Bloodstock 2014 Review: Part 2

I was up and about early on Saturday morning as I wanted to catch Evil Scarecrow (10) opening on the main stage. I have missed them playing on the smaller stages before, so this time I was determined to see what all the fuss was about. As it turns out I wasn't the only one. Expecting a relatively moderate turnout of 5000 or so, I was pleasantly surprised to be met by a huge crowd which was easily equal to that of Friday night headliners, Down. These people had clearly seen the band before or, like me, had heard about their apparently all-conquering show at Bloodstock 2013. Either way, the show was without a doubt the single best festival performance I have ever seen. I mean, any band that can get an early morning crowd of hungover metalheads scuttling back and forth like crabs has definitely got something special going for them. Even charismatic frontman, Dr. Hell was a little overwhelmed by the frankly massive crowd that has turned out to greet his unsigned band. Think about that for a moment. An unsigned band that can pull a headliner-worthy crowd. If you see the name Evil Scarecrow on a bill in the future, do whatever is necessary to go and see them.

Saturday was shaping up to be the strongest day of the festival and it was already off to a fine start. After that, it was up to Norway's Shining (6) to carry the torch, and despite putting on a respectable performance, the band's saxophone-fueled Industrial Metal fell a little flat after Evil Scarecrow. I'm sure that, in a dark club somewhere, Shining would go down a storm, but here on a sunny Saturday morning, it just wasn't their time. Time to amble over to the second stage now for the UK's own folklore-obsessed Black Metal masters, Old Corpse Road (8). Far from being a generic example of the genre, they  enraptured the medium-sized crowd with a unique performance where all 6 people members of the band took it in turns to deliver shrieks, rasps and growls. After a brief wander over to the main stage to watch Decapitated play a single song, it was back to the S.O.P.H.I.E. stage for up and coming British Grunge-infused Hard Rockers, The Mercy House (8) and despite a disappointingly sparse crowd, the band played their hearts out - their 90's stylings and posturing going down well with those who had turned up to see them. Think Alice In Chains meets Skid Row with elements of The Almighty and you will be somewhere close to the band's nigglingly familiar yet oddly distinctive sound.

Israel's Orphaned Land (7) put on an impassioned performance next on the main stage, with their uniquely eastern take on Symphonic Metal being bolstered by some System Of A Down-esque quirkiness. They might not be the most interesting band on record, but they come alive on stage. Time for a short beer break before allowing myself to succumb to the crushing heaviness of Crowbar (7). Although similar in sound to the previous night's headliners, Down (frontman Kirk was in Down for a time), they are an infinitely more interesting live prospect. Sadly, the show fails to really get going as the band's Sludge Metal is more suited to a sweaty indoor venue than it is to broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon. That said, it was an enjoyable 40 minutes of heavyweight riffs and very manly beards. Italy's Goth Metal veterans Lacuna Coil (5) on the other hand, fall completely flat. For a band with a near-20 year history and a back catalogue filled with exactly the sort of songs that should go down well with a festival audience, they spectacularly fail to get the crowd on their side. It didn't help that the sound was feeble and the entire performance seemed somewhat forced. Christina's annoying faux-American accent didn't help things either. Shame.

With Children Of Bodom (Boredom as Aaron would say) up next on the main stage, it was time to take a walk over to the S.O.P.H.I.E. stage for the next two bands. Both bands delivered the goods to respectable crowds, although the relentless Thrash / Death Metal brutality of Norway's, Blood Red Throne (7) couldn't have been more at odds with the quaint old school NWOBHM of Sunderland's, Battleaxe (5). Thankfully, after a hard day of standing in a field drinking beer and watching bands, I now had a 90 minute gap in the itinerary to get a short rest before the mighty Carcass (9) hit the main stage. The reformed and reignited Grind / Death Metal maestros delivered a superb set made up of both old and new material - although such is the strength of the new songs, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart from the classic early 90's period masterworks. The set was only marred by the collapse of a fan in the crowd which caused the band to stop playing until the situation was resolved. Jeff was on typically dry-humoured form too, keeping the crowd entertained between songs. Not that there was a chance of anyone losing interest in a set like this.

Of course, nothing could compare to the buzz that was building for headliners, Emperor (10). Recently reformed (again) for a short run of festival shows to promote / celebrate the 20th anniversary of the greatest Black Metal album ever released, In The Nightside Eclipse, this show was a near-religious experience for this field of rabid, and now slightly damp, Metalheads. This was a faultless and truly life-affiriming performance which not only ended the day on the same high as which it started, but also emphasised the timelessness of the band's first couple of albums (and the essential demos). Truly stunning.

Bloodstock 2014 Review: Part 1

After arriving bright and early (around 12pm) on the Thursday and erecting the tents and sinking some beers, it's 10pm and it's finally time for the first band of the weekend (for me) and what better start than the brilliantly silly, Jaldaboath (8). After setting the tone by making his entrance on to the stage wearing an over-sized cardboard (?) knight's helmet, Jaldaboath (and his band) proceeded to play a faultless and pretty standard 45 minute festival setlist, comprising of the best the band has to offer from their 2 full-length albums. By the time they leave the stage, there isn't a straight face in the house (marquee) which is exactly as it should be. A triumphant start to the weekend's festivities.

It's 11am on Friday morning, the first "proper" day of the festival and it's up to UK's Thrash Metal hopefuls, Bloodshot Dawn (8) to kick of proceedings. And kick it off they do. Playing to a sizable crowd - considering the hour and that they are relative newcomers - The band's brand of neck-wrecking Metal seems to connect with the early risers. After a short break, which was just long enough to grab a real ale from the VIP bar, it's back to the main stage for Swedish legends, Entombed A.D. (7) who entertain the assembled faithful with a (mainly) greatest hits set, with a couple of new songs thrown in for good measure. It was a decent, if not mind-blowing performance from this veteran act. Following another short break (and another ale), it's back to the left-hand side of the stage for the inimitable and always awe-inspiring Primordial (9) and Ireland's finest deliver a masterful set, which is mainly focused on the latter-day albums. Pagan Black(ened) Metal doesn't get any better or more impassioned than this. When Primordial leave the stage, it is time for a break as there is 90 minutes to kill before the next band I want to see. I can't remember what I did in this time, but that is completely irrelevant.

Prong (6) hit the stage next, informing us that they are from New York in the United States (in case anyone was unsure) and plough their way through a slightly lacklustre and uninspiring set, before finishing off with the ubiquitous - you guessed it - Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck. Switzerland's Triptykon (9), fronted by none other than metal icon, Tom G. Warrior are next up and as expected, they don't disappoint. This is 45 minutes of Avante-garde Doom Metal mastery and Tom is, as always, a mesmerising and commanding frontman. If you are aware of the utter fuckwittery that erupted on the Bloodstock forums a couple of years ago when Hatebreed (8) last graced this very stage, then you might have been surprised to see them welcomed as conquering heroes (which I suppose they are). If you're not aware, there was a small, but vocal minority (isn't that always the case?!) who said that Hatebreed are "not Metal" and shouldn't be playing Bloodstock. Needless to say, the band silenced the doubters in 2012 and effortlessly did the same today with their ferocious and untouchable live show.

Next up for me was a short trip to the second (S.O.P.H.I.E.) stage for my all-time favourite band and the originators of Folk Metal, Skyclad (9). The set started off in real semi-acoustic Levellers territory, before exploding mid-way into full on Folk Thrash Metal (complete with former guitarist Dave Pugh taking on extra guitar duties). This was a perfect crowd-pleasing set from the veteran band, which avoided playing the "obvious" songs in favour of some gems from the first couple of albums. Skyclad were the band of the day for me....for half an hour. Then came Greek Black Metallers, Rotting Christ (10). Playing to a packed second stage, Rotting Christ finished off the day with a mesmerising and awe-inspring set comprising songs from every era of their 20+ year career. Easily the best band of the day and a definite festival highlight.