FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Festival 2023 – Part 1


 

A lot has changed in the twenty years since my first Bloodstock. What began as a relatively small indoor gathering in the middle of Derby city centre now welcomes around fifteen thousand metal fans from around the world annually. From two days, two halls, a signing room, and a “Metal Market” to four days, four stages, a signing tent, art gallery, gaming zone, and curiosities such as Viking battles and even early morning Heavy Metal Aerobics sessions, the changes to Bloodstock have been gradual but necessary.

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KK’s Priest Replaces Helloween for Bloodstock Open Air, Festival Kicks Off Today


 

Final preparations are ready for this weekend’s Bloodstock Open Air, kicking off today, the 10th of August through the 14th at Catton Park, Derbyshire. Sad news as Helloween has been forced out of the fest due to a last-minute illness. They are being replaced by KK’s Priest, led by former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing. BOA ‘s2023 Ronnie James Dio Main Stage Headliners are Killswitch Engage, Meshuggah, and Megadeth. with the full band list below.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Lockjaw – Relentless


 

Setting what surely must be some sort of record, Texan metalcore merchants Lockjaw finally release their full-length studio debut twenty-five years after coming into existence. Formed in 1998, the band garnered a decent live reputation but disappeared shortly into the 2000s. Reactivated with a little tweaking in the personnel department, the independently released ‘Deadlights’ single appeared in 2018 followed by four more songs released over 2021 and 2022. Always moving towards a full-length album, Lockjaw 2.0 now deliver on that promise with Relentless (AISAUS/The Orchard), a record sure to please many a groove metal enthusiast.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Killswitch Engage – Fit For An Autopsy – Death Ray Vision Live at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom


 

I waited 18 years to see Killswitch Engage live. Tonight was definitely a show for the books.

Massachusetts metalcore leaders Killswitch Engage decided that Hampton Beach needed some love and did a one-off show last week at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom alongside deathcore titans Fit For An Autopsy, Death Ray Vision, and Paradise Slaves.

 

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CONCERT REVIEW: Killswitch Engage, Rivers of Nihil, Unearth, and Lybica at the Starland Ballroom


It was a chilly night in December at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ for the sold -out Holidaze Rager 2 tour featuring Killswitch Engage, Rivers of Nihil, Unearth, and Lybica. As the parking lot quickly filled up and fans lined up, it was evident we were all about to experience a high-energy show to match the anticipatory buzz of the crowd. The venue has a maximum capacity of 2500 people, and it certainly felt that way as the night developed.


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Corey Pierce of God Forbid and Disciples of Verity Talks Reunion Shows and Racism in Music


 

Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with Corey Pierce of God Forbid and Disciples of Verity kick-off 2023! We chatted about the God Forbid reunion, the upcoming shows in New Jersey and Massachusetts, how the band reformed, a candid talk about the band’s career, if racism played a part in their ability to “make it,” his move to Las Vegas from the East Coast, GF on @lambofgodofficial ‘s Headbanger’s boat cruise, the possibility of more shows, upcoming new music from Disciples of Verity!

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ALBUM REVIEW: Anti-Flag – Lies They Tell Our Children


 

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Having stuck around since the late 1980s, Anti-Flag has become old enough to address the same young, impressionable people they once were when they formed so long ago. Ever ambitious and straight to the point, the Pittsburgh-based punk rock foursome is as approachable as at any other time in their storied career with Lies They Tell Our Children (Spinefarm Records). Rife with on-brand “fuck the system” anthems and guest appearances by like-minded rabble-rousers, the songs pack such an easily consumable punch.

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Bloodstock Open Air 2023 Adds Meshuggah and Helloween


Bloodstock Open Air has added two new bands for 2023, including an all-important third headliner! to the already impressive lineup! Meshuggah is now the day two headline band, along with the addition of Power metal kings Helloween. Full details are below. Also, the fest has announced the full Metal To The Masses competition details and their popular Deposit Scheme announcement. Check out our review of the 2022 fest here. Bloodstock will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023.

 

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Bloodstock Open Air 2023 Adds Sacred Reich, Heaven Shall Burn, Crowbar, All Hail The Yeti, Dead Label, Urne, Invisions, and More!


Bloodstock Open Air has added 12 new bands for 2023 to the already impressive lineup! Legends and future heroes like Sacred Reich, Heaven Shall Burn, Crowbar, All Hail The Yeti, Dead Label, Invisions, and more have joined the bill. Full details are below. Also, the fest has announced the full Metal To The Masses competition details and their popular Deposit Scheme announcement. Check out our review of the 2022 fest here. Bloodstock will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 10th-13th August 2023.

 

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In Flames, Anthrax, Biohazard, Sepultura, Whitechapel, Nonpoint, and More Booked for Bloodstock 2023


Bloodstock Open Air, (BOA) the largest independent metal festival in the UK has announced nine more bands for 2023’s event! In Flames, Anthrax, Biohazard, Sepultura, Whitechapel, Nonpoint, Ugly Kid Joe, Trollfest, and Church Of The Cosmic Skull have all joined the fest! They will join headliners Megadeth, Killswitch Engage, and many more!

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