Co-authored by Steve Fallows
The Headliner
Alice Cooper
The final day of Bloodstock sees the grand master of shock rock take to the stage to show everyone else how its done. You can expect beheadings, hangings, poisoning and all manner of other gruesome forms of torture and death coupled with nearly 40 years of anthems.
It really is that simple, Alice Cooper is the man that will pull everything together and send the weekend off in style with hit after hit after hit. What better way to end your Sunday night than pissed in a field screaming Poison at the top of your lungs. I rest my case.
The Heavy Hitters
Corrosion Of Conformity
Since reuniting the original line up and returning to their roots, Corrosion Of Conformity have spent the last couple of years destroying cities around the world, and returning to the UK after their performance at April’s Desertfest in London.
The three piece that brought you the classic “Animosity” album have enjoyed working together again whilst erstwhile frontman Pepper Keenan has been concentrating on working with Down. With the band having a new album and enjoying being back together, Sunday afternoon at the main stage should be an excellent place to be.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost have been in some of their finest form for years recently, and third on the bill on the Dio stage is just reward for their long and prestigious history.
With “Tragic Idol” harking back to glory days of “Icon” and “Draconian Times,” Nick Holmes and his band of not so merry men will be sure to add a healthy dose of gloom and doom to your summer evening.
The band set off to the US on tour after this, so this will probably be the last chance to see them over here this year, don’t miss it.
Evile
Evile have spent the last few years rising through the ranks to become the England’s finest thrash acts. A storming set at last years Damnation Festival and subsequent tour in support of “Five Serpents Teeth” just how good this band can be, and they will be eager to show that they are worthy of the main stage spot after being promoted due to Deicide’s decision to cancel their appearance.
Prepare to be blown away, or a t least knocked out of the way by someone going mental when they play ‘Thrasher’.
Other Highlights
Kobra and the Lotus
Kobra and the Lotus are a Canadian five piece fronted by the striking Kobra Paige, the band is managed by Gene Simmons and has been blazing a trail for the last two years.
2012 has seen them so far support metal legends Judas Priest, play Download Festival and gearing up for the release of their self titled album.
The band will be looking to blow those Sunday morning hangovers away, prepare yourselves the Kobra is coming for you.
The Black Dahlia Murder
Nobody does next generation Death Metal with as much fun and gusto as The Black Dahlia Murder, it also helps that they are really fucking good at what they do, bringing melody, gore and outright lunacy to proceedings.
The Black Dahlia Murder will not only be one of the heaviest bands of the weekend they will also be one of the funnest, mark my words on that one.
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir will provide the perfect Yin to Behemoth‘s Yang, more grandiose and epic in scale, they will provide a unique and blood splattered appetiser for the main course of Alice Cooper.
Dimmu will reign over the festival site and create a set not only worth seeing but also worth hearing as well, bringing the evil for one last blast before the weekend closes.
That’s our picks for bands that you should be getting your ass down and seeing next weekend at Bloodstock on the main stage, but in addition to that there the Sophie Lancaster stage and the New Blood stage which will feature some of the hottest rising bands currently bubbling away on the underground,over the course of the weekend these two stages will play host to bands like Welsh metallers Triaxis, Hampshire’s own Bloodshot Dawn, Reading Death Metal Crew Ancient Ascendant, Brighton boys Furyon, as well as established artists Viking Skull, and Anaal Nathrakh.
Bloodstock promises to deliver something for every time of metal fan over a booze soaked, blood stained 3 day weekend.
The time is almost upon us, prepare yourselves for hell on earth and if you see me buy me a beer.
