Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 1. YOU!
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 1. YOU!

Let's be honest the most important thing about Bloodstock isn’t the bands, it's the people. It's that diverse community of oddballs and eccentrics that comes together every twelve months to converge on a field in Derbyshire. I see the people I camp with once a year but I consider them some of my closest and most treasured friends. Essentially bloodstock is a whole year of friendship condensed into four (this year five) madcap days.

The people make the festival, the people you sit around the campsite drinking and chatting with, the people you meet in bar and food queues and the people you know by sight but have never spoken to. Bloodstock is a glorious multi coloured parade of different vibrant characters that I have my own respectful pet names for. There is the various Lemmy's complete with military helmets, there is sideburn man, there is vamp girl, there is the Robert plant twins. It is these people and many many more that make Bloodstock what it is. Those people that you casually smile at or say to hello to because you have been bumping into them whilst wandering site since 2009. This year each and everyone will be greeted with a big big hug (and believe me I ain't a hugger).

This year, much more than any year, take a look around and savour the people around you. Talk to them, interact with them, get drunk with them. Everyone has a story, everyone has climbed a mountain and fought adversity to be here. The term family is thrown around but for Bloodstock it is true we are a family, dysfunctional and with a massive alcohol problem, but we are family.

So the act that comes top of the list for us at ROCKFLESH Towers is you. You are the beating heart of the festival, you are the people we stand shoulder to shoulder with enjoying the sheer adulation of live music, you are the people we share these memories with, you the people that create the experience, you are the people who read what we write. You are the reason we bother doing what we do at ROCKFLESH. More than any other band we are looking forward to seeing you.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 CountdownComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 2. Devin Townsend
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 2. Devin Townsend

Let's stop for a minute and contemplate everything that Devin Townsend has done to make his headline appearance possible. He has assembled a backing band of British based musicians especially for the performance. A backing band that only met Devin this Saturday just gone and have had under a week to become a well drilled unit. He has put together an entire British based road crew from scratch just for this show. And he has traveled over from his native Vancouver and spent ten nights isolating in a mid price chain hotel room in Manchester, just so he can play for an hour and a half on Friday night.

There is dedication, there is being a man of your word and there is Devin Townsend. This is about far more than just fulfilling a commitment, this is another notch on the bed post of Devin's titanic love affair with this country. The “By A Thread' series of shows happened here, “The Retinal Circus” happened here, the full Ziltoid Live performance happened here and it was Blighty that embraced his irreverent world view long before anyone else. Christ we even let him soundtrack a Cbeebies programme.

He may be Canadian but he is still a national treasure. The effort, the ongoing relationship and the fact that he has a back catalogue like no other means that Friday is destined to be special. It will be a "I was there" moment to savour and remember. There, who said that worldwide pandemics don’t have silver linings.

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Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 3. Svalbard
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 3. Svalbard

Apologies but this entry is pure self-indulgence. You see, Svalbard are top of my personal “must see” list for this coming weekend. I have adored all three of their studio albums and have marvelled at the way that their sumptuous mix of Black Metal, Hardcore and Post Metal has evolved in the journey from 2015's “One Day All This Will End” to last year’s outstanding “When I Die, Will I Get Better?”. However for a whole host of different reasons Bloodstock will be my first opportunity to see them in the flesh. I am intrigued to see how their heady mix of euphoria and riotous anger, will translate to the live arena. We use the words unique and mould-breaking (if we are honest with ourselves) to describe stuff that essentially sounds like other stuff. Svalbard have managed to be truly original and do something with heavy music that I haven't heard before. They have taken the fury and rage that fuels so much of our music and injected it with optimism. So come Friday lunchtime I will be the highly excitable tall guy that looks like Lurch from the Adam's family, standing at the front of the Ronnie James Dio stage. This the most pumped I have been about seeing a new band in years and I just know they will live up to the expectation. Join me, it will be wonderful.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, SvalbardComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 4. Judas Priest
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 4. Judas Priest

Judas Priest are playing one show this year, one show and it is here at Bloodstock. Plaudits need to be given to them for keeping their promise to return after their triumphant Friday night headline set in 2018. Other bands, on seeing the rest of their touring schedule disintegrate would have gone "it's not worth it for one show, let's reschedule for 2022". But not Judas Priest. They had vowed come hell or high water they would be at Catton Hall this year and Priest are not one to go against their word. So Rob Halford left his Arizona home over a month ago to make sure he was safely in this country and they have ensconced in a black country rehearsal room creating a unique set especially for us. Sunday night at Bloodstock will be a one-off celebration of 51 years of the undisputed Metal Gods. Expect surprises, expect anthems and expect a setlist that never will be repeated anywhere else. This is going to be so so special, don’t you dare thinking about sloping off home early.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Judas PriestComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 5. Skindred
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 5. Skindred

It has been one hell of a eighteen months. Some of us have had to isolate away in fear of our very lives. Others have lost family members or at very least watched people we care about become very ill. And for good many of us we have had the very things we take for granted and use as emotional crutches to get through this thing called life, taken away from us.

At diddy Download, Skindred managed to articulate all the clashing emotions in an hour long set. It was quite an extraordinary sixty minutes, contemplative and measured whilst also simultaneously euphoric and triumphant. They channelled those contrary feelings of the enormity of what we had collectively been through and mixed them with the pent up need to let loose and celebrate.

Benji expressed beautifully that shared existential terror that by being locked up we were losing a essential part of who we are when he proclaimed " I started to forget altogether that i was a singer and instead I just Julie's boyfriend who popped to Asda to get stuff". The whole show was a melting pot of emotional resonation, irreverent comedic turns and catchy tunes. It just felt right and was exactly what we needed.

Skindred head to Bloodstock determined to play the same cathartic role. They will be act that units and soothes, whilst simultaneously bring the party. Be prepared to laugh, be prepare to cry, be prepared to leap up and down and be prepared to whirl your t-shirt around your heads. It is going to be a moment.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, SkindredComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 6. Jinjer
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 6. Jinjer

Jinjer are very much the band that lived. Since they were announced, which feels a lifetime ago, they have been one of the buzz bands on the bill. Their progressive and groove tinged take on Metalcore managed to achieve the extraordinary and unite both those that like their Metal raw and heavy, with those that are more inclined towards the melodic. There didn't seem to be a single person who wasn’t excited to see what these rapidly rising Ukrainians had to offer. But then the unthinkable, after having been nailed on for so long (escpially when so many others had fallen) quarantine and travel logistics finally did them in. But there is a second chapter. Showing a resilience and a level of commitment far beyond the call of duty, slight shifts in quarantine regulations have meant that Jinjer have decided that they can, after all, come to the ball. Jinjer have not played a single note but they have already won all the love in the room. They will be treated like homecoming heroes to a place they have never been. The stars are aligned this will be Jinjer's year!

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, JinjerComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 7. While She Sleeps
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 7. While She Sleeps

This is While She Sleeps first visit to Bloodstock and Bloodstock is not going to know what hit it. While She Sleeps are a highly unique outfit riding the zeitgeist like their very lives depended upon it. They have the self conviction of hardcore and combine it with the crunch of Metal. They have also realised that their fanbase is their elusive sixth member. Their groundbreaking business model is to be owned by their followers and not some faceless corporation. There are no record deals, no management and no promoters. Everything is organised by the band themselves and everything is covered financially by the fans. It is a groundbreaking way to do things and creates a heightened relationship between the band and their audience. Lots of bands hallowy talk about owing something to their fans. In While She Sleeps case, it is completely true. When they play, it is with not to their fans, it is with them. There is such a feeling of belonging and connection between them and their crowd. This is going to be audience participation at a level never seen before at Bloodstock. Get ready to swing and sway like never before. It's going to be immense.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, While She SleepsComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 8. Agrona, Necronautical, Winterfylleth
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 8. Agrona, Necronautical, Winterfylleth

There is a conspicuous absence of Black Metal on this year's bill. We lost Dimmi a number of months ago and the absence of a european contingent means that we are without our usual mid afternoon bill fillers of corpse paint adorned scandinavians (I have an abiding memory of dark funeral almost baking to death in their armour in the glaring midday sun back in 2013).

However if you move beyond the main stage and look to Sophie and beyond, you will find some signs of a buoyant British Black Metal scene (and before you start shouting I'm not including Cradle of Filth as Black Metal. As the great Andrew O'Neil once observed they have the very own genre entitled "Whatever the fuck Cradle of Filth are doing now"). Agrona embed their brand of symphonic Black Metal with a distinct air of Celtic spirituality. Its atmospheric, swirling and full of poise and purpose. There is also Necronautical, using a cinematic take on the generic to get really philosophical on our bottoms. And then we have probably the dark heart of British Black Metal, Manchester's very own Winterfylleth. They have replaced all the dubious satanic imagery with British paganism, creating anthemic odes to the rural identity that we have left long behind. They are both veterans and pioneers, tirelessly pushing forward the boundaries of what Black Metal is and putting a very British aesthetic on the genre. So if you like your Metal like I like my coffee (ie black) then there are some highlights from these very shores to be found.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Agrona, Necronautical, WinterfyllethComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 9. The Wildhearts
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 9. The Wildhearts

If the truth be told, The Wildhearts were deeply disappointing at diddy Download. The sound was dodgy and the pressure around the significance of the event got to the band, resulting in an early bath. What makes The Wildhearts such an incredibly exciting live act is their emotional vulnerability and volatility. Therefore it could have gone one of two ways, either Ginger could have hurtled into one of his "don’t need this shit phases" or they could regroup and come back all guns blazing. Thankfully it was the latter as The Wildhearts at Steelhouse were simply revelatory last week. They channelled every bit of the incendiary fire that has fuelled them for over thirty years and just absolutely nailed it. The Wildhearts may not have a track record in clutching victory from the jaws of defeat but in this case with their backs to the walls they pulled it out of the bag massively. So inexplicably the signs now look good for Bloodstock. They owned the place back in 2019 and after last weekend I would now not put it past them repeating the feat.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, The WildheartsComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 10. Raised By Owls, Lawnmower Deth, Slay Duggee, Evil Scarecrow
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 10. Raised By Owls, Lawnmower Deth, Slay Duggee, Evil Scarecrow

Bumper entry here as it essentially made sense to group the four parody or at least comedy acts together. Despite what the mainstream may think, Metal can and invariably does take the piss out of itself. In fact, all four of these acts have made a career out of it. What this isn't though is nod nod wink wink post modern irony. All four acts wear their love of this music on their sleeves, they are just having an immense amount of fun with it. So sing along to Raised By Owls pop culture absurdities on Wednesday, rejoice in Lawnmower Deth's all consuming audience participation on Thursday, chortle along with Slay Dugee's Death Metal versions of children's TV themes on Friday and then on Sunday get ready to scuttle left with Evil Scarecrow. More mirth than you can shake a stick at. Who says we don’t have a sense of humour?

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Raised By Owls, Lawnmower Deth, Evil Scarecrow, Slay DuggeeComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 11. Napalm Death
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 11. Napalm Death

Napalm Death have been in existence for forty years, forty years….. And they have still the last word in brutality and musical nihilism. They have become ubiquitous and are a genre of their very own. You don’t need to describe to anyone what they sound like, you just say Napalm Death and people know that you “chugga chugga, whoaaaoaaa!”. Hell, they are one of the few Metal bands that Glastonbury found palatable enough to invite to their exclusive indie party. But putting aside the cultural icon status, Napalm Death are still one of the most consistently brilliant bands we have here in the UK. Your Gran may well have heard of them (hell it is likely your Gran saw them in the eighties and staged dived to ‘Suffer The Children’) but they have not compromised in any way or form. They are still angry, they are still highly politically motivated and they still believe that they are on a singular mission to tell us that the World has gone to pot. Napalm Death may well now be godfathers of the scene but they are no nostalgia act trading on past glories. Napalm Death are about the here and now. The Sophie tent isn’t going to know what has hit it.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Napalm DeathComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 12. Acid Reign
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 12. Acid Reign

One of the things that Thrash brought when it crashed the Metal party back in the mid eighties was the fun. Metal, at that point, was taking itself far too seriously. It had believed it's own hype about being a relevant art form and had lost its ability to laugh at itself. Thrash changed all that. It was infantile, self deprecating and lacked any airs and graces. Acid Reign were the UK resident class jokers. They viewed the whole thing as one big lark and my abundant memory of them at the time was that they all had permanent smirks on their faces, like they couldn't quite believe that they were being paid to muck about and play music.

As with many many others the 90's were less kind . The mood changed and nobody wanted Thrash's slogans, shouting and shorts anymore. Like nearly every other British Thrash band Acid Reign folded and the respective went back to day jobs. But we all know the drill. In 2015 vocalist (and stand up comedian) H tried and failed to get the original line back together (the responsibilities of real life sadly got in the way). Unperturbed he had came up with a cunning plan and "rebooted" the band with himself and four new members. The Acid Reign that will crash around the Ronnie James Dio stage and genuinely cause chaos may not be the same geezers as back then, but god do they share the same DNA. It will be fun, frantic, shambolic and utterly wonderful. Just like Thrash should be.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Acid ReignComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 13. Paradise Lost
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 13. Paradise Lost

Since their inception back in 1988, Paradise Lost have taken on every convincible genre. They have done electronica, doom, death, goth and traditional Heavy Metal on their musical journey. They have never been afraid to continually develop and evolve. Iin direct contrast to other bands trajectories they have in the dotage got faster, heavier and nastier. Over the last thirty three years of gloom and roll they have never bothered the mainstream, they have instead become the cultist of all cult bands, worshipped by a devout fevered following and ignored by the rest. Whilst Covid has meant they are yet to tour their new album, “Obsidian” (a fantastic frolic through the bands many musical phases), they have chosen instead to uphold their pledge to play “Draconian Times” in full at this year’s Bloodstock to mark its twenty fifth (ish) anniversary. “Draconian Times” is probably one of the greatest albums that you have never heard of. It is Paradise Lost’s masterpiece. A majestic collusion of Metal and goth, released long before splicing those genres became an everyday occurrence. “Hetfield sings songs from ‘First, last and Always’” was how it was described at the time and twenty-six years later that description still holds water. Nick Holmes’ melodic growl, deep and baritone but full of emotion, drives the album and provides it with its distinct tone. It is a wonderfully evocative and heartfelt record that balances beautifully the anthemic with the forlorn. Forty eight minutes and fifty nine seconds of utter wonderfulness. This is only happening at Bloodstock, this is special, this is something not to be missed. So don’t.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Paradise LostComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 14. Venom Prison
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown : 30 Bands not to Miss : 14. Venom Prison

Now this is mind blowing! Venom Prison, young plucky Venom Prison are fourth from top on the Ronnie James Dio stage at Bloodstock. This means Venom Prison will stroll out to a huge crowd just waiting to be impressed. That crowd ain't going to know what has hit them. Venom Prison are by far and away the finest young Death Metal band in the UK. Whilst they are first and foremost a Death Metal outfit, there is a very much hardcore mentality to how they present and conduct themselves. There is no posturing, masculine bullshit or facades of being "dangerous geezers". Venom Prison are true to who they are and that authenticity just pours out. They are unapologetically political and driven to talk about the issue that matter to them (rather than the usual gore for gore's sake). Basically, Venom Prison look you in the eye, steadfastly refuse to conform to any of Death Metal's many stereotypes and demand you accept them on their terms, their terms only. Friday at Bloodstock will be the moment they step up to the big league. Make sure you are there. It's going to be emotional!

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBloodstock 2021 Countdown, Venom PrisonComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 15. Tortured Demon
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 15. Tortured Demon

What were you doing in your mid-teens? I was playing dungeons and dragons, listening to Marillion and categorically not having sex. If you want to feel like you wasted your teens then go see Tortured Demon on the Jager stage on Thursday. They are young, very young (14-16). They make Alien Weaponary look like they need bath chairs and Werther's Original. Hailing from Oldham and consisting of the Parkinson brothers and school friend Freddie Meadon, They are overflowing with potential. Their debut “In Desperation’s Grip” emerged earlier this year and was a potent mix of thrash riffs and metalcore-esque song structures. They over arching feeling is one of portent, if they are doing this what the hell are they capable of when they reach their early twenties. So if you want to have a "I was there when!" story up your sleeve, the Jagermeister stage, thursday afternoon will be the place to be!

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Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 16. Luna's Call
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 16. Luna's Call

I still marvel at the fact that prog is more popular now than it ever was in its seventies heyday. Luna's Call are another example of young whippersnappers who have embraced a genre which was viewed as irrelevant and antiquated long before they were born. Their's is a warm and immersive form of prog, surgically attached to searing thrash guitarists. It shouldn't work, it really shouldn't but god is it a wonderful melting pot of contrasting tones and clashing styles. If anyone tells you there is nothing more to do with prog, point them in the direction of Luna's Call, they will thank you.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasLuna's Call, Bloodstock 2021 CountdownComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 17. Gloryhammer
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 17. Gloryhammer

All hail the masters of power Metal. From the same DNA as pirate Metal supremos Alestorm, Gloryhammer share the same mixture of absurdity and fucking great tunes. They glory (pun very much intended) in the utter ridiculousness of power Metal. It is all space unicorns, time travelling wizards and masterful keyboard flourishes. Their tongue is not just in their cheek, it has traversed their entire body and is now sticking out of their bottoms. The saving grace is the songs. As with their mothership Alestorm, they know how to cultivate a chorus that claims squatters rights in your brain. So switch off your minds and get ready to giggle and boogie. The Chaos Wizards have awoken and are about to claim Catton Hall as their own.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasGloryhammer, Bloodstock 2021 CountdownComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 18. king Goat
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 18. king Goat

You will not hear a finer set of vocals cords all weekend than the baritone brilliance of King Goat’s hooded frontman Anthony Trimmings. He has a deep rumbling but entrancingly melodic voice that treads the fine line between booming and bewitching. His luscious tones are the perfect accompaniment to King Goat’s singular take on doom. Essentially, this is the bastard offspring of Black Sabbath and Hawkwind. Theirs’ is a stripped back and strikingly simple reimagining of slow, pendulous Metal but peppered with almost trance like prog. Their most recent offering, “Debt of Aeons” was a minimalistic tour de force of soaring vocals of understated riffs. Live, they promise an almost ceremonial experience. So, escape the bright sunshine (here’s hoping) of the outside world and travel into the dark of the cavernous Sophie Lancaster stage for a journey into the magical recesses of Doom. As Vinnie Jones (almost) once said “It’s going to be Emotional”.

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasKing Goat, Bloodstock 2021 CountdownComment
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 19. Orange Goblin
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 19. Orange Goblin

Bloodstock is a hive of Metal’s many varied and wonderful genres. Slam, death, black, thrash, power, doom; Metal has more branches than the post-Loki MCU timeline (SPOILER). But if you want pure meat and potato, no frill Heavy bloody Metal then you cannot go far wrong than Orange Goblin. For twenty-six years they have ploughed an unwavering furrow. Fads have come and fads have gone, and Orange Goblin have continued playing Heavy bloody Metal. There is no deviation from the core ingredient of driving pounding riffs. So if you are bored by all the variation and confused by all the fancy genre clashes, then Orange Goblin will be your god send. No gimmicks, no fusion, no mash ups. Just beautiful pure Heavy bloody Metal.

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Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 20. Black Spiders
Bloodstock 2021 Countdown - 30 Bands Not To Miss : 20. Black Spiders

Black Spiders were giving blues driven heavy rock a modern twist long long, before any of current flare wearing reprobates decided that there was a bandwagon to jump on. They were well ahead of current classic rock zeitgeist and called it a day in 2016, just as the brand of energetic heavy rock that they had tirelessly flogged suddenly became the flavour of the month. Five years later, rejuvenated and reenergised they are back to claim their crown as the best darn modern rock act out there. Playing just before Judas Priest take the stage (and literally straight after Saxon) is a formidable and daunting task but it is one that Black Spiders will that take on with relish. So please do give up your coveted slot in-front of the main as soon as the last notes of Denim and Leather fade out and race over to the Sophie Stage as the Black Spiders’ first Bloodstock show in eleven years will be a beautiful thing. Heavy, raucous, emotional and just so so so much fun. Miss it at your peril…

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Bloodstock 2021Author : Stewart LucasBlack Spiders, Bloodstock 2021 Countdown, 2021Comment