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.