Bloodstock the Derby based metal festival has solidified itself into the Consciousness of the British metal scene this past eight years and has proven to be a succesful formula, so much so that we have seen a plethora of imitaters spring up. In 2005 Bloodstock started an Open Air Bloodstock as against the 'indoor' version which first established the name.

And each year the bands get bigger and better while the best of the new are also showcased, last year illuminatus (debut album review) scored some points and this year it is going to be Anterior (debut album review) the Welsh metal merchants who have the backing of one of the giants of metal labels behind them Metal Blade.

On the unsigned stage are Sanctorum (debut album review) who like illuminatus prefer to go it alone and retain musical control.


MAIN STAGE

EUROPE, CARCASS, ARCH ENEMY, BLIND GUARDIAN, CRADLE OF FILTH, SATYRICON, APOCALYPTICA, AMON AMARTH, SAXON, KREATOR, SODOM, MOONSPELL, KATATONIA, ENLSAVED, TURISAS, MUNICIPAL WASTE, CANDLEMASS, ANATHEMA, DIE APOKALYTISCHEN REITER, ENTOMBED, EQUILIBRIUM, INSOMNIUM, THE HAUNTED, GIRLSCHOOL, WOLF, SABATON, BLITZKRIEG, BATTLELORE, MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, BEHOLDER, UNCLE ROTTER .

SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

PYTHIA, CELESTY, EDENS CURSE, ARTHEMIS, THE ROTTED, TRIBE, GODSIZED, AGBOTT, ANTERIOR, XERATH, MALEFICE, DARKNESS DYNAMITE .

BLOODSTOCK UNSIGNED STAGE

VENTFLOW, BISON HAMMER, BLOODSHOT DAWN, LEFT TO BLEED, DIVINE CHAOS, SNAKEBITE, ALTERNATIVE CARPARK, BLUINDFOLD ASIDE, GODS OF HELLFIRE, GREEN RIVER PROJECT, VALLENBROSA, THEY WILL RISE, NEFARIOUS, SWITCHBLADE SCREAM, NIYAH SKY, INTERNAL CONFLICT, SANCTORUM, INNER EDEN, OMT, SOLSIKK, SEVERED HEAVEN, RANDOM CONFLICT, EIBON LA FURIES, AGONYST, ANNWN, TRIAXIS, PRIMITUVE GRAVEN IMAGE, SOWER, BIOMORTAL, NIGHTMARE WORLD, INTO THE WOODS, NYA, HUNTED .

For dates on which band is playing on what day... goto

Last year in 2008 we had the honour of Soulfly (review of Conquer) and As I Lay Dying (review of An Ocean Between Us & Live review with photos plus interview). Rock3 has had a long association with Bloodstock, we were even there in 2002 promoting the brand and long may it live!