Bloodstock Open Air, the UK’s premier annual metal festival, returns 6 to 9 August. Celebrating 25 years since its inception, and going from strength to strength, each year the festival organisers really pull out all the stops. This year is no different. Selling out in record time, fans who were lucky enough to grab their tickets are in for a mammoth weekend of heavy metal madness. From huge headliners on the Ronnie James Dio Stage, hidden gems early in the morning, underground greats on the Sophie Lancaster Stage and always a champion of new music on the New Blood Stage, there is truly something for everyone.
Thursday
For the first time ever, Bloodstock is opening the Ronnie James Dio Stage on Thursday evening. Alongside the Sophie Lancaster Stage we will have more music than ever on the opening night. Here is what to expect.
Ronnie James Dio Stage
Saxon
It feels quite fitting that the first headline band of the inaugural Bloodstock festival back in 2001 is the first headliner for the 25th iteration of the festival. Coming off a very strong previous album, Hellfire and Damnation in 2024, and a new album on the horizon, Saxon show no signs of slowing down, which is phenomenal considering they are a band always on the road and the members are all pushing up the average age of the festival. Biff Byford’s vocal prowess has stood the test of time, with ‘Wheels of Steel’, ‘Princess of the Night’ and ‘747 (Strangers in the Night)’ all bona fide classics. Expect huge singalongs and plenty of nostalgia from one of Britain’s best heavy metal bands.
Evil Scarecrow
Developing a cult like following over the years, Evil Scarecrow have grown into something almost bigger than themselves. This is a band that has grown through hard work and word of mouth. A band who don’t take themselves too seriously. From homemade props to DIY stage design, this is a band about one thing… having fun.
Heavysaurus
Anyone who has been to Bloodstock before is aware of the connection between Bloodstock and dinosaurs. This is the logical next step, a dinosaur metal band. Heavysaurus (three dinosaurs and a dragon) mainly focus on getting kids involved with metal, though this doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too. This should be a great way to open the Ronnie James Dio Stage with general silliness. Who doesn’t want to see a dinosaur mosh pit to a dinosaur metal band? I certainly do.
Sophie Lancaster Stage
Cryptopsy
Canadian tech death stalwarts headline the Sophie Lancaster Stage, celebrating 30 years of None So Vile by playing the album in its entirety. ‘Phobophile’, ‘Slit Your Guts’ and ‘Crown of Horns’ will get the Sophie tent bulging for an early party on Thursday night.
Black Spiders
These Yorkshire lads return to Bloodstock after a couple of years away, bringing their hard rocking, no nonsense rock and roll back to Catton Hall. Kick back with a beer and enjoy.
Mantis Defeats Jaguar
Returning to Bloodstock after impressing on the New Blood Stage last year, Mantis Defeats Jaguar mix hip hop, funk and elements of nu metal, creating slow burn but bouncy songs you will want to move to.
Friday
Ronnie James Dio Stage
Lamb of God
If there is one thing Friday night headliners Lamb of God will not do, it is pull any punches. Welcoming in the weekend with a foot to the throat, these Virginians are no strangers to headlining the festival, doing so in both 2013 and 2023. Lamb of God have been around long enough that most people know what to expect from their shows. Fast, heavy, technical riffs, crushing breakdowns and a wild, rabid crowd. It surely will be a spectacle. With it being nearly 20 years since the release of Sacrament (the album that got me into LoG), will we be treated to any surprises? Deep cuts? The entire album? I would find it hard to believe they don’t acknowledge it in some way.
Sepultura
This is it. The last chance to see Sepultura on British soil. Celebrating a 40 year reign, this is a band everyone will want, no, need to see before it’s too late. Expect a set filled with classics from the whole back catalogue and, if their previous festival stops this year have been any indication, some surprise guests during ‘Kaiowas’. This will be emotional, not necessarily sad, more celebratory, and by all accounts will be a fantastic send off to a legendary band.
Municipal Waste
Have you brought your inflatable pizza? Well, you will be the odd one out. Party thrashers Municipal Waste know how to have a good time. If you have seen them before, you know. Beer will fly. People will crowd surf on inflatables. What’s not to like. Municipal Waste are gonna fuck you up.
Biohazard
Brooklyn hardcore unit Biohazard return with their classic line up to pummel the main stage into oblivion with their pioneering mix of hardcore punk, heavy metal and hip hop. Expect ‘Punishment’ to do exactly that.
Fit for an Autopsy
New Jersey deathcore giants Fit for an Autopsy bring a slightly more melodic style of deathcore, but that by no means makes them any less intense. Fit for an Autopsy manage to create huge atmospheric build ups into crushing breakdowns. Look for fan favourites ‘Heads Will Hang’ and ‘The Sea of Tragic Beasts’ to be standouts.
Skynd
A band with possibly the darkest lyrical content around. Skynd bring an industrial, electronic take on true crime, in particular gruesome murders. A vocal style combining spoken word with conventional singing brings a haunting, ethereal experience.
Party Cannon
Looking at their logo and their name, you could easily be mistaken for thinking this is more of a party punk band (I did). You couldn’t be further from the truth (well, the party bit is right). These Scots bring the fun with their own brand of slam/death metal, ‘Party Slam’. Another band to bring your inflatables to, or just get down in the push up pit. Whatever floats your boat. Just remember to bring your party shoes.
Battlesnake
What better way to kick away last night’s hangover than with some batshit bonkers Aussies. Hard rocking with unique themes of fantasy and sci fi, their stories will take you on a weird and bizarre musical journey that I’m not sure you wanted to be on in the first place. Either way, you’re in for a hell of a ride.
Sophie Lancaster Stage
Wednesday 13
Think Misfits mixed with Alice Cooper and Kiss, and you have Wednesday 13. Over the top horror punk combined with glam and plenty of tongue in cheek B movie horror references. I can see Wednesday 13 pulling a big crowd for their headline set on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, as their cult like following always turn out. It will be like a darker and more twisted punk version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s only August but Halloween has come early.
Shining
Electro jazz metal. Yes, you read that right. Not normally three words that go together, but here we are. This Norwegian band started out as a jazz band and the structure of their music clearly represents this. Add in heavy industrial and electro elements and you get a whirlwind of sound. This is definitely a niche style of music that does work at times. Check them out and see for yourselves.
Neckbreakker
Another band who got their Bloodstock start on the New Blood Stage, Danish death metal upstarts Neckbreakker are back, this time on the Sophie Lancaster Stage. A mix of classic death metal with modern styling, this should be a band to watch if you like your music heavy.
Seething Akira
This nu core six piece from Portsmouth have been garnering a lot of praise for their live shows. Combining elements of multiple genres, think crunchy breakdowns, a soaring electronic backbone, catchy riffs and heartfelt lyrics, all giving a unique take on the genre. The dual vocals of Charlie Bowes and Kit Conrad strike a fine balance of gritty power and delicate harmony.
Excrementory Grindfuckers
With a name like Excrementory Grindfuckers you would expect a brutal, serious band. Brutal, yes. Serious, no. These wacky Germans have been messing around with heavy music for 20 years now. Starting out with satirical grindcore covers, moving on to writing their own music, one thing has remained the same. Life is too short to be serious. If you need a bit of silliness on a Friday afternoon, you know where to go.
Hidden Intent
Australian thrashers Hidden Intent return to Bloodstock, bringing back thrash metal (not that it went away). Keeping thrash alive, this trio take inspiration from the pinnacle thrash movements of the 1980s. Heavily influenced by the Bay Area and Teutonic scenes, Hidden Intent have carved out a modern thrash masterclass while paying homage to the past. Give those necks a stretch before heading into the tent. You will thank me tomorrow.
Sellsword
If you haven’t had your fill of power metal, then get yourself to the Sophie Lancaster Stage on Saturday afternoon for Sellsword. Their unique ‘mercenary metal’ provides ample fist pumping, headbanging medieval madness which makes you want to follow them into battle. Their shows, or ‘sieges’, are full of energy, with a lot of work going into their set design. Medieval banners adorn the stage, with their mic stand being an actual sword. There are also rumours of a trebuchet.
Hammer
Few bands have a name that is so apt for their sound and style of music. Hammer are one of them. The first time you hear them it is like being hit with one. This Scottish lot pull no punches, delivering a sonic brutality that is as technical as it is heavy. A modern metal powerhouse with only one way to go. UP.
Blood Countess
Ready for some black metal storytelling? Inspired by the second wave of black metal, Blood Countess draw their lyrical and musical inspiration from Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess. Their debut album Occulta Tenebris takes you on a blood spattered voyage through the murders of the countess in all their gory details. Would you expect anything less?
Gurt
If you are still feeling a bit sleepy on Friday morning, get yourself down to the Sophie Lancaster Stage and Gurt will wake you right up. Combining the swampy sludge of Louisiana with the bluesy doom of Birmingham and a smattering of hardcore elements, Gurt are a DIY band through and through and will leave everything on the stage. This London crew will leave your ears ringing and your body wanting more. If there is one band to get up early for, this is the one.
EMP Stage
Vanitas
A cinematic, powerful symphonic sound layered with heavy progressive metal gives this Birmingham based band a huge presence that will overwhelm the EMP Stage. Their inspiration from anime, gaming and fantasy is strong within their music and would not be out of place in an RPG video game.
Soulride
A Polish group who now live in Coventry, Soulride combine traditional elements of heavy metal and thrash with a modern rock twist, alongside soaring harmonies not too dissimilar from power metal.
After Smoke Clears
A modern metalcore band with an unrelenting ferocity. Dipping their toes into technical metal too, this underground UK band has a little something for everyone who likes their music heavy.
Change Persona
A rock inspired punk band with plenty of bounce, big hooks and singalongs. For fans of Rise Against and Foo Fighters.
Saturday
Ronnie James Dio Stage
Slaughter to Prevail
This is about as controversial as it gets. As soon as Slaughter to Prevail were announced as the Saturday night headliners, a lot of people pushed back and did not like it. Talk about Bloodstock taking a chance. However, following a strong run of headline shows back in January, StP have shown they have the musical muscle to headline a festival like this regardless of controversy. Expect a large stage show, unparalleled vocals in terms of sheer power and noise, huge mosh pits and walls of death. It will be interesting to see if people do choose not to watch them. Either way, it will be a show to be remembered.
Bleed From Within
Glasgow band Bleed From Within have gone from strength to strength over the years. Anyone who has seen this band play, especially as a support act, can attest to how much of the crowd is there to see them, which makes them almost a co-headline act. That is shown this weekend by having them second from the top. Moving away from their early deathcore sound, Bleed From Within have a much more polished metalcore sound, with dual clean and growled vocals creating perfectly balanced harmonies and crushing heaviness, all underlined with heavy groove. The breakdowns are still there and have become almost a trademark sound.
Nevermore
A band a lot of people thought they would never see on stage again due to personal differences. Last year put a stop to those thoughts when it was announced that Nevermore were reforming. A true musician’s band. Over the years Nevermore have had some of the best musicians out there, and while not all original members are back, you know the members who have joined are at the top of their game. With a sound that traverses genres, expect a heavy dose of technical prowess and power. With Jeff Loomis and Van Williams back at the helm, who knows what is next for Nevermore.
Northlane
A band that wouldn’t be out of place on the dance floor. Northlane take a heavy electronic and industrial base and layer it with a truly modern take on metalcore. The Australian quintet traverse a fine line between EDM and metal, with some tracks leaning more towards one style and others the other. Combine this with growled aggressive vocals, vulnerable and emotive clean passages and crushing breakdowns, and you get a truly unique sound in its own sphere.
Vended
Normally it is hard for the kids of famous musicians to step out of their parents’ shadows and forge their own path without detractors pointing out they are only where they are because of who their parents are. Vended have broken through this and carved out their own path. While there are parts where you can hear the influence of Griffin Taylor and Simon Crahan’s fathers (Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan of Slipknot respectively), the sheer intensity of their live performance is staggering. Leaving everything on the stage, there is a raw aggression to their performance and music that needs to be seen. Catch these lot before they blow up, which undoubtedly feels imminent.
Urne
This London based trio have spent the last few years building a solid and reputable foundation, and now they are starting to reap the benefits. They have a huge sound that ranges from fast, heavy metalcore to slower, grander, more intense passages, striking a complementary balance all while carrying a sludgy undercurrent. While Urne’s sound is often compared to Mastodon and Gojira, they still manage to find their own voice within the comparisons, and have even had help from both bands on their upcoming music.
The Scratch
Dublin based band The Scratch bring their fusion of traditional Irish music and heavy metal. This unique genre blending has a bit of everything, with folk, punk and metal styles perfectly balanced, not one overshadowing the other. Some bands who incorporate traditional or folk influences lean too far into it, letting it take over their identity and getting pigeonholed for it. The Scratch have a respect and seriousness for their traditional roots, but at the same time bring a fantastic energy that will make you want to dance and move. Their music is infectious, and it is easy to lose yourself in the moment, dancing your way through their set. Even if you weren’t planning to.
Imperial Age
Russian-English symphonic power metal act Imperial Age have been slowly taking the symphonic world by storm. Like a lot of symphonic metal bands, the dual vocals of Alexander “Aor” Osipov and Jane “Corn” Odintsova take centre stage, showing the prowess and power with which they deliver their operatic lyrics. A focus on prehistoric advanced civilisations, mainly Atlantis, gives Imperial Age a more grounded and less fantasy approach to their epic songs.
Inhuman Nature
London based crossover thrashers Inhuman Nature are a band who will get the blood flowing early on a Saturday morning. Opening the Ronnie James Dio Stage, early risers will be bombarded with blistering riffs, chugging grooves and infectious choruses. Fists raised and heads banging, it is the perfect start to a Saturday.
Sophie Lancaster Stage
Leprous
After gaining recognition as Ihsahn’s live backing band, Leprous have carved out their own path, becoming a well-known and respected act. Although mainly a progressive metal band, Leprous do not allow themselves to be categorised by genre. By combining progressive rock, extreme metal, avant-garde experimentation and orchestral layers, Leprous stand alone as progressive pioneers. For fans of Opeth, Arcturus and Porcupine Tree.
Sanguisugabogg
A band with a name as hard to say as their logo is to read. Sanguisugabogg are a band where you know what you are getting: death metal that is going to punch you right in the face. Known for their crude and grotesque style, Sanguisugabogg often mix dark humour and parodied death metal tropes into their music. There is nothing fancy about it, but it is somewhat captivating all the same, the heaviness, the brutality. The whole experience feels like your bones are being ground down sonically.
Death Angel
A classic Bay Area thrash band known for fast, technical, aggressive riffs, blistering tempos and complex arrangements. This is a band who could have easily stood tall with the big four if a devastating bus crash hadn’t forced them to disband. Reforming in 2001 and releasing some of their best work, Death Angel reignited their early form as a thrash powerhouse. Get ready for razor-sharp riffs, vigorous tempos and unmatched energy.
Stampin Ground
British metallic hardcore outfit Stampin Ground bring you a no-nonsense hardcore base and blend it with thrash elements and extreme metal vocals. Blistering pace and crushing sludgy elements contrast within songs to give a great balance. There will be plenty of movement down the front of the Sophie stage for this musical onslaught.
Viking Skull
Bluesy, stoner, hard rocking Viking Skull are here with a bottle of whiskey and a motorcycle. Heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, this beer drenched band started off life as an offshoot from Raging Speedhorn and have now taken on their own approach. Think of them as a drunker, rougher, grittier, long lost British brother of Clutch.
Bound In Fear
A four-piece British deathcore band from Surrey. A technical brutality awaits all who set foot in the Sophie Lancaster Stage. Debut album Regicide and 2019’s follow up The Hand of Violence are zealously violent, lyrically bleak and musically crushing.
Imperium
A modern thrash band who previously won London’s Metal 2 the Masses. Imperium return to Bloodstock bringing their tight, razor-sharp riffs, driving grooves and gritty vocals. They pay homage to the thrash of the past all while carving out their own style and sound.
Outergods
Nottingham based extreme metal band Outergods have been described as “an obliteration of the senses”, which is fitting, as their blend of black and death metal with smatterings of grindcore feels like a sonic attack. Their debut album, A Kingdom Built on the Wreckage of Heaven, has a sinister concept of personal hell, dark fantasy and Lovecraftian elements.
Froglord
Emerging from the murky swamps of Bristol, Froglord bring a stoner, sludgy and doom offering mixed with a heavy dose of psychedelic sounds. The whole direction of the band is based on an ancient amphibian with death ray vision and ectoplasmic slime returning to this world. Take from that what you will, but the music is very good.
EMP Stage
Dosed
A hardcore thrash band with extreme elements from south Wales, making waves on the underground hardcore and metal scenes. With one EP, Jawbreaker, under their belt and another on the way, Dosed are on an unrelenting touring cycle. Go see them and support the underground.
Troll Mother
This power sludge duo from the south of England weave a sonic tale of love, war and all things troll. Expect some weird and wacky troll-based shenanigans.
Tempest Saint
Bringing a classic take on heavy metal, Tempest Saint are flying the flag for trad-metal. With killer riffs, soaring vocal harmonies and catchy songs, it is like travelling back in time.
Cancel the Transmission
Another band bringing back classic hard rock with a modern twist. Hailing from Wales, Cancel the Transmission have a big sound with heavy blues inspired guitar work, big hooks and big singalong choruses. Straight to the point rock and roll.
Goat Major
Welsh occult doom metal band Goat Major have been inspired by the ancient monuments and Celtic traditions of their hometown of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, and the castle that dominates the town. With a heavily distorted guitar sound that harks back to the doom bands of the 1970s alongside dark lyrical content, this Welsh trio are summoning the dark with their music.
Sunday
The final day of Bloodstock’s mammoth 25th anniversary continues at full steam. There is no let-up with the bands.
Ronnie James Dio Stage
Judas Priest
The mighty Judas Priest close out the festival, headlining Sunday night on the Ronnie James Dio Stage. Need I say more, it’s Judas Fucking Priest! Telling you to go watch them is similar advice to “don’t take a toaster in the bath”. It is just common sense. In all seriousness, Priest are still at the top of their game. Having seen them last year, I can attest that Rob Halford and co are still firing on all cylinders, with songs sounding as good as ever. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to see Halford come on stage with his motorbike, or sing along to ‘Breaking the Law’. How many years have Priest got left in them? Who knows. One thing I do know, this will be a festival ending set you don’t want to miss.
Body Count
If you poll most Bloodstockers about which band they want to see play at Bloodstock, the overwhelming response would be Body Count. The amount of celebration when Body Count were announced should be enough to tell you to check out their set, because you know the crowd is going to be rabid as hell. Fronted by rapper Ice-T, people assume Body Count will be more rap and hip-hop orientated. This is not the case. Body Count are a metal band first and foremost, as shown by their cover of ‘Raining Blood’, which appears in most of their sets. ‘Talk Shit, Get Shot’ and ‘Cop Killer’ will have the same effect as a bomb being dropped on Catton Hall.
Black Label Society
In a weekend full of legendary performers, another graces the grounds of Catton Hall. Zakk Wylde brings Black Label Society to Bloodstock. Go to any metal festival and you will undoubtedly see a Black Label Society vest. Black Label Society’s bluesy heavy metal transcends most metrics, age, genre and race, and will pull a huge crowd. A proper musician’s band. The only question… how long will Zakk Wylde’s solo be?
Testament
More thrash metal royalty to grace the Ronnie James Dio Stage. Coming off the very successful release of Para Bellum last year, which saw the band’s continued evolution with more extreme metal influences, Testament are showing no signs of slowing down despite being on the go for over 40 years. The hulking Chuck Billy still commands the stage like he did all those years ago, and the music and live shows are still as aggressive, the solos still crisp and the sound still loud.
Orbit Culture
Orbit Culture burst onto the scene in the UK a few years back, bringing their modern Scandinavian melodic death metal to the masses. Since then they have gone from strength to strength, supporting bigger bands and playing bigger venues. With a strong base in melodic death metal, Orbit Culture also incorporate groove and thrash elements to go alongside Niklas Karlsson’s signature vocals. Often compared in style to Metallica and Gojira, expect aggressive, riff-driven compositions and soaring melodic guitar lines that create dynamic contrast.
Kittie
Kittie have experienced a large resurgence of late, after taking a long hiatus. Having shaken off their early categorisation as a nu metal band, they had polished themselves into a true metal outfit before stepping away. Returning with a new album, Fire, in 2024 shows their ability to evolve over the years. With a balanced vocal attack of clean singing mixed with death metal style roars, down tuned guitars and aggressive riffs, Kittie are firmly back on the map.
Castle Rat
“Fantasy medieval doom metal”. There are many things that come to mind when you picture those words, and if I showed you a picture of Castle Rat as well, the two pair seamlessly. With a sound and visuals that wouldn’t be out of place in 1976 let alone 2026, Castle Rat take you on a magical journey, weaving their tales through their music. The Rat Queen is here to defend her realm from the Rat Reaperess. Alongside the Count, the plague doctor and the druid, she needs your help to defeat the evil at Catton Hall.
Graphic Nature
A relatively new band on the scene, Graphic Nature have released two albums to high praise. Bringing a modern metal sound, the band incorporate nu metal and metalcore with electronic elements to deliver a punishing sound. Lyrically the band focus on mental health topics and personal struggles, which produces an emotive delivery that really connects with their fans.
Bootyard Bandits
UK based Bootyard Bandits bring a heavy slab of Americana to stages everywhere. Very infectious cowboy inspired music that draws heavy comparisons to Black Stone Cherry with the humour of Steel Panther. Songs such as ‘Sirt Potatoes’, ‘Let’s Rodeo’ and ‘Hoedown Showdown’ will get you dusting off your cowboy boots for some line dancing.
Sophie Lancaster Stage
Carpenter Brut
Closing out the festival with the headline slot on the Sophie Lancaster Stage is the best possible place for an artist like Carpenter Brut. Known as a “rave for metalheads”, the French darksynth musician fuses 1980s style synths with metal intensity and horror atmospheres. Carpenter Brut live is a completely different animal to the studio. Bringing a live band to play alongside the synths gives a totally different feel. It hits so much harder. I know this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I would still recommend checking them out to make up your own mind.
200 Stab Wounds
A hefty slab of gore filled death metal. 200 Stab Wounds are building a solid reputation as one of the better modern death metal bands out there. They combine classic North American death metal with some thrashier undertows, which leads to some dramatic tempo changes from blistering speed to bone crunching breakdowns. ‘Fatal Reality’ has some awesome thrash inspired riffs and killer grooves between blast beats, whereas ‘Hands of Eternity’ brings a slow building evil intro before crushing into the song. If you are a fan of death metal, this is a band not to miss.
Mushroomhead
A band known for their masks and stage shows, Mushroomhead have long been taking people on a sonic and visual journey with their music. Best described as alternative and industrial metal, the band use lots of different sounds and genres to achieve a quite unique sound that can vary from album to album. Taking inspiration from Mr Bungle, Faith No More and Pantera leads to a melting pot of sounds. The latest version of Mushroomhead’s lineup features the dual vocals of Jackie LaPonza and Steve Rauckhorst, which gives a Jekyll and Hyde vocal attack.
Dream State
Dream State are an alternative rock band from south Wales. You could describe them as post-hardcore, but this Welsh quintet throw in elements of metal, punk and math rock. Adding to their sound, the band heavily use electronic elements to give a heavy EDM feel at times.
Thrown into Exile
Making the long trip from Los Angeles, California, Thrown into Exile bring a modern groove orientated style to Bloodstock. They have built a reputation for combining crushing heaviness with soaring melodies. Blending groove, death and melodic metal with lyrical themes of pain, despair and loss creates an emotionally charged kick in the teeth.
Noisepicker
Loud, abrasive and in constant flux. Influenced by doom, blues and punk, this duo are ready to make your ears bleed with sheer noise. Noisepicker are Harry Armstrong and Kieran Murphy, the former playing bass in Orange Goblin, bringing the heavy stoner undertone that you would expect.
Trivax
Coming from the unlikely place of Iran, Trivax risked it all to play extreme metal. This trio mix black metal with Middle Eastern themes to give a truly unique take on extreme music. Their latest album, The Great Satan, was well received as a spit in the face of oppression and the control of freedom.
Alunah
Hailing from Birmingham, it is no surprise Alunah have a penchant for all things doom and heavy. Soaring vocals ride over the top of a heavy, fuzzy guitar tone to provide one hell of a sound, sprinkled with a smattering of stoner influence and psych rock. This is a band best suited to playing in a tent, so the music can reverberate around and envelope you.
Flayed Disciple
Death and thrash metal, what’s not to like. Flayed Disciple merge these two genres together to provide a relentless and intense assault on your senses. Full of crushing grooves and growled intent, Flayed Disciple are going to melt your face off.
Acid Throne
Are you ready to be pulverised by heaviness? Acid Throne, from Norwich, are a doom band that will bludgeon you with their music. Adding in elements of stoner, they have established themselves as one of the heaviest doom bands out there. Opening the Sophie Lancaster Stage, you will need to get yourself up early for this one, as if Desertfest is anything to go by there will be a big crowd.
EMP Stage
Aethoria
Hard rock five piece from Suffolk. Gritty riffs and soaring vocals create a heavy, atmospheric and anthemic sound that fills your ears. Music that is full of catchy melodies and brimming with hooks, Aethoria are a band that you feel yourself being drawn towards.
The Cartoon Cartel
A power trio originally from Bexley, London. Heavy, low-tuned groove that has a slight garage influence. This is a relatively new band, but each member is a seasoned and well renowned musician. If you like your music big and loud with a load of sludge, this is the band for you.
Following the Signs
Hailing from Cork, Ireland, this quintet offer a modern metal masterclass. Combining elements of progressive and groove metal, Following the Signs have been carving out their own identity since releasing their first album, Conflictions, in 2023.
Wrex
Brighton born duo Wrex blend a mix of punk, alternative rock and electronic to deliver heavy hitting, charged music. Switching between spoken and sung lyrics gives a huge feel to their music, with almost ethereal qualities.
Stitched
A heavy hardcore band from the Black Country. A heavy low-end sound with unbelievably heavy breakdowns combine to give Stitched an in-your-face aggressive sound.
