The delight of punters walking on British heavy metal festival soil with the first pints being poured was a lovely sight. Expectations of life-affirming moments sat on everyone’s lips. This can mean one thing – the gates have officially opened for the 19th edition of UK’s Bloodstock Open Air Festival and Metal Wani were back in documenting the gravity of the metal stratosphere as much as possible! So, without further ado, let’s get started!
After a stellar performance from 2018’s New Blood Stage after winning Manchester’s Metal To The Masses contest, the Mancunian unit Barbarian Hermit were back to kick off the metal fiesta. Giving the festival life into the late afternoon hours, the booming five-piece got into their stride with crushing weight and clout over their fellow countrymen. As the very first band on, there is little to complain about their vitality was immediate in their non-stop party atmosphere. This was their set where their flow of songs and presence was seamless.
Energetically picking up where it left off from the stage, charging from the get-go were Blind River. Pumping up the festival vibe with the pure southern groove to their rock and roll heads, the quartet came out strong while getting the crowd hyped with their song directory. This kept up the with upbeat tempo without sacrificing their old school fashion as time ticked into the dawn of the evening.
Now, how can Metal Wani describe the next bunch of Mancunians, Footprints In The Custard? Absurd, and it was a very good thing! It was all about the party, correct? Refusing to take themselves seriously on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, the mad gang commanded their troop with inflatables flying everywhere [yes, inflatable penises and unicorns included], to sing many tongue-in-cheek tunes and one of those was about My Little Pony was an inconceivable achievement getting Bloodstockers choked in the party mood.
Although there was a smaller audience for Irish leaders Ten Ton Slug, the quartet did not slow themselves down with their stoner influenced riffs that filled the Sophie Lancaster Stage. Those who were present for the show could see their poise on their platform loud and clear through the shows across the European plains that was given, bringing their simple presence to striking life
Despite not being the typical party band on a Thursday evening, it was definitely the catalyst for the seriousness to be put back in its place. As the dark Greek titans Rotting Christ walked on stage, their black metal chapters channeling through towards a ceremonial recital highlighted their collective sonic reputation. Songs from their 2018 release The Heretics bringing forth Hallowed Be Thy Name and Fire, God And Fear accompanied with classic tracks Elthe Kyrie, Non-Serviam and their closer Grandis Spirirtus Diavolos, the Greek enchanters brought the first day of the annual gathering to a tremendous close.
As steps taken into the fields, the air was bitter but warm with undeniable energy. However, the heavens opened in true British fashion. But, it did not dampen the spirits to those walking for those few minutes, Bloodstock Open Air Festival let the field reign supreme