Five must-see bands at Bloodstock

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With the muddy metal extravaganza of Bloodstock fast approaching, TMF is excited at seeing the likes of Behemoth, Machine Head and Alice Cooper taking to the infamous Derbyshire field. But what about some of the lesser known acts worthy of your time next weekend? Dominic has a look at some hidden gems not to be missed.

Grand Magus

The metaller’s metal, Grand Magus is the embodiment of pure heavy metal. Very old school in taste, they always deliver a fist-pumping spectacle to gladden the heart. They might be early on the Friday, but they will chase away those travelling blues and will get the beers flowing come rain or shine – long live heavy metal!

Moonsorrow

Few bands do epic as grand as pagan metal troupe Moonsorrow, the blend of black metal and traditional Finnish folk taking listeners on fantastical journeys from the deepest chasms to the highest mountain peaks. For half an hour at least, we won’t be stuck in the bleak English summer with the rain lashing down and mud to the elbows, so pack your broadsword and go forth!

Benediction

A survivor from the fruitful underground scene of the late Eighties in Birmingham, Benediction have endured as a death metal machine to treasure. Restarting proceedings on the Saturday morning, no hangover will survive the onslaught that will certainly ensue.

Witchsorrow

Dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom! Saturday evening will see the Sophie Lancaster stage brought to a crawl as the Hampshire new boys (and girl) Witchsorrow rekindle the spirit of the original metal genre as they slow it all down and unveil riff after devilishly good riff in a clarion call to the darkness.

Anaal Nathrakh

Birmingham’s most extreme duo, Anaal Nathrakh will be the heaviest band of the weekend when they close the Sophie Lancaster stage on Sunday night. A rare live outing for these black metal boys, their show is even more brutal than their relentless and punishing records, a devastating mixture of unbridled rage and jaw-dropping musical wizardry.

Bloodstock Open Air is at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, starting next Thursday 9th August.