“Never thought I’d get to see a live Nailbomb performance… regardless what humane state I’m in, I guarantee you I’ll be there.”
With Bloodstock 2025 around the corner, the hype is finally setting in and here’s our
opportunity to look ahead and ponder on my favoured upcoming bands of the festival.
Thursday might be when most people arrive, but it’s not short on bands. The Sophie
Lancaster stage rolls out, towards its running end of the day, All For Metal, only to be topped
by the day’s headliner, Me And That Man, the dark, country/blues project fronted by
Behemoth frontman Nergal.
Likely aiding an eventual hangover, Friday will come as does the first true day for all stages
to deliver. Ofnus graduate from the New Blood to the Sophie stage, sharing it alongside Lock
Horns, but regardless of what humane state I’m in, I guarantee you I’ll be there to see Nailbomb take
the stage. Never thought I’d get to see a live Nailbomb performance and, seeing how the
night goes, may watch Kataklysm. The main stage features Shrapnel, Konvent, Flotsam and
Jetsam, Orange Goblin (who recently announced they’re calling it a day). Following Lacuna
Coil’s performance, we’ll see the announcements for next year, and I’ll finally decide to go and
see Emperor.
Saturday isn’t letting up. The Ronnie James Dio stage alone sees Cage Fight, The Spirit, and
Warbringer one after another as Fear Factory and Machine Head top the bill toward the
night’s climax. The Sophie stage is quiet for me on the Saturday, but I’d be a fool not to
see Undeath, who have garnered a reputation for blistering live shows. However, Thrashist
regime headline the EMP stage on Saturday too, giving a smaller thrash act their due.
Finally, Sunday is unleashed. Rivers Of Nihil, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Gojira are my favourites
for the main stage that day, whilst the Sophie stage sports 3 Inches Of Blood, followed
straight after with Obituary; that tent will be seating carnage. Sunday may be my quietest
day for bands, but given the size of the battles those pits will no doubt deliver on, it’s a day
for merriment, preparing oneself and cutting loose when the time arises. It’s that debate
between who and when I see first or leave halfway for; Gojira’s set ends, then Obituary
command the Sophie tent not long afterwards.
Whatever happens, I’ll no doubt experience some surprises; that’s how festivals go. Seeing
how this is my seventh Bloodstock, I’m expecting it. Be prepared to read this and more in
my eventual review of Bloodstock 2025.
Words by Sam Jones
