tonight We Ride’. This set was the recipient of a lot of hype, and Unleash the Archers made sure it was warranted.
Hellbearer
The New Blood Stage was set ablaze by Hellbearer, the winners of the Manchester Metal 2 The Masses competition. Their performance was a furious display of metal, attracting a surprisingly large audience, rewarded with circle pits, and a some fans making the short and shallow trip to crowd surf on the New Blood Stage. Hellbearer’s set was a raw and intense experience, showcasing Manchester metal at its most primal.
Red Rum
Back on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Red Rum brought a pirate metal party to Bloodstock. Pirate metal isn’t really new ground for the festival, it’s not even the only instance of it on this day of the fest. But their infectious energy and catchy melodies had the minutes of Saturday ticking slightly faster as the crowd sang and danced along. Booking gimmick bands is always a gambling experience as far as festivals go, but Red Rum is one of the far more palatable and entertaining, especially when considering the divisive and rumbling presences of Gutalax on the same stage last year. Red Rum’s set provided a lighthearted and enjoyable break from the heavier acts on the bill. What more could you ask for?
Deicide
This set is where things got a bit dicey. Sonically there’s not much heavier than the festival could book. That’s alluring to some, but arguably too much. Deicide were always going to pull a crowd given their music is a relentless and heavy barrage of sound. But the live setting was very stationary, visually misplaced for a scorching afternoon, and mixed a little too heavily in favour of the bass drum (I know, blasphemous to say). This was everything one would expect from the Glen Benton fronted outfit, and the man himself guttural vocals were the signature to a very chaotic set, but it can’t help but feel like they may have been better suited to a hallmark slot on the Sophie stage, and could’ve probably swapped with headliners Korpiklaani.
Asomvel
The Sophie Lancaster Stage saw Asomvel bring their no-nonsense brand of heavy metal to Bloodstock. These played a lot similarly to Tailgunner on the Thursday in the sense that more classically branded metal never disappoints. Their performance was raw and powerful, with the band delivering tight riffs and gritty vocals from Ralph Robinson which with a large amount of squinty vaguely resembles a Lemmy. Sets that harken back to the early days of metal always seem the crowd headbanging in approval. Asomvel’s set was a solid dose of the classic stuff, and did well in terms of keeping energy and spirits high while the other stages were in heavier offerings.
Whitechapel
One of said heavier offerings was on the Main Stage at that very moment, Whitechapel brought their brutal deathcore sound to Bloodstock. Elephant in the room, their supporting slot alongside Thy Art is Murder in October seemed prettt universally panned, but here at Bloodstock the group are pretty much royalty. Phil Bozeman’s monstrous vocals led the charge as they opened with ‘Let Me Burn’ and ‘Forgiveness is Weakenss’. One thing that really helped this set over their last UK outings was the total restructure of the setlist. As iconic track ‘The Saw Is The Law’ takes its rightful place as the show closer where it was played 3rd on the TAIM tour. The intensity of their set was palpable but Whitechapel are without a doubt one of the most comfortable bands in the scene in terms of just going about what they do, the crowd seems to bring the brutality because it’s expected, but Whitechapel as veterans have mastered brutal sound with a monklike approach.
Lost to Light
Back over on the New Blood Stage featured Lost to Light, a band that brought a much more melodic take on sound against the other Metal 2 The Masses winners. Their performance was a mix of aggressive riffs and clean vocal exchanges between their dual vocalists. Despite being one of the newer acts on the bill, and one of the very first added to the New Blood Stage, Lost to Light held their own, considering they were up against Whitechapel at the same time in the main arena.
Combichrist
The Sophie Lancaster Stage was taken over by Combichrist, who delivered one of the standout performances of the festival. The industrial mob haven’t been seen on a Bloodstock bill since 2017 despite being a fairly regular presence in they post-covid. They haven’t missed a single step since that year either though and the thumping beat of Combichrists set is a perfect fit for the Sophie stage to appreciate the more rave-like atmosphere. Personally these could have taken the slot over Everygrey and headlined the Thursday as they undoubtedly have the name value and pedigree. Andy LaPlegua never seem to have a bad day at the office. Even 20 years in on the project.
Malevolence
Malevolence returned to the Main Stage with a performance that shattered the Bloodstock crowdsurfing record. Fresh back in English soil flying back from a US tour, the band brought a mix of hardcore and metalcore that was both ferocious and cathartic. The Sheffield groups DNA is ingrained in a festival like Bloodstock where so many metal bands from lineups past were Malevolence’s makeup as they revolutionised the hardcore scene. Even Alex Taylor once acted as one of the barrier staff he now seeks to terrorise at each showing at Catton Hall. The setlist on recent tours and shows has been impeccable, with tracks like ‘Self Supremacy’ and ‘On Broken Glass’ being different eras but blending perfectly with newer tracks like ‘Karma’. As mentioned, endless waves of crowdsurfers and mosh pits never subsided throughout the set, even at one point finally having a band that get a circle pit to go around the sound tower. Malevolence’s set was a triumphant return to Bloodstock, leaving no doubt that they are one of the most exciting bands in modern metal. They smashed the crowd surfing record with 901 during the set, so we can probably expect Municipal Waste announced for 2025, healthy competition and such.
Sylosis
Sylosis’s performance on the Sophie Lancaster Stage was marred by technical difficulties that saw Josh Middleton’s guitar cut out during the opening song. After a 20-minute break, the band soldiered on, performing with only one guitar for several tracks before the issues were resolved. Despite the challenges, Sylosis delivered an intense and powerful set, with tracks like ‘Pariahs’ and ‘I Sever’ still being brilliantly crisp when short one instrument. The band’s determination and energy were evident, not to mention Josh Middleton has some excellent chops as a vocalist much like his ability on guitar. While their set was shorter than planned, Sylosis made every minute count.
Korpiklaani
Closing out the night on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Korpiklaani brought their infectious folk metal to Bloodstock. Their joyful energy and catchy drinking songs were exactly what the crowd needed after a long day of metal. Although the sound was somewhat monotonous. These and Red Rum could have done with being programmed for seperate days, just to avoid too much of the gimmick “how pissed can we get”. Korpiklaani’s set was a fun and lighthearted way to end the day, leaving the crowd in high spirits as Tracks like "Vodka" and "Beer Beer" had everyone dancing and singing along.
For all of its parts the Saturday of Bloodstock did still hold its own, helped along substantially by some Malevolence and Combichrist shaped linchpins. This was certainly a day where the classic and the new played against one another in a competitive way, which is one of the best things about the festival.
Architects
Headlining the Main Stage, Architects delivered a performance that many hoped would validate their place as headliners at Bloodstock. The festival has reached further afield for headliners in recent years with Killswitch Engage being cemented as worthy, but Architects were seen by many as a step even further in that direction. Kicking the set off with newer track ‘Seeing Red’ was the right move for the group because of its heaviness, while deep red lighting and red confetti made for a slightly more obscured watch. Sound wise, all tracks seemed shockingly well-realized live with massive props to the mix on tracks like ‘deep fake’ and ‘Black Lungs’. Architects’ set was a visual and auditory spectacle, though some fans felt the emotional intensity was lacking par when they dedicate ‘Doomsday to former members Tom Searle (R.I.P.) and Josh Middleton (given Josh had just been on with Sylosis surely a cameo was a possibility?). Despite this, the band’s performance was a success, though as the final track ‘Animals’ played out with some pomp and success about it, things did feel a bit like just a “very good Architects show” as opposed to “a monumental first every UK Festival headline Architects show”.
