Bloodstock has announced the champions of the grassroots Metal 2 The Masses finals, spanning from the furthest reaches of Somerset to the metal hotbeds of Poland. Here’s a breakdown of the bands playing the Timothy Taylor New Blood stage.
Alt-Metal & Progressive
- tealdeer (Playing Friday, Nottingham Winners): Get ready for reality to bend. This Nottingham outfit mashes up alt-metal with unpredictable flair, drawing influences from System of a Down and Dance Gavin Dance, infused with horror film vibes and carnival chaos. Keep an eye out for masked guitarist ODM (Ominous Deer Man)!
- OCEAN PLANET (Playing Sunday, Oxford Winners): Brace yourself for a technical and progressive metalcore onslaught. Hailing from Oxford, Ocean Planet promises a complex yet crushing experience to wrap up your festival weekend.
Speed, Thrash & Classic Heavy
- RASCAL (Playing Friday, Poland Winners): From Poland, these speed metal merchants deliver lightning-fast twin leads. Expect a relentless barrage soaked in classic heavy and thrash energy that’s sure to ignite the pit.
Glam, Rock ‘n’ Roll & “Rockcore”
- BACKSEAT JULIET (Playing Friday, Kettering Winners): Prepare for a glam-soaked rock ’n’ roll riot. Loud, wild, and gloriously over the top, these Kettering victors are here to entertain.
- RIZEN (Playing Sunday, Somerset Winners): Bringing pure, no-frills rock ’n’ roll energy from Somerset, RIZEN is all about raw power and good times.
- BAD EARTH (Playing Sunday, North Wales): Finishing the weekend with thunderous, no-nonsense “Rockcore” power, these North Wales stalwarts draw inspiration from legends like Motörhead, Clutch, and Baroness.
Deathcore & Brutal
- SYMBYOTE (Playing Saturday, London Winners): These deathcore bruisers promise a deep dive into darkness with undeniably crushing riffs.
- MECHROMORPH (Playing Saturday, Essex): Mechromorph brings savage deathcore brutality – and yes, expect the pig squeals!
Folk Metal & Atmospheric
- ADFEILION (Playing Saturday, Welsh Winners): Conjuring enchanted landscapes and ethereal vibes, these Welsh victors will transport you with their atmospheric folk metal.
- KOBA (Playing Sunday, East Anglia Winners): KOBA crafts dark, immersive post-metal soundscapes, perfect for those who like their heavy music with a profound, enveloping feel.
Hardcore & Punk
- HEAD DENT (Playing Saturday, Stoke Winners): Tearing it up with no-BS punk chaos, Head Dent smashed their way to victory in Stoke and are set to unleash their raw energy.
- HEADCOUNT (Playing Sunday, Hitchin Winners): This hardcore groove juggernaut from Hitchin will deliver a relentless, headbanging experience.
Genre-Bending Hybrids
- MANTIS DEFEATS JAGUAR (Playing Saturday, Birmingham): Prepare for a riotous fusion! Mantis Defeats Jaguar skillfully blends hip hop, metal, and funk into a truly unique and energetic style.
- UNNATURAL ORDER (Playing Saturday, Kent Winners): Slicing through the noise with razor-sharp djent and metalcore aggression, this Kent-based band promises a powerful and precise performance.
- RULED BY RAPTORS (Playing Sunday, Newcastle): Smashing genre lines with punk-metal post-hardcore force, Newcastle’s Ruled By Raptors are bringing a dynamic and intense sound. (And did we mention Sunday is dinosaur day?!)
Doom & Emotional
- ZEBULON (Playing Saturday, Norway): Zebulon offers slow-burning doom riffs, soaked in sulfur and fire, promising a heavy and immersive experience.
- PRODIGAL (Playing Saturday, Cheltenham Winners): Delivering soaring, emotional anthems, Prodigal will provide a powerful and moving performance.
BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 7th-10th August 2025.