BLOODSTOCK: By Any Means, Overoth, Dead Label and many more at one of the best fests

BLOODSTOCK'S joy, beer and searing heat (yes, the sun shone for all four days of a UK festival!) still resonates in the memory.

It was not our intention at any stage to work at this festival - we were there to relax. But somewhere along the way some of our colleagues managed to con us into interviewing a few bands and giving an overview of the fest.

Before getting down to the interviews it's fair to say that with more than 100 bands playing some of the most extreme forms of metal it was still one of the friendliest festivals we have ever attended.

Headliners apart the music was intense across all four days, and Northern Ireland and Irish did themselves proud.

Just days away you'll have the chance to see Dead Label support Gojira in Limelight1. They put in a great set on the Sophie Lancaster Stage before talking to us about forthcoming plans.

Representing Northern Ireland By Any Means and Overoth ripped apart the New Blood Stage. Overoth gave a death metal masterclass, while BAM brought their own unique brand of hardcore mayhem (even attracting Ben Ward from Orange Goblin down for half their set).

By Any Means interview


To sum up Bloostock is almost impossible. More than 100 bands across four stages - from the Ronnie James Stage, through the Sophie Lancaster Stage, the Unsigned Stage and the Jagermeister Stage (basically a bar with a stage attached) there were more bands to see than even the most determined fan could catch up with.

Overoth interview


Of the many bands who appeared there were several stand-out sets. Armored Saint, Belphegor, Sabaton, the uncommunicative Black Label Society, Onslaught were among those that shone.

Dead Label Society interview


What was unanimous amongst those at their first Bloodstock was that they will be back each and every year - no matter that the headliners weren't the stars they could have been the vibe, the totality of the musical experience and the madness in Camp Midgard....[See below]

Foul Body Autopsy Interview
[Parental notice - sweary bits within!]


Footnote - Camp Midgard was were we pitched our tents (with your editor experiencing some issues on that task) and it was the scene of the madness only metalheads can generate....bin jousting, metal wrestling, a parade with a Slayer flag and a 'Christ on a Stick' and a bon homie few can match...

Words by Jonny