11th August 2023

Friday was an important day at Bloodstock Festival. People dressed in pink to remember Sophie Lancaster, a woman who was tragically killed because of how she looked. Bloodstock honors her memory by wearing pink on this day.

During the festival, there was a special area called the Serpent’s Lair. One of its attractions was the bar, usually bustling with activity. There, I stumbled upon a fantastic stout called Tiramisu Pardus by Thornbridge Brewery. Although I couldn’t try all the beers available, I focused on stouts. Once I tasted Tiramisu Pardus, I was captivated. This delightful stout had rich flavors of coffee and cocoa and packed quite a punch at eight percent alcohol. Enjoying it for breakfast gave me a great start to the day.

As the day progressed, the Serpent’s Lair became livelier. People gathered to watch interviews with celebrities and enjoy performances by smaller bands. It was a vibrant place, buzzing with energy in the afternoon and evenings.

Witchsorrow

The opening act on the Ronnie Wood stage at Bloodstock was Witchsorrow, a band consisting of three members. Personally, I found their performance to be quite impressive, marking them as “not half bad.”

Witchsorrow is known for their doom metal sound, characterized by heavy, slow rhythms and dark, atmospheric melodies. Their music often explores themes of darkness, occultism, and despair. They’ve gained a following for their intense and captivating live performances, drawing in audiences with their powerful stage presence and evocative music.

At Bloodstock, Witchsorrow’s performance likely contributed to setting an intense and atmospheric tone for the festival, capturing the attention of attendees with their distinctive brand of metal music.

Wytch Hazel

The band Wytch Hazel is a heavy metal group from England that started in 2011. They performed on the Ronnie Woods stage. Instead of wearing typical black clothing associated with metal bands, they chose to dress in white. Their music focuses on religious themes and combines them with catchy rhythms that make people want to dance. Selina, myself, and the pink TV all agreed that they put on a great show and gave them a positive vote.

Hate

We remained at the venue to catch the performance of Hate, a renowned Polish death metal band with a rich history. Originating in 1990, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes over the years, contributing to their evolution. Their journey spans twelve full-length studio albums, culminating in their latest release, “Rugia,” in 2021.

Despite their significant contributions to the metal scene, their style didn’t entirely resonate with my personal taste. Consequently, I didn’t feel compelled to take notes or delve deeper into their performance. Nevertheless, Hate’s extensive legacy and enduring presence within the genre remain an influential aspect of the metal music landscape.

Gatecreeper

Due to a rescheduling, there was a change in the lineup, resulting in Gatecreeper taking the stage instead of Sacred Reich. Regrettably, I missed a significant portion of their performance due to a brief nap and a necessary restroom break—I blame the potent effects of the Tiramisu Pardris.

Gatecreeper, originating from Phoenix, is a prominent American death metal band known for their formidable sound and commanding stage presence. Though my experience was truncated, Gatecreeper’s reputation precedes them as a force in the metal scene, delivering intense and visceral performances that captivate audiences with their raw energy and uncompromising music.

Sacred Reich

The amps cranked up a notch as Sacred Reich took the stage after Gatecreeper’s bone-crushing performance. Phoenix erupted in a maelstrom of fists and mosh pits as the Arizona thrash veterans unleashed a blistering set of classic cuts. It was a potent reminder of Sacred Reich’s influence on the scene: their lightning-fast riffs, Phil Rind’s raspy vocals, and socially conscious lyrics that tackled everything from war and inequality to environmental destruction, still packed a punch after decades. The air crackled with nostalgia, but there was also excitement buzzing through the crowd. In 2019, after a 23-year hiatus, Sacred Reich released their triumphant comeback album, “Awakening,” proving that their fire still burned bright. This wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was a testament to the enduring power of their music and its ability to ignite a mosh pit and a message in equal measure. So, when Phil Rind belted out the final lines of “Ignorance,” it wasn’t just the end of a killer set, it was a reaffirmation of Sacred Reich’s place as true thrash metal titans, still relevant and roaring.

Square Wild

Eschewing the familiar crunch of Fit for an Autopsy on the main stage, we gravitated towards the pulse-pounding anticipation of the New Blood Stage. As its name implies, this haven pulsated with the raw energy of rising metal acts, each eager to shred and snarl their way into the hearts of seasoned headbangers and curious moshers alike.

It was here that we encountered Square Wild, a band crackling with the infectious enthusiasm of youth. Fronted by a powerhouse vocalist whose blonde mane whipped like a metal flag in the stage lights, they unleashed a sonic maelstrom of energetic rock music. Their sound was a potent cocktail, infusing bluesy swagger, funky grooves, and face-melting metal riffs into a sound that was unmistakably their own.

Square Wild’s music pulsed with a fierce defiance, each note a testament to the creative fire burning bright within them. It was a visceral experience, leaving the crowd exhilarated and hungry for more. With their electrifying performance on the New Blood Stage, Square Wild proved that they were a force to be reckoned with, poised to leave their mark on the metal landscape for years to come.

Heaven Shall Burn

As the sun basked the main stage, the crowd surged towards a sonic inferno brewing: German extreme metallers Heaven Shall Burn. Known for their blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and Marcus Bischoff’s potent growls, Heaven Shall Burn unleashed a set that scorched the earth beneath the mosh pit.

Circles of energy erupted spontaneously, a testament to the band’s electrifying performance. Amidst the flailing limbs and headbanging silhouettes, a curious detail stood out: a splash of pink among the sea of black leather and band tees. Sophie Lancaster’s spirit, in her signature color, pulsed through the crowd, proving that even amidst the mosh, her legacy of fighting for acceptance resonated powerfully.

Heaven Shall Burn, veterans of the scene since 1995, proved their dominance once again. With each searing guitar solo and bone-rattling breakdown, they wove a tapestry of social commentary and raw emotion. As the final notes faded and the dust settled, the feeling was undeniable: this was an afternoon drenched in both sun and the searing heat of heavy metal. It was a testament to the enduring power of music to bring us together, even in the most intense and cathartic of ways.

This revised text injects journalistic elements like band history, crowd details, and deeper meaning behind the pink attire, transforming it from a personal observation into a more engaging and informative account.

In Flames

Swedish metal giants ‘In Flames’ ignited the stage with an electrifying performance, showcasing their signature blend of melodic death metal to an ecstatic audience. Renowned for their innovative sound and impactful presence, the band took center stage at Bloodstock on [Friday evening, delivering an unforgettable experience for fans.

Formed in Gothenburg in 1990, ‘In Flames’ has carved a prominent niche in the metal scene, pioneering a style that merges melodic elements with intense, hard-hitting riffs. With a discography spanning multiple critically acclaimed albums like “The Jester Race” and “Clayman,” the band has consistently pushed boundaries, influencing countless musicians and earning a dedicated global following.

Amidst the fiery performance, a spontaneous and astonishing incident unfolded as an enthusiastic fan breached security and stormed onto the stage. The uninvited guest, described as a fervent admirer, boldly joined ‘In Flames’ in a remarkable stage invasion, surprising both the band and the crowd. For several adrenaline-charged minutes, this passionate individual danced alongside the band members, creating an impromptu yet enthralling moment of connection between artist and audience.

Despite the unexpected interruption, ‘In Flames’ seamlessly incorporated the impulsive energy, amplifying the concert’s intensity and demonstrating their ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances while maintaining the show’s vigor. The incident not only showcased the band’s professionalism but also underscored the fervor and dedication of their fanbase.

As the night continued, ‘In Flames’ continued to captivate the audience, delivering a powerful performance that resonated long after the final chord echoed through the venue. Their ability to merge aggression with melody and their unwavering stage presence solidified their status as trailblazers in the metal genre, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next explosive show.

Killswitch Engage

Selina and I eagerly anticipated the performance of the renowned band Killswitch Engage, a name that had come highly recommended by her circle of friends and colleagues. My intrigue for the band grew over the past few days as I immersed myself in their music, discovering them through a curated playlist on a YouTube music community dedicated to Bloodstock.

Killswitch Engage, a Massachusetts-based metalcore band formed in the late ’90s, has established itself as a powerhouse in the heavy metal scene. Known for their electrifying live performances and distinctive fusion of melody and aggression, the band has garnered a dedicated fanbase worldwide. With a discography that showcases their evolution and mastery of the genre, their music resonates deeply with enthusiasts of metal and hardcore alike.

As anticipation mounted for their live performance, Selina and I found ourselves immersed not only in the band’s music but also in the fervor of those who had experienced their live shows before. The prospect of witnessing Killswitch Engage live was a thrilling culmination of recommendation, exploration, and shared excitement.