Words by Sam Jones || Photos by John Inglis “Christmas may be around the corner, but metal is eternal.”
This December saw Bloodstock host their debut Winter Gathering, bringing together a slew of bands familiar to the festival’s aficionados within Wolverhampton’s KK’s Steel Mill. Even before we got into the venue, we grabbed food and beers from one of the local Wetherspoons, where a multitude of like-minded people had already gathered. Drinks are flowing, spirits are high, and like me, this is for many the last great blowout of the year before the holidays roll around.
Though we missed King Kraken, who reportedly blew the stage wide open come three in the afternoon, we got into the venue, acquired our wristbands, and soon had our first drinks around four, just in time for Tortured Demon to take the stage. These Manchester boys have done exquisitely lately, a Sophie Lancaster spot in years prior, a small tour across the UK, and here they are showing the old guard how the young ones can thrash. Throughout the crowd are a plethora of Bloodstock-themed Santa hats, demonstrating that Christmas may be around the corner, but metal is eternal. The energy is electric. There must have easily been a thousand people in the venue already, and within an enclosed space, hearkening back to Bloodstock’s burgeoning days at the Rescue Rooms, Derby, it’s incredibly easy to see friends after so long.
As aforementioned, this is many people’s last major show of the year and thereby their last chance to see some friends they won’t otherwise see for a while, maybe until Bloodstock 2026. As Tortured Demon left the stage in triumph, I moved downstairs to prepare for Hellbearer, whose recent album release earlier this year saw their sound taken to darker, more mature realms. Positioned front and centre at the barrier, I was excited for them, especially with sharing that spot with numerous friends I’d made throughout the years. Once their set began, though, it didn’t take long for that space to fill up. The sight of additional seating and a quieter bar nearby is a bonus feature, too.
I knew Raised By Owls would have a significant crowd, but they’ve never fully done it for me. I took this chance to grab some food after the multiple pints consumed throughout the day. The venue had a decently sized smoking area that allowed people to light up, sit down, receive some fresh air, but there was also a pizza truck that was likely the saviour of many an intoxicated soul. We had our pizza, chatted, laughed, reminisced about the year’s shows, and how quickly the time had gone.
Next on for me were Venom Inc. As far as I’m concerned, they were the band of the day. Bringing tracks off their first album, Venom Inc. came onto that stage with the sole intention of slaughtering everyone before them. With the added features of fire-swallowers, grinding power saws across guitars, raining sparks across the stage, and stage crews throwing everything and the kitchen sink into making Venom Inc.’s performance as powerful and enigmatic as possible. There was never once a moment when I thought they should slow down; I only ever wished them faster and faster and ever more ferocious. The unbridled power they delivered was unmatched that evening, and as their set concluded, the crowd’s roar indicated as much as frontman Tony Dolan declared they would be back. Given Venom Inc.’s reception that evening, their return to Bloodstock in any capacity is guaranteed.
The final band were Candlemass. Having missed them in 2023 when they headlined the Sophie stage, I was relieved to learn, when the Winter Gathering was first announced, that Candlemass would headline it. Rather than stand again, I decided to find a chair and simply watch with glee as Doom legends took to the stage. Finally, I got to see Candlemass and no sooner had they begun than they launched into “Bewitched,” getting the crowd going instantly, horns flying, Christmas jumpers on full display. It’s only a single day, but people are lurching around, heavily drunk, some are passed out, some are raving with energy. I decided to kick back and relax as Candlemass became the final band I would see for 2025, having made a promise I would see them at some point. Time drew on, though, and whilst Candlemass would play till eleven at night, we left about half an hour beforehand, eager to beat the sprawl for taxis and Ubers home. KK’s Steel Mill isn’t exactly the closest venue to return from geographically speaking.
Looking back on that night, it really was terrific fun. It was great to have a big, official event to cap off the year and give people a chance to see their friends one last time. Every band I saw that day were on top form and even Devastator, who took the reins following Hellripper’s unfortunate drop-out due to circumstances beyond their control, put on a ripping show. It was great to experience a Bloodstock event indoors, the first time many may have done so since 2005, after the event went outdoors following numerous sold-out editions back in Derby’s Rescue Rooms. I think this was an excellent add-on to the Bloodstock name and certainly won’t replace the main festival for most people. It allows us the chance to experience another Bloodstock-minded event without having to wait another full year. I’m curious whether this will be a recurring event, though given the Winter Gathering’s reception, I think it’s very likely, and will no doubt feature bands on its lineup strongly familiar, likely crowd favourites, to incite them to return to Wolverhampton should KK’s Steel Mill be used once more. It’s amazing how quickly a single day goes by when you’re with your friends, enjoying bands, and have a beer in your hand. But I had a blast, and Bloodstock’s Winter Gathering closed out 2025 for me for live shows. Thank you, Bloodstock, thank you.
Words by Sam Jones “A single day flies by when you’re with friends, enjoying bands, and have a beer in your hand.”
Bloodstock Winter Gathering 2025 // Photos by John Inglis
